International Supermarket

ISOG has a more «neighborhoody» feel to it, so it’s rather unfortunate that it exists on that tumbleweed-​ridden stretch of Old Madison Pike, between Slaughter and Shelton, that is completely embalmed by 8:00 p.m. I have been informed that they closed at that time, but visited once just about 8:00, everyone was long gone, and it was dark and dreadful. If I had seen Peter Lorre and Bela Lugosi wrestling the Sharks over the last shreds of Skate Wing, I would scarce have been shocked.
During the safer, semi-​revived daylight hours, however, there’s a lot to see here; Lugosi, at least, is asleep, and garlic is readily available, anyway. IM is heavily Korean, but carries a sizable stash of products.
Cookies, Wafers, and Candies are well represented, with a standout being the Meiji™ DIY Mushroom Candy Kit. Yep, a la Incredible Edibles™, tykes can concoct toothsome chocolate mushrooms with cookie «stems» and all without burning down house and home.
They still carry the Ginseng Coffee (as well as tea and root) mentioned elsewhere on Unilocal; also found, for teas or perhaps potions and poultices, are Oriental Cinnamon, Raisin, and Elm Tree Bark; Quince; Roots of Angelica and Solomon’s Seal… and so on. I actually grow Solomon’s Seal and couldn’t bear to destroy it by brewing, but that may be the same syndrome that prevents one from barbecuing any animal they’ve named.
Along with assorted Nori snacks (YES!), they carry a load of ready-​made sauces (Tom Yum Kung or Tom Yum Hot and Sour Pastes; Sambal Oelek Chili Paste; Satay Peanut Sauce; Tom Ka Kai Spicy Coconut Paste; Chili Paste with Basil Leaves or in Soybean Oil, and so on).
This of course includes the omnipresent Sriracha («Rooster Sauce» as some call it, due to the familiar logo)…check the labels to ensure you’re getting the variety of a product imported from Thailand; purportedly it is tangier… not to mention, in danger of becoming routine and, worse, Americanized. Once you hit Taco Hell, you’re the new vanilla.
ISOG also offer a Kimchi Base, if you’re adventurous. And if you are reading this, you probably are.
Also found, as to be expected, are canned soups, along with dried, microwaveable Ramen-​types. The freezer area has a wide array of merchandise, with two standing freezers in the back fully stocked with an impressive variety of fish and fish neighbors. You’ll also find Oxtail, Short Ribs, and more.
There are more varieties of noodle and rice than you can possibly shake a chopstick at and, if you’re too lazy to cook, they offer several snacks made in-​house. The most recent time I visited, I found Fried Zucchini near the front register and assorted Steamed Buns and such near the kitchenette area in the back.
Even to Far East and Thanh Hung regulars, ISOG is well worth a stopover. Furthermore, provided it’s a pleasant day and the sun’s still safely out, it’s a convenient walk from a number of nearby neighborhoods. I only wish it were here when I was a Madisonian… the path between my townhouse and their kitchenette would have been, like my crucifix, well worn.

This is a great find. I buy mostly Japanese food and I am happy with the selection. The owner is nice and when she isn’t too busy, she has no problem chatting with you. I like to go around my lunchtime, that way I can buy her futomaki rolls. Two nice size rolls for only $ 5! What a deal!

They’ve got a bigger variety of Asian groceries than Mr Choi’s and that Vietnamese grocery store on Hwy 20 behind Golden Rule BBQ. They seem to have more Korean products than Japanese, but plenty of both. Personally I go for the snacks, and always find new things to try. On my latest trip I was disappointed they didn’t have the C.C.Lemon drink and instead of Calpis (Calpico) they had a Korean equivalent.

The kim bap is what bumped this up from a three star store to a four star store. May change up to five once we’ve tasted the side dishes, which look delicious. My wife and I have been going to Shinsegae since we moved here, with an occasional stop at Choi’s for CC Lemon and Far East Market for golden curry sauce, but since we moved to Harvest it’s harder to find time to go to these stores. It was good to find that this store existed much closer than the Huntsville stores, and hopefully with more visits the store owner will warm up to us. It’s just hard to beat the upbeat, always smiling charm of the Shinsegae owners!

I found stuff here that I cant even find in ranch 99. I found a ginseng coffee that my dad normally has to pick up for me in Indonesia. They also had takoyaki sauce, several variations of seaweed– some I’ve never seen before, the tiny yogurt drink, instant miso soup, real miso paste, thai tea, instant soup bowls, ready to eat Korean side dishes, Korean BBQ sauces, frozen fish and meat, candies, random kitchen items„ a few produce staples like garlic and ginger, rice crackers, etc.
The best part was anything that expired over xmas was on sale for 50% off. I feel like some places keep selling expired food with unexpired food and u don’t know til u get home.
i would have given this place a 3.5, but i’ll lean higher since there just aren’t enough of these places around. and b/​c they had the coffee!
Next time I’m getting a big bag of rice, soup preparations and curry. Yums!