Kim G.
Yelp
Love this H-Mart! It's definitely one of the smallest, which is one of the reasons I love it! Sometimes I want to stop in, grab some fresh rice noodle sheets (they have them) and be in my way. Until I discovered this H-Mart located in the previous Zupans on SE Belmont, I would drive out to the Tigard location. This store is much closer to where I run errands and go to the gym making it super convenient. And the size means I can run in and out easily.
Yesterday I spent a lot of time there perusing the aisles, making mental notes and snapping pictures so I remember what they carry. An aisle jam packed with every possible condiment, soy sauce, chili paste from all over Asia. There is an area dedicated to Thai, Indian, Chinese, Korean, etc. the vast variety of Gochuchang was impressive. Restaurant size containers! Same with that amazing must-need BBQ sauce if you want to make your own flanked style short ribs.
Same with the fresh noodle section; every size, shape, cut, ingredient base representing Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, China, Malaysia. And then there is the dry noodle section, and the rice varieties. In the past I would have to stop at 2 or 3 different markets to get what I need. Not anymore!
What I loved the most was that H-Mart is a mirror image of an American grocery store. While the American stores are filled with American groceries with a small Asian condiment section, H-Mart is dedicated to products used in Asian countries and has a small Italian section with Ronzoni pasta in all different shapes plus tomatoes, roasted peppers, olive oil and more. And a Hispanic section with tortillas, salsa, beans, chipolte peppers, spices and more.
The meat and seafood section is quite impressive, very high quality with prices to match. As always I just love walking down the snack aisle and marveling over the types of chips; who knew Lays made a shrimp flavor? And the cookies and candy. Kit-Kat makes a melon flavor and a matcha in addition to the chocolate.
Of course they have a deli section with freshly prepared food - Bibimbap, bowls, ribs, fried chicken, fried spring rolls and more. Even a mine restaurant serving those chewy and delicious rice cakes in spicy sauce (Tteokbokki) and bubble tea and drinks.
Everything in the produce area looked fresh and vibrant. The entire store is clean and organized even though there are end-caps piled high with massive bags of rice or sale products. It works.
Prices are competitive with the meat and seafood being higher, similar to New Seasons.
While this can never be my everything grocery store as I shop at Traders, Whole Foods, Freddie's, Safeway depending on what I'm buying. But for fresh rice noodles, Chinese broccolI, bok choy, Asian condiments and rice, this is where I will shop.