H Mart Chicago Reveals its Pan Asian Food Court Lineup

As Chicagoans await H Mart’s February 1 opening in the West Loop, reps have shared the food court lineup inside the Pan Asian market. When it opens at 711 W. Jackson Boulevard, customers will have many choices including traditional Korean food, sushi, and poke, and more. H Mart has taken over a former office supply store just east of the Kennedy Expressway on Jackson.

An H Mart spokesperson described three food vendors. There’s SGD Tofu House & BBQ Restaurant, the chain that’s also known as So Gong Dong. It has a location in Glenview in the same strip mall dominated by Korean food where Bonchon plans to open. Customers can pick a main ingredient, including Korean short ribs (kalbi), tofu, kimchi, and have it served as a stew, ramen, or rice. It also serves bimbimbap, Korean barbecue, and dumplings.

Japanese food fans should be excited about Izakaya Yume. It’s the restaurant’s second location — it’s been in suburban Niles since 2011. Expect sushi and a few classics from Hawai’i, where Japanese culture is prevalent. Items include katsu and poke bowls.

The third vendor appears to be a new concept called Baru. There’s little information about this restaurant: just that customers will find Korean fusion and healthy rolls.

In addition to that trio, H Mart’s bringing its Cafe L’Ami to Chicago. It’s a bakery that serves Korean and French desserts. After the main market opens, they’ll also welcome Royce’ Chocolate, a Japanese company with a downtown location at the Shops at North Bridge.

Other H Marts have seen long lines on opening day. While H Mart already has a trio of suburban locations, fans should expect a crowd on February 1. Up north, Seafood City, a Filipino-focused Pan Asian market, drew huge masses of people for opening day.