I Can't Get Enough Of These Asian Snacks From H-Mart (2024)

Shopping at H-Mart is unlike any other shopping experience. At least, for me, a white girl who grew up knowing nothing other than Kroger and Target. In case you didn’t know, H-Mart is filled to the brim with Asiansnacks that satisfy. Today, I’m breaking down the best ones from my recent grocery store trip, so you can discover the sweets and savory snacks of your dreams.

Where to buy Asian snacks?

You can buy Asian snacks from H-Mart, Amazon, Bokksu Market, Yami, Instacart, World Market, and even some larger grocery stores like Target and Walmart.

I Can't Get Enough Of These Asian Snacks From H-Mart (1)

Shrimp Snacks

I am a longstanding shrimp chip lover, not going to lie. Just about every brand I’ve snacked on has hit all the right spots and cravings, and this one is no exception. These Marco Polo brand Shrimp Snacks are a prime example of why I love the snack so much – every single chip is light and airy, a quality that results in a delightful crunch sensation whenever you eat chow down.

Additionally, they’re not overly shrimp-y, which is soo nice when you can’t keep from grabbing for chip after chip. I think these would be exceptional with some sour cream and onion dip!

What are shrimp chips made of?

Shrimp chips are typically made from dried shrimp and tapioca flour. The powders are mixed with water to create a batter or dough before getting pressed into chip-like shapes and dried for consumption.

I Can't Get Enough Of These Asian Snacks From H-Mart (2)

Sour Cream and Onion Sweet Corn Turtle Chips

Speaking of sour cream and onion, I happened to purchase these sweet corn chips, of which the friendly turtle character on the bag had much to do with. Upon opening the bag, I was fascinated by the shape of the chips. Each bite boasted an intricately folded chip, which, upon biting, were just as airy as the shrimp snacks.

If you love corn, you’ll adore these sweet corn-flavored chips. The added sour cream and onion flavoring surely wasn’t the star as promised, but I still thought they were amazing.

I Can't Get Enough Of These Asian Snacks From H-Mart (3)

Rosé Tteok-bokki

Equal parts spicy and sweet, this tteok-bokki was made to take on the flavors of pink rosé pasta sauce. Tteok-bokki is a traditional Korean street food offering that’s just taken off with virality as of late. Essentially, it’s a dish made from small, cylindrical rice cakes that cook inside a gochujang-infused sauce – though, as this snack suggests, many cooks and home chefs have made the dish their own with different toppings.

I found this one to be the perfect workweek lunch, as it only took 10 minutes to make on the stovetop. The spice in it was always favorably balanced out by sweetness, and I truly could not get enough textural satisfaction from the chewy-soft rice cakes.

How do you pronounce tteok-bokki?

Check out this helpful video that shows you how to pronounce tteok-bokki.

I Can't Get Enough Of These Asian Snacks From H-Mart (4)

Pepero Stick Snacks

As the literal twin of Pocky (IYKYK), these Pepero snack sticks caught my attention as I strolled the aisles of H-Mart. I picked up the Crunchy Chocolate and Sesame White flavors to try, primarily because 1. I love chocolate, and 2. I thought sesame was a very interesting choice to add to a sweet snack.

The Crunchy Chocolate ones surprised me with just how much chocolate coating there was. Sometimes, Pocky leaves me craving more chocolate because each stick only has so much coating on it. Each bite I took from this first box was straight-up heavenly!

The Sesame White variety carried a bit more nuance in the resulting flavor. I could definitely taste the sesame seeds, which were woven into the white chocolate coating. While I thought the tasting combo was captivating, I didn’t find myself reaching for stick after stick like I was treating the chocolate kind.

I Can't Get Enough Of These Asian Snacks From H-Mart (5)

Canned Milk Tea

If there's one thing H-Mart is good at, it's being stocked up on all the yummy drinks. This checkered milk tea can caught my eye, and I figured since I am partially addicted to boba tea, that I’d like it, and it was worth checking out.

My first sip was super sweet, which isn’t something I’m totally opposed to. It was balanced between tea and milk, which was expected. The beverage didn’t knock me out of the park, but overall, it was enjoyable!

I Can't Get Enough Of These Asian Snacks From H-Mart (6)

Sesame Mochi

I was fairly sussed out by this sesame mochi snack, mostly because they were stored in the pantry section, and not the freezer. Historically, I had only tried ice cream mochi, which is hard not to love. Captivated again by the inclusion of sesame in a seemingly sweet snack, I added this pick to my cart.

Even when I was just holding it, the texture of the mochi was really satisfying and soft. The same went for the mouthfeel, which was joined by crunchy white and black sesame seeds. This mochi snack was filled with a very umami black sesame paste, which turned out to be my favorite part of the bite! If you like your dessert to be sweet, but not *too* sweet, this bite-sized snack is for you.

For more new food news and taste tests, sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Photos by Meredith Holser.

This post has been updated.

From Your Site Articles

  • The Best All-Around Asian Marinade Recipe — Period ›
  • 63 Easy Finger Food Recipes For Your Next Picnic ›
  • The 9 Best Marinades and Sauces at Trader Joe’s ›
  • 40 Must-Try Asian-Inspired Noodle Dishes ›
  • 16 Easy Asian Noodle Recipes To Expand Your Cooking Horizons ›
  • 14 Spirited Target Snacks For Feeding All Your Fall Munchies - Brit + Co ›

Meredith Holser

Creative Assistant, Meredith Holser, is B+C's resident food writer, photographer, and TikTok taker. Meredith writes about a range of topics for B+C, but she's adopted food writing in all its many facets for the last year. You can see her work published in Do214, Advocate Magazine, WFAA, and North Texas Daily. Meredith's passion for photography began after sneaking her mom's iPhone to take pictures of flowers on vacation, eventually evolving from a passion to a professional career. Outside of work, you can catch Meredith hiking, trying new recipes, and dreaming about having a yummy little treat.

I Can't Get Enough Of These Asian Snacks From H-Mart (2024)

FAQs

Is H Mart Chinese or Japanese? ›

H Mart opened in 1982 with a store in Woodside, Queens. At the time, only about 1.5% of the American population was of Asian descent, according to the New York Times. The founder, a farmer's son named Il Yeon Kwon left South Korea in the late 1970s and moved to New York, and he remains CEO of the family business.

What does the H in H Mart mean? ›

For those of you who don't know, H Mart is a supermarket chain that specializes in Asian food. The “H” stands for han ah reum, a Korean phrase that roughly translates to “one arm full of groceries.” H Mart is where parachute kids go to get the exact brand of instant noodles that reminds them of home.

What is similar to Pocky? ›

Pretz. Glico's savory counterpart to Pocky, Pretz is a Japanese snack so ubiquitous you must try it at least once. Pretz is a thin, seasoned biscuit stick with an addictive quality and satisfying crunch.

What is the H Mart controversy? ›

In 2012, Korean news agencies and government agencies alleged that H Mart laundered money for former South Korean dictator Chun Doo Hwan, who was convicted of embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars during his autocratic rule, and his family.

Who is the owner of H Mart? ›

Il Yeon Kwon, Founder & CEO, H-Mart.

What ethnicity is H Mart? ›

Il Yeon Kwon, a farmer's son who left South Korea in the late 1970s when the countryside was still impoverished from war, opened the first H Mart in Woodside, Queens, in 1982.

What is the ethnicity of H Mart? ›

H Mart opened in 1982 with a store in Woodside, Queens. At the time, only about 1.5% of the American population was of Asian descent, according to the New York Times. The founder, a farmer's son named Il Yeon Kwon left South Korea in the late 1970s and moved to New York, and he remains CEO of the family business.

Is H Mart in the US? ›

Starting in 1982 with a single store in Woodside, Queens, H Mart has grown to include more than 97 stores across the United States.

Why is Pocky so addictive? ›

Its unique combination of taste, convenience, and shareability make Pocky an addictive and distinctive snack. Fun fact: Pocky actually holds a Guinness World Record as the World's Best Selling Chocolate-coated biscuit brand!

Why do Japanese love Pocky? ›

Pocky has been a part of Japanese life since 1966 and has been enjoyed by generations of families. A common sentiment amongst Pocky fans is that it brings a sense of nostalgia, inviting fond memories of times spent with friends and family while sharing a box of Pocky.

Is Pocky Japanese or Korean? ›

Pocky (ポッキー, Pokkī, Japanese pronunciation: [poꜜkkiː]) /ˈpɒki/ is a Japanese sweet snack food produced by the Ezaki Glico food company. Pocky was first sold in 1966, and was invented by Yoshiaki Koma. It consists of coated biscuit sticks.

What is a typical Chinese snack? ›

Shaobing is an unleavened, layered flatbread. It is especially popular as a breakfast or snack dish across northern China. Shaobing can be served plain or with a sweet or savoury filling such as red bean paste or meat. It is commonly eaten alongside milk or tea.

What are the best Chinese sweets and snacks? ›

The best Chinese desserts are red bean buns, dragon's beard candy, egg tarts, candied fruit, pumpkin pancakes, sweet egg buns, deep fried durians, sweet soup balls, almond jelly, and grass jelly.

What are Japanese rice snacks called? ›

Okaki: Classic Japanese rice snacks. There are two types of rice crackers: senbei and okaki. The difference between these two is the type of rice they use. Okaki rice crackers use glutinous rice, also known as mochigome in Japanese, which is the main ingredient for mochi.

Is Family Mart Japanese or Taiwanese? ›

(株式会社ファミリーマート, Kabushikigaisha Famirīmāto) is a Japanese convenience store franchise chain. It is Japan's second largest convenience store chain, behind Seven-Eleven Japan. There are now 24,574 stores worldwide in Japan, Taiwan, China, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Is 99 Ranch Market Chinese or Korean? ›

The first 99 Ranch was opened in 1984 in Westminster by their father, Roger Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant from the western city of Taichung. For many Asian Americans across California, 99 Ranch is much more than just a grocery store. It's a pilgrimage.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aracelis Kilback

Last Updated:

Views: 6724

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aracelis Kilback

Birthday: 1994-11-22

Address: Apt. 895 30151 Green Plain, Lake Mariela, RI 98141

Phone: +5992291857476

Job: Legal Officer

Hobby: LARPing, role-playing games, Slacklining, Reading, Inline skating, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Dance

Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.