I’ve never been to an Asian country, so H-Mart felt like the next best thing! My best friend, Tonya, and I set off on an adventure, stepping into a wonderland of color, aroma, and sound. The air was cool and filled with the scent of ginger, sesame oil, and fresh herbs. Rows of gleaming fish (some still wiggling!) lined the seafood counter, while nearby, bins overflowed with exotic produce—spiky durians, dragon fruit, and greens I couldn’t begin to name.
The lighting was bright, almost dazzling, reflecting off shiny packages labeled in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese. It was a sensory feast—part grocery store, part cultural immersion.
Then we wandered into the connecting Food Hall, which was just as vibrant and full of life. A dozen sizzling booths competed for attention: bubbling soups sent up steamy clouds, fruit loop-covered corn dogs winked from behind the counter, and dumplings and noodles filled the air with garlicky, fragrant wonder.
It was a joyful hour of escape from my usual suburban sameness. But my favorite surprise was tucked into the French bakery corner—an impossibly flaky chocolate croissant. The contrast of crisp pastry and soft chocolate was pure bliss. I’ll be spreading the word—and bringing my family back soon.
Your Wonder:
Is there a specialty grocery store in your town—Italian, German, Polish, Armenian? Go explore it! You’ll get to “travel” without a passport.