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Thirty-five years after its founding, the Korean-inspired international grocery called Hmart — the H stands for Han Ah Reum, which translates to “one arm full of groceries” — is finally opening in the Bay Area.

The chain’s first Northern California store will greet customers at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, in West San Jose with a celebratory mix of traditional Korean folk dancing, Chinese lion dancing and grand-opening specials.

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Korean market opens in San Jose, plans local expansion Inside, customers will find a food court with a Korean tofu house, Chinese dishes and Japanese fusion cuisine, an Hmart spokeswoman said, along with ready-to-cook dishes to save time at home. There are counters of fresh fish, meat, poultry and produce.

Hmart, which joins the mix of established Asian markets in the South Bay (99 Ranch, Mitsuwa and Lion), was founded in Woodside, New York, in 1982 — two years before the Taiwanese-inspired 99 Ranch company got its start in Southern California.

Details: Hmart will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 1179 S. De Anza Blvd., San Jose, near Highway 85. 408-418-1601; http://nj.hmart.com/

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