- Discover 7 pantry staples from H Mart, a thriving supermarket filled with products from Asia.
- These are chef-chosen items from condiments to snacks.
- H Mart is fun because it’s stocked with so many items not found in regular grocery stores.
Greetings from your resident displaced mixed Asian kid who is perpetually homesick and needs to feed her homesickness by shopping at H Mart! While I constantly remind people that there are significant differences among East Asian cultures and cuisines, my palate loves it all. Though my blood may be Chinese, my stomach craves Japanese snacks, Korean rice, seaweed and more. Thankfully, for culturally blended people like me, H Mart exists, the largest supermarket chain in America, selling foods and household goods from Asia.
While each location has its own distinct character, from cramped shelves in New York City to sprawling, shiny aisles in Philadelphia, it’s guaranteed that you’ll find something delicious. Part of the fun of shopping at H Mart is discovery—you’re always going to be tempted by a brand of seaweed or dried noodles you’ve never tried before. To help you find the best items, here are the seven pantry staples that appear in my shopping cart week after week.
1. KwangCheon Green Tea Seaweed Snack Packs
While I occasionally switch up the brand I buy, KwangCheon’s Green Tea Seaweed Snack Packs are among the ones I often purchase. I love wrapping the seaweed around a tablespoon of sticky rice to jazz up a weeknight meal or a rushed lunch alone at the kitchen counter, paired with a tin of smoked mussels. I’m more likely to reach for a pack of seaweed than a bag of chips, and the saltiness of seaweed satisfies the same way. Plus, seaweed is nutrient-packed and sustainable. There are 16 packs in a bag, and each pack keeps your seaweed crisp and crunchy. As a bonus, I save and reuse the flimsy boxes, as they’re perfect for holding my acrylic paints.
2. Organic Farm 100% Organic Brown Sweet Rice
H Mart has an enormous selection of rice, and it is the only place where I can reliably purchase my favorite: organic brown sweet rice, also known as sticky rice. I was raised on white rice at home, but sticky brown rice will make you forget you ever liked white rice. Brown rice is a whole grain, so it has slightly more fiber and protein than white rice. Brown sticky rice has a nutty flavor and can be used in a variety of dishes. Roll it into the perfect musubi with the green tea seaweed, or fry it up in a pan coated with coconut oil for a delicious snack.
3. Hawaiian Sun
To get Hawaiian Sun canned drinks on the mainland for under $2 per can was almost unheard of until H Mart started carrying the essential beverages from Hawaii. This drink is the taste of my childhood, where every single plate lunch was washed down with gulps of Guava Nectar or Pass-O-Guava juice. I love to pick up a case as a treat, and one sip instantly transports me home.
4. Yakult Nonfat Probiotic Drink
Another beverage that I like to buy is Yakult Nonfat Probiotic Drink. To me, Yakult is the perfect little dessert at the end of the meal. I opt for the original flavor, which has a slight citrus taste with a creamy mouthfeel. The drink contains probiotics, which may support your gut health. I drank this beverage constantly growing up, and it’s remained a staple into adulthood.
5. Tips Fish Sauce
This fish sauce is the perfect nuoc mam for pancit or stir-fried rice noodles. It’s funky without being too funky, sweet without being too sweet, and makes a great dip with fresh lime juice and vinegar for spring rolls. I’ve rarely met a fish sauce I didn’t like or couldn’t find any use for, and Tips is reliable and always in my pantry.
6. Ottogi Perilla Oil
Perilla oil, made from perilla seeds, is an excellent oil to keep on hand. It’s super versatile, and its savory, earthy nuttiness can be added to practically anything. Drizzle some onto fresh cubed fish with a pinch of sea salt and soy sauce, serve with steamed rice and you’ll have a poke bowl that will impress guests. Or toss fresh soba noodles with the oil for the base of a quick, nutritious meal.
7. Asian Pears
Typically, a glorious pyramid of Asian pears will greet you when you swoosh through H Mart’s automatic doors. You should buy them. Dice the pears and add them to your salads for crunch, or slice them thinly and dust them with togarashi or li hing mui for a midday snack. You could also blend them up to add natural sweetness to your stews and curries.
The Bottom Line
A trip to H Mart, the largest supermarket in America selling food and household goods from Asia, is even more enjoyable and less overwhelming when you have recommendations from a chef. Be sure to try some seaweed snacks that can be just as satisfying as potato chips. Look for sticky brown rice that will make you forget any other variety you used to like, along with refreshing canned and probiotic drinks. Also, stock up on the best fish sauce and a nutty oil that can elevate a bowl of noodles. Don’t forget to grab some fresh Asian pears for snacking and to add natural sweetness to your stews. And note that every H Mart has a different vibe, so each one is a new adventure.
