H Mart’s Rise and Why It’s Become a Must-Visit Destination
H Mart, known in Korean as H 마트 or 한아름 마트, has grown from a modest neighborhood grocery store into the largest U.S.-based supermarket chain focused on Asian foods and culinary products. Operated by the Hanahreum Group and headquartered in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, the company now spans nearly one hundred locations across the United States, with additional branches in Canada and the United Kingdom. Its name, derived from Han Ah Reum, meaning “an armful,” reflects the brand’s original vision of abundance and cultural connection.
Historical Development
H Mart’s story began in 1982 in Woodside, Queens, when founder Il Yeon Kwon opened a small shop serving the growing Korean-American community. The business gradually expanded along the East Coast, ultimately establishing its corporate headquarters in Bergen County in 1998. Over time, the chain introduced larger-format stores, including the first Super H Mart in Georgia in 2004, and ventured westward with a Washington State location in 2006. By 2024 and 2025, the company had reached new milestones, opening its largest store in Utah and entering the Florida market for the first time. North American and UK Expansion H Mart’s footprint extends well beyond the United States. The company entered Western Canada in 2003 and has since built a network of supermarkets and smaller-format convenience concepts across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Its European presence began in 2011 with a store in New Malden, a major Korean hub in London.
Present Day
Although rooted in the Korean diaspora, H Mart now attracts a broad multicultural clientele. Its shoppers include numerous Asian communities as well as a significant portion of non-Asian customers, particularly young adults seeking diverse culinary experiences. It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking to try something new, or need ingredients for an Asian dish that your local supermarket doesn’t supply. The seafood selection is also impressive, with a lot more options than most grocery stores.
H Mart was featured in Michelle Zauner’s bestselling memoir, Crying In H Mart,which chronicles events in her life including her efforts to learn to cook Korean cuisine to cope with the death of her mother.
What To Know If You Go
H Mart is a really fun experience! While the parking at the location in Edison, NJ, was incredibly packed, making finding a spot a challenge, there are quite a few tantalizing restaurants surrounding it, so the timing of your visit may lead to varying results. Once you enter the store, there’s a small food court with several restaurants to your left, as well as a bevy of delicious pre-made dishes in case you’re hungry when you get there.
The Edison store itself is large and well-stocked, with samples of various items offered to patrons. The size of the store can be a bit overwhelming, and the lack of English descriptions on many of the packages means you might be gambling a bit on what flavors you’re trying if you can’t read them. However, this sense of adventure and spontaneity can add to the experience. Whether you’re looking for ramen, pot stickers, japchae noodles, or fresh ingredients for sushi, H Mart is worth the visit if you enjoy trying new things.
Matthew Christopher NJ Edison Dec 05, 2025 Food Places to Visit
Dec 05, 2025
SHARE
