By Bobby Panza
H Mart, where the “H” stands for han ah reum, a Korean phrase that translates roughly to “one arm full of groceries,” has cultivated a cult-like following since its founding in 1982 by Korean immigrant Il Yeon Kwon.
Initially a small corner store in Woodside, Queens, H Mart has grown into a nationwide brand with around 100 locations in the United States. H Mart’s popularity can be attributed to its offerings of authentic Asian products, from fresh produce and seafood to specialty Korean items like kimchi and gochujang (a spicy red paste for cooking made from red chili peppers, fermented soybeans, rice, and salt).
In 2021, singer and guitarist Michelle Zauner of indie rock band Japanese Breakfast published a memoir, “Crying at H Mart,” a story of grief, food, and family that became a New York Times bestseller.
I took a spin through the new H Mart at 210-220 Amsterdam Avenue, between West 69th and 70th Streets, on Opening Day, Friday. Here’s a small sampling of what I found.
That is just the tip of the iceberg (lettuce)! There’s so much that you just need to go and check it out yourself. This is an exciting addition to the neighborhood, and I look forward to returning soon to try things I’ve never had before, like Spicy LouS Rice Noodles and the Pulmuone Sweet Cinnamon Hotteok.
Let us know your impressions in the comments.
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Thanks, Bobby! Fun and informative piece, and what a dazzling, vivid array of photos! I’m a distance away uptown, but can’t wait to go now based on your enthusiastic report!👏
Curious to see how it compares to the location on 110th. The entrance area definitely seems more spacious.
As an Asian, I am willing to objectively evaluate this supermarket. Firstly, you must admit that its products are more expensive than Wholefood and Trader Joe’s, and secondly, I do not believe they have a safer or better supply channel because the Chinese products in their stores are the same as those in Chinatown and Flushing Supermarket.
I have some questions to your comment SEBAS.
Respectfully, how does being an Asian allow one to objectively evaluate a supermarket? I’m Asian myself and genuinely curious to understand this.
Also, I’m interested to know what products you have found to be more expensive than Whole Foods (TJ’s? Yes I’m sure that is the case as they are known for their low prices); comparing the lemons in the photo in this article and what is listed on WF’s website, they look to be the same $.79. Yes I’m sure there are some items that are more expensive while other items that are less expensive but I’m not sure I agree with the blanket statement that H Mart’s products are more expensive on the whole.
Lastly, what do you mean by “safer or better supply channel because the Chinese products in their stores are the same as those in Chinatown and Flushing Supermarket”? I’d like more clarity on your statement before I make assumptions on what you mean by this.
Trader sets the price standard in this neighborhood.
Super excited about this opening. Now I don’t need to walk all the way to the one further west. Love their products!
But how are the prices? There was a Hanareum store in Midtown.
Within the past month I was in both the midtown and the Edison, NJ, H-Marts. Prices and selection on the UWS are similar to those in midtown. The store in Edison is at least four, maybe six, times the size, they have a much greater selection of meat and fish, and many of the prices–especially for produce–are considerably lower. No one is going to H-Mart for good prices on broccoli or apples. But I’ve never seen such a wide selection of chiles in any other market on the UWS and if you’re looking for cuts of meat specifically for Asian cooking, you’re not going to find them anywhere else. They even have both prime and wagyu beef, although a small selection. You won’t find that in any supermarket, either. I do a lot of Asian cooking and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have them within walking distance.
Bobby on the Spot! H Mark Rocks!
How is their produce?
Depends what you’re looking for. They have yu choy, perilla leaves, flowering chives, dandelion greens, a a larger selection of chile peppers than I’ve seen even in the midtown store. If you’re just looking for spinach or lettuce, it might not be worth the trip.
Looks like fun!
Be still my beating heart! After all this time of getting up to 110th Street, I now have all the kimchi I could ask for just half a block away!. The noodles! The array of frozen dumplings! And so much more.
I haven’t been to the new H Mart, but here are some items I like at the uptown store that are new to me (a non-Asian foodie) and/or delicious or good value:
a great choice of snack foods, most notably honey-butter potato chips
a large jar of chile crisp (and in general a great selection of condiments)
an interesting selection of ice cream popsicles, e.g. matcha, brown sugar boba, corn
flat beans in the produce section (like string beans but flat. somehow they are more delicious)
inexpensive shrimp
a good choice of thin-sliced meat for stir fry
I wonder whether the H Mart at B’way and 110th will lose customers to the new branch. People have been coming from afar since that one opened.
Hmart needs to honor their smart savings card, which up to now is only valid in Suburban outposts
We highly recommend Irvin’s Salted Egg Chips – they’re addictive. But the price is much, much higher than in Singapore (it’s hometown).
And waiting for them to bring Noona ice cream to this H-Mart location. A Korean-inspired treat from Brooklyn.
H Mart has become my favorite store for years now. I started at 110th St. Then when I got a car car I went up to Yonkers. Then I got rid of the car so I had to go back back to 110th St. I’m interested to see how The one on Amsterdam differs. The produces amazing things that you can’t get anywhere else.
I love the red bean buns at the uptown store.
Love me some Bobby Panza! Good job.
I worry about what this H Mart opening will do to Shinbashi 72, the small Asian market on 72nd between Broadway and West End. They were a great addition to the neighborhood, fingers crossed they can survive this
Just in general, please stop comparing NJ prices to NYC prices, for anything. That’s just absurd. OF COURSE prices, for anything, are cheaper outside of the city. If that simple fact were of overall life-value to you, you’d live in NJ and be paying 1/3 or even 1/4, housing and general living expenses. But you’ve chosen to live in the best, most energizing, interesting and most satisfying place on Earth. So either go away, or STFU about the price differential and enjoy what most people on EARTH can only dream about. Jeez.
Actually, the prices for meat and fish at this new H-Mart compare favorably with the prices in the Edison, NJ store. Don’t know about snack foods or bottled drinks since I don’t buy much of those, but it’s mainly the fresh produce that is more expensive here. And at least in part, that’s because it’s packaged in smaller quantities, which is just fine by me since I’m cooking for one.
Hi everyone: As we said before and sorry to repeat WHY is this here? We could use a good hardware store, a home goods store open past 7pm, a real Rite Aid open late with pharmacy, an actual enjoyable store to browse in such as MUJI. So many empty stores remain empty and somehow we get another food market. So pointless. Did the landlord offer free rent? Is everyone afraid of shoplifters so we can’t have anything worthwhile to look at? WHY is this here?
To replace Gracefully and Jubilee, probably. It certainly isn’t here to compete with Trader/Fairway/Morton/Wegmans/Citarella.
that Rite Aid had amazing sales and open 24 hours. i haven’t been able to find a comparable sale spot since it closed. Duane Read is rough on pricing and doesn’t usually have great deals, not close to what Rite Aid had. The only plus in my life to Rite Aid closing is I don’t eat as much late night junk food. Now it’s late night fruit stand apples and blueberries.
That Rite Aid was a survivor, all right. The Gristedes it replaced was never the same after the rise of Fairway.
Yes, we all need interesting shops, Lejape. But if you do not need H Mart or any of these supermarkets, we can definitely use them in the 80s. It feels like a supermarket desert up here.
Yes I like the place
But I can’t go to it because big sign they don’t take EBT. Wish I don’t understand when one 32 and updown takes it.
Wanda , do not lose hope! I just walked by the new H Mart and the sign outside says they are temporarily unable to take EBT payments. So keep checking!
Also as per signage: It’s worth noting the surprisingly abbreviated hours – only 9 am to 8 pm – is also apparently temporary – so fingers crossed that once the store is a bit more settled into its new location, the hours will be expanded (I’m hoping for the later hours!) and that all who use EBT will be able to do so at this location.
Hope this gives you some…well, hope!
Music way too loud for a space with such low ceilings.
Pricing De Cecco pasta at nearly $5 for a 1lb box is going t drive customers away, when the same popular pasta is available at Fairway, M-W, and Pioneer for $3.50 or less.
you don’t go for the western products, but if you happen to be there and need them and don’t want to be bothered going to an extra place, that’s the upcharge
I thought the store looked awesome. I would love recommendations of good products to try since im unfamiliar with a lot of them!
99 cents a pound for regular bananas?
That doesn’t bode well for prices overall when that cost is 100% more than Whole Foods or Wegmans.
I am not Asian but I have been shopping at HMart long before a NYC Location opened. The prices were always competitive. However since opening up in NYC they are much more expensive than Whole Foods across the board. I opportunistically purchase them when I happen to be in NJ