10 Best Things to Eat and Drink at Lotte Plaza Market in Tampa

TAMPA — The sweet, smoky smell of fried chicken, chili peppers and fish sauce wafting out the door was the first sign I was in trouble.

A few weeks ago, I went to visit the Lotte Plaza Market, a sprawling 49,000 square foot Asian market in New Tampa. It was lunch time and I was more than curious about the hype surrounding this place.

But I wasn’t prepared for the magnitude of the cost or the fact that I’d be faced with more options than I could handle while dining alone.

Hundreds of people lined up when the Korean supermarket opened last November. This place has this kind of following, and it’s not hard to see why: the market launch marked the first of its kind for the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area, and It is only the second Lotte Plaza Market in the state (the other location is in Orlando).

And while there are many other great Asian grocery stores in the Tampa Bay area, Lotte’s food court — with several different concepts — is what really sets it apart.

Wandering the wide aisles, I passed shelves stocked with just about everything imaginable: Indian aachar, wasabi paste and banana cream Pocky sticks; rice cookers and porcelain tableware; Korean beauty products; fresh vegetables and seafood; an entire section dedicated to kimchi.

Inside the food court, located directly to the right of the store entrance, are several self-service portals where customers can browse available menus and order with a single ticket. A text message lets diners know their order is ready for pickup, and there are plenty of comfortable tables and booths for dining.

I ended up returning to Lotte Plaza Market a second time because there were just too many good options. Even on my second go-around, I felt like I had barely scratched the surface, but the following dishes were the ones that really stood out.

I can’t wait to come back and try more. But next time I’ll bring a friend.

Bibimbap bowl

Or: SGD DUBO – Song Gong Dong Tofu and barbecue

Price: $15.99

There are a number of proteins to choose from to complement this popular Korean dish, from tofu and chicken to pork and seafood. I have a weakness for sweet marinated beef bulgogi style, which pairs very well with the mixture of raw and sautéed vegetables, fried eggs and rice. A selection of banchan – small vegetable side dishes – accompanies each order, including spicy and savory kimchi, chili-spiced green beans and Korean fish cakes.

Gangnam-style barbecue chicken

Or: Barbecue Chicken – Korea’s Best Fried Chicken

Price: $13.95

If you’re looking to satisfy your craving for crispy and spicy Korean fried chicken, this is the place for you. There are over 14 versions of this popular dish here, from Caribbean spices to honey and garlic to the aptly named Wings of Fire. The Gangnam Style version features crispy, sweet and spicy wings tossed in a ginger and pepper sauce, topped with jalapenos. This might be the best fried chicken I’ve ever eaten.

Corn Cheese Fritters

Or: Everyday

Price: $3.95

There are so many things to love about this Asian bakery, from chocolate-filled croissants to cream cheese-stuffed garlic buns to Japanese milk bread. But perhaps my favorite are these sweet and slightly salty corn fritters, puffy and sweet on the outside and filled with a sweet corn custard.

Kimchi croquettes

Or: Every day

Price: $3.25

Are you a fan of crispy, golden croquettes? Do you like the spicy and salty flavor of kimchi? Then you will fall in love with these crazy, delicious and hearty treats as hard as I do. (Pro tip: They travel well and are perfect for a solid snack on the go.)

Vietnamese coffee

Or: At the store

Price: Varies by brand

Tous les Jours has a cafe that sells a number of espresso drinks, from honey lavender macchiatos to tiramisu lattes. But the main grocery store also sells a solid selection of grab-and-go drinks, including several different brands of sweet and strong Vietnamese black coffee—the perfect pick-me-up for your ride home.

Apricot Danish

Or: Everyday

Price: $3.95

This extravagant pastry combines poached apricots with a base of sweet custard, strawberry jam and cream. It’s just as decadent and delicious as it sounds.

kimchi pancakes

Or: SGD DUBO – Song Gong Dong Tofu and barbecue

Price: $12.99

I loved these crispy, crispy fried pancakes – called kimchijeon – which arrive filled with fiery kimchi and charred scallions. The portions are huge here, making it a great sharing option.

Jjamjjamyeon

Or: SGD DUBO – Song Gong Dong Tofu and barbecue

Price: $17.99

A duo of Korean-Chinese dishes, it includes both a warming and flavorful plate of noodles draped in a thick black bean sauce as well as a piping hot and super spicy seafood stew, loaded with shrimp, squid, clams and a multitude of vegetables. Both dishes were bursting with flavor and came with tangy pickled radishes.

Salmon high roll

Or: Haru Sushi

Price: $17.50

The sushi selection here is nothing revolutionary, but there is a decent selection of rolls to choose from if you prefer sushi. I liked the Salmon High Roll, a combination of salmon, cream cheese and avocado topped with more salmon and fried masago (smelt roe).

Kimchi

Or: At the store

Price: Varies by type

It should come as no surprise that this Korean grocer has an exceptional selection of kimchi, but the variety here is truly impressive. From scallions and cabbage to cucumbers and radishes, there are plenty of spicy and fermented vegetables to choose from.