Costco Shopping
#46
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?
They're also a complete zoo right now too until the Chuseok holiday period is over.
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 862
Can one purchase prime US beef in any of the Costco stores in Seoul & environs? It's been a while since I shopped in a Korean Costco, but the last time I was pretty impressed with what could be found. You know how Costco can be; very often there are touches of local "flavor;" for example, a Costco down near Escondido (CA) has a good amount of Stone beer on sale (Stone HQ is in Escondido); similarly, Costco Chico has a lot of SNBC (SNBC is headquartered in Chico, CA); of the three Costco stores I shop in regularly, one has prime meat and a great cheese selection, so on and so forth.
#48
Can one purchase prime US beef in any of the Costco stores in Seoul & environs? It's been a while since I shopped in a Korean Costco, but the last time I was pretty impressed with what could be found. You know how Costco can be; very often there are touches of local "flavor;" for example, a Costco down near Escondido (CA) has a good amount of Stone beer on sale (Stone HQ is in Escondido); similarly, Costco Chico has a lot of SNBC (SNBC is headquartered in Chico, CA); of the three Costco stores I shop in regularly, one has prime meat and a great cheese selection, so on and so forth.
#49
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 862
#51
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
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Correction: wrote and checked too quickly. It says “Samsung Card only” are accepted. It doesn’t say Visa/MC or type, but of course still not any help for foreigners. We all just use cash.
#52
It should be ANY Visa card. Definitely wrong information because I've used a USAA visa card countless times with no problems.
#53
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: HNL
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 87
I visited the Yangjae Costco in October 2016 - supposedly the busiest store worldwide - but found it surprisingly not crowded. A lot of Kirkland branded stuff like potato chips or canned corn. Their food court has almost all the same offerings found in the US including the famed hot dog which tastes more like a Vienna sausage. Besides extensive selections of dried seaweed and rice, women should like the cosmetic section.
#54
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Here's a fun article about the Food Court.
Photos: Costco food court Korea, 'Costco kimchi' - Business Insider
Forgot they use real plates and silverware over there.
Photos: Costco food court Korea, 'Costco kimchi' - Business Insider
Forgot they use real plates and silverware over there.
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 862
Well, since we're noting prices, here's a few data points. Ilsan Costco, 11/2017.
Some wine:
Cheap Bordeaux.
Not so cheap Bordeaux.
French Pinot.
Midrange Bordeaux.
Not so cheap Côte-d'Or.
Kirkland Chardonnay.
Overpriced CA white.
Sushi assortment.
More sushi.
Salmon salad.
Saltwater eel.
NY Strip steak (?). Looks like it to me.
Filet.
Trimmed ribeye.
Cryopak of ribeye roast. About 140% of what I'd pay here around LA.
Cryopak of boneless short rib, great for Kalbi. About 150% of what I'd expect to pay here around LA.
Some wine:
Cheap Bordeaux.
Not so cheap Bordeaux.
French Pinot.
Midrange Bordeaux.
Not so cheap Côte-d'Or.
Kirkland Chardonnay.
Overpriced CA white.
Sushi assortment.
More sushi.
Salmon salad.
Saltwater eel.
NY Strip steak (?). Looks like it to me.
Filet.
Trimmed ribeye.
Cryopak of ribeye roast. About 140% of what I'd pay here around LA.
Cryopak of boneless short rib, great for Kalbi. About 150% of what I'd expect to pay here around LA.