Countless amounts of excited people are awaiting to see the wonders of Florida’s new H Mart! With lines often spanning up to 1-2 hours on a busy day, for the average customer, this market is definitely a place worth visiting. Customers visiting feel that the store gives off the same vibe as local markets that they have in their home country. The biggest H Mart yet has opened up in Orlando, covering over 100,000 sq ft. At the grand opening, the store hosted special giveaways and exclusive promotions. A prize can also be won if a customer does the cheese pull long enough on the viral cheese coin. Soraya Kadir, an IB Sophomore, says she heard the store is “really busy since it just opened and [she] would wait for the popularity to go down before trying it.” Many locals remark how they will probably wait till next year to go, when the market doesn’t have lines piling onto the outside of the building.
The market opened September 25th at 7501 W. Colonial Drive. H Mart is a popular Korean-American supermarket chain known for selling delicious Asian street snacks, produce, and household items. The H in H Mart actually stands for Han Ah Reum, which means ‘one arm full of groceries’ in Korean. It shows the abundance of products and groceries available in the store. Lots of great fruits and vegetables, and other food items will be sold that usually aren’t available in the average grocery store, that too, with better prices. The food hall will be holding the following vendors: Oh, K-Dog & Egg Toast: Korean corn dogs, Myung Ga: Korean BBQ and tofu soup, JAWS Topokki: Korean street food, U Chun: Korean cold noodles and tofu soup, Chidon: Japanese fried cutlet, Paik’s Noodles: Korean/Chinese cuisine. H Mart will offer every day Asian grocery staples, and famous snacks including the Korean cheese coin, roasted sweet potato, and enoki mushrooms. The viral ‘ice cups’ are also sold, and different drink powders can be poured into the ice cup for a tasty drink. Kadir also mentions she has “already tried a lot of Asian snacks,” but looks forward to “unique ramune flavors and cute school supplies.” Alakrita Jena, an IB sophomore, says she would like to get the “cheese tteokbokki if [she] gets the chance since it is really delicious.” HMart isn’t just a grocery store- it also sells stationery, skincare, and accessories that resonate with people of all ages. Jena says that “it’s worth visiting the new H Mart later. It’s quite crowded at the moment, so it might take some time.” As a customer walks through the store they will see lines and lines of different ramen types, mini stores of skincare such as the Innisfree brand, and even fun photobooths! This store also brings countless job opportunities and boosts the already successful tourism in Florida.
Social media is playing a key role in the long lines of H Mart, with many influencers showing the different viral foods sold there, and the viral worthy aspects of the store. Shoppers have vlogged the entire experience of going into the store, trying the food hall dishes, and showing the stacked aisles of people’s favorites.
The new H Mart is ready to bring an authentic taste to Florida, and is ready to welcome customers to try the various types of Asian cuisine flavors and items. As the crowds and long lines begin to settle, the market will become a cultural hotspot right in Orlando, and an attraction to all of Florida. With its bright lights, variety of food, beauty products, and household items, the Orlando H mart is definitely a place worth visiting.