Explore H Mart – A Pan-Asian Grocery Store Located in Cedar Park

Located just 30 minutes outside of Austin, H Mart is so much more than a grocery store. Beyond being a place to shop for unique imported produce and snacks, H Mart offers an immersive experience complete with a karaoke stage, beauty shop, hair salon, clothing store, and a food court serving dishes sure to astound any visitor—even those who haven’t been particularly exposed to Asian cuisine. Inside H Mart, you’ll find trending food items like Korean convenience store ice cups and bagged drinks, a never-ending selection of Buldak ramen, and popular Korean beauty products from Rom&nd. There’s truly something for everyone, making H Mart a fantastic destination to escape the summer heat for a few hours while engaging with the culture and businesses of Asian Texans.

The Food Court

H Mart’s food court features eight restaurants, including one bakery, each highlighting a different facet and region of Asian cuisine. On my visit, we tried Umami Street Sushi & Donburi, Hawai’i Poke, Don Chicken, and Tous Les Jours. Each of the restaurants far exceeded my expectations and would be high on my list of recommendations for any Asian food lover in the Austin area.

Umami Street Sushi & Donburi

Details:

  • Rating: 7/10
  • Items Ordered: Spicy Tuna Roll
  • Cuisine Type: Japanese
  • Online Menu
  • Tip: Prepare for heat! The wasabi here was a jolt to my system as someone with a palette sensitive to spice, but it faded away quickly and didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the food.

Here, we ordered two decadent spicy tuna sushi rolls. The tuna was fresh with a very mild flavor, perfect for sushi eaters who aren’t yet accustomed to the taste of raw fish. The rice was soft and fresh, paired with crunchy seaweed that complemented the creamy avocado. They’re generous with their savory, flavorful spicy mayo, which enhances the refreshing flavor of the roll rather than overpowering it. The topping works hand in hand with the other ingredients to create a memorable and craveable experience from Umami Street. Located almost directly in front of the left entrance, the restaurant also features a stunning variety of sushi and nigiri that’s sure to make every Japanese food lover’s mouth water upon entering H Mart.

Hawai’i Poke

Details:

  • Rating: 8/10
  • Items Ordered: Mild Tuna Shoyu Poke
  • Cuisine Type: Hawaiian
  • Tip: If you don’t like raw fish (yet), try the tuna. The texture and flavor will surprise you!

At H Mart, you’d be mistaken to think you’ll walk out hungry just because you didn’t order anything at the food court. Hawai’i Poke is a small counter near the seafood section that offers a unique selection of fresh fish poké with bold flavors and mix-ins — and best of all, free samples! Simply ask the attendant to try whichever flavor catches your attention for a single piece of incredible seafood. We ordered the shoyu tuna poké and picked up taro chips from one of the many snack aisles to scoop it up with. The combination was absolutely delicious — the tuna practically melted in my mouth, and the flavor profile struck the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and umami. I sampled the sriracha mayo tuna, which was bright and creamy with an addicting heat. What stood out to me most about Hawai’i Poke was the happy, eager customer service, which reminded me to be grateful for Texas’ incredible Asian immigrants and diaspora, who work tirelessly to bring the flavors of their culture to Austin.

Tous les Jours

Details:

  • Rating: 9/10
  • Items Ordered: Matcha Lemonade & Cookie Matcha Brownie
  • Cuisine Type: Korean-French
  • Online Menu
  • Tip: Their “-ade” drinks lean on the tart side, but their pastries are very sweet.

From their award-winning tiramisu latte and carbonated beauty-ade drinks to their stunning variety of sweet and savory pastries, Tous les Jours is a charming bakery within the H Mart food court offering a truly unique menu. Many of their baked goods feature some variation of Japanese milk bread — a sweet, soft confection so light and airy it practically dissolves on the tongue. Tous les Jours is the perfect place to stop for anyone whose idea of a good time is walking around a big store with a fun drink in hand, especially if you’re a matcha or coffee lover (so… me). You’d be doing yourself a favor by at least browsing their selection of sweets, which is almost as fun to explore as it is to eat. I made the impossible choice of a matcha lemonade and a matcha cookie brownie — both were incredible without being overly filling or dense. The presentation of both the drinks and food is also excellent, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to any visit to Tous les Jours.

Don Chicken

Details:

  • Rating: 10/10
  • Items Ordered: Soy Garlic Boneless Chicken Wings & Fried Chicken Potstickers
  • Cuisine Type: Korean
  • Online Menu
  • Tip: Don’t disregard the side of pickled daikon radish they give you here! It adds a sweet, refreshing, crunchy twist to the experience of eating the warm, savory fried chicken.

At Don Chicken, every flavor is incredible. I’ve tried pretty much everything on the menu and can confidently say that if this restaurant is one thing, it’s reliable—each flavor of chicken is sure to impress while maintaining that classic Korean fried chicken crunch. Their soy garlic glaze is by far my favorite way to enjoy Don Chicken. The tender, juicy chicken becomes almost an afterthought, acting as a vessel for the sweet, sticky sauce. I also ordered a side of their fried dumplings, which were delightfully crispy with a flavorful chicken filling. They come with a wonderfully salty dipping sauce that makes the piping hot dumplings even better. I’d call Don Chicken my favorite restaurant at H Mart, despite all the incredible contenders. The combination of flavors they offer is comforting, satisfying, and above all, delicious.

The Stores

Sure, other grocery stores may have a food court — but do they have a Sanrio store? Much of H Mart’s charm can be missed if you overlook the hallway past the Narrow Street restaurant, just before the actual store begins. This area features businesses like Bono Hair Spa and The Face Shop. This small strip of stores highlights the innovation and effectiveness of the East Asian beauty industry — which is, in many ways, light years ahead of the Western world. The kind and enthusiastic staff are more than happy to help you build your perfect haul, which might include viral favorites like the Rom&nd lasting lip tints and the Tirtir cushion foundation.

The addition of these businesses into H Mart showcases how much they are truly dedicated to uplifting as many Asian-owned businesses as possible and makes for an accessible experience.

The Groceries

H Mart boasts a wide selection of fresh produce that contribute to classic Asian recipes from all parts of the continent. As a lover of fresh fruits and vegetables—especially ones I haven’t tried before—it was a pleasure to stroll through the produce section here.

Items I left with:

  • Fresh kimchi from Doosan Foods
  • Buldak ramen and imported snacks
  • K-beauty and lifestyle items
  • Pre-marinated meats for Korean BBQ
  • Convenient ready-to-eat meals

It was more than I planned to pick up, but still far less than what I wanted to take home. The snack and seafood sections are incredible as well, stocked with fresh fish and unique snacks from all corners of the Asian continent. Nearly everything you pass catches your eye. The produce section is bursting with vibrant colors and textures you won’t find at H-E-B or Trader Joe’s. You’ll also find a variety of premade, frozen, and reheatable meals, which is perfect for anyone wanting to experience the flavors of H Mart with convenience.

Final Thoughts

H Mart isn’t just a grocery store, it’s a place where food and community come together under one roof. A place where something as mundane as grocery shopping becomes a memorable experience, every visit offers a unique and practical opportunity to engage with Austin’s Asian community. Whether you’re looking to simply stock your pantry, try something new, stock up on K-beauty goodies, or just escape the Texas heat for a few hours, H Mart is a wonderful place to explore and enjoy. Plan your next visit soon!

Elle Morgan

Born in Washington, DC and raised in Austin, Texas, Elle Morgan is a junior Radio-Television-Film major at the University of Texas. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, writing, and spending time with her dog and cat.