A new hotspot for fans of Korean culture has appeared in the very heart of Barcelona. Kim Market, which opened this summer, quickly became a magnet for young people, students, and anyone curious about unique flavors. Under one roof, you’ll find the most popular Korean snacks, cosmetics, and drinks—items that were previously only available online or could be brought back from a trip to Asia.
From the outside, Kim Market looks like an ordinary supermarket, but step inside and you’re transported to the atmosphere of Seoul. The interior is styled after a Korean bus stop, and the shelves are packed with colorful packages of noodles, sweet and spicy chips, and ice cream that’s become a social media sensation. Here you can not only shop for products, but also snap striking photos for social media—every corner of the store is thoughtfully designed.
The selection is impressive in its variety: the shelves are stocked with snacks made famous by TikTok, such as honey and barbecue potato chips, as well as a range of instant noodles from well-known Korean brands. There’s special attention to sweets inspired by popular shows and anime—think cookies featuring characters from ‘Squid Game’ or ‘Shin Chan’. Beverage lovers will appreciate the options: from traditional soju and rice wine makgeolli to sodas in creative packaging, as well as drinks often seen in Korean dramas.
Cosmetics are also featured: a separate display is dedicated to K-Beauty products that have long won the hearts of Europeans. For K-pop fans, there are limited edition coffee collections featuring BTS members, as well as exclusive merchandise with anime and manga characters. Kim Market has become not only a place to shop, but also a meeting point for fans of Asian pop culture, collectors, and curious locals.
The opening of this store is further proof that the Korean wave is gaining momentum in Spain. Barcelona, known for its multicultural spirit, has once again confirmed its status as one of Europe’s main hubs where different cultures converge. Kim Market has not only broadened the city’s gastronomic landscape but also offered locals the chance to get closer to contemporary Korea without leaving Catalonia.
Unusual corn-shaped ice cream, which went viral after being featured in a video by a BTS member, is especially popular here. More than two hundred of these desserts were sold in the first month. Every product here is not just food, but part of a story tied to modern youth culture. Kim Market is confidently carving out a niche not only as a store, but also as a cultural space where everyone will find something appealing—from traditional kimchi to new products just beginning to gain popularity in Europe.
