Short-notice Armageddon unleashed on H-Mart Jan 4.

I thought I'd post this here, as well - I just invited a bunch of Sparky's school friends to meet me at H-Mart tomorrow for lunch. I don't know who will show up at this time, might just be us, might be quite a number of families (short notice was a bit on purpose to keep the numbers down) but if you're interested in seeing small children experience a new culture, feel free to post here or PM me.

Thanks for the warning!

Can't say as I blame you!

How great! Let us know how it goes.

Well, it turned out to be just me and Sparky, but it was a great time to be at H-Mart - lots of families with kids were taking advantage of the holiday. Sparky immediately opted for the Kim-Bap sampler with his favorite inarizushi. The Snack Shop had a lot of turnover, and the food was much fresher than the last time we tried it; the proprieter tried manfully and very graciously to teach me the word for inarizushi in Korean....sadly, all I remember is (something) bap, so I'm no better off than when I started . We also had the mixed tempura, this time the protein was cuttlefish, very similar to an al-dente giant squid ring. I tried the Pho, apparently the new Vietnamese stand is related to Pho 888; it was OK.

One of those days for an amusing conversation. An Asian mom and her school-age son were watching Sparky down his Kim-Bap. She smiled wistfully, and said, "my son won't eat Korean food." (He was eating dry zwieback from the bakery) "What does he eat at home?" I asked, and she replied "Chinese Food" I asked "What's your favorite food?" of the youngster, who said "Dumplings. Shrimp dumplings" I noted that they have a dumpling store, but he shook his head. "What is it you don't like about Kim-Bap? Too sour?" to which the young man replied "I've never tried it."

Only in America.

I'm glad you had a good time with Sparky. The Korean name for inari is yu bu cho bap (유부초밥). I think the only difference is that Koreans really like to put sesame seeds in with the rice. They make instant pacakges that are in the refrigerator section. All you do is add rice. I had that same kim bap, inari sampler earlier this week and it was very tasty as well. Something has changed at that snack shop--the food has been fresher and tastier in the times I've been there recently.

Koreans, by the way, are crazy about pho--I'm happy to see they've opened up a stand at H-Mart. My parents complain about having to drive too far to get pho from the northwestern suburbs. Never mind the fact their eldest daughter lives a stone's throw away from Broadway and Argyle....

Sharona

Sharona wrote: Something has changed at that snack shop--the food has been fresher and tastier in the times I've been there recently.

That's good news.

I had the Snack Shop as one of the first likely to fail at the food court. Fortunately Pizza Hut was the first to take a hit.

Regards,

Sharona wrote:I think the only difference is that Koreans really like to put sesame seeds in with the rice. They make instant pacakges that are in the refrigerator section. All you do is add rice.

I buy those all the time - they're Sparky's favorite boxed school lunch - he even had me bring it to school for the Christmas potluck. You're right; dead easy, now that I've finally figured out how to cook rice!

I was concerned about the Snack Shop myself, Cathy - last time we went the Kim-bap was decidedly not fresh. They must really suffer when the store isn't busy.

I took the daughter to H Mart N'ville a week ago and she was delighted with the selection, focusing on a variety of tofu products including a Japanese tofu-based ersatz noodle that she had read about and was looking for. (all protein, no calories). Can't remember the Japanese name, and she has yet to offer me any at home.

The N'ville location is a major step down - much smaller with no food court. But it adds a lot to the area, most significantly the quality and choice of seafood, but also all the other Asian offerings. The Asian Supermart, in the same mall as HP Schmaltz is smaller but still good, and has a tiny food court (three stalls, of which only a Japanese one offering Sushi and basic Japanese fast food is actually operating). I do not see how it can survive about a block away from H Mart, though.

Anyway, H Mart is a good destination for a family outing

dicksond wrote:I took the daughter to H Mart N'ville a week ago and she was delighted with the selection, focusing on a variety of tofu products including a Japanese tofu-based ersatz noodle that she had read about and was looking for. (all protein, no calories). Can't remember the Japanese name, and she has yet to offer me any at home.

The N'ville location is a major step down - much smaller with no food court. But it adds a lot to the area, most significantly the quality and choice of seafood, but also all the other Asian offerings. The Asian Supermart, in the same mall as HP Schmaltz is smaller but still good, and has a tiny food court (three stalls, of which only a Japanese one offering Sushi and basic Japanese fast food is actually operating). I do not see how it can survive about a block away from H Mart, though.

Anyway, H Mart is a good destination for a family outing

Dickson,

The last I heard the spot next door, formerly Walgreen's, is still slated to become a food court. During my last conversation there are to be 4-5 food stalls, and a bank. Hopefully, this is still the case, and will be finished before I move off to the great gastronomic wasteland of Southeastern Connecticut.

Flip