Sorry US Costco Members: the Food Court Doesn’t Sell Those Here

Although I don’t eat at the food court, it is a required stop for many members. I have written about some differences in food court offerings in different states and countries (Costco food courts around the country and the world). I found a list of some foods that are not on the food court menu in the US and may only be offered in one or two countries. I figured I’d share them so that people from the US can see what they are missing. It is also interesting to note that some of the country-food pairings are not particularly intuitive. As I looked for more information about several of these items, I realized that the list I found was not even close to a complete list. I added some additional items I found. In addition, there were a few items for which I could not obtain information beyond the name. I left those out of the post. Finally, although some items might be listed in this post as being offered at one country, they may also be sold at other countries as well (just not the US!) I only listed items one time.

Costco Food Court Items Not Sold in the US

1. Japan: Beef Bulgogi Bake

An item unique to the food courts in Japan are Beef Bulgogi Bakes. Bulgogi is a Korean dish of marinated (soy; spices) grilled meat mixed with vegetables (e.g., onions; mushrooms). Costco in Japan sells a variation of the dish by baking the meat and vegetables inside of a pizza crust coating along with melted cheese.

Obviously I am not the target for this item but it does not sound good to me. Marinated grilled meat with spices and vegetables sounds like a good meal with rice but not with cheese or a pizza crust. In general I prefer more traditional foods than fusion cuisine. 

2. Sweden: Mexican Chicken Bake

The Mexican Chicken Bake sold in Sweden is a variation on the chicken bake served in the United States. Most notably, it is made with different spices (i.e., Mexican inspired) and with a lot of jalapenos. 

I have commented in previous posts about how awful I think the Chicken Bakes and they sound even worse with spices. However, again, I am definitely not the target. I am curious about this item being sold in Sweden as opposed to in other countries…Mexico perhaps?

3. U.K.: Double Chicken Filet Sandwich

The U.K. Costco serves a Double Chicken Filet sandwich. The sandwich consists of two breaded and fried chicken fillets, tomato, lettuce, and cheese on a grilled bun. 

I was a little surprised to see that the sandwich is made with chicken rather than with fish. 

4. U.K.: Jacket Potatoes

Another food court item sold in the UK are jacket potatoes (the British name for baked potatoes). Members can choose a topping (cheese; beef chili; baked beans; tuna) for the potatoes.

I think these potatoes sound very good. I like plain baked potatoes as well as when they are topped with cheese. The article mentions that Americans think that tuna with potato is unappealing. However, I like the combination. Before Costco discontinued (It’s Gone? Discontinued Products) my tuna (Product Review: Golden Taste Tuna Deluxe), I enjoyed eating bites of potato and tuna together because the blander potato was a good contrast to the strong tuna. 

5. U.K.: BBQ Chicken Pizza 

Whereas the US food courts only sell cheese and pepperoni pizza, members in the UK can order BBQ Chicken Pizza. 

Again, definitely not for me but I know that many like this pizza variety.

6. Canada: Poutine French Fries

This Canadian option consists of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. 

When I first learned about poutine several years ago, I could not see the appeal and I still don’t. However, clearly it is a much loved item in Canada 

7. Canada: Chicken Strips

A simple item not found in the US are chicken strips. They are breaded and fried and served with french fries.

Definitely a favorite combination among many.

8. South Korea: Hamburger Steak With Fried Rice

A novel item found at food courts in South Korea is this hamburger meal. Members can order two burger patties on a plate with gravy and fried rice. 

I was curious about this combination so I looked it up. I learned that a traditional dish in Korea is steak with fried rice and egg. It seems that this food court is a variation of this dish.

9. South Korea: Bulgogi Pizza 

The UK has the BBQ chicken pizza and South Korea has the Bulgogi pizza. These slices contain bulgogi pork, vegetables, and cheese. 

I read this pizza described as being like a cheese steak on a pizza. 

10. South Korea: BLT

The food courts in South Korea offer a twist on the traditional BLT. These sandwiches consist of a submarine-type sandwich roll filled with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and a Russian/Italian dressing. 

Sounds quite different from the BLTs typically served in the US.

11. Iceland: Cheeseburger

Costco members in Iceland have the option of ordering a cheeseburger from the food court. 

Even if I did eat at the food court, I would not expect it to offer a large array of choices. It is not a restaurant and the more items offered, the less efficient it can be. Given how ubiquitous hamburgers are in the US, it is slightly surprising that they are not on the menu anywhere in the country. 

12. Iceland: Gelato

Whereas Costco food courts in the US serve soft serve, the food court in Iceland offers several flavors (chocolate; cherry; chocolate chip; mint chocolate chip) of gelato.

As a huge fan of both ice cream and gelato, if I ate at the food court, I’d be thrilled with either. I don’t know how authentic the gelato is but I can’t imagine that it could be bad!

13. Iceland: Coffee

Shoppers in Iceland can get a caffeine fix from the coffee sold in the food court.

I am surprised that Costco food courts in the US do not sell coffee and listed it as a good option to have if the food court sold other items (Summer Beach Snackbar by Costco). It seems easy to make, is certainly popular, and could be a way to highlight some of the varieties they sell in the store.

14. Spain: Vanilla Sundaes

A simple item sold at food courts in Spain are vanilla sundaes made from vanilla soft serve and swirled with warm chocolate fudge.

These sound great and I actually did think they were sold in the US. They are certainly not the same as amazing sundaes with premium ice cream, thick hot fudge, and real whipped cream. However, for a Costco treat, they sound like a good menu item.

Which, if any, of these food court items would you like to try? Have you tried any? How were they?