Author
Stacey Kwon
Associated Country
United States
Stacey Kwon is an American business executive, cookbook author, and food advocate best known as the President of H Mart, the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States. Born in Queens, New York, she grew up alongside the family business after her father, Il Yeon Kwon, founded the first H Mart in 1982. From an early age, she was immersed in Korean food culture and the grocery business, experiences that shaped her commitment to preserving and sharing Korean culinary traditions while expanding access to Asian ingredients across North America.
As President of H Mart, Kwon has overseen the continued growth of the family-owned company while helping transform it into a cultural destination as much as a supermarket. Under her leadership, H Mart has expanded its offerings beyond groceries to include modern food halls, prepared foods, educational initiatives, and community outreach, serving both Asian American communities and a growing audience interested in Korean cuisine and culture.
Kwon made her publishing debut as the lead author of H Mart: The Cookbook, created in collaboration with H Mart. The book combines recipes, ingredient guides, cooking techniques, and the history of the supermarket chain, reflecting her mission to make Korean cooking approachable for home cooks while celebrating the role H Mart has played in connecting generations of immigrants and food enthusiasts.
As President of H Mart, Kwon has overseen the continued growth of the family-owned company while helping transform it into a cultural destination as much as a supermarket. Under her leadership, H Mart has expanded its offerings beyond groceries to include modern food halls, prepared foods, educational initiatives, and community outreach, serving both Asian American communities and a growing audience interested in Korean cuisine and culture.
Kwon made her publishing debut as the lead author of H Mart: The Cookbook, created in collaboration with H Mart. The book combines recipes, ingredient guides, cooking techniques, and the history of the supermarket chain, reflecting her mission to make Korean cooking approachable for home cooks while celebrating the role H Mart has played in connecting generations of immigrants and food enthusiasts.
Books
H Mart The Cookbook 2026
When the first H Mart opened in 1982, it was just a humble grocery store in Queens, carrying the most basic of Korean ingredients. In the 43 years since then, the tiny shop has grown into America’s...