First Time at a Korean Supermarket? 8 Must-Try Foods from H-Mart & Hannam Mart
Walking into H-Mart or Hannam Supermarket on North Road can feel like stepping straight into Seoul. The vibrant aisles, colorful packaging, and bustling deli counters are exciting—but if you're visiting for the first time, it can also feel a little overwhelming.
As a local who navigates these aisles every week, I’ve put together the ultimate beginner-friendly haul: 8 must-try foods and pantry staples you should add to your cart right now, complete with my personal insider shopping tips!
1. Ssamjang (The Magic Green Tub)
If you only buy one Korean sauce, make it Ssamjang. It is a savory, nutty blend of fermented soybean paste, chili paste, minced garlic, onion, and toasted sesame oil. While it’s the quintessential dipping sauce for Korean BBQ lettuce wraps, it is equally incredible as an everyday dip for fresh cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrot sticks.
2. Gochujang (Korean Red Chili Paste)
The backbone of Korean cooking. This thick, crimson paste balances fiery heat with subtle sweetness and deep umami. A spoonful will instantly upgrade your fried rice, pasta sauces, meat marinades, and bibimbap bowls.
💡 Sunny’s Pro-Tip on Sauces: Don't stress over comparing different brands for basic condiments like Gochujang, Ssamjang, or Sesame Oil! In Korea, major food brands produce almost all of them under strict quality standards, so flavor differences are minimal. My golden rule? Just grab whichever trusted brand is on sale that week!
3. Mild & Savory K-Ramen (Beyond the Super Spicy)
The ramen aisle is massive, but you don't have to melt your taste buds with extra-spicy noodles. If you prefer rich, comforting broth without intense heat, look for Jin Ramen Mild (Blue Pack) or Tempura Udon. They offer a savory, satisfying depth of flavor that is pure comfort food.
💡 Sunny’s Pro-Tip on Ramen: Planning a hiking or camping trip? Mild bagged ramen is a huge sensation among backcountry campers in Korea (known as Bongji-ramen style). Skip bringing bulky pots: carefully open the top of the ramen bag, toss in the soup powder, pour boiling water straight into the bag, fold or clip the top shut for 3–4 minutes, and eat right out of the pouch. Delicious and zero dishes to wash!
4. Tteokbokki & Mandu (The Ultimate 10-Minute Meal)
Pick up a refrigerated Tteokbokki Kit (chewy cylindrical rice cakes with sweet & spicy sauce) and a bag of frozen Korean Dumplings (Mandu). Simmer the rice cakes in the sauce, pan-fry or boil the dumplings, and you have the most iconic Korean street-food combo ready in under 10 minutes.
5. Authentic Kimchi (Mat-Kimchi vs. Pogi-Kimchi)
No Korean grocery trip is complete without kimchi. You will mainly see two types:
Mat-Kimchi: Pre-sliced cabbage kimchi, ready to eat straight from the container.
Pogi-Kimchi: Whole quarters of Napa cabbage, requiring slicing at home.
💡 Sunny’s Pro-Tip on Kimchi: Pre-sliced mat-kimchi is super convenient for quick daily meals, while whole pogi-kimchi retains its crisp texture and stays fresh longer in the fridge. If your kimchi has been in the fridge for a while and turns extra sour, never throw it away! This is your cue to level up your Korean cooking. Well-fermented, sour kimchi is the secret to making rich, restaurant-quality Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew).
6. Ready-to-Eat Deli Banchan & Fresh Kimbap
Near the front of both stores, you’ll find the freshly made deli counter. Grab freshly rolled Kimbap (seaweed rice rolls filled with veggies and seasoned meat), sweet soy-glazed fish cakes (eomuk), or glass noodles (japchae).
💡 Sunny’s Pro-Tip on Banchan: If you're trying Korean side dishes (banchan) for the first time, some fermented flavors can be an acquired taste. Start with universally loved, approachable options like rolled omelets (gyeran-mari), sweet soy-braised potatoes (gamja-jorim), or stir-fried fish cakes before venturing into stronger flavors.
7. Traditional Puffed Rice Snacks
Venture beyond typical potato chips and check out traditional puffed rice snacks (Tteok-twigibap or Ssal-gwaja). They are light, airy, and gently sweetened.
💡 Sunny’s Pro-Tip on Desserts: Korea has a fantastic variety of rice-based snacks and desserts. Many of these puffed rice crackers and traditional rice cakes are naturally vegan, low in fat, and gentle on the stomach, making them the perfect guilt-free companion for tea or coffee.
8. Roasted Barley & Corn Silk Tea Bags (Bori-cha & Oksusu-cha)
Instead of plain iced water, most Korean households keep a pitcher of chilled roasted barley or corn silk tea in the fridge. These teas are naturally 100% caffeine-free, deeply nutty, refreshing, and great for hydration after a savory meal.
Bonus: Hannam vs. H-Mart — Where Should You Go?
Both markets are located within minutes of Lougheed Town Centre, but each has its own strengths:
H-Mart Coquitlam: Features a massive selection of trendy lifestyle goods, new food releases, and a large K-beauty section. Prices can occasionally be slightly higher on specialty imports, but the variety is unbeatable.
Hannam Supermarket: The local favorite for unbeatable value on fresh produce, quality meats, and classic pantry staples.
💡 Sunny’s Pro-Tip on Saving Money: Always take advantage of the weekend sales! Both Hannam and H-Mart roll out substantial discounts from Friday through Sunday on pantry items, meats, and produce. Checking their weekly flyers before you head out will save you plenty of dollars on your grocery haul.
Have you visited H-Mart or Hannam yet? Which of these 8 items are you adding to your cart first? Share your favorites in the comments below!