If you’ve been living in Vlorë for more than a week, you probably know the drill: the seafood is fresh and the byrek is tasty. But sometimes, you just hit a wall where if you see one more plate of pasta, you might lose it. You start yearning for ginger, chilis, soy sauce, curries… But where to find them?
Vlorë isn’t exactly a massive Asian culture hub yet, but thanks to my boots on the ground investigations, I’Il show you exactly where to go to get your fix. Here is where to eat and shop for Asian flavors in Vlorë
Nishiki: A Family-Owned Gem
If you want to support a local family while satisfying your Asian cravings, Nishiki is the place to go. You’ll find it tucked away in a back alley near Mr. Greek on the main strip. It’s a warm, welcoming spot that has quickly become a community favorite for anyone looking for something different from the standard Lungomare menus.
This cozy Japanese restaurant serves beautifully presented sushi, sashimi, poke bowls, ramen, and other Asian favorites in a relaxed setting.
Prices are very reasonable, and they only accept cash.
Try the Taiwanese Supreme Braised Pork Rice
Sushi Restaurants in Vlorë
Saiko Sushi & Wok Fusion Latina is one of the most established sushi restaurants on the Lungomare. Its large menu includes sushi rolls, poke bowls, gyoza, ramen, udon and wok dishes, with vegetarian rolls and delivery also available.
Umami Sushi focuses on traditional Japanese sushi and is a good choice for something smaller and more specialized. They have limited evening hours, so check Instagram before going.
Valis Japanese Gastrobar offers a more upscale sushi experience on Rruga Murat Tërbaçi. The menu combines sushi and Japanese-inspired small plates with brunch, cocktails and sea views.
Sushi Deals and Special Nights
Emiral by Soren has offered popular all-you-can-eat sushi nights during the week.
All-you-can-eat price: Around 2,000 LEK per person
Savana Fusion & Rooftop Bar at Hotel Vlora Priam combines rooftop views, cocktails and fusion food. It regularly promotes sushi experiences on selected evenings.
Unlimited-sushi price: Around 2,500 LEK per person
Prices and themed nights can change, especially during summer, so check each restaurant’s latest social media posts before going.
Asian Grocery Shopping
Cooking Asian food at home in Vlorë used to be a challenge, but new specialty stores are popping up left and right now.
1. Neranxi Organic Market
This is your first stop for almost everything. They stock soy sauce, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, edamame, and even agar powder. They also have pickled jalapeños for those who need that extra heat.
Be careful with the prices here; while the owner, Luiza, is lovely and fair, sometimes the pricing can feel a bit like a guess. Check their website first so you know what you should be paying. Also, bring cash, they don’t take cards!
2. ASD Restaurant Supply
Located on a side street, this shop primarily serves restaurants but sells to individuals too. Last time I was in there (Spring 2026) You could grab 1L bottles of soy sauce for 700 LEK and Sriracha for 550 LEK.
3. Asia Point Grocery Store
This shop recently opened, and is rapidly expanding their inventory daily. They cover a wide range of Asian ingredients including Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian. The prices are a bit higher then the first two options, but for convenience’s sake, they are much closer for people living or staying near central or Old Town Vlore.
4. Haso Hipermarket
Haso Hipermarket has one of the larger selections of Asian ingredients, and is the first stop for many expats, but they also have some of the highest prices in town. They mostly have sushi related products.
5. Multiple Grocery Chains
You can find a basic supply of Asian items (soy sauce, Teriyaki sauce, ramen noodles, etc) at many grocers around town like Big Market, Haso, Marketi Im, Greek Market, and Spar. Rossman & Lala also has a selection of harder to find items around town like tofu and goji berries.
The DIY Kimchi Strategy
If you’re a kimchi addict, you’ve probably noticed it’s hard to find a good jar locally. So, it is possible to DIY! You can find Napa cabbage at Sapori, Albidea, or Conad.
