Iconic Korean supermarket H Mart files permits to build in Tampa

Asian food lovers may no longer have to drive to New Tampa’s Lotte Market to get their megamarket fix.

America’s favorite Korean grocery store, H Mart, has filed work permits to start building out a store at 3908 W Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa, just a mile-and-a-half north of Raymond James Stadium.

The location is in the review phase according to documents from the City of Tampa, which include a proposed demolition plan.

The chain has almost 100 locations across the U.S. and already has plans to open in Orlando, making the Tampa store the second in Florida.

Known for its food court and deli, H Mart is also loved for its spread of Asian fruits and vegetables, snacks, kimchi, and grab-and-go banchan.

It’s still too early to tell what layout Tampa’s H Mart will boast, and the Orlando location was first announced four years ago, so don’t start fantasizing about Rice Boy yet.

Of course, there are already plenty of places to get your Asian and Korean market fix nearby. In fact, Kim Brother’s Oriental Grocery Store is literally across the street from the proposed H Mart, with downtown Tampa’s Oceanic Market and Brandon’s Bom Oriental Market in between the future megamarket and the Lotte Plaza Market that opened in New Tampa two years ago.

According to Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner the “H” in H Mart stands for “han ah reum,” which roughly translates to “one arm full of groceries” in Korean. And yes, if you want to learn more about H Mart, there’s a book for that.

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | BlueSky

This article appears in Apr 24-30, 2025.