A.R. Supermarket – Arirang Supermarket
A Korean supermarket mini-chain offers alternatives to H Mart in Garden Grove and Fullerton
Located in Garden Grove’s Korea Plaza, A.R. Supermarket (also known as Arirang) isn’t as modern, clean, or well-stocked as better-known H Mart stores, but has its own appeal – lower prices, a somewhat different selection, and collections of raw and prepared foods that are particularly interesting to fans of Korean food.
A.R.’s butcher shop includes a large collection of ready-to-cook Korean BBQ delicacies, including popular cuts of beef, spicy pork, and chicken, and some nice seafood items, many pre-marinaded, sliced, and ready to cook. Common items such as soy-scallion beef, teriyaki or spicy BBQ chicken, spicy pork and pork bellies, and spicy squid are available – affordably – by the pound. A separate, also prominent display area houses a decent collection of whole fish and shellfish, ranging from fresh to flash-frozen to packaged.
The store also includes a large collection of Korean side dishes, banchan. Previously, they could be individually scooped with serving spoons and purchased in your desired quantity, but now they’re pre-measured and individually packaged.
On the far left of the store (when viewed from outside), A.R. has a small food court similar to H Mart’s H Market Eatery, with independently operated restaurant counters serving Korean fried chicken, noodles, and popular family meals. The other side includes a produce section, which you only approach after walking past a number of clothing and cosmetics stores, all of which appear to be separately run from A.R.
While A.R. is technically a mini-chain in that it has two stores, the location in Fullerton operates under the name A.R. Mart. The Garden Grove location appears to offer more weekly specials, banchan, and meats.
Stats
Price: $-$$
Service: Counter
Open Since: 1983
Addresses
9580 Garden Grove Blvd. #300
Garden Grove, CA 92844
714.539.2703
Additional location in Fullerton