Costco Shopping
Mar 26, 2015, 2:54 am
#31
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Fukuoka has a Costco as well...
But if you wanna do Korean Costco then definitely goto the Ilsan one from Incheon airport. The closest and one of the bigger ones in the Seoul/Gyeonggi area. It's tucked in behind the main road from Baekseok dong bus stop. Cross the road, walk about half a block and turn right or just follow all the cars going to the Big Red parking sign!
But if you wanna do Korean Costco then definitely goto the Ilsan one from Incheon airport. The closest and one of the bigger ones in the Seoul/Gyeonggi area. It's tucked in behind the main road from Baekseok dong bus stop. Cross the road, walk about half a block and turn right or just follow all the cars going to the Big Red parking sign!
Thanks for the additional tips ^
Apr 4, 2015, 8:27 am
#32
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Embarking on my epic Korea adventure tomorrow
Saving a .pdf of this thread for additional support.
Apr 5, 2015, 1:17 am
#33
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Funny... I started the thread, but never made it to Costco in Seoul. I'll be heading back stateside in about 48 hours, and I don't anticipate having time in the schedule for Costco. Time permitting, I may do a trip report in a separate thread some time after I get back.
Apr 5, 2015, 8:29 pm
#34
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Success!
Filled a duffel bag full of goodies from Costco- thanks for all the tips.
I took the Airport Express into town (had a discount for my OZ ticket) and walked around Seoul Station. Went into Lotte Market here- it was an absolute zoo! Tons of samples here including a large variety of kimchi- spent too much time, and was difficult to walk around. People bumped into me several times.
Also looked at the old station- they had a free cultural exhibition inside- modern art. It was...modern.
I google mapped directions ahead of time as wifi was limited in the area- figured out bus 1000 would get me from Seoul Station to Costco. But it wasn't in the regular bus queue area- so had to walk a bit further to find. Once I found it, I confirmed with others near the station this was the right one (saw #1000, but just in case).
Was 2000 won- wasn't clear if change was due or not.
Return was very simple as notated in this thread- bus 3300 is nonstop service to ICN
Bit more at 8850 won, but I gave the driver a 10000 won note and he gave me change. He went above and beyond as I left a small bag onboard with a few things I bought at Lotte, and he tracked me down in the airport as I was wandering towards my EK checkin desk! That was amazing. (And I need to stop leaving CX bags around)
Filled a duffel bag full of goodies from Costco- thanks for all the tips.
I took the Airport Express into town (had a discount for my OZ ticket) and walked around Seoul Station. Went into Lotte Market here- it was an absolute zoo! Tons of samples here including a large variety of kimchi- spent too much time, and was difficult to walk around. People bumped into me several times.
Also looked at the old station- they had a free cultural exhibition inside- modern art. It was...modern.
I google mapped directions ahead of time as wifi was limited in the area- figured out bus 1000 would get me from Seoul Station to Costco. But it wasn't in the regular bus queue area- so had to walk a bit further to find. Once I found it, I confirmed with others near the station this was the right one (saw #1000, but just in case).
Was 2000 won- wasn't clear if change was due or not.
Return was very simple as notated in this thread- bus 3300 is nonstop service to ICN
Bit more at 8850 won, but I gave the driver a 10000 won note and he gave me change. He went above and beyond as I left a small bag onboard with a few things I bought at Lotte, and he tracked me down in the airport as I was wandering towards my EK checkin desk! That was amazing. (And I need to stop leaving CX bags around)
Apr 20, 2015, 12:21 pm
#35
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Success!
Filled a duffel bag full of goodies from Costco- thanks for all the tips.
I took the Airport Express into town (had a discount for my OZ ticket) and walked around Seoul Station. Went into Lotte Market here- it was an absolute zoo! Tons of samples here including a large variety of kimchi- spent too much time, and was difficult to walk around. People bumped into me several times.
Also looked at the old station- they had a free cultural exhibition inside- modern art. It was...modern.
I google mapped directions ahead of time as wifi was limited in the area- figured out bus 1000 would get me from Seoul Station to Costco. But it wasn't in the regular bus queue area- so had to walk a bit further to find. Once I found it, I confirmed with others near the station this was the right one (saw #1000, but just in case).
Was 2000 won- wasn't clear if change was due or not.
Return was very simple as notated in this thread- bus 3300 is nonstop service to ICN Bit more at 8850 won, but I gave the driver a 10000 won note and he gave me change. He went above and beyond as I left a small bag onboard with a few things I bought at Lotte, and he tracked me down in the airport as I was wandering towards my EK checkin desk! That was amazing. (And I need to stop leaving CX bags around)
Filled a duffel bag full of goodies from Costco- thanks for all the tips.
I took the Airport Express into town (had a discount for my OZ ticket) and walked around Seoul Station. Went into Lotte Market here- it was an absolute zoo! Tons of samples here including a large variety of kimchi- spent too much time, and was difficult to walk around. People bumped into me several times.
Also looked at the old station- they had a free cultural exhibition inside- modern art. It was...modern.
I google mapped directions ahead of time as wifi was limited in the area- figured out bus 1000 would get me from Seoul Station to Costco. But it wasn't in the regular bus queue area- so had to walk a bit further to find. Once I found it, I confirmed with others near the station this was the right one (saw #1000, but just in case).
Was 2000 won- wasn't clear if change was due or not.
Return was very simple as notated in this thread- bus 3300 is nonstop service to ICN
Bit more at 8850 won, but I gave the driver a 10000 won note and he gave me change. He went above and beyond as I left a small bag onboard with a few things I bought at Lotte, and he tracked me down in the airport as I was wandering towards my EK checkin desk! That was amazing. (And I need to stop leaving CX bags around)
Apr 21, 2015, 1:51 am
#36
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That sounds right for that Lotte Mart. It's old, so it's a tight squeeze. But, hey, as a Westerner, anyone would feel pushed around at any large mart. The concept of personal space here is nonexistent. Just consider it part of the experience. Also, they're very loud and REALLY love to yell the specials at that Lotte Mart!
Apr 21, 2015, 3:07 am
#37
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That sounds right for that Lotte Mart. It's old, so it's a tight squeeze. But, hey, as a Westerner, anyone would feel pushed around at any large mart. The concept of personal space here is nonexistent. Just consider it part of the experience. Also, they're very loud and REALLY love to yell the specials at that Lotte Mart!
I was in a culture shock for sure coming from Japan where everyone seemed so polite in contrast. But it could of been just my actions
Did I mention the chocolate covered shrimp chips I found there? If I make it back I need to secure more.
Apr 21, 2015, 3:08 am
#38
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Oh I was very happy. Especially to have a nonstop ride on the bus (only 1 other person on the bus too 
- compare that to the city bus that I was standing up trying to hold on as it accelerated around corners )
Just had some Shanghai Style Seafood Rice (was on demo) tonight from the warehouse I visited. I managed to figure out how long to cook it and was nice n' spicy!
- compare that to the city bus that I was standing up trying to hold on as it accelerated around corners )Just had some Shanghai Style Seafood Rice (was on demo) tonight from the warehouse I visited. I managed to figure out how long to cook it and was nice n' spicy!
Apr 21, 2015, 3:32 am
#39
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All they're yelling is "delicious meat, special price, we're having a sale." Also, there are an unusually high number of Chinese tourists at that Lotte Mart because they go duty free shopping next door, too. The old lady staff impressively speak Chinese and Japanese fluently. That also explain why it's a bit more pushy.
Apr 26, 2015, 9:55 am
#40
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Oh I was very happy. Especially to have a nonstop ride on the bus (only 1 other person on the bus too - compare that to the city bus that I was standing up trying to hold on as it accelerated around corners )
Just had some Shanghai Style Seafood Rice (was on demo) tonight from the warehouse I visited. I managed to figure out how long to cook it and was nice n' spicy!
- compare that to the city bus that I was standing up trying to hold on as it accelerated around corners )Just had some Shanghai Style Seafood Rice (was on demo) tonight from the warehouse I visited. I managed to figure out how long to cook it and was nice n' spicy!
Feb 15, 2016, 5:32 am
#43
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Sep 21, 2017, 12:10 pm
#45
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I see the Costco Korea Web site is advertising a (Samsung) Visa card, so are Korean Costco stores accepting any Visa card now, just like US stores?