Michelle Zauner was born into a family of immigrants who came to the United States in search of a better life. Michelle’s father was Caucasian, and he met his love during a training program in Seoul. At the time, the man worked for a company that sold used cars to the US Army. This company coincidentally reserved a room for him in one of the hotels in Seoul where Michelle’s mother worked. The couple dated for three months and eventually decided to get married. Their relationship was fueled by an insatiable desire to learn and seek out new possibilities. Ten years later, they moved to the United States with their children.

Even though Michelle was raised in an American setting and spoke little Korean, her native culture surrounded her. In particular, it was manifested in the food her mother cooked for the family. Michelle’s mother was the epitome of an ideal woman. She always looked incredible and strived to keep every room of the house in order. She could take something a decade old and make it appear freshly purchased.

Even so, she held her daughter to the same high expectations, despite how unrealistic they sometimes were. Michelle’s mother was strict in her upbringing, and it was difficult for Michelle to meet these standards. She often got tired of so many restrictions. However, the girl realized that her mother loved her and wanted the best for her. One of the ways Michelle’s mother showed her love was through food. The daily comfort of warm, homemade meals made Michelle feel truly cared for.

It was only later, at college, that the author heard the painful news that her mother had cancer. Eventually, her mother passed, leaving a lasting mark on Michelle’s life. For her, the Korean supermarket H Mart became a place filled with traces of her mother’s presence. At first, you may think it is just a chain of stores with Korean products, but for Michelle and thousands of other South Korean immigrants, this place is special.

H Mart is where expatriate families gather to feel at home again. They think of Korean culture when walking through the supermarket aisles or having lunch at a table near it. Every time Michelle visits H Mart, she remembers the incredible Korean dishes her mother used to cook for her and feels closer to her roots than ever.