Costco in South Korea (International Series #2)

I recently wrote a post about a writer’s visit to a Costco in Canada (Costco in Canada (International Series #1)). When I came across an article about a visit to a Costco in South Korea, I realized that this could be a new “series” of the blog. I do not expect to visit these Costcos. I am unlikely to travel to most of these countries. Furthermore, even if I did visit, Costco would actually not be my first–or any– main attraction (yes, I have interests that top Costco!)

The writer of the article was born in South Korea and frequently visits the country.

She first notes that there are Costcos in 14 countries. My research informed me that there are stores in: Australia, Canada, China, France, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.

18 things this writer noticed when she visited a Costco in South Korea (one of 18 in the country)

1. Gold Star Memberships work

Apparently, Gold Star Memberships can be used for one year at any Costco location around the world. 

Given that it is Costco we are discussing, I am not surprised but this seems like a great deal for those who travel. 

2. Good Kitchenware Deals

The author noticed that some Korean kitchenware brands are very expensive in the United States due to costs of importing then Costco has good deals on them. 

Again, not a surprise that the deals would be good at Costco.

3. Many Digestive Relief Items

According to the article, many Koreans put digestive health as a priority. Costco is responsive to this priority, selling multiple forms of powders and bottled herbal beverages. 

I didn’t know that South Korean individuals tend to be any more concerned about digestive health than are others but it does make sense that Costco is responsive to the preferences of its customer base. 

4. The Clothing Section Sells US College  Apparel 

The author explains that most high school students in South Korea strive to attend a prestigious US College. Meeting this interest of it’s members, Costco sells sweatshirts printed with logos from some of these universities (e.g., Columbia, Stanford, Harvard, UCLA).

I was very interested in this finding. Although I know that there are many students in Asian countries (among other countries) who want to attend prestigious schools in the US, I did not know it was as common as this author discusses. I am also surprised that, given that these items are clearly within Costco’s inventory of items, they are not sold in the United States.

5. You Can Sample Alcohol in the Store and Buy it in Bulk 

Costco stores in South Korea have “Spirit Zones” in which members can sample alcohol from around the world. They also sell alcohol in bulk.

I don’t drink and have never thought about whether Costco enables members to sample alcohol but I like the concept of the sample areas. 

6. You Can Buy a Mini Keg of Beer or a Large Bottle of Soju. 

The author reports that Costco sells 5-liter kegs of Heineken. They also sell big bottles of Soju, the drink of South Korea, in large bottles, which are mainly used for cooking. 

Again, as I do not drink, I am not interested in these products but can certainly imagine that many are!

7. Gift boxes are in Bags 

The article mentions that gift editions of items (e.g., candies) are packaged with handles, creating built-in gift bags. Furthermore, for the products without handles, Costco often has a box of (free!) gift bags for the gift items.

In a recent post about things that surprised a visitor to Costco (Costco Surprises), I commented on the lack of bags used at Costco. Therefore, although clearly a different purpose (gift vs carrying purchased items), I like the idea of bags for some items. In addition, whereas gift bags can often be relatively expensive (I like to reuse ones I receive), it is nice to get free ones. 

8. The Bakery is up on Food Trends

South Korean bakeries at Costco sell many of the same items as in the United States (e.g., croissants, muffins, birthday cakes). In addition, they sell desserts that match the current food trends of the country. 

This section made me wonder about what would be considered “trendy” (or at least typically American). Being so entrenched in American culture certainly makes it hard to know what is unique to the country because I have few direct comparisons. However, from what I’ve learned about other countries, I’d guess the peanut butter pie (I’ve learned peanut butter is not as common in other countries),  the chocolate chip cookies, and the apple pie. 

9. The Rotisserie Chicken is Very Similar

Apparently, both the chicken itself and the price of it ($5) are the same in both the United States and South Korea.

Again, I don’t eat this chicken because it is not kosher but I guess, given how much a part of Costco it apparently is ((How Costco Gets Members to Spend More); (More Top Notch Kirkland Products); (An assortment of Costco facts (Part 1 of 2); (And the winner is…???)), it is not surprising

10. Huge Seafood Section

The author comments on the large seafood selection. Costco in South Korea sells a variety of fresh fish (e.g., salmon; salted mackerel; shellfish). It also sells packages of a variety of raw seafood (e.g., octopus; squid; whole clams; sea cucumbers; abalone). She also notes that Costco offers sushi and raw fish platters that are ready for immediate serving. In addition to the high quality of this fish, it is sold at a good price. 

I love fish and have written about many of the packaged and frozen items ((Product Review: Blue hill Bay smoked whitefish); (Product Review: Bluehill Bay Smoked Whitefish Salad); (Product Review: Foppen Hot Smoked Salmon); (Product Review:Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon); (Product Review: Kirkland Albacore tuna); (Product Review: Golden Taste Tuna Deluxe); (Product Review: Kirkland frozen Atlantic salmon)). However, I have never tried the fresh fish (for kosher reasons) and don’t even know what is sold aside from salmon and shrimp platters. I have seen packages of other items (e.g., octopus) but have not paid too much attention. I have not seen sushi platters.

11. The Meat Section Sells a Very Rare Type of Beef

In addition to selling the same meat items that are sold in the United States, Costco in South Korea sells Hanwoo beef. According to the article, this meat, sold only in South Korea, is one of the world’s rarest and most premium meats.

I don’t look at the meat but I have written about some different offerings LINKS to Canada. What I actually find most interesting about this comment from the author is that this type of meat can only be bought in one country in the entire world! 

12. Many Rice Options

The author reports that she counted 14 varieties of rice.

Given how much of a staple rice is in South Korea, I am not surprised that there are many varieties sold there. It actually seems that rice is a product Costco takes seriously, regardless of country. I actually remember talking to my family years ago (way before this blog) about how many types of rice we could find at the store.

13. Many Anchovy Options

There are three varieties of dried anchovies sold at South Korean Costco stores, each to be used for different cooking methods. 

I cannot ever imagine seeking out even one variety of Anchovy but for those who use them, I’m sure they appreciate the variety.

14. There is a Cooler Full of Kimchi

In addition to traditional cabbage kimchi, Costco in South Korea sells other varieties.

I have never had kimchi but it does look and sound good. I have reviewed the Cole slaw (Product Review: Golden Taste Cole Slaw) and I also enjoy “health salad” which is essentially Cole slaw without mayonnaise. I am not a big fan of sauerkraut but I think I might like it better if it contained other vegetables.

15. Samples are Part of the Experience. 

The author writes about her enjoyment of the range of items she was able to sample.

COVID times aside (How the coronavirus is impacting Costco), Costco just would not be Costco without samples ((What kind of “sampler” are you?); (A day in the life of a “Sample Giver”); (Samples return to Costco!)). For people without food restrictions, sampling in international Costco stores is a great opportunity to try some local products.

16. The Food Court Sells Unique Items

The food court is a combination of the same items available in the United States and items unique to the country. The unique South Korean items include both food (e.g., pork bake; bulgogi pizza; sweet pumpkin soup) and beverages (e.g., bubble tea, hot or iced americanos (hot or iced); Don Simon Grapefruit Juice). The author tried both standard and unique Costco food court items, noting that the pizza tasted almost exactly like the one in the United States, except a little less salty and oily.  She reported loving her pork bake and bubble tea.

I have written before about different food court items in different countries (Costco food courts around the country and the world). I wonder which items are most popular in other countries (i.e., the standard Costco fare or the local options). I also wonder whether the recipes for the standard items are exactly the same across country. Of course, given that there can be wide differences in products across facilities even within the same local area, even the same recipe can result in different tastes.

17. Large Golf Section 

The article mentions that golf is a favorite sport in South Korea. Consistent with this preference, Costcos in the country sell many golf-related items (e g., gloves; packs of golf balls; shoes; wedge set).

I actually did not know that golf is an important sport in South Korea. I have not looked at the golf items in my local Costcos (not a golfer) but I know my brother has gotten golf balls there ((Refund even without asking???);(Kirkland Products: 12 to buy).

18. Only Three Acceptable Forms of Payment

In order to purchase items at Costco in South Korea, in addition to the membership card, one needs one of the following methods of payment:  Hyundai credit card, cash, or international Visa credit/debit cards. 

Very similar to the United States (Checkout Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts).

Do any of these findings from South Korea Costco surprise you? Have you been?