Sara Parka Korean-American food creator, has built a loyal following by sharing daily content that blends personal storytelling with approachable cooking. Her videos range from “what I eat in a day” vlogs to PCOS-friendly spins on her favorite Korean dishes, along with thoughtful guides to essential pantry items. For anyone curious about Korean cooking — especially those who don’t live near a Korean market — Park’s grocery shopping tips are a practical entry point.

Growing up in Minnesota after moving to the United States at age five, Park learned to adapt Korean cooking to what was available locally. Now based in Southern California, she frequently shops at Whole Foods Market, where she’s found a surprising number of products that bring authentic Korean flavors into everyday kitchens. According to Park, the Texas-based grocery chain is an ideal destination for stocking up on essentials.

Food & Wine spoke with the recipe developer about her top Korean pantry choices from Whole Foods — staples she and her family regularly depend on. Each item listed is currently in Park’s own kitchen, and she looks to their quality, versatility, and flavor to give her dishes the extra punch they need.

Momofuku Sweet & Savory Galbi Sauce

For Park, the Momofuku Sweet & Savory Galbi Sauce is “the easiest way to upgrade any meat — also the consistency is spot-on: smooth enough to evenly coat the meat without being too runny or too chunky.” A complex blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, miso paste, pear juice, applesauce, tomato paste, ginger puree, sesame oil, and garlic, the Momofuku Sweet & Savory Galbi Sauce brings depth to weeknight dinners.

“My sister and I use it all the time for quick weeknight dinners,” she says. Park recommends stir-frying your favorite cut of meat with vegetables, then serving it over rice to soak up the glossy, flavorful sauce. It also works beautifully as a marinade for skirt steak or short ribs.

Mother-in-Law’s Original Gochujang

No Korean pantry is complete without gochujang, the fermented red chile paste that defines so many dishes. Park favors the Mother-in-Law’s brandwhich she describes as “rich” and “well-balanced.”

“This rich, well-balanced paste adds that signature sweet-spicy depth to marinades, soups, and sauces,” she explains. Made with chile flakes, malt syrup, wheat flour, and sweet rice powder, the fermented red chili condiment brings heat, umami, and complexity. It’s also incredibly versatile: Stir it into broths, mix it into sauces, or add it to signature Korean dishes, such as Namul’s salary or bibimbapfor instant depth.

Asian pear

While not exclusively Korean, brown Asian pears are an ingredient Park was thrilled to find at Whole Foods. “Not specifically Korean, but one of my favorite Asian fruits that I was shocked to find out is also sold at Whole Foods!” she says.

The fruit is crisp and subtly sweet, making it refreshing on its own. But Park especially loves grating Asian pear into marinades “for a touch of natural sweetness.” It’s also a key component in Food & Wine’s Almost-Instant Hot Kimchiwhich calls for one Asian pear in the recipe.

Fresno pepper

For Park’s mom, Fresno peppers — also known as Fresno chiles — are non-negotiable. Her mother always keeps them on hand — frozen, if necessary — to use in kimchi or for everyday cooking. Known for their fruity, smoky, and spicy flavor, Fresno chiles are harder to find with real heat in grocery stores, but Park emphasizes that Whole Foods carries ones that deliver.

“They’re actually spicy, which is harder to find than you’d think in grocery-store peppers,” she says. Stock up when you see them: They “add the kick that so many Korean dishes need.”

Seoul Spicy Kimchi

Kimchi is Korea’s most famous side dish, and for Park, the Seoul Spicy Kimchi is a convenient and solid option. “If you don’t have access to a Korean market, this is a solid introduction to kimchi,” she notes.

Made with napa cabbage, chile pepper, carrot, garlic, green onion, salted baby shrimp, sugar, onion, ginger, sea salt, and anchovy extract, this kimchi is “tangy, spicy, and probiotic-rich.” Enjoy it straight from the jar, stir it into fried rice, or use it to make a hearty Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew) — and if you’re up for it, you can even experiment with kimchi cocktails.

Gimme Sushi Nori (seaweed wraps)

Park swears by Gimme Sushi Nori (Seaweed Wraps), a Korean-made product perfect for rolling sushi or kimbap. “I love these for making kimbap! I literally have two packs in my pantry right now,” she says.

For anyone looking to try homemade kimbaphaving a pack of these seaweed sheets on hand is the best place to start. The creator appreciates that “these seaweed wraps are durable, so they don’t tear when rolling, and they taste authentic without being overly salty.” Their clean, crisp flavor makes them versatile for everything from hand rolls to creative snacks.