Inside the H Mart Food Court in Upper Darby
Situated on a perpetually busy corner in downtown Upper Darby, the H Mart is beloved by Delco locals (and folks popping over from the city) for its huge selection and range of products. We’re talking noodles, sauces, teas, imported snacks and candy, frozen dumplings, hard-to-find beverages and condiments, and so much more. While it is primarily an Asian market, the H Mart also offers an array of fresh produce, everyday staples, like grains, spices and canned goods, and fresh seafood and meat! Whether you’re there to pick up a few items for a recipe or to do a full grocery shop, it’s a really fun place to explore.
But, perhaps its best kept secret is the food hall on the second floor. To find it, enter the front vestibule of the H Mart, and take the escalator upstairs. There you’ll find a treasure trove of food, drinks and even housewares!
Here are some highlights of this foodie paradise:
Paris Baguette
This bakery chain has grown exponentially in popularity over the past few years. It’s not hard to see why! Paris Baguette combines high-level French pastry techniques with Asian flavors, resulting in stunning pastries, impossibly soft breads, works-of-art cakes and artisan coffee drinks that people from all walks of life can enjoy.
The location in H Mart is right at the top of the escalator. It features a central glass case arranged with tempting treats, like mochi donuts, savory ham-and-cheese pastries, perfectly laminated croissants stuffed with strawberries and cream, custard-filled danishes, sticky milk buns, curried vegetable croquets and so much more. Grab a tray and use the tongs to choose whatever catches your eye.
In the cold case, find slices of cream cakes, mixed berry tarts, charming macarons and more. Pair your purchase with a hot or iced coffee or matcha drink; the iced lattes are a fan favorite!
There are a handful of seats inside and outside of the Paris Baguette kiosk. They make a great perch to take a break from shopping, or to enjoy the sights and sounds of the H Mart food court!
Joonghwa Roo
Most of the restaurants in the H Mart food court offer Korean, Japanese or Asian-fusion cuisines. An awesome Korean-Chinese restaurant is Joonghwa Roo, tucked into the middle of the food court stalls. For an authentic dish, try the Samsun Gan Ja-Jang, springy noodles with seafood and vegetables, served with a savory black bean sauce, or the Shrimp Kan Poong Gi, lightly crunchy deep-fried shrimp with an addictive sweet-and-sour sauce. The Jjamppong, a spicy seafood noodle soup, is also a fantastic dish; not only is it affordable, the huge portion means you might have enough for lunch tomorrow!
Jian Korean Cuisine
For classic Korean food, check out Jian, with a menu packed with umami-rich dishes, like sizzling hot pots filled with rich broth, glass noodles and chicken, beef bulgogi and bibimbap topped with spicy ground beef, fresh vegetables and a fried egg. Most orders come with complimentary side dishes, like pickles, kimchi and miso soup. Not into meat? Try the Dwenjang Jjigae, a savory bean paste stew with seafood and silken tofu. The heat level of most dishes can be customized, from mild to tongue-tingling spicy to holy-moly-that’s-hot.
Photo: Pexels
Tomo Sushi & Sashimi
There’s a lot of great sushi in Delco, and this unassuming sushi bar can hang with the best of them! The word for Tomo Sushi & Sasimi is “fresh.” All of its dishes, from simple hand rolls to udon noodle soups to veggie tempura, are expertly constructed with ingredients that taste amazing. There is a lot to choose from — the menu is impressively comprehensive for such a small spot. The creative special rolls are a real highlight! We like the Lucky Guy roll, with spicy tuna topped with raw salmon, spicy yellowtail, masago, scallion, sweet spicy sauce, spicy mayo and a shower of crunchy bits. The Kiss of Fire Roll is another fav, with spicy crab and spicy tuna rolled up with cucumber, shrimp tempura and avocado, and topped with steamed shrimp, spicy mayo and eel sauce.
Looking for a complete —and affordable — meal? A bento box hooks you up with a green salad, gyoza, tempura, miso soup, and your choice of sushi rolls, chicken, salmon or pork teriyaki, or deep-fried katsu (pork or chicken cutlets).
Photo: Pexels
Mr. Wish
No trip to the H Mart is complete without boba tea! Mr. Wish is your one-stop-shop for all your favorite Asian-inspired beverages and snacks, like milk tea, fruit tea, sparkling tea, fruit smoothies and bubble waffles. This Taiwan-based chain has an extensive menu, and making your selection can be tricky! The friendly staff is always happy to help with suggestions or advice.
For a more classic boba experience, we recommend the Pearl Milk tea or matcha milk tea, which come with chewy taro boba pearls. A lighter option is the fruit tea (we like passionfruit green), fruit smoothies, or diced fruit tea fiber jelly, which have a gummy candy-esque texture. Feeling adventurous? Try the 3Q Milk tea, with freshly brewed Taiwanese black iced tea blended with non-dairy milk mixed with brown sugar boba pearls, and topped with sweet pudding and coconut lychee jelly.
ArtBox
To walk off your feast, check out the ArtBox shop featuring all sorts of kawaii (cute) stationery, stickers, accessories and stuffed animals. Just behind it, there is another shop with home goods, from rice steamers to bento-style lunchboxes to placemats to funky chopsticks! Both are great places to shop for a gift, or cookware or tools to enhance your own kitchen set-up.
H Mart is located at 7050 Terminal Square in Upper Darby Township; phone: (610) 734-1001
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Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA. They say we’re A LOT…and they’re right! Contact us at (610) 565-3679, by email or online.