ORLANDO, Fla. — A new shopping experience is drawing excitement in Central Florida — and it’s much more than a grocery store.

What You Need To Know

H Mart, the largest Asian supermarket chain in the U.S., opens its first Orlando location
The store spans more than 100,000 square feet, offering everything from fresh seafood to household goods
The new store is currently the largest H Mart store in the country
Community leaders say the store is quickly becoming a cultural hub for Central Florida’s growing Asian population

H Mart, the largest Asian supermarket chain in the U.S., has opened its doors earlier this month in Orlando, and thousands of shoppers are already turning out each day.

The massive store, located on West Colonial Drive, spans more than 100,000 square feet and is filled wall-to-wall with Asian ingredients, household kitchenware, produce, seafood and specialty products that many say have long been missing from the region.

But for shoppers like Vivian Aronson, a Chinese American cooking influencer and author, the store’s arrival is about more than food.

“That’s really warm my heart and see this Asian culture impacting Orlando,” Aronson said.

Known for her social media videos blending humor, music and traditional cooking tips, Aronson was recognized by several shoppers during her visit.

With millions of followers online, she’s part of a movement that’s helping bridge cultures and generations through food.

“So, you just shake the bottle — a little trick,” Aronson said, offering a tip while picking out soy sauce. “You shake the bottle; you see the bubbles on the top. So, if you see bubbles, that’s a real soy sauce.”

The September grand opening was more like a cultural celebration — complete with traditional music, dance and long lines that wrapped around the building.

Customers waited for hours to be among the first to shop the new store.

H Mart store manager Michael Jo, who’s worked for the company for 18 years at another location, says Orlando’s growing Asian community made this the right time and place for the expansion.

“The customer is looking for Asian food, especially Korean food. And we are ready. We

have everything to cook,” Jo said.

The store is also becoming a shopping spot for both older and younger generations.

Many members of the Central Florida Korean Association were at the grand opening and now shop at the new location.

Kum Nam Hong, the group’s president and who spoke at the H Mart grand opening, says the younger generation is taking a stronger interest in their heritage — thanks in part to the visibility and influence of places like H Mart and the rise of Asian content on social media.

“Then I saw people see. Yeah, they all do that stuff with the phone. They are excited to do that,” Hong said. “So, it’s just amazing. And I’m so happy.”