Wu Mart Beijing Shopping Guide 2026: Snacks & Baijiu Haul

Hello there, Global Explorers!

Your Greater China travel blogger,

Nihao Lililili, here!

If you want to tackle your China shopping list all at once,

instead of just hitting up touristy souvenir shops,

local big supermarkets are *much* more fun!

After exploring the Summer Palace and grabbing a bite,

I popped into a nearby Wumart.

From instant noodles to snacks, sauces,

and even potent baijiu (Chinese liquor) – just browsing through everything

took up quite a bit of my time!

Not only will I tell you what to buy,

but also which food items are allowed to be brought back to Korea.

I'll cover it all for you in this one post!

1. Wumart: Your Local Chinese Supermarket

Essential Information

Wumart is known as 物美超市 in Chinese,

and it's a popular local supermarket chain

you'll frequently spot in Beijing.

You can search for ‘物美’ or

‘Wumart’ on Gaode Maps (Amap) to find

multiple branches near you.

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Instead of specifically seeking out a famous branch,

it's much more practical to choose a store that's close to your day's itinerary or near your accommodation.

Trust me, your shopping bag can get surprisingly heavy with all those goodies!

After my meal near the Summer Palace,

I visited a nearby Wumart.

The store was much bigger than I expected,

and I initially only planned to buy a few necessities.

But I ended up spending quite a while there, simply enjoying the thrill of exploring local products!

2. Your China Supermarket Shopping List

Without further ado, let's dive straight into the China shopping list!

For instant noodles, I recommend trying one or two of each flavor, like tomato-flavored noodles,

Suanlafen (which looks a bit like a 'goblin' cup noodle),

coriander noodles, and Tudoufen (potato noodles).

Tomato noodles are relatively familiar,

while Suanlafen offers a tangy and spicy kick.

Coriander noodles have a strong aroma,

so they might not be to everyone's taste.

Instead of buying many,

I suggest trying just one first.

For sauces, I absolutely recommend Haidilao Hot Pot Sauce

and the seasoning powder for lamb skewers!

Imagine making hot pot at home with shabu-shabu ingredients, and

then buying some lamb to dip in the powder –

it'll feel just like you're back in China!

For liquid sauces, make sure to check the lid and packaging

to prevent any leaks, and then seal them once more in a Ziploc bag.

Among snacks, Mala Peanuts were my go-to beer snack,

I just couldn't stop reaching for them.

Highly recommended to bring back as a gift too!

The Lay's Cucumber flavor is only for those who truly love cucumbers,

while the Truffle and BBQ flavors are generally crowd-pleasers.

Wangwang Rice Crackers are great for the office pantry,

but they take up a lot of space.

If you're short on luggage space,

you can lower their priority.

I just ended up carrying them by hand, lol.

3. Beijing Gaoliang Liquor Recommendations

In Beijing, Erguotou liquor is very famous.

If it's your first time trying it, don't buy a large bottle right away.

Instead, sample a 100ml small bottle first

to find a product that suits your taste.

You'll find them widely available in convenience stores!

The alcohol content is quite high, so even a small bottle is enough.

Most restaurants in China offer free corkage,

so I'd buy some gaoliang liquor before each meal, taste it,

and then purchase the ones I liked.

Both of the following are highly recommended!!

You'll also frequently see Meizen, which is a plum wine.

Jiangxiaobai's peach, mint, and yuzu flavors have a lower alcohol content

and are more aromatic than traditional gaoliang liquor, making them great

for beginners to compare and try.

It's a popular drink among China's MZ generation,

so it makes for a fun gift too.

When entering Korea, the duty-free allowance for alcohol is

a total of 2L or less, regardless of the number of bottles,

and the total value must be under $400.

Even if you buy several small bottles,

you must sum up the total volume and value.

Place each glass bottle in a plastic bag or zip-lock bag,

wrap it in clothes, and put it in the center of your suitcase.

It's also safe to check your airline's checked baggage regulations

before you depart.

4. Food Import Precautions

For instant noodles and sauces,

you need to check if they contain any

pieces of beef, pork, or chicken.

Just like how Taiwanese beef noodle cup ramen is absolutely not allowed!

Meat and processed meat products are subject to quarantine,

and most cannot be imported without a phytosanitary certificate

from the exporting country. Therefore,

it's safest not to purchase any products containing meat.

Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh seeds,

ham, sausages, and jerky are absolutely not allowed!!!

If you fail to declare quarantined items,

you could be subject to a fine of up to

~$7,299.

So, happy Beijing shopping!

Zàijiàn!!!

Continue Reading

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