South China Seas

This shop is a lovely find in Granville market. They have various unconventional items that you might not find in other big Asian supermarkets. They carry everything from South East Asian, Thai, Indian. Great selection. There’s even a cookbook shelf??!! And the best thing, the guy at the counter is so helpful and well informed and carries a great conversation :)

Favorite place to buy spices and sauces. Really like that they have 20% Discount when you buy $100 which is is great deal and I enjoy their store experience in Granville.

If your looking for some not so easy to find ingredients in the Granville Island market... this is your place. Don't be mislead. It's not only asian ingredients, a fair amount of their products haul from central and South America also.

Very helpful staff helped me pick out a fun selection of unique cooking sauces to try. Prices seem to be reasonable for a boutique food shop.

A gem in this city. If you love to cook, this is a store that you need visit regularly. So many flavours and sauces and spices, when you arrive be prepared to take some time- the shop is tiny, but there is so much to choose from! And if you get lost, the staff are super approachable and knowledgeable and happy to help you find the flavours you're looking for. I've shopped here a few times now and have always had a great experience. Can't wait for my next visit!

Great selection of obscure ingredients—zaatar, black garlic, curry leaves, Mediterranean couscous, preserved lemon, dried fish heads, fresh galangal and more... if you like buying ingredients you've never used before and then trying to build a meal around them, it's a great place to shop. The two best sections for me are 1) the wall of fire, which has a great selection of hot sauces ranging from the accessible to the downright challenging (one time they had carolina reaper puree, which took me two years to get through, and I mean that as a commendation); and 2) an excellent selection of cookbooks, from David Chang to Ottolenghi to classics like the Herb & Spice Bible. Check this place out if you like exploring more out-of-the-way corners of the retail culinary scene.

Love this place and soooo excited that they now carry Luv The Grub chutneys!

I loved this store. It only carries the most beautiful and high quality products that also tastes wonderful. My kids and I had a great time and the store manager and staff were so lovely! It's a must visit at the Granville Island Market!

Vegemite! Mrs Ball's Chutney! Stem Ginger in Syrup! Kaya! An amazing selection of spices, must have condiments and special treats from around the globe.

this store is rather new to Granville Island. I believe it's only been there for under one year. They have a big selection of imported spices and other cool knick knacks. The store is organized an open. Friendly staff.

Touristy, classic, been here since the dawn of the market. South China Seas has been a fixture since as far as I can remember going to this market. It's been a gem for finding the unique flavourings of Asia. Sure if you go to Chinatown or even those big T&T markets you may find similar stuff, but it may not be quite the same. And here in its condensed market you can get the perfect pairing to go with the produce and meats you get that can only be gotten in this market. My brother comes here for his hot sauces. I've been here for those hard to find items. All in all its treat. The store makes you think and feel adventurous in what the next meal you want to prepare and you feel that this place can help you get to the next level of culinary genius. It stimulates and then you just have to commit and get something and follow through from designing to making your next Asian fusion meal. This store is definitely thought provoking. And if all else fails, get some hot sauce and spice up your life anyways.

DO NOT SHOP HERE! High prices and baaaad shopping experience. So, purchased a bottle of vinagre, paid for it, and as I placed it in my bag it slips and breaks. I asked for a replacement and it became an ordeal. I got to chat with the owner who started telling me his story about how he funds his biz :-0 had to walk away. This all happend at the counter in the store infront of the clerk To boot, earlier that same day I had purchased some rice and they were unable to tell me anything about it, I mean 0 product knowledge.

Awful place. I rarely feel compelled to give nasty reviews but this is an exception.... I bought three things, two of which were badly expired. I came back an hour later to return it and one of the clerks said in Chinese to lie and say that was the date it was made. I don't think they expected me to speak Mandarin! Avoid this place, awful people, awful products

**International Food Smuggler alert** You have found me! Yes I am that clever (sneaky) American who crosses the border to eat raw milk cheese, satiate my Southeast Asian fruit cravings and occasionally smoke a Punch Punch or SS#2. Mangosteens are my real weakness here! A purple baseball of a fruit hiding decadent morsels of Banana-Raspberry-Strawberry tasting flesh just beneath its leathery exterior. Now you can almost always find some (if not all vendors) hawking mangosteens along with dragon fruit throughout the year, but only this purveyor will actually have them flown in fresh! This is probably my favorite fruit in the world, and refrigeration or freezing will actually ruin the flavor and texture of a mangosteen. Trust me and don't buy from any other supplier in the market, their mangosteens have been sitting in the refrigerated cargo holds of ships for weeks! Instead I urge you to splurge, and pay about 4 times the price that the other stalls charge to truly experience this gem of a fruit. They also have fresh Kaffir limes and leaves, Rambutans, Calamansi, Gangal, Thai Basil, dim sum steamers, chutneys, cookbooks and just about every other exotic ingredient, tool or guide that you might need, but not know where to find it at. The store is small, but the staff is excellent and happy to answer any questions you might have. The Granville Market is one of my very favorite destinations in Vancouver, and along with Oyama, the South China Seas Trading Company is a must stop for me on every trip! Hint: For you lime lovers, try the Kaffir Lime in your favorite cocktail (Gin or Rum especially) or just squeeze some into a diet coke. You can smell this lime from across a room when it is squeezed!

Their specialty is fresh Asian and Caribbean spices. Not only do they carry the product, they carry the fresh version when possible and they know how to use it!! They're not just a retailer, they're a great resource, too. Key limes, fresh lemongrass, garam masala... Lovin' it.

The owner could not have been lovelier or more helpful. He spent about 5 minutes patiently helping me figure out the spice I needed to make Shakshuka, and we discussed our mutual love of the dish. He really went out of his way to help me find what I needed. It was service above and beyond!

When my wife needed pandan for a Malaysian dessert called onde onde, we made a trip to South China Seas. We also found some mirin and white miso that we needed for another couple of recipes. They carry ingredients for cooking recipes from Southeast Asia, Japan, China, India, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. They have a big selection of cookbooks in case you need some inspiration for what to do with the ingredients that you find in this store.

As one expects from granville island boutique shops, this one is worth poking your head in..books, spices, products from all over the world, even free recipes. Picked up some amazing rosemary spice, pretty good quality so far. Friendly, knowledgeable staff too. located right beside L'epicerie Rotisserie chicken. Yummy aromas all around lol

Do you need some Asian ingredients for your upcoming dinner recipe? Then you need to stop by South China Seas Trading Company for the cheap, yet quality goods. From lemongrass to curry pastes, from young ginger to plantains. South China Seas Trading Company is located on Granville Island across from the Granville Tea Company. I suggest stopping by and seeing their products. And as always, Have Fun!!!

The definitive location for all of your exotic cuisine needs, the South China Seas Trading Company does an excellent job of stocking unique items from all over Asia, Latin America, India and the Caribbean. Mexican cheeses sit alongside Thai basil and lemongrass, while water chestnuts, enoki mushrooms, fresh noodles, miso and wasabi share a stage in the chilled section of the shop. Exotic fruits and veggies, chilies, dumplings, curries, sauces and chutneys will add flair to the recipes you whip up with your new cookbook from the great international cookbook selection.

Yummy choices for the spice lovers and condiment crazed among us. My husband complains that we don't have room for food in our pantry or fridge- too many oils, spices, vinegars.. If you love adventurous eats, go to the South China place for your spices, mushrooms, etc...

The new location in Granville island is a little bit bigger and better organized than their old location. They sell many ingredients that are hard to find elsewhere like fresh tumeric and wasabi. There is also noodles made with yams for anyone living a grain free diet. There is other fresh produce, spices and some books. It is right across from Oyama meats.

a hidden stall in the Granville Island market, the south china seas trading company carries all kinds of phenomenal, rare ingredients you can't find in any supermarket. perfect for making authentic Thai food. kaffir (also known as magrut) limes. fresh lime leaves. galangal. lemongrass. thai basil. chiles. curry pastes. fish sauce. all fairly intimidating, unfamiliar ingredients. step outside your comfort zone! experiment and trust your senses. smell. taste. touch. they won't steer you wrong. and more than anything, don't be afraid to ask questions. the staff at south china seas are knowledgeable and helpful.

If you are bored with just salt and pepper, come to South China Seas for exotic spices and ingredients that you cannot find in many places. The keyword here is "exotic." The decor of this shop certainly conjures a sense of history; Think 16th or 17th century purveyors of fine, hard to source ingredients. They've got TRUE cinnamon quills from Ceylon, not cassia that we came to know as cinnamon in North America. I've also seen fresh red and green peppercorns, fresh young ginger that is perfect for salads and stir fries, pandan leaves that are used in many South East Asian desserts, fresh red chillies and many more. This store would literally bring excitement back to your kitchen with tonnes of flavours and enticing smells.

What an awesome little ethnic specialty store you will find the most interesting spices and ingredients here for cooking a fabulous meal! They have different sauces and a great selection of produce you wouldn't find in an everyday supermarket isle. I wandered in here to pick up some phyllo pastry for spanakopita I was making and got into a conversation with the friendly staff about the liter of coconut water I was carrying. They told me they could actually order in a flat of young coconuts for me that would end up being cheaper and better quality than the glitzy silver tetra pack I so often brought myself to purchase. It was $18 for 9 young coconuts (hold about 3 cups each) and its $3 for an individual coconut water in a tetra pack that holds just over a cup. So obviously the deal is better, its not quite as convenient since you have to pry a hole in the top to get the water out however you do get to scoop out the delicious coconut meat a little snack after, yum!

I work on Granville Island so will have a browse at South China Seas Trading Company in the Granville Island Market at least once a week. More often than not I'll end up purchasing some random herb or spice to add to my collection - last week's purchase was Star Anise (for making Pho') and Lavender (for Lavender Shortbread Cookies). Although the stall is small, there's quite a selection of goodies - including books. The staff is both friendly and informative. Definitely worth checking out for something hard-to-find - or, just for inspiration.

I've been shopping at South China Seas for over 20 years and I'm always happy with the fresh produce, selection of products, as well as the friendliness and efficiency of the staff. I can always find the sauces and ingredients that I need for my favourite Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Latin American recipes. It's a bonus that the store is at Granville Island, where I can also shop for fresh fish, meat, etc.

Visibly aesthetic, very nice cashier, and things to drool over (well, not literally). But I don't like the high prices here. I guess I'll have to get used to that on Granville Island...

Along with the selection of both fresh and packaged herbs and spices and difficult to find veggies like Thai eggplant and galangal. They also have a rotating collection of obscure cook books. They carry pretty much everything you need for many of the more esoteric Thai dishes.

This place is the reason I come to Granville Island so often, and I just call it "the spice store". I'm always looking for fresh spices and ingredients, and South China Seas has the best and widest selection of any store in Vancouver. Very well stocked for South Asian, Southeast Asian, Chinese and Central/South American foods, but they've got a little bit of everything from everywhere. Whether you're looking for the freshest lemongrass, fresh wasabi root, Thai basil, queso fresco and great tortillas, a variety of fresh and dried chiles, great paneer or lime and curry leaves, you can find it all in the same location. They also have many cookbooks, frozen foods, canned goods, mushrooms, hot sauces and the best selection of packaged spices in Vancouver. (My only complaint about South China Seas is their spices have annoying packages - plastic bags with a label stapled to them. You can't reseal after opening, so best to get some spice jars or ziploc bags.) The service is great and friendly too, so this is a good place for both globe-trotting foodies and culinary novices who might have lots of questions.

Have been to both this location and Victoria Drive one as well as ordering online. The selection and service was excellent in all cases. On the rare occasions I haven't found what I wanted I haven't been able to get it anywhere else locally either. This is always one of the first places I head to when I go to Granville Island.

For those interested, South China Seas is still in the Granville Island Public Market, but has changed location - bigger space, more products (yea!). They are now near Choclatas (excellent & unique chocolates) & Oyama (delicious meats/cheeses). Check them out too - you won't be disappointed.