A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in the Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands has several well-stocked supermarkets, particularly around Majuro, where you will find familiar American brands alongside imports from Australia, Japan, Pakistan and other international destinations.

The selection is surprisingly broad for such a remote island nation, although prices are higher than many travellers may be used to due to freight and import costs. For self-catering, the larger supermarkets are your best source of meat, dairy products, pantry staples, drinks, toiletries and household supplies.

K&K Island Pride Supermarket

K&K Island Pride Supermarket is the largest supermarket chain in the Marshall Islands, with branches in Delap and Long Island. Its motto, “Kandrikdrik Kan Yokwe”, means “Little Things We Love”, although there is nothing particularly little about the main Delap store.

The Delap branch has the widest selection, including fresh and frozen meat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables, bread, cereals, alcohol, condiments, snacks and international groceries. You will also find toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent and basic pharmacy products.

We found the international range particularly useful, with plant-based milks, imported sauces, speciality snacks and products from Australia, Japan and further afield. Browsing the unfamiliar packets can become an activity in itself, although checking ingredient labels may take some patience.

There is also a Bank of Guam ATM on-site, which is handy if your shopping trip turns out to be larger than planned (island supermarket curiosity is a powerful thing).

The Long Island branch next to Lojkar Apartments & Hotel offers a similarly broad retail range, while a separate wholesale outlet operates in Delap for larger quantities.

The Delap and Long Island stores are open from 7 am to 9 pm Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday, and 7 am to 8 pm Sunday.

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Triple J Payless Supermarket

Triple J Payless Supermarket (Uliga and Ebeye), known better as Payless on Majuro and Triple J on Ebeye, is one of the best places in the atolls to look for fresh fruit and vegetables. Its produce section usually carries a wider range than many smaller shops, including carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, cabbage, peppers, onions and imported fruit.

Freshness can vary because much of the produce has travelled a long way to reach the atolls, so check items carefully before buying. For locally grown fruit and vegetables, the local market is generally a better option (see below).

Payless also stocks useful self-catering basics such as rice, canned tomatoes, beans, sweetcorn, noodles and other pantry staples.

The supermarket also has a Bank of Guam ATM to your right as you enter. There is also a drinking water refill station behind the supermarket in Majuro, which you can learn more about in Is the Water Safe to Drink in the Marshall Islands?

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EZ Price Mart

Also in Uliga, EZ Price Mart is more of a department store than a traditional supermarket, but it is still a useful stop for travellers.

The grocery selection is smaller than at K&K Island Pride or Payless, although you will find drinks, juices, dairy and non-dairy milk, bottled water and a selection of snacks. Its central location right across the road from Payless makes it convenient for picking up a few basics.

The main strength of EZ Price Mart is its range of non-food essentials. It stocks toiletries, first aid supplies, over-the-counter medicines, clothing, household goods and electronics, even travel adapters, making it a useful place to visit when your shopping list extends beyond dinner.

EZ Price Mart has a coin-operated water refill station, though the one across the road at Payless gives you more control.

Small convenience stores are scattered along Majuro’s main road, filling the gaps between the larger supermarkets. They generally stock bottled drinks, snacks, instant noodles, canned food, basic toiletries and other non-perishable essentials.

Many Marshallese simply refer to the smallest hole-in-the-wall shops as “Chinese stores”. Rather than walking inside, you usually approach a service window, ask whether they have what you need and check the price, as items are not always displayed.

The shopkeeper then passes your purchases through the window. It can feel a little mysterious the first time, but it is an efficient system once you get used to asking, “Do you have water? Rice? Biscuits?” one item at a time.

Most convenience stores accept cash, although some larger businesses also take cards or local digital payments. Opening hours are generally long, making these stores useful when the supermarkets are closed.

Mon LiSaitem

Mon LiSaitem (Rita) is one of Majuro’s better-stocked convenience stores.

Its grocery range includes canned meat, instant noodles, condiments, coffee, drinks and snacks. It is useful for everyday essentials when you do not need, or cannot face, a full supermarket expedition.

Mon LiSaitem also sells locally made handicrafts, including flowers woven from coconut fronds and coconut handbags. You can also pick up freshly baked donuts and other takeaway items.

It accepts cash, cards and Lomalo, the Marshall Islands’ local digital wallet, which you can learn more about in What is the Best Way to Pay in the Marshall Islands?

Mon LiSaitem is open from 6 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday.

MISCO Market

MISCO Market (Uliga) is a convenient stop for basic groceries, snacks and a small selection of fresh food, including ready-to-go fresh fish meals and other local treats.

You will find fruit, baked goods and everyday household items here, although the range is considerably smaller than at K&K Island Pride or Payless. Its central location and long opening hours make it useful for quick top-up shops.

MISCO Market is open from 8 am to 10 pm Monday to Sunday.

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Anmarwut Gas Station

Do not be fooled by the fuel pumps, Anmarwut Gas Station (Rita) is also one of Majuro’s favourite stops for breakfast and lunch.

Its freshly made donuts are especially popular and can sell out before 8 am, so this is not the morning to press the snooze button repeatedly. They also sell very affordable lunches among convenience store staples and a small number of handicrafts.

Anmarwut is open from 6 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday.

Yokwe Grab 'n Go

Popular for its distinctively local takeaway food, Yokwe Grab 'N Go is also a convenience store with items behind the counter. Just ask the clerk what you want and they'll grab it for you.

While you're there, try the fish, turkey tails, fried chicken, banana chips, breadfruit chips or the classic boiled-egg-and-coffee combo for breakfast.

Yokwe Grab 'n Go is open from 6 am to 2 pm, Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and from 6 am to 6 pm, Friday and Saturday.

Chinese Convenience Stores

Chinese-run convenience stores can be found throughout Majuro, sometimes operating from little more than a window beside the road. These are the places to try when you need cold water, fizzy drinks, noodles, biscuits or emergency snacks outside normal supermarket hours.

The range is usually broad but basic, with an emphasis on packaged and shelf-stable products rather than fresh food. Prices may not be displayed, so ask before agreeing to buy.

These stores can also be useful landmarks when asking for directions. A local may tell you to turn beside “the Chinese store”, which sounds vague until you realise everyone nearby knows exactly which window they mean.

Yes, travellers can bring some food into the Marshall Islands, but all food and agricultural products should be declared for inspection on arrival. Commercially packaged goods are generally permitted, while fresh fruit, seeds, honey and other agricultural products require more planning.

Quarantine officers’ main message to visitors is simple: declare everything. The declaration section on the arrival form is small, so prepare a separate written list if you are carrying several food items.

Undeclared products may be detected by the airport’s X-ray equipment and confiscated. There may not be Australian or Kiwi-style instant fines, but losing your favourite snacks before leaving the terminal is hardly the welcome ceremony anyone wants.

Do You Really Need to Take Food to the Marshall Islands?

Before filling your suitcase with groceries, consider whether you actually need to bring food.

Majuro has large supermarkets, convenience stores and produce vendors selling everyday staples, imported brands, drinks and snacks. K&K Island Pride and Payless are well-stocked enough for most self-catering travellers, although prices can be high and specialist dietary products are less dependable.

Bringing food is most useful if you have allergies, coeliac disease or another dietary requirement, or if you are travelling to an outer atoll where shops may stock little more than rice, noodles, canned goods and snacks.

For more advice on specialist diets, see The Gluten-Free Guide to the Marshall Islands and Marshall Islands for Vegans & Vegetarians + 5 Best Restaurants.

Tips for Taking Food to the Marshall Islands

When bringing food into the Marshall Islands:

• Declare every food and agricultural item, even when it is commercially packaged or appears harmless.
• Write a complete list of what you are carrying to show Customs and Quarantine officers, particularly if the arrival form does not provide enough space.
• Keep food in its original commercial packaging, with ingredient information and the country of origin clearly visible.
• Apply for an import permit before travelling when bringing fresh fruit, honey, seeds, flowers with soil or other agricultural products.
• Do not assume a permit can be arranged on arrival. Items arriving without the required paperwork may be confiscated and destroyed.
• Pack specialist foods in sensible quantities that clearly look intended for personal use rather than resale.

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What Food Can You Bring to the Marshall Islands?

Commercially packaged foods, such as chocolate, biscuits, cereal, crackers and sealed snacks, are generally permitted. You should still declare them and allow the quarantine officer to make the final decision.

Items Requiring an Import Permit

An import permit is required for fresh fruit, seeds, honey, fresh flowers with soil and other agricultural products.

Permits cost US$5 and can be requested in advance by emailing rmiquarantine@gmail.com. Contact quarantine well before departure and explain exactly what you intend to bring.

Items that arrive without the necessary permit may be confiscated and destroyed, with no option to obtain approval at the airport.

Bringing Fresh Fruit to the Marshall Islands

All fresh fruit must be declared and requires an import permit, including seemingly straightforward items such as apples.

Mangoes receive particular attention because of the risk of fruit flies arriving from places such as Guam and Hawai'i. They may be permitted when declared and approved, but quarantine officers prefer the skin to be removed.

Fresh fruit can be expensive in Majuro, which may tempt travellers to bring their own. However, the permit process and risk of confiscation mean that buying fruit after arrival is usually easier unless you have arranged approval in advance.

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Advice for Airline Passengers Bringing Food to the Marshall Islands

Airline passengers should declare all food, fresh produce and agricultural goods on their arrival form. If the small declaration box is not enough, write a separate list and present it with the form.

A newer X-ray machine is used to inspect arriving baggage, so undeclared items are increasingly likely to be found. Being open with quarantine officers usually makes the process much smoother.

After collecting your luggage, present any declared food or agricultural products for inspection. The officer will decide whether they can enter the country.

This whole process is explained in further detail in Arriving in the Marshall Islands: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & Arrival Process.

Advice for Cruise Passengers Bringing Food to the Marshall Islands

Quarantine officers may board cruise ships at their port of origin, such as Guam, to explain which products passengers cannot bring ashore.

Bags may also be inspected at the dock when passengers leave the ship. Fresh fruit should remain on board, even if you only intended it as a snack during your shore visit.

Packaged snacks are less likely to cause problems, but follow the instructions given by ship staff and quarantine officers.

For more about cruising, check out The Best Cruises that Go to the Marshall Islands and The Complete Guide to the Ports of Call in the Marshall Islands.

Advice for Yacht Crews Bringing Food to the Marshall Islands

Yacht crews must declare pets and all agricultural products carried on board. Pets require an import permit and must have their vaccinations and supporting documents up to date.

Unlike in some Pacific destinations, fresh food may remain on the yacht rather than being removed or destroyed immediately. However, it should not be taken ashore unless quarantine gives permission.

Contact quarantine before arrival when carrying pets, plants, seeds or substantial quantities of fresh produce. A little advance paperwork is far easier than negotiating with a quarantine officer while your mangoes await judgement.

For more tips, check out the Sailing Guide to the Marshall Islands: Tips for Yachting in the Marshall Islands.