using Asian ingredients, many of which arent available at mainstream grocery stores.
Plus, it usually has the best prices, which is why its become my go-to store.
Here are 10 produce items that I always buy.
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Green Leafy Vegetables
If you love greens, youre in for a treat!
H Mart runs a thriving business in vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, because of high demand.
Perennial favorite bok choy is often available at conventional grocery stores, but is typically priced higher.
So why pay more?
H Mart also carries different varieties like Shanghai, Taiwanese and baby bok choy.
These greens are delicious stir-fried, roasted or simply steamed and drizzled with oyster sauce.
Try ourRoasted Baby Bok Choy with Soy-Ginger Glazefor a quick side dish.
Eggplant
Globe eggplant is likely the most common variety of eggplant youll find at your local grocery store.
While its fine for ratatouille, I much prefer slender Chinese orJapanese eggplant.
At H Mart, Im spoiled for choice.
I like to pickle them or toss them into noodle dishes like thisMushroom-Miso Pasta.
Even everyday herbs such as cilantro and green onions cost less here.
Rhizomes
While most supermarkets carry fresh ginger root, they hardly stock other rhizomes like galangal and turmeric.
These rhizomes are essential for making spice pastes that are the cornerstone of Indonesian and Thai cooking.
Shallots
Shallotscome in all shapes, sizes and colors.
Im partial to the small, irregularly shaped shallots sold at H Mart.
Milder and sweeter, they are similar to those grown in Southeast Asia.
Fresh Chile Peppers
H Mart has an astounding array of fresh chiles.
Tiny birds eye chiles, sleek red Korean chiles, stout green jalapenos theyre all available.
Youll also find Mexican peppers like Anaheim and habanero, as well as tomatillos.
Fruit
Growing up, I enjoyed eating all manner of tropical fruits, but especially longans and durian.
H Mart is my go-to for everything from longans and lychees to guavas and rambutans.
They even sell durian!
Its usually frozen but its better than nothing.
Plus, other tropical fruit like papaya and pineapple are offered for less than at your everyday supermarket.
Sometimes, I have to scour the freezer aisle (or, God forbid, ask someone!)
but its worth the hunt.
Some recent vegetable finds include burdock root and celtuce.
I braised the former in soy sauce, and stir-fried the latter.
