My 3 Favorite Dinner Shortcuts I Never Leave H Mart Without (They’re All $6 or Less!)

Ali Domrongchai
Ali DomrongchaiAssociate Editor, Groceries
Ali Domrongchai, a Southern-raised, Brooklyn-based food writer, grew up around her family's Thai restaurant that sparked her initial love for food. (Fun fact: her grandparents briefly ran a Thai grocery store in the 70s). In this space, her curiosity on the role that food plays in building community lead her to pursue a Bachelor’s of Arts in American Studies with a focus on the ways in which pad Thai affects the Thai American experience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She joins The Kitchn as an Associate Editor for the Groceries vertical. Before this role, she held staff positions at Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Allrecipes. Her words and recipes have also been featured in Cook's Country, Simply Recipes, and EatingWell. Oh, and most importantly, she can’t go more than a few hours without a sweet treat.
published Sep 9, 2024
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CARROLLTON, TX, US-JUL 1, 2018:Customers enter and exit H Mart supermarket. An American supermarket chain, specializes in providing Asian foods, operated by the Hanahreum Group, Lyndhurst, NJ
Credit: Trong Nguyen/Shutterstock

If there’s one store where I can easily spend hours (yes, hours!), it’s H Mart. I love stocking up on my favorite Thai ingredients for panang curry, stir-fries, and mango and sticky rice. Of course, it’s not just about the shopping — I genuinely enjoy wandering the aisles, reading the packaging, and learning about different ingredients, cuisines, and cultures. 

Sure, I have my trusty go-to items, but I always make it a point to try something new each visit, hoping to discover new favorites. From that, I’ve accumulated a large list of my all-time favorite groceries that help make dinner a breeze (and delicious!) — and these are my top three for doing just that.

Credit: Ali Domrongchai

1. Tri-Color Side Dishes, $5.99 for 5 ounces

Preparing a meal with vegetables, protein, and starch can be overwhelming, and this convenient option makes it easier. It includes seasoned squid, fish cakes, and seaweed salad — each delicious on its own, but together with a cup of rice (that I always keep pre-made in my fridge) they’re fantastic. 

I typically eat fish cakes in restaurants (and pay much more than just $6 for them), so finding a convenient pre-packaged option has been a game changer for me. It really tastes like I just bought takeout (which are my favorite at-home meals!). I can use this container to last roughly two to three meals, which means fewer nights spent figuring out what I want to eat.

Credit: Ali Domrongchai

2. Sunlit Plant-based Kimchi Spicy Bulgogi Kimbap, $3.99 for 8 ounces

I can’t go to H Mart without picking up a packet of frozen kimbap. While you might be skeptical about frozen kimbap, it’s actually brilliant. The roll heats up in its wrapper in the microwave, which steams the rice to fluffy perfection. Among the various kimbap that I’ve tried from H Mart (and I’ve tried a lot), the Sunlit Plant-Based Kimchi Spicy Bulgogi Kimbap is by far my favorite. It’s packed with umami flavor from the bulgogi seasoning, and has bright veggies like carrots and green beans.

It heats up in less than three minutes and is just a few bucks, aka a winning dinner combination for me.

Credit: Ali Domrongchai

3. Mizkan Fermented Soybeans, $3.49 for 6 ounces

Natto is a traditional Japanese food that’s made with fermented soybeans. It’s typically served with a side of rice for breakfast, but who says breakfast can’t be for dinner? It’s savory, hearty, and comes with karashi mustard and soy sauce for a bit of extra flavor. H Mart sells a pack of three in its freezer section for $3.49 (making it $1.16 each!). Served with a cup of rice (I let the hot rice thaw the beans), it makes for an incredibly quick and satisfying meal.

What are your favorite H Mart dinner shortcuts? Tell us in the comments below. 

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