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  • 1 / 26
    Welcome to H Mart, the uber popular Korean grocery chain that just opened in the West Loop at 711 West Jackson Boulevard.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 2 / 26
    The large space includes a supermarket, household goods section, bakery, and food court.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 3 / 26
    Like other H Marts (there are four suburban locations), there's a huge produce selection.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 4 / 26
    “I’m exploring the store today. I wanted to see the produce selection, and the types of sauces they have,” says Phaedra Ruffalo, who lives across the street.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 5 / 26
    “Yesterday was very packed with customers coming in all day. It’s been great. We’ve had a lot of positive comments,” says Kathy Kim, H Mart employee.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 6 / 26
    Plenty of free samples were being handed out to the crowds of visitors on Friday.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 7 / 26
    The meat section is stocked with the usual suspects, plus cuts that are commonly used in Asian cuisine.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 8 / 26
    A wide variety of fresh seafood is also available.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 9 / 26
    There's a household section that includes toiletries, beauty supplies, cookware, and other Korean products.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 10 / 26
    The food court includes a Japanese/Hawaiian restaurant, a traditional Korean tofu and BBQ restaurant, and a Korean fusion restaurant.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 11 / 26
    “It’s a smaller space than other H Marts but I’m impressed with the selection and how well they utilize the space,” says Chan Lee, of West Loop. "It has everything I need."
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 12 / 26
    A huge variety of Korean dishes, known as banchan, is on offer.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 13 / 26
    Our Video Editor DS Shin's favorite snacks: Choco Pie (“They give it out in the military so it's really popular with guys”), Couque D'Asse (“These are really fragile so Korean people use the name to mean like a mental breakdown”), Yakult, Banana Kick, and Homerun Ball.
    Photo: Martha Williams
  • 14 / 26
    “I was trying to find some ingredients for a Thai recipe, and I went to Chinatown but they didn’t have everything I needed,” says Shannon Wynn, who lives in the Loop. “I came today and found everything I needed.”
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 15 / 26
    You can pick up pre-marinated Korean barbecue meat by the pound.
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 16 / 26
    More marinated meats
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 17 / 26
    Produce section
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 18 / 26
    Different types of rice (left) and packaged instant ramen
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 19 / 26
    Soju, a Korean liquor
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 20 / 26
    Kimchi
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 21 / 26
    Dolls in the household section
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 22 / 26
    Korean liquor
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 23 / 26
    Produce
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 24 / 26
    More samples
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 25 / 26
    Live lobster
    Photo: DS Shin
  • 26 / 26
    Packaged ramen section
    Photo: DS Shin
Inside Chicago's First H Mart Korean Superstore

We braved the crowds at this uber-popular grocery chain. Check out our favorite snacks, the packed food court, and more.

By DS Shin and Mauricio Peña
February 2, 2018, 2:28 pm

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