Crying in H Mart; A Memoir

A Moving Memoir of Family, Food, and Identity

#1 New York Times Bestseller • From indie rock sensation Japanese Breakfast, Michelle Zauner delivers an unforgettable memoir about love, loss, food, and self-discovery—“In losing her mother and cooking to bring her back to life, Zauner became herself” (NPR).

In this deeply personal and beautifully written memoir, Michelle Zauner proves she is more than a celebrated singer, songwriter, and guitarist. With humor and raw emotion, she recounts her childhood in Eugene, Oregon, where she was one of the few Asian American kids at her school, and the complicated relationship she shared with her mother, shaped by high expectations and deep love. Some of their most cherished moments were spent together late at night in her grandmother’s tiny Seoul apartment, bonding over heaping plates of Korean food.

As Michelle moved to the East Coast, pursued music, and built a life of her own, she found herself drifting from her Korean heritage—until her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis at age 25 forced her to confront her identity and reconnect with the traditions her mother had passed down.

At once heart-wrenching and hopeful, Crying in H Mart is a vivid exploration of grief, culture, and the power of food to preserve memories. Featuring intimate anecdotes and family photos, Zauner’s lyrical storytelling makes this memoir one to treasure, share, and revisit.