9 Mistakes You Should Never Make When Shopping at H-Mart

New to H-Mart? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Here’s how to shop like a pro at H-Mart.

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With such a diverse selection of items from such different countries, it can be overwhelming (intimidating, even) for some first-time shoppers. To combat this initial fright, help H-Mart veterans get more out of future visits, or get people on the internet angry at our ignorance, we’ve pulled together a list of nine mistakes to avoid when shopping at H-Mart. These tips are from a mix of Redditor contributions, blog posts, and our own personal observations. Before we dive in, we have one very important disclaimer: Each H-Mart location and experience is different. So, don’t @ us. 

1. Shopping at H-Mart after work or on the weekends

If you’re prone to being overstimulated, a bustling H-Mart can be a lot to handle. Between unfamiliar products, languages, and layouts, giving yourself a little extra time to stroll through the aisles without clamoring past other shoppers can make all the difference. If you’re able to get there in the morning, you can also reap the benefits of the largest, freshest selection of seafood. 

2. Not bringing a cooler

It’s not lame! It’s good planning! Not only do many H-Marts have a variety of fresh seafood, they also often stock a plethora of pre-marinated meats that you can take home to grill up yourselves, or fresh produce and exotic fruits that you won’t find at your local supermarket. We don’t want you to go through the heartbreak (or the tummy ache) of being so excited about your 2lbs of beef bulgogi only to get caught in traffic with the sun beating down on it before you get a chance to host your dinner party. 

3. Being ashamed to use Google Translate

Try new things, but do so safely. Who cares if you look like a fish out of water Google Translating in the middle of an aisle? If you have strong aversions or allergies, don’t be afraid to pull out your phone to check and make sure that the bag of snacks in your hands won’t accidentally kill you. 

4. Not checking out the food halls

Many H-Marts are attached to food halls with really delicious restaurants or seating where you can enjoy what you’ve picked up in the store. Be sure to check your local H-Mart for their specific offerings, and the times that these places open—the restaurants very often have very different operating hours than the market. 

5. Breezing past “familiar” brands

If you’re a little intimidated by completely foreign products, there’s no better gateway than the familiar format of American favorites with a new twist. Oreos? Sure, but make them grape and peach. Kit Kats are delicious, but have you tried them flavored with Japanese sweet potato? Maybe you rock a bag of Lay’s as a go-to, so why not switch it up with a cucumber flavor? We don’t know what Kroger-owned store you shop at, but we’d be floored if it had a better ramen selection than H-Mart. 

6. Skipping the prepared banchan

It may not be as good as your Umma’s, but most of us don’t have the time or means to have banchan as often as we’d like it (to be fair, this is all the time). In addition to a kimchi section that’ll put any Whole Foods to shame, H-Mart has a wide selection of other prepared banchan that you can keep in your fridge to nibble on as you so desire. 

7. Thinking “I can find that at Trader Joe’s”

We love Trader Joe’s. But let’s be realistic. Trader Joe’s frozen section can’t hold a candle to the breadth or quality of H-Mart, even when it comes to just frozen dumplings. If you’re passing the frozen aisle of H-Mart, thinking you can just pick up shumai at Trader Joe’s, just…turn your cart around and go look. We can’t even get into all the good stuff you’re missing. 

8. Buying American products

While H-Mart does offer a lot of American products, it’s probably not worth the space in your cart. Trust us, that space will become very valuable, very quickly. In general, products like American yogurt, cheese, and condiments are usually overpriced at Hmart, and are better to buy elsewhere.

9. Going in without SOME sort of budget or game plan 

Try new things, branch out, and take advantage of your H-Mart—but the eyes are often bigger than the stomach. Or the fridge. Or the budget. Take a peek through your local H-Mart’s website to see what’s on sale, what’s new, and what’s exciting to you! Eat beforehand (maybe at a tasty food hall joint, if your location has one), and be really mindful of expiration dates. Dropping $200 on banchan that’ll only keep for a week will only break your own heart (and digestive systems). 

With that, go forth and shop!