Photo Credit: https://hungrygowhere.com/

K-wave enthusiasts and Korean food lovers have reason to celebrate as Singapore’s first Lotte Mart Express has made its highly anticipated debut at FairPrice Xtra VivoCity. While the official launch is set for 15 May 2025, eager shoppers have already been enjoying this vibrant Korean retail concept since early May.

This marks a significant milestone as Singapore’s first Lotte Mart Express is not just a first for the island nation but for all of Southeast Asia. Though Lotte Mart has established stores in Indonesia and Vietnam, Singapore has secured the distinction of hosting the region’s first Express concept, bringing the beloved Korean shopping experience closer to home.

Korean Retail Giant Makes Its Mark

Strategically positioned inside FairPrice Xtra at VivoCity’s Basement 2, Singapore’s first Lotte Mart Express is the result of a partnership between FairPrice Group and South Korea’s largest retail corporation, LOTTE Retail. The collaboration, announced in August 2024, has transformed a section of the supermarket into a colourful Korean retail paradise that saves shoppers a trip to Seoul for their favourite Korean provisions.

The vibrant store-in-store concept encapsulates the essence of Korean food culture, offering much more than just groceries. It creates an immersive shopping and dining environment that transports visitors straight to the bustling markets of South Korea.

Exclusive Korean Products

Lotte Mart Express stocks approximately 180 products exclusively from the Lotte brand and its private labels, Good Today and Yorihada. This makes FairPrice the only place in Singapore where shoppers can currently purchase items under these labels.

The selection ranges from sweet and savoury snacks to beverages and cooking essentials. Highlights include the affordable Good Today seashell shaped snack retailing at just S$2 and the popular Good Today americano black (2.1L) priced at S$6.95-making each cup of americano cost less than a dollar.

Health-conscious shoppers will appreciate Lotte’s Zero series of sugar-free snacks, while K-drink enthusiasts can find trending beverages like Chilsung Cider Zero, Milkis Zero, and Chum Churum’s Saero soju for recreating popular drink-mixing trends from Korean social media.

DIY Ramyeon Experience

Perhaps the most exciting feature of Singapore’s first Lotte Mart Express is its fully-equipped DIY ramyeon bar. This self-cooking station showcases shelves filled with Korean instant noodles from fan-favourite brands like Nongshim and Samyang.

Customers can select their preferred noodles and customise their bowls with an array of toppings including vegetables, crabsticks, sausages, meatballs, eggs, and cheese. The setup even includes fresh milk and various sauces to perfect that authentic Korean noodle experience.

While the concept brings the joy of Korean ramyeon culture to Singapore, space constraints mean there are only two cooking stations available, which might result in waiting times during peak hours.

Yorihada Kitchen: Street Food Haven

Adjacent to the ramyeon bar sits Yorihada Kitchen, a snack counter that brings the vibrant flavours of Korean street food to Singapore. The kitchen serves freshly prepared classics including:

Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) from S$5.90
Eomuk (fish cake skewers) at S$5.90
Gimbap (Korean rice rolls) from S$4.90, available in original, tuna mayo, and bulgogi varieties, with the option of half portions at S$4.90
Dakgangjeong (sweet crispy Korean fried chicken) from S$8.90
Bulgogi Rice Bowl at S$9.90

Food critics who have sampled the offerings note that the eomuk and dakgangjeong taste remarkably authentic, reminiscent of what one would find at street food stalls in Korea. The tteokbokki, though delicious, could be saucier according to some reviewers. It’s worth noting that the food from Yorihada Kitchen is not halal-certified.

Complete Korean Experience

To round out the authentic Korean market experience, Singapore’s first Lotte Mart Express features a Korean-style photobooth complete with themed props. At S$10 per photo session, visitors can commemorate their visit with fun snapshots that add to the immersive atmosphere.

Shoppers who spend at least S$30 at Lotte Mart Express will receive a token for the store’s gachapon machine, offering a chance to win snack-themed prizes-adding a playful element typical of Korean retail environments.

For New Jeans fans, there’s also a special promotion: spend a minimum of S$20 on Lotte products to receive a limited edition New Jeans Sticker Book (while stocks last).

Beyond VivoCity: Wider Availability

While Singapore’s first Lotte Mart Express flagship location is at VivoCity, select Lotte products are now available at 104 FairPrice Supermarkets, Finest, and Xtra locations islandwide, making Korean treats more accessible to shoppers across Singapore.

A Taste of Seoul Without the Flight

With its strategic location near the Sentosa Boardwalk, some creative shoppers have suggested recreating the popular Korean tradition of enjoying instant noodles by the Han River, but with a Singaporean twist. The proximity to waterfront views creates an opportunity to enjoy freshly cooked ramyeon with a scenic backdrop, much like the beloved Korean pastime.

Operating Information

Singapore’s first Lotte Mart Express at FairPrice Xtra VivoCity operates daily from 8am to 11pm. The store is located at 1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-23 & #B2-23, VivoCity.

Weekly promotions on street food items from Yorihada Kitchen will run until 31 May, offering even more reasons to visit this Korean food heaven.

A New Milestone in Singapore’s Retail Scene

The arrival of Singapore’s first Lotte Mart Express represents another milestone in the country’s ever-evolving retail landscape and growing appreciation for Korean culture. As Korean entertainment, beauty, and cuisine continue to surge in popularity, this new addition satisfies the demand for authentic Korean products without requiring international travel.

Whether you’re a dedicated K-food enthusiast or simply curious about Korean culinary culture, Singapore’s first Lotte Mart Express offers a compact but comprehensive introduction to the flavours, snacks, and street food that have made Korean cuisine a global phenomenon.