The Best Asian Teas to Buy at H-Mart (And Amazon Alternatives)
H-Mart is the largest Korean-American grocery chain in the U.S., with 96+ stores across 14 states. Its tea aisle is one of the best in any grocery store: boricha, oksusu cha, buckwheat tea, ginseng, yuja, and an under-appreciated bottled-tea cooler. Here's what to grab in-store, and where we'd point you on Amazon when your closest H-Mart is 90 minutes away.
U.S. — 96+ stores across CA, NY, NJ, TX, GA, VA, WA, etc.
Korean (primary); broader Asian pantry (Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese)
What H-Mart does best
- Korean barley tea (boricha) — 3-4 brands always in stock
- Roasted corn tea (oksusu cha) — usually Damtuh or Nokchawon
- Citron / yuja tea honey jars
- Bottled Korean teas in the cooler wall — 20+ SKUs
- Gift sets around Chuseok (Sept-Oct) and Lunar New Year
Our top picks at H-Mart
Shopping tips
- The bottled-tea cooler is usually next to the Korean drinks wall — easy to miss. Walk past the banana milk and you're there.
- Grain teas (barley, corn, buckwheat) are usually on the dry aisle near the cooking rice section, not with the tea bags.
- Premium teas (Osulloc matcha, ginseng jars) are often in the gift section during fall/winter.
- If you're new to Korean tea, grab one box of boricha, one of oksusu cha, and one jar of yuja honey — covers 80% of the category.
Frequently asked
Does H-Mart sell matcha?
Yes — Osulloc (Korean) is usually in stock; you'll occasionally see Japanese matcha brands too. Selection varies store-to-store. For reliable stock of Japanese ceremonial-grade matcha, Amazon is often the faster bet.
What's the difference between H-Mart's boricha options?
Most stores carry Damtuh (milder, roasted lighter), Dongsuh (darker roast, richer), and Ito En's Korean-market boricha. They're all zero-caffeine; choose by roast preference. Damtuh is the most beginner-friendly; Dongsuh is the depth-of-flavor pick.
Does H-Mart have a tea section in every store?
Yes — every full-size H-Mart has both a dry-tea aisle and a bottled-tea cooler. The smaller express locations sometimes carry less. Check the store locator on hmart.com for format before you drive.
Is H-Mart cheaper than Amazon for Korean tea?
For imported Korean-market SKUs that Amazon doesn't carry (specific Nokchawon ginger-jujube jars, regional boricha blends), yes. For mainstream Damtuh or Dongsuh boxes, Amazon with Subscribe & Save is often 10-15% cheaper per box.
What's in the H-Mart bottled-tea cooler?
Expect 20+ SKUs rotating by season: Woongjin corn tea, Damtuh bottled boricha, Ito En Oi Ocha (Korean-market labeling), Osulloc green tea bottles, and imported Japanese unsweetened teas. It's the best bottled-tea selection in any U.S. chain grocery.
When does H-Mart stock the gift tea sets?
Chuseok (Korean mid-autumn, September-October) and Lunar New Year (January-February) are the two biggest windows. You'll see premium Osulloc boxes, ginseng gift tins, and yuja-honey sets that don't appear on the regular shelf.