Grocery Shopping in Korea

Grocery shopping in Korea has been relatively painless. I've been able to find most things, some with a litle more effort than others, that I use to cook. I'm not a picky eater. Even being vegetarian hasn't posed as many problems as i tought! Though, it beats the heck out of my why black beans are so hard to find? Anyway, for the most part, it's been rather easy shopping! With a few funny stories of course!

There have been, however, a few items that just perplex me. Some seemingly common, highly desirable items have been either crazy hard to find and too painfully expensive to actually purchase. I don't get it. But let me share a few.

The Bloody Expensive:

• Oatmeal. A large bucket of plain. No frill oats. 13,000-18,000 won. ($13- $18)
• Cheese. The cheap kind. A little block. 8,000-9,000 won. ($8-$9)
• Chunky peanut butter. An patriotic Korean knockoff. 5,000won ($5)
• Avocados. 4 of them. Rock solid. 12,500 won ($12.50)
• Asparagus. 3 short, measly stalks. 6,000w ($6)
• Maple Syrup. In minimal ounce-age. 15,000w ($15)
• A box of Splenda. 40,000 w. ($40 bloody bucks.)
  

The MIA

• Salsa
• Apple Butter (though i always look- i'm hopeful.)
• Apple Sauce
• Whole Wheat Bread. Or whole wheat anything for that matter.
• Cottage Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Bacardi Bottled Mojitos
  

Anyway, today i made my first trip to Costco. It was good friends. Really good! I didn't buy a whole lot, but now i'm prepared for next time.

My cart consisted of a box of Kashi Go Lean Cereal. Whole Grain Crackers. Pepper Jack Cheese. Coffee. And the only Easter candy i've seen in Korea- Robin Egg Whoppers. I shall be sharing those with the kiddos at school today. I don't think i've ever bought a 5lb bag of candy, but i don't think the kids will have a hard time helping me get rid of it! : )

Some interesting items at Korean Costco.

• Bulgogi Bakes (like the coveted Chicken Bakes)
• A gallon of Haagen Daz ice-cream for 20,000 w. YIKES!
• A small bag of pine nuts for 40,000w. 40 bucks for nuts. NO THANK YOU! I like pesto. But not that much!
• A box of Dodgerdogs
• And yes, they have Costco muffins! Those suckers are international!

We finished our successful shopping adventure with a delicious Costco pizza. One i must say tasted very much like that back home. It warmed my heart. (Or shall i say my appetite.)

Viva la Costco!

Rachel. D, and Jennice. And our delightful pizza.

Jennice's packed car. We did well!

My "big" purchase. Minus the cheese.