Kate Taylor/Business Insider
Costco's food court is a shining beacon of culinary excellence in the bulk retail industry.
- Costco's food court is beloved by American shoppers who adore the retailer's $1.50 hot dogs and cheap pizza.
- Recently, I visited a Costco food court in Seoul, South Korea to see if the chain is just as tasty internationally.
- We taste-tested menu items including a beef bulgogi bake and sea snail porridge, and discovered that Costco's food court is just as good - and maybe even better - in South Korea.
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SEOUL, South Korea - Costco's food court is a shining beacon of culinary excellence in the bulk retail industry.
It's one of the largest pizza chains in the US. Business Insider's Hollis Johnson once deemed the BBQ brisket sandwich "one of the best sandwiches ever." And, then there is Costco's hot dog - one of the best hot dogs around, at the low price of $1.50.
However, some of Costco's trendier items have failed to live up to the high standards set by these food court icons. As the company expands internationally, it has the challenging task of adjusting its offerings and food court menu to local tastes.
In South Korea, that means building out its food court menu to include items such as pork cutlet, a bulgogi bake, and porridge made with abalone (sea snails).
I recently visited a Costco warehouse in Seoul's Yangjae neighborhood. The warehouse is Costco's most popular in South Korea, and it's easy to see why - the store has a massive selection of options, including plenty of items you can't find in the US.
Then, there is the food court. I decided it was crucial that I taste test some of the items you can't find in the US and see how Costco's food court measures up in Korea. Here is what I found.