Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Why This Book Matters
Crying in H Mart is a moving and unforgettable memoir about grief, cultural identity, and the ways we carry love through food, memory, and tradition. Michelle Zauner, lead singer of Japanese Breakfast, reflects on the death of her mother and her efforts to reconnect with her Korean heritage. Through evocative scenes set in kitchens, supermarkets, and family homes, Zauner explores what it means to straddle cultures, grieve without a clear roadmap, and find oneself through care and cooking.
This book speaks directly to anyone navigating complex identities or holding onto culture in a place that often erases it. Zauner writes honestly about the distance between generations, the feeling of not being Korean enough, and the comfort found in dishes passed down by memory. Food becomes a language when other words fail.
For educators, facilitators, and cultural leaders, Crying in H Mart offers a powerful entry point into discussions about heritage, loss, migration, and emotional resilience. Use it to shape programs on community storytelling, healing through cultural practice, or exploring the role of food in memory and identity. It is especially valuable in initiatives centered on Asian American narratives, grief processing, or intergenerational dialogue.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Why This Book Matters
Crying in H Mart is a moving and unforgettable memoir about grief, cultural identity, and the ways we carry love through food, memory, and tradition. Michelle Zauner, lead singer of Japanese Breakfast, reflects on the death of her mother and her efforts to reconnect with her Korean heritage. Through evocative scenes set in kitchens, supermarkets, and family homes, Zauner explores what it means to straddle cultures, grieve without a clear roadmap, and find oneself through care and cooking.
This book speaks directly to anyone navigating complex identities or holding onto culture in a place that often erases it. Zauner writes honestly about the distance between generations, the feeling of not being Korean enough, and the comfort found in dishes passed down by memory. Food becomes a language when other words fail.
For educators, facilitators, and cultural leaders, Crying in H Mart offers a powerful entry point into discussions about heritage, loss, migration, and emotional resilience. Use it to shape programs on community storytelling, healing through cultural practice, or exploring the role of food in memory and identity. It is especially valuable in initiatives centered on Asian American narratives, grief processing, or intergenerational dialogue.