Entering H Mart Burlington on Old Concord Road, you quickly realize why this location has remained a dominant force in the Greater Boston area’s Asian food scene for years. It manages to bridge the gap between a high-volume suburban superstore and a specialized cultural destination. The first thing that captures your attention is the “Great Wall of Rice,” a massive, floor-to-ceiling display of premium short-grain varieties that sets the tone for the scale of the inventory. The produce department follows suit, renowned by locals for its impeccable ginger, fresh gai lan, and seasonal Korean purple grapes. It is a space where the air often carries the faint, sweet scent of the in-house bakery’s fresh buns, immediately making the store feel more like a community market than a corporate chain.
What distinguishes this Burlington location is its dual role as a grocery hub and a beauty destination. It houses dedicated in-store boutiques like Amore Pacific and Coco Cosmetics, where shoppers can find specialized Hanbang-style sheet masks and high-end Korean skincare brands that are typically difficult to source in person. The meat department is a focal point for those hosting Korean BBQ at home, offering a wide array of “slided” (thinly sliced) meats and marinated galbi that shoppers travel from as far as Vermont and New Hampshire to stock up on. The food hall is equally central to the experience, featuring a mix of vendors that specialize in everything from Go Go Curry to massive “King Dumplings” the size of a fist. Despite being a consistently busy hub with a parking lot that can be an adventure in itself, the store’s organization and deep commitment to quality—from the gallon-sized bags of fresh kimchi to the unique “drinkable vinegars”—make it an essential stop for anyone seeking authentic Asian ingredients.
