10 Produce Items I Always Buy at H Mart, According to a Cookbook Author

Skip the grocery store and head straight to H Mart for a wider variety of produce that’s budget-friendly and better-quality.

As a cookbook author and food writer who specializes in Asian cuisine, I’m constantly developing recipes (and feeding my family!) using Asian ingredients, many of which aren’t available at mainstream grocery stores. It’s especially tricky to find fresh produce like vegetables, herbs and fruit—so that’s when I turn to Asian markets.

I’m lucky to have three Asian markets—H Mart, LA Mart and Lotte Plaza—within 10 minutes of my house, but H Mart always has the best variety and quality. Plus, it usually has the best prices, which is why it’s become my go-to store. Here are 10 produce items that I always buy.

Related: The 7 Things I Always Buy at H Mart, According to a Chef

1. Green Leafy Vegetables

If you love greens, you’re in for a treat! H Mart runs a thriving business in vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, because of high demand. Perennial favorite bok choy is often available at conventional grocery stores, but is typically priced higher. So why pay more? H Mart also carries different varieties like Shanghai, Taiwanese and baby bok choy. The grocer also has ingredients like gai lan (Chinese broccoli), yu choy (Chinese flowering cabbage) and shungiku (chrysanthemum greens). These greens are delicious stir-fried, roasted or simply steamed and drizzled with oyster sauce. Try our Roasted Baby Bok Choy with Soy-Ginger Glaze for a quick side dish.

2. Eggplant

Globe eggplant is likely the most common variety of eggplant you’ll find at your local grocery store. While it’s fine for ratatouille, I much prefer slender Chinese or Japanese eggplant. Ranging from violet to deep purple in color, they are nearly seedless, more tender and less bitter than globe. At H Mart, I’m spoiled for choice. Not only can I find my preferred variety here, I can also find cute, oval-shaped Indian eggplant and golf-ball-size green Thai eggplant for my curries.

3. Mushrooms

In addition to common white and brown (cremini) mushrooms, H Mart sells an abundant assortment of Asian varieties. Shiitake, bunapi-shimeji, enoki and lion’s mane are just some of the varieties that are always available and are reasonably priced. I like to pickle them or toss them into noodle dishes like this Mushroom-Miso Pasta.

Related: Are Mushrooms Good for You? Here's What Research Has to Say

4. Fresh Herbs

When I want to cook with Asian herbs that are more niche, like the makrut lime leaves in this Rendang Jamur (Mushroom Rendang), Thai basil or lemongrass, I make a beeline for H Mart where they are abundant, fresh and more budget-friendly. Even everyday herbs such as cilantro and green onions cost less here. You’ll also find lesser-known herbs like culantro, betel leaf and rau ram—perfect for when you want to crack open that Vietnamese cookbook sitting on your shelf.

5. Rhizomes

While most supermarkets carry fresh ginger root, they hardly stock other rhizomes like galangal and turmeric. Look no further than H Mart, where these rhizomes tend to be fresher and more cost-effective because of the higher turnover. These rhizomes are essential for making spice pastes that are the cornerstone of Indonesian and Thai cooking.

6. Shallots

Shallots come in all shapes, sizes and colors. I’m partial to the small, irregularly shaped shallots sold at H Mart. Milder and sweeter, they are similar to those grown in Southeast Asia. Shallots—and garlic—form the backbone of my Indonesian spice pastes, so I will always make the effort to seek out the ones I prefer.

7. Fresh Chile Peppers

H Mart has an astounding array of fresh chiles. Tiny bird’s eye chiles, sleek red Korean chiles, stout green jalapeños— they’re all available. Beware though, they’re not always labeled, so the only way to figure out how spicy they are is to eat them! You’ll also find Mexican peppers like Anaheim and habanero, as well as tomatillos.

Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Spicy Food

8. Fruit

Growing up, I enjoyed eating all manner of tropical fruits, but especially longans and durian. Once in a while, I’ll have a hankering for them, which is when I head to the Asian grocer. H Mart is my go-to for everything from longans and lychees to guavas and rambutans. They even sell durian! It’s usually frozen but it’s better than nothing. I also buy fresh jackfruit for eating out of hand when it’s ripe and for cooking in recipes like Jackfruit Barbacoa Burrito Bowls when it’s unripe. Plus, other tropical fruit like papaya and pineapple are offered for less than at your everyday supermarket.

9. Frozen Produce

I use banana leaves to wrap foods, especially during grilling season, and pandan leaves to flavor everything from sweets to curries. I buy them frozen, as well as other prepared ingredients like grated coconut, ground lemongrass and peeled taro. Sometimes, I have to scour the freezer aisle (or, God forbid, ask someone!) but it’s worth the hunt.

10. Mystery Ingredients

I love to experiment with new-to-me ingredients, and I often pick up a vegetable or a fruit or two to try. Some recent vegetable finds include burdock root and celtuce. I braised the former in soy sauce, and stir-fried the latter. And I never knew what fresh jujubes looked and tasted like until I saw them lounging in the fruit aisle one day.

Read the original article on Eating Well.