Use Code "MRSEATS" to get $5 off for your first #Sakuraco box through this link: team.sakura.co/mrseats-SC2205 and #TokyoTreat box through this link: team.tokyotreat.com/mrseats-TT2205 What are YOUR favorite things at Costco?
@@MrsEats the food in this video looks amazing. I'm from America, and I absolutely love both Japanese food and American food too.the frozen takoyaki you showed from Costco looks like something I'd really really enjoy. i absolutely love seafood.
why is American supermarket look like wareghouses ?? it is too strange, cold and not clean. At elast hera in Portugal. Here Supermarket look like big store
Oh!! You can get free sample in America too! What kind of food can you try there?? We could try some bulgogi beef, chicken breast, and others I showed in the video! I think there was not too many samples this day because it was holiday in Japan! But maybe on a normal day, you can try more samples!!
@@MrsEats When I used to work in a grocery store called Lowes Foods, I used to cook different type of recipes and sample them out! I did a strawberry stuffed french toast one day, a taco buffet another time, and a lot of other dishes
The shrimp dumpling ramen you sampled is something I picked up here at my local Costco in Alabama just a couple of weeks ago. Really drives home how interconnected their global supply chain is to have such a niche Japanese product appear on the other side of the world.
We have the shrimp wonton soup as well in Australia in our Costco as well. I love having it as a quick meal for work when I don’t have anything prepared.
I visited Osaka Costco once and one thing I was impressed about is how many Japanese moms shop together and split products since they are all in big batches. Smart.
This is a very common practice even before Costco came to Japan. Homemakers that doe not work outside of the home often have grocery shopping buddies to split the costs on bulk purchases.
The hotdogs have a weird backstory. The CEO of Costco refuses to allow the hotdog & drink combo become more expensive, to the point that the company takes a loss on them. I don't know why they are so important to the CEO but it makes me happy, I really love their hotdogs. The Costco you're in looks like it have a lot pre-made main courses. And they all look so good I'm jealous! XD
Yes hot dog is very tasty and very cheap!! I like the hot dog is very big compared to ones in Japan! And you can put onion on it! I think you can enjoy many delicious food in Japanese costco!!
The rotisserie chickens are also important to Costco! They lose between $30 to $40 million on them, but refuse to raise the price. They're also the whole reason why Costco started their own chicken farms- it costs more to buy chickens from suppliers, so they decided to raise their own
It's a clever marketing strategy. Many people go to Costco thinking (at first) "I'll just stop by the food court and get a cheap meal." Then you remember they also have really good and cheap rotisserie chicken, but it's in the back of the store. But you're already inside, so you might as well just walk over and buy it after eating... All you have to do is walk past all of the free samples and bulk-priced products. And you're right next to it already, so why not grab a few days worth of premade meals? Or maybe a nice pair of pants in the clothing section? Twenty minutes later, you get the chicken and ring it out alongside the "few" items you picked up on the way. You could've sworn that you didn't really need a tub of mayo but, ehh... it's cheap and you can think of a few uses for it. And nothing is priced badly, so I guess $200 is alright for everything in my overfilled cart. And you only faintly remember that you came here to buy $5 in food from the food court.
Yes to what liger said. It is marketing. And costco freely admits this. The hot dogs and rotisserie chickens are sold cheap to get people in the door. Maybe other items but those two for sure. Another area(s) is the pharmacy and optical departments. Both operate on a more or less cost basis to get people in. Costco knows if you come for your prescriptions you will probably stay and shop.
@@TanukiBuki Rotisserie chickens are a loss leader for Costco. They're intentionally placed in the back of the store, so that you have to go through the entire thing to get to them. The idea is that you will buy some of the many products you have to walk past while getting to the chicken.
I'm in the US, and Japanese Costco is really similar to ours! The store size, layout, variety of things... it's essentially the same. I've never done a "fantasy shop," however. I tend to buy too much! My mother calls it "the $100 Store" because we could never make it out the door without spending at least $100, lol
You are so right. When I shop there I keep thinking oh I’ll just get this, but then I see the mountain of drinks and have to get them. Construction workers need more than water in their cooler they also need Sanpellegrino Limonata, and Body Armors. $100 store indeed. Good thing we get 2% back.
US Costco does not have Japanese selections she is showing in the video. No squid or octopus in the meat department. Or big pack of pre-made sushi for $30. US Costco sucks compared to the Japanese Costco.
The nearest Costco to my home (in Mie Prefecture) is about 2 hours away by car, but my wife and her friends make the trip there together (it’s a big social event) a few times a year. Last time was just last month actually, and guess what she came back with? A rotisserie chicken and a bag of dinner rolls. (And a whole lot of other “exotic” American delicacies that are currently packed in our freezer. 😂)
Yes we love to go to Costco like theme park!! Does your wife use dinner roll to make something new like sandwich or french toast?? Before I married to my husband, he went to Costco by himself and bought 4 pizza from food court and froze them! Then he ate pizza every day until he ran out haha!!
@@MrsEats Costco store in Japan is like Disneyland and Costco in America is like Knott's Berry Farm. Only can wish we have one like yours in the States.
I live in the US. I used to work a job where people would order groceries on an app and I would go to Costco and buy it for them. The most popular items were the 2 Dozen Eggs, Large cases of bottled water, Milk, Bananas and Strawberries. The Costco near me is also super crowded, especially on the weekends which tends to get a bit crazy.
I have been learning Japanese for over three years. I've learned more about Japanese culture from your videos in the two weeks since I subscribed than in the past three years. Great channel!
@@MrsEats I might want to have the Bulgogi Bake and the Combo pizza. Here in the US Costco due to what happened with COVID we only have cheese and pepperoni pizza (no combo pizza here, sorry) and Chicken Bake (chicken, bacon, cheese and Caesar dressing).
@@mr_ozzio5095 Costco design is pretty much the same everywhere, and the products are mostly American imports, but yeah... some local products make a difference. Still love Costco, the quality is actually quite amazing, and cheap.
I never thought of a whole cooked chicken that way. I can't speak for other states but Texas cooks chicken all kinds of ways from rotisserie and smoking it, to campfire spits as well as just oven-cooking it or in a slow cooker. Oh, and I can't forget the old standby of Texas... Deep frying, with or without breading. I would love to trade foods so I could try all the foods y'all love as they just sound amazing!
I worked in a Costco in Canada and I can tell you that it looks almost exactly the same and while the regional cuisine is different it still feels the same.
What makes Costco different than any other retail store is that going there is treated by many as an event. I remember as a kid how exciting it was going there because my family would only go there maybe once month. Now, as a 26 year Costco employee, that magic no longer applies me but I still see the enthusiasm in our members eyes. I wish there was an employee exchange program because I would love to temporarily work at a Japan Costco.
This video was so much fun to watch! It made me remember how much American and Japanese people love each other's cultures. In America, we love Japanese food, art, entertainment, electronics, and everything. It's nice to know that the Japanese like rotisserie chicken and dinner rolls.
I’m in the US but would have to say... I love the Japan Costco more! Mainly bc of all the Asian food selection 😍. I would take a bulgogi bake over chicken bake any day!
Very interesting! I was never in a Costco (i live in Germany) so I can not compare the one in Japan worth the one in the US. But nevertheless, it was really interesting to see how Costco in Japan looks like, what it offers and what do Japanese people like to buy there 😃 Thank you very much for making and sharing the video 😊
Oh!! Yes some people from Germany and France said in comment there is no Costco!! When you visit America or Japan you can visit for sure!! Yes it's very fun to see what Japanese people buy here! It's kind of theme park for us!!
@@MrsEats Most of Europe has a lot of alternatives that are very similar to Costco, but no Costco. I think the only country in Europe that has Costco is UK. Maybe they don't want to expand here, because there are already many alternatives.
Yeah I was surprised how good Hokkaido melon smoothie is!! Not too sweet and doesn't taste like fake melon flavor!! When you come to Japan you have to try it!!
I love Costco!! I didn't know they were in Japan, too! That's so cool I "fantasy shop" too 😂 There's so much cool stuff there! Can't bring too much home though because where would I put it all?? 🤣🤣🤣
Some of us Americans will eat the Rotisserie chicken all by ourselves haha when I used to body build I would buy a whole chicken to devour myself. Lol it’s so good! It was really cool to see everything Japan offers vs my local Costco. Really cool, thank you!
It was fun seeing Japanese Costco. For the people, it's like traveling traveling to America. Recently here in Canada we have Japanese styled convenience stores. They have everything from Japanese candy and snacks, small electronics, school supplies and personal hygiene product. It's like traveling to Japan for me, my one day destination.
Woooow, I'm really surprised to be able to see "Pão de Queijo" at the Costco's frozen section. It is something normal to find at the "Brazilian' " supermarket in Japan, but I was not expecting to be able to find such a thing in Costco. If the Eats never tried, you should have a try. Thank you for the video. I was missing you guys.
Thank you for doing this!! This was so cool to see! I actually work at Costco here in California, and I loved seeing all the things that are the same, and also different! I'm so jealous of all the Oishi things you have to eat there! And yes, I individually wrap and refrigerate my muffins! But we are a small family, too. You are SO cute!!
That looks like the Costco I go to here in the USA. Just like here there are local foods. They carry different things depending on the region. I would definitely be getting that Kit Kat variety pack to bring home!
I was very surprised at how popular Costco was in Japan. I used to live in Amagasaki, so I've been to this Costco many times - and remembered balancing my Costco purchases in my bicycle basket since I didn't have a car... (^^;) The food court definitely is better in Japan in my opinion, and I was surprised to see in this video that they still have the combo pizza! That's been discontinued here in the States!
It makes me sad that it got discontinued here and jealous (in a joking way) that Mrs. Eats and her husband can eat it whenever. But maybe it’ll come back one day
i think the only thing that could possibly be better than buying japanese snacks/sweets is buying them in bulk lol! also i love how something as simple as a trip to the store can actually make for a really interesting video simply because the store is in another country, it's always neat to get a glimpse of everyday life for people from other places so thank you for sharing yet another amazing and insightful vid!!
I'm happy you enjoyed this video!! Yes it's so interesting to see how normal people live! Of course we want to see interesting sightseeing spot, but also very fun to see normal people's lives!! Do you have Costco in your country?
@@MrsEats yes! im in midwest america and we have both sams club and costco, i've been to each maybe a handful of times in the past and they look just like the japanese costco only with different things for sale of course! i definitely need to go to a japanese costco when i get the chance to visit japan so i can stock up on tons of japanese snacks lol!
I live in the US but have relatives throughout Kansai and this video reminds me of when I first went to a Japanese Costco with my grandparents and I was sooooo like "heh? It almost feels like I teleported back somehow to the US Costco I go to." Like I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference until I eventually saw some snacks that Americans can only find in Asian groceries like Mitsuwa or Hmart.
I've only been to Costco a few times, but the feel is very much the same. I was *very* surprised to see such items in such bulk, though. Makes me wonder if we have anything like that in my home Costco. Edit: Yes, I can absolutely confirm that a rotisserie chicken is a storied American traditional meal. It is usually bought when you have no energy left to cook, but still want something hot. I don't eat them in the summer because they make me warm up too much. A nice roast chicken is great in the fall and winter, though. You warm up and stay warm for hours. Served with mashed potatoes (with gravy made from the chicken juices) and green beans or corn, in my case.
First time I've ever watched this channel and now I know that I should watch this while I'm eating. The design of this Costco appears very similar to my local Costco now as for the food the only things which I recognized are the whole Chicken, rolls, muffins, and several of the food court items.
I know in American Costcos, they have a lot of samples as well! I remember being with my aunt and brother and we went around the store getting samples while my cousin did the shopping!
The food court looks awesome! I want to try them all! Melon smoothie, Hokkaido milk soft serve, even clam chowder! I can only dream 🤤. US Costco food court sucks!
As an ALT I have to say having a Costco near by really helps me with my homesickness. Having my favorite store available in Japan stocked with lots of American foods is amazing. I just wish I had a bigger refrigerator to store more food in it!
I love shopping at Costco! Japanese Costcos look just like the Costcos we have here in the US (at least the ones in California). The only differences being that we don't have all those items localized for Japan and the food court is outside, near the entrance (at least at the Costcos in my area). Also, I've read that Costco membership cards are valid worldwide, is that true? If so, I'm going to one on my next trip to Japan!
Yes you can use your costco membership internationally and it says in under their policy but i think you might show ur passport for proof if you ever go to another country’s costco, so just double check on that part. They also have Costco in US, China, South Korea, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Canada, UK, Taiwan, France, Spain, Puerto Rico and Iceland
Hisashiburi Oscar fashionista!! Yeah!!! American Costco membership work in Japan too!! You can go when you are in Japan!! Maybe you can take a nice photo of Japanese people shopping in Costco!
No problems using my Australian Costco card in Japan - but they might mistakenly ask you to update your address. You should not do that unless you have moved to Japan.
I work for Costco here in Dallas Texas USA.... All of the stores are laid out basically the same way. I can walk into the Costco in Japan and know where everything is. Just yesterday in my store I saw packaged octopus....lol... It is nice to see a Costco in Japan. I believe Japan actually has more locations than down here in the US.
Wow! Mrs. Eats was so excited to be in Costco! Her happiness was making me happy! I wish I had someone so energetic on my shopping trips because it would stop being a chore and start being fun!
This lady made an excellent presentation. The food in Japanese Costco looks so much better than what we have in my Los Angeles Costco. Makes me want to come to Japan for a visit and have a feast!
It looks just like the Costco where I live in California with different products. :) We haven't had combo pizza in the food court since the pandemic started though :(
My favorite thing was to go around the sample. I would try to sample as much as possible. So fun grazing the store. I have a wonderful sense of smell. So I could easily find the delectable samples.
We also have Costco here in Taiwan. You can also find Taiwan products inside. But yours has more japanese which we love. When there's no more 7 day quarantine hotel here in Taiwan we are going to my niece in Japan and go to Costco together.
Very much like American Costco, I love the idea of splitting the two flavor muffins and freezing until you want to eat. I love to compare how different Countries stock the shelf with popular items of the area. Loved your list. ❤️📋✏️
Hmmm looks like Japan Costco sells the regular grocery store muffins in Japan. And forces a group of 2 to get the special price and North American Costco has the jumbo muffins. And grocery stores stock the regular and mini muffins
Costco opened a brand new store 2 miles from my house this week. Your Costco is laid out exactly like most American ones. Costco tries to keep things the same to keep costs down. The Bulgogi Bake is a Chicken Bake in the US. No burgers, but ours have churros.
I work in Costco here in Canada, and I've only been to two Costcos and it doesn't matter on what the size is, both Costco's look the same, except with the larger one having 2 large Freezer and 2 Refridgerators and it's much larger and the set up is different, but as far as the shopping is concerned, it's the same (then again, I work in a smaller Costco, which was historically the first Costco to open in Canada) None of the items that you showed we have lol, the two closest thing we had in terms of 'Japanese' are the Rice Cakes, Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice from Ajinomoto, Udon Noodles also from Ajinomoto that sell for like 28.00 CDN and taste about the same, and a Chow Mein from Ajinomoto,, and the pan fried noodles that I can't remember the name of it. We have sushi, but premade from a seperate company instead of making it ourselves, then again our Costco isn't very large nor really targetted towards the Japanese, it's more targetted towards the older folks that have no clue what sushi is. For myself I work in the Service Deli, when you showed their Deli, omg I was very surprised on how many people were there in that department! The most people we have are like.. 5 people 3 on a bad day! Food court was my first entree to Costco, I worked for about a year, so I have some idea on how that department worked.... kinda. But our costco has or had *most* of the items that Japan had... except for the drinks which had changed. We used to have slushies. I don't know if we had Clam Chowder, but we don't have that anymore, the drinks none of the Costco's up here have it. Ice Cream? We have the usual boring Vanilla, Chocolate or mixed available for us lol. Chili Cheese Potato: We don't have lol. Bulgogi Cake: We don't have. Cheeseburger: We used to have. Garden Pita Sandwich: We have a different version of that.. and not even a sandwich. Hotdog with the drink is a staple to any Costco but we have an additional Polish Hotdog. Pizza? We used to have the deluxe pizza, not anymore. so we only have Pepperoni and Cheese and that's it. As for the drinks, other than the names being different, it seems to be the same except we don't have Oolong Tea, and we serve Coke and Pepsi and 7UP and can't remember what else, but I do remember we don't serve Oranges... As for our tables, we have those standing ones, since our Costco is small and we have literally a single table outside and close to the parking lot...... 10 We don't have lol 9 we don't have lol 8 we don't have lol... but we do have a cheaper version of it.. maybe that counts? 7 We used to have that! 6 Atlantic Salmon from Norway? We have both Pacific and Atlantic. And a little thing about the Meat Section, unless it's different there, All of our fish comes in frozen which is a no duh, so what they do is they cut it, let water running to make it easier for the packer to well pack it, then send it out looking like that so yes, it's been previously frozen. 5 We do have but not the ones they carry. 4. We have a different one and it's a Kirkland brand. 3. We oddly have this lol 2. Rottiserie Chicken: All Costco's have this. US is much larger than the ones in Canada, but has literally no taste. While the ones in Canada are smaller, but has the flavor. Costco note: The chicken Costco loses a ton of money on these and it's the same with the hotdogs since they never raise the price of the chicken, everything else they do. But not the chicken or the hotdogs, since they hope that the chicken in turn sells a TV. In realistically, they only really use this chicken as a service. As for seasoning, I don't know about Japan, but we get ours from an Littledale, which they season it for us. 1. We have! Just under a different name lol
My wife and I got addicted to any Hokkaido milk product when we were in Tokyo. I would definitely gain a lot of weight if I had access to a Japanese Costco.
A Costco opened up near by and they initially had a large selection of various foods from Asian countries. This is probably due to the fact our area has a large number of overseas Japanese workers here. It's actually really neat to see them in the Costco here, too. They seem to really enjoy it and it's not a bad deal for bulk, generally fresh foods.
“Onion-curry deep-fried bread”… Sounds super-intriguing, but I would want to eat it often! Anyway, it looks almost identical, but many of the products are considerably different.
This was so fun to watch. Your Costco restaurant has A LOT more options. We do have that shrimp dumpling soup though. The Japanese dessert looks a lot like the cakes we have, just a regional flavor
If the sushi was only $30 then it is almost worth it to fly over just for that...I don't care if it is mass produced, $30 for 48 pieces is a bargain!!!!
This was a very interesting episode, thank you for sharing this experience with us! At my local Costco it looks very similar, but of course without things like a portable toilet. You asked for feedback on if a lot of our 'prepared foods' are quite literally made on-site; it is true! Not just Costco, but even our regularly grocery stores often have daily prepared meals that you can see being made if you know where to look. Once more, I must express my thanks. Okini~! (Edit: I am from Massachusetts, in USA!)
The ToiPoly bag is really just an updated version of toilet bags some used in the 1970s while out camping. They are still sold today as portable folding camp toilets.
I liked that you got bacon of all things from an American store and it actually appears to be real (pork belly) bacon and not that poor excuse that other places of the world call bacon. :)
I bought the frozen takoyaki from my local costco in Australia. It was pretty good, although of course the centre is hotter than the surface of the sun :D
Excellent video! Just wanted to say avoid TokyoTreat at all costs!! They sent me the wrong box for my 6mth subscription. Every month the box they sent was a stupid noodle box instead of the sweet box I paid for. Most of the noodles you can get at the local asian stores in Australia. They kept apologising but didn't fix it.
Thank you so much!! I'm glad you enjoy the video! By the way I'm sorry to hear about what happen to you with TokyoTreat! I talked to them and they said please contact to them and they can help you! You can email them here: tokyotreat.com/contact/support I think if you can give them a picture of your comment to them they can help you!!
Going to Costco is like the least favorite part of my week Now that I work I never have to go with my parents anymore... Thank goodness 😅 It is hilarious to me that Japanese actually look forward to going here and that it's like an American wonderland to them 🤣 though I personally can't stand going there I'm so happy it's a way for Japanese to learn more about and experience first-hand what it's like to live in America!
The reason is simple Japan in many respects is completely parallel to the US. Which it is why it is so popular as a tourist destination, at least it was when they let tourist in ;). Mrs. Eats gave a good example in Japan people sell super realistic toy gun, in America almost anyone can buy a real gun. In Japan they have Anime Characters that act in a highly exaggerated way, in America many people are Anime Characters.
@@southcoastinventors6583 that’s because real guns are prohibited in Japan. They are very much into peace now. The last time their Emperor tried invading the US, they got nuked and the common people have been paying with their lives in the form of cancers ever since because of the leftover radioactive particles in the environment.
I recently renewed my Costco membership after almost 15 years away. What I like is that every week, there are many new things. I get in a lot of walking going up and down every aisle, sometimes twice! While there are obviously differences in the products on sale (especially food), it appears the Japanese Costco follows much the same store layout and format as the ones here in the USA. (By the way, you really lived up to the Mrs. Eats nickname in this episode! 😁)
We also have a window in american Costco's where you can see all the workers preparing food and I'm always impressed by how clean they keep them! :o As for the muffins I always have to chop mine in half since I can't finish them but I've never thought of mixing flavors and freezing them. Thanks for the great idea Mrs. Eats!
Things looked quite similar, of course there are several tweaks to presentation. Food prep areas looked almost identical. We don't have the face mask thing (at least not at Costco) Usually have chicken bake not Bulgogi bake Soda machine has a different variety all the way across, except maybe two Pepsi Smoothies but, I've never seen melon flavor here. Tiramisu or Tres Leche' depending on location and time of year. Thanks
This was a very interesting video. I'm surprised how much the Costco looks the same as the one in my area, but I loved seeing the items that we do not have here. I live where the corporate headquarters are and have gotten a bit of a look into their buying practices and so I'm not surprised to see the items that are more suitable to Japan. They are very thoughtful in their buying practices, and they work hard to benefit the suppliers as well as the consumers.
I’m in Florida, but from California. I believe when I was growing up it used to be called The Price Club. Our stores are very similar, I see, except in the US they don’t really offer Japanese fare. Just the usual brands one might see in the grocery store, but not much and definitely not in the ready made foods section. But that would be heavenly!
I’m very envious that the Costco in Japan still has raw onions and relish for their hot dogs. Since Covid, at least here in the Las Vegas ones, they no longer give those condiments at the food court. I really miss the raw onions 🧅
Oh I see! Japanese have lot of tricks for keeping food from Costco!! On TH-cam there are so many videos that teach you how to buy and use items from Costco!!
Awesome video! Those 'big' carts at Costco Japan are still only about 2/3 the size of carts at Costco USA, the ones in the video look like regular grocery carts to me xD.
Most of that stuff you simply don't find in American Costco but that makes sense and alot of it looks better. I would buy those takoyaki. Also that tiramisu. 4 people two days? I was thinking it would only last me two days.....
Ooooh I think you will enjoy takoyaki!! You can get so many for only ¥800!! Which item did you see that is only in Japanese Costco? Yes, many Japanese eat a little at a time compared to Americans!! It's pretty normal for many families to only go to Costco a few times a year. They usually try to freeze the stuff they get and keep it longer!
@@MrsEats I don't have alot of experience with Costco shopping, but I'm pretty sure that you won't find sushi grade Costco where my family lives in America. Nor will you find Japanese snack foods in such great numbers or. What is really similar to American Costco is the atmosphere and the overall look of the store. The cafeteria looks about the same and the soda pop fountain was exactly the same kind as in America! Unfortunately there are no Costco in Shikoku so I will have to visit someday with a friend. :(
It looks basically the same we love the samples as well and costco has found alot of success selling new products by having those tasting options. We definately like the frozen section it would seem alot more than the japanese but i think that's because you guys like fish and fresh a bit more. They cookie and treat aisle is the same but western and the front of the costco has various super cheap food like giant cheap hotdogs/sausages etc. The pre cooked food section is of course more western type but aside from the obvious differences in what we eat it's almost exactly the same. I got the feeling that if i lived in japan and was missing the usa i would go to costco to feel a little bit of home. No puddings in balloons no huge fish section they have an amazing pesto butter salmon that i love getting.
The rear area (prep) of the store is the same, and some of those items like those pinwheels we have, but the more local stuff like the sushi and squid stuff we do not. Largely at first glance the store looks identical, even the english signs per section, the Kirkland brand, all of the coloring, spacing, sample stands, outfits. It is when you read the smaller Japanese print on the packages and price signs, etc that the differences are there. As an American if I had been there and had to shop I would know exactly where to go, get what I need in any area, and get out without a single issue along the way. It's safe to say you're quite getting the actual experience of that place. I want to add, your up front eatery there has a lot more options than we do, you'd be disappointed with our choices. One flavor of smoothie and ice cream too, 2 flavors (no supreme) pizza, the hotdog+drink combo, usually some boring chicken bake, and not a whole lot else.
We used to have delicious Chicken bake in the US. But then it went away for Covid. When it came back, it had changed and now it’s terrible. I wish I could have bulgogi bake.
Mrs Eats- Where and how did you learn to speak English so well? You are totally fluent in English! Good job on this video too! It was a lot of fun to watch.
I live in Niigata, so have to go to Yamagata or another prefecture to shop. I love it, though. My favourite thing to get is cheaper wine (no wine in Canadian costco), feta cheese, and chevre -- all much cheaper than in a fancy cheese shop, which is the only other place to get them! Here's a hint from a friend -- buy the big roast chicken, eat as much as you can, and put the rest into a pot with water and make soup!
Great video, I'm amazed that you guys have all that different selection at the food court still. We haven't had Combo in over a year at my local Costco + a few other removed items. Only Hotdog/Pizza/smoothie/sundae/chicken bake/churro.
Every time I went to the ones in Chiba, I was still amazed how many people were still surprised by the whole concept. It was the only place where I could get decent meat.
I wish Okinawa had a Costco! I loved the selection at the ones near Tokyo. I thought it was pretty amazing that there were seasonal smoothie flavors too!
In the Costco our family go, we do not have any fresh seafood (I'm actually jealous of that, looks like amazing ingredients) and I have not seen any food that exits the usual western style of cooking. For the muffin trick, I have not seen it used here, although it is pretty smart. And no, unfortunately we cannot get giant vegetables such as the parsnip (I think it is parsnip?). I am sure my former chef father would love to have such a wide array of fresh food to cook with, seems like cooking paradise. Greetings from Quebec, Canada!
The only one thing I don’t like about supermarkets in Japan is that most of the time they are too crowded. Every 15 seconds you will end up blocking someone’s way so you have to be aware of your front, back, left, right every single second. My trick is to live near a nice supermarket which closes at midnight so you can go buy 50% OFF discounted foods after 10pm when it’s not busy.
I've been away, missed your videos! 💜 Gotta say, I usually think everything in Japanese stores are awesome but the weiner in the bun on the shelf?!?! That I would neeeeever dare lol Glad to see you're havin a blast in our western stores of overconsumption lol You have to try Ikea's food! Omg so good 👍 💜 from 🇨🇦
We don't have Costco in Germany as far as I know. We once had Walmart but Walmart had some problems with our worker rights and we germans are wary if a company tries to be super friendly to their customers. ;) We know they just want our money and we prefer the honest way. :D But it's always interesting to see supermarkets in other countries ... supermarket besides Aldi, Lidl, Kaufland and Co. - we know them very well.
I visit our Costco here in Japan--about a 20-minute drive from my house--about once a month. It's been interesting to see over the years as the product mix has gradually shifted to feature more domestic products, so that now it's about half-domestic, half-foreign products. There have been some random product disappearances lately--Kirkland brand precooked bacon, SPAM (they've been selling a Korean substitute), a few others, so I guess even mighty Costco can't completely avoid the international supply chain disruptions. I'll keep going back, though, as long as they have my REAL Mayonnaise!
I think a lot of people in America only go to Costco for big parties & stuff as well. I’ve only been a few times, we typically only go there when having a huge party or event!
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What are YOUR favorite things at Costco?
HELLO 👋👋👋
@@marklepka2927 Hi!
@@MrsEats the food in this video looks amazing. I'm from America, and I absolutely love both Japanese food and American food too.the frozen takoyaki you showed from Costco looks like something I'd really really enjoy. i absolutely love seafood.
Every part of it until you get to the checkout and realise how much you have spent on items you don't really need haha
why is American supermarket look like wareghouses ?? it is too strange, cold and not clean. At elast hera in Portugal. Here Supermarket look like big store
It's nice to know that we Americans aren't the only ones crazy about the free samples at Costco.
Oh!! You can get free sample in America too! What kind of food can you try there?? We could try some bulgogi beef, chicken breast, and others I showed in the video! I think there was not too many samples this day because it was holiday in Japan! But maybe on a normal day, you can try more samples!!
@@MrsEats When I used to work in a grocery store called Lowes Foods, I used to cook different type of recipes and sample them out! I did a strawberry stuffed french toast one day, a taco buffet another time, and a lot of other dishes
I think that's a worldwide thing 🤣
@@MrsEats Costco has free samples in Canada too. I believe it's global actually.
this is all of humanity. give a human something free and he will ask for more free
The shrimp dumpling ramen you sampled is something I picked up here at my local Costco in Alabama just a couple of weeks ago. Really drives home how interconnected their global supply chain is to have such a niche Japanese product appear on the other side of the world.
We have the shrimp wonton soup as well in Australia in our Costco as well. I love having it as a quick meal for work when I don’t have anything prepared.
Yeah same here in Canada
GOING TO SEE IF ITS IN MEXICO
Not a niche Japanese product. Wontons are a Chinese thing.
@@heythave I think that's why he said it's a niche product in Japan because it's Chinese.
I visited Osaka Costco once and one thing I was impressed about is how many Japanese moms shop together and split products since they are all in big batches. Smart.
- and save on membership fees! Genius!!
This is a very common practice even before Costco came to Japan. Homemakers that doe not work outside of the home often have grocery shopping buddies to split the costs on bulk purchases.
The hotdogs have a weird backstory. The CEO of Costco refuses to allow the hotdog & drink combo become more expensive, to the point that the company takes a loss on them. I don't know why they are so important to the CEO but it makes me happy, I really love their hotdogs.
The Costco you're in looks like it have a lot pre-made main courses. And they all look so good I'm jealous! XD
Yes hot dog is very tasty and very cheap!! I like the hot dog is very big compared to ones in Japan! And you can put onion on it! I think you can enjoy many delicious food in Japanese costco!!
The rotisserie chickens are also important to Costco! They lose between $30 to $40 million on them, but refuse to raise the price. They're also the whole reason why Costco started their own chicken farms- it costs more to buy chickens from suppliers, so they decided to raise their own
It's a clever marketing strategy. Many people go to Costco thinking (at first) "I'll just stop by the food court and get a cheap meal." Then you remember they also have really good and cheap rotisserie chicken, but it's in the back of the store. But you're already inside, so you might as well just walk over and buy it after eating...
All you have to do is walk past all of the free samples and bulk-priced products. And you're right next to it already, so why not grab a few days worth of premade meals? Or maybe a nice pair of pants in the clothing section?
Twenty minutes later, you get the chicken and ring it out alongside the "few" items you picked up on the way. You could've sworn that you didn't really need a tub of mayo but, ehh... it's cheap and you can think of a few uses for it. And nothing is priced badly, so I guess $200 is alright for everything in my overfilled cart.
And you only faintly remember that you came here to buy $5 in food from the food court.
Yes to what liger said. It is marketing. And costco freely admits this.
The hot dogs and rotisserie chickens are sold cheap to get people in the door. Maybe other items but those two for sure.
Another area(s) is the pharmacy and optical departments. Both operate on a more or less cost basis to get people in. Costco knows if you come for your prescriptions you will probably stay and shop.
@@TanukiBuki Rotisserie chickens are a loss leader for Costco. They're intentionally placed in the back of the store, so that you have to go through the entire thing to get to them. The idea is that you will buy some of the many products you have to walk past while getting to the chicken.
I'm in the US, and Japanese Costco is really similar to ours! The store size, layout, variety of things... it's essentially the same. I've never done a "fantasy shop," however. I tend to buy too much! My mother calls it "the $100 Store" because we could never make it out the door without spending at least $100, lol
Oh that's a good name!! $100 store! Maybe I call it ¥10,000 store!!
You are so right. When I shop there I keep thinking oh I’ll just get this, but then I see the mountain of drinks and have to get them. Construction workers need more than water in their cooler they also need Sanpellegrino Limonata, and Body Armors. $100 store indeed. Good thing we get 2% back.
US Costco does not have Japanese selections she is showing in the video. No squid or octopus in the meat department. Or big pack of pre-made sushi for $30. US Costco sucks compared to the Japanese Costco.
The same in Australia, only their fuel stations seemed to make it worthwhile, constantly 10 to 20 cents a liter cheaper.
@@jakesi8170 We have the sushi, it's the crappy American stuff though.
The nearest Costco to my home (in Mie Prefecture) is about 2 hours away by car, but my wife and her friends make the trip there together (it’s a big social event) a few times a year. Last time was just last month actually, and guess what she came back with? A rotisserie chicken and a bag of dinner rolls. (And a whole lot of other “exotic” American delicacies that are currently packed in our freezer. 😂)
Yes we love to go to Costco like theme park!! Does your wife use dinner roll to make something new like sandwich or french toast?? Before I married to my husband, he went to Costco by himself and bought 4 pizza from food court and froze them! Then he ate pizza every day until he ran out haha!!
@@MrsEats ha, we still have leftover pizza in the fridge now. And we’ve been using the rolls to make mentaiko cheese toast. (Is that only my family??)
It's weird but neat to see your own culture's food called "exotic".
Good to hear that Costco has the Costco staple of rotisserie chicken.
@@MrsEats Costco store in Japan is like Disneyland and Costco in America is like Knott's Berry Farm. Only can wish we have one like yours in the States.
I live in the US. I used to work a job where people would order groceries on an app and I would go to Costco and buy it for them. The most popular items were the 2 Dozen Eggs, Large cases of bottled water, Milk, Bananas and Strawberries. The Costco near me is also super crowded, especially on the weekends which tends to get a bit crazy.
I have been learning Japanese for over three years. I've learned more about Japanese culture from your videos in the two weeks since I subscribed than in the past three years. Great channel!
Wow thank you!! I'm happy you can learn more about Japan!!
I see Costco is similar in Japan like Australia, yet a bit different when it comes to what they sell
Yes Costco look pretty similar around the world but items are different right?? Can you buy interesting food in Australian Costco?
It looks pretty much like the Costco here in America. It's good to know they also have foods that we know back home if we get a little homesick.
Hi Brian! Yes! When you come to Japan you can visit one!!
@@MrsEats I might want to have the Bulgogi Bake and the Combo pizza. Here in the US Costco due to what happened with COVID we only have cheese and pepperoni pizza (no combo pizza here, sorry) and Chicken Bake (chicken, bacon, cheese and Caesar dressing).
There common place across the UK&EU too, just the native speciality products seem to change from country to country.
@@mr_ozzio5095 Costco design is pretty much the same everywhere, and the products are mostly American imports, but yeah... some local products make a difference. Still love Costco, the quality is actually quite amazing, and cheap.
I never thought of a whole cooked chicken that way. I can't speak for other states but Texas cooks chicken all kinds of ways from rotisserie and smoking it, to campfire spits as well as just oven-cooking it or in a slow cooker. Oh, and I can't forget the old standby of Texas... Deep frying, with or without breading. I would love to trade foods so I could try all the foods y'all love as they just sound amazing!
Wow sounds so good!! I ate BBQ chicken in Texas!! Yes I want to trade Japanese sushi for Texas chicken!!
@@MrsEats - Oh, that would be so wonderful! You and your husband have shown SO many wonderful variations of sushi. That would be an amazing trade!
@@MrsEats You should watch Cowboy Kent Rollins for a super Texan, super American but super tasty view of South West food :)
And don't forget the barbecue grill!
@@jjaa_joyjoyartist - Oh, I've got a grill, a pit, and a smoker. As well as various types of BBQ sauce and homemade sauces.
I worked in a Costco in Canada and I can tell you that it looks almost exactly the same and while the regional cuisine is different it still feels the same.
Costco look the same all over the world!
What makes Costco different than any other retail store is that going there is treated by many as an event. I remember as a kid how exciting it was going there because my family would only go there maybe once month. Now, as a 26 year Costco employee, that magic no longer applies me but I still see the enthusiasm in our members eyes. I wish there was an employee exchange program because I would love to temporarily work at a Japan Costco.
This video was so much fun to watch! It made me remember how much American and Japanese people love each other's cultures. In America, we love Japanese food, art, entertainment, electronics, and everything. It's nice to know that the Japanese like rotisserie chicken and dinner rolls.
I’m in the US but would have to say... I love the Japan Costco more! Mainly bc of all the Asian food selection 😍. I would take a bulgogi bake over chicken bake any day!
I’ve been looking for those seaweed flakes for years. The one supermarket that sold it stopped a year ago.😭
While the options are different, the atmosphere is almost identical in the United States!
Yes!! That's why we can feel American life when we go to Costco!! Everything is so big!!
Very interesting! I was never in a Costco (i live in Germany) so I can not compare the one in Japan worth the one in the US.
But nevertheless, it was really interesting to see how Costco in Japan looks like, what it offers and what do Japanese people like to buy there 😃
Thank you very much for making and sharing the video 😊
Oh!! Yes some people from Germany and France said in comment there is no Costco!! When you visit America or Japan you can visit for sure!! Yes it's very fun to see what Japanese people buy here! It's kind of theme park for us!!
@@MrsEats あなたが知っているあなたの非常に親切な
@@MrsEats Most of Europe has a lot of alternatives that are very similar to Costco, but no Costco. I think the only country in Europe that has Costco is UK. Maybe they don't want to expand here, because there are already many alternatives.
Wow, you have so many delicious options at the restaurant area. I would totally get one of the drinks. 😋
Yeah I was surprised how good Hokkaido melon smoothie is!! Not too sweet and doesn't taste like fake melon flavor!! When you come to Japan you have to try it!!
I love how enthusiastic you are about everything :)
Thank you!! I had a lot of fun so easy to be enthusiastic!!
McCormick makes a rotisserie chicken spice in a jar so you can make it at home. It tastes so good. Mostly paprika and garlic powder 😉
I love Costco!! I didn't know they were in Japan, too! That's so cool
I "fantasy shop" too 😂 There's so much cool stuff there! Can't bring too much home though because where would I put it all?? 🤣🤣🤣
Karrie!!! Hehehe, you too do fantasy shooing?! It’s fun and satisfy my cravings too!🥳🥳🥳What do you like to buy from Costco? :eats_kancho:
Greetings from Pakistan. Mrs Eats i just love the way you get your viewers all excited. Love your enthusiasm and the Jinglish 😆
Some of us Americans will eat the Rotisserie chicken all by ourselves haha when I used to body build I would buy a whole chicken to devour myself. Lol it’s so good! It was really cool to see everything Japan offers vs my local Costco. Really cool, thank you!
It was fun seeing Japanese Costco. For the people, it's like traveling traveling to America. Recently here in Canada we have Japanese styled convenience stores. They have everything from Japanese candy and snacks, small electronics, school supplies and personal hygiene product. It's like traveling to Japan for me, my one day destination.
Woooow, I'm really surprised to be able to see "Pão de Queijo" at the Costco's frozen section. It is something normal to find at the "Brazilian' " supermarket in Japan, but I was not expecting to be able to find such a thing in Costco. If the Eats never tried, you should have a try.
Thank you for the video. I was missing you guys.
One thing that Japan Costcos do not have, that U.S. Costco do have, is a Coffee Grinder placed after the checkout to grind your whole bean coffee.
Thank you for doing this!! This was so cool to see! I actually work at Costco here in California, and I loved seeing all the things that are the same, and also different! I'm so jealous of all the Oishi things you have to eat there! And yes, I individually wrap and refrigerate my muffins! But we are a small family, too. You are SO cute!!
OMG! Loved your presentation of Costco Japan 🗾
That looks like the Costco I go to here in the USA. Just like here there are local foods. They carry different things depending on the region.
I would definitely be getting that Kit Kat variety pack to bring home!
Yeah Kit kat variety is very nice choice!! I think you can find many other cool Japanese snack here too!!
I was very surprised at how popular Costco was in Japan. I used to live in Amagasaki, so I've been to this Costco many times - and remembered balancing my Costco purchases in my bicycle basket since I didn't have a car... (^^;) The food court definitely is better in Japan in my opinion, and I was surprised to see in this video that they still have the combo pizza! That's been discontinued here in the States!
It makes me sad that it got discontinued here and jealous (in a joking way) that Mrs. Eats and her husband can eat it whenever. But maybe it’ll come back one day
i think the only thing that could possibly be better than buying japanese snacks/sweets is buying them in bulk lol! also i love how something as simple as a trip to the store can actually make for a really interesting video simply because the store is in another country, it's always neat to get a glimpse of everyday life for people from other places so thank you for sharing yet another amazing and insightful vid!!
I'm happy you enjoyed this video!! Yes it's so interesting to see how normal people live! Of course we want to see interesting sightseeing spot, but also very fun to see normal people's lives!! Do you have Costco in your country?
@@MrsEats yes! im in midwest america and we have both sams club and costco, i've been to each maybe a handful of times in the past and they look just like the japanese costco only with different things for sale of course! i definitely need to go to a japanese costco when i get the chance to visit japan so i can stock up on tons of japanese snacks lol!
I live in the US but have relatives throughout Kansai and this video reminds me of when I first went to a Japanese Costco with my grandparents and I was sooooo like "heh? It almost feels like I teleported back somehow to the US Costco I go to." Like I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference until I eventually saw some snacks that Americans can only find in Asian groceries like Mitsuwa or Hmart.
I've only been to Costco a few times, but the feel is very much the same. I was *very* surprised to see such items in such bulk, though. Makes me wonder if we have anything like that in my home Costco.
Edit: Yes, I can absolutely confirm that a rotisserie chicken is a storied American traditional meal. It is usually bought when you have no energy left to cook, but still want something hot. I don't eat them in the summer because they make me warm up too much. A nice roast chicken is great in the fall and winter, though. You warm up and stay warm for hours. Served with mashed potatoes (with gravy made from the chicken juices) and green beans or corn, in my case.
First time I've ever watched this channel and now I know that I should watch this while I'm eating.
The design of this Costco appears very similar to my local Costco now as for the food the only things which I recognized are the whole Chicken, rolls, muffins, and several of the food court items.
I know in American Costcos, they have a lot of samples as well! I remember being with my aunt and brother and we went around the store getting samples while my cousin did the shopping!
Wow! They have so many unique items at Costco Japan! I wish we had the Bulgogi Bake here in the US. It looks oishi :)
I feel like that ToiPoly would be extremely useful in many other countries (and some U.S states) that are prone to natural disasters.
it's big different from North America, I like it a lot, next time will visit Costco at Japan, thanks for your presentation👍😊
The food court looks awesome! I want to try them all! Melon smoothie, Hokkaido milk soft serve, even clam chowder! I can only dream 🤤. US Costco food court sucks!
They got rid of the chocolate soft serve here in Cali, I'm still upset
@@topazwolf08 Plus they got rid of the combo pizza.
As an ALT I have to say having a Costco near by really helps me with my homesickness. Having my favorite store available in Japan stocked with lots of American foods is amazing. I just wish I had a bigger refrigerator to store more food in it!
I love shopping at Costco! Japanese Costcos look just like the Costcos we have here in the US (at least the ones in California). The only differences being that we don't have all those items localized for Japan and the food court is outside, near the entrance (at least at the Costcos in my area). Also, I've read that Costco membership cards are valid worldwide, is that true? If so, I'm going to one on my next trip to Japan!
Yes you can use your costco membership internationally and it says in under their policy but i think you might show ur passport for proof if you ever go to another country’s costco, so just double check on that part. They also have Costco in US, China, South Korea, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Canada, UK, Taiwan, France, Spain, Puerto Rico and Iceland
Hisashiburi Oscar fashionista!! Yeah!!! American Costco membership work in Japan too!! You can go when you are in Japan!! Maybe you can take a nice photo of Japanese people shopping in Costco!
No problems using my Australian Costco card in Japan - but they might mistakenly ask you to update your address. You should not do that unless you have moved to Japan.
I work for Costco here in Dallas Texas USA.... All of the stores are laid out basically the same way. I can walk into the Costco in Japan and know where everything is. Just yesterday in my store I saw packaged octopus....lol... It is nice to see a Costco in Japan. I believe Japan actually has more locations than down here in the US.
Wow! Mrs. Eats was so excited to be in Costco! Her happiness was making me happy! I wish I had someone so energetic on my shopping trips because it would stop being a chore and start being fun!
Costco is miracle store so I am happy there!!
This lady made an excellent presentation. The food in Japanese Costco looks so much better than what we have in my Los Angeles Costco. Makes me want to come to Japan for a visit and have a feast!
It looks just like the Costco where I live in California with different products. :) We haven't had combo pizza in the food court since the pandemic started though :(
Im all whaaaaaaaaat bring back the combo. Dude i litteraly got kinda sad
Man, I was thinking about the combo pizza during the video and you just had to mention California losing it… 😭 I hope it comes back
@@KoopaBOOEY Same, it was 10 bucks for a full sized combo. Cant beat it. :(
My favorite thing was to go around the sample. I would try to sample as much as possible. So fun grazing the store. I have a wonderful sense of smell. So I could easily find the delectable samples.
Your energy is infectious and you always make me smile! I hope you have much health and happiness in your world. Much love from USA 🙏🏼
We also have Costco here in Taiwan. You can also find Taiwan products inside. But yours has more japanese which we love.
When there's no more 7 day quarantine hotel here in Taiwan we are going to my niece in Japan and go to Costco together.
Very much like American Costco, I love the idea of splitting the two flavor muffins and freezing until you want to eat. I love to compare how different Countries stock the shelf with popular items of the area. Loved your list. ❤️📋✏️
Hmmm looks like Japan Costco sells the regular grocery store muffins in Japan. And forces a group of 2 to get the special price and North American Costco has the jumbo muffins. And grocery stores stock the regular and mini muffins
Costco opened a brand new store 2 miles from my house this week. Your Costco is laid out exactly like most American ones. Costco tries to keep things the same to keep costs down.
The Bulgogi Bake is a Chicken Bake in the US. No burgers, but ours have churros.
I work in Costco here in Canada, and I've only been to two Costcos and it doesn't matter on what the size is, both Costco's look the same, except with the larger one having 2 large Freezer and 2 Refridgerators and it's much larger and the set up is different, but as far as the shopping is concerned, it's the same (then again, I work in a smaller Costco, which was historically the first Costco to open in Canada)
None of the items that you showed we have lol, the two closest thing we had in terms of 'Japanese' are the Rice Cakes, Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice from Ajinomoto, Udon Noodles also from Ajinomoto that sell for like 28.00 CDN and taste about the same, and a Chow Mein from Ajinomoto,, and the pan fried noodles that I can't remember the name of it. We have sushi, but premade from a seperate company instead of making it ourselves, then again our Costco isn't very large nor really targetted towards the Japanese, it's more targetted towards the older folks that have no clue what sushi is. For myself I work in the Service Deli, when you showed their Deli, omg I was very surprised on how many people were there in that department! The most people we have are like.. 5 people 3 on a bad day!
Food court was my first entree to Costco, I worked for about a year, so I have some idea on how that department worked.... kinda. But our costco has or had *most* of the items that Japan had... except for the drinks which had changed. We used to have slushies. I don't know if we had Clam Chowder, but we don't have that anymore, the drinks none of the Costco's up here have it. Ice Cream? We have the usual boring Vanilla, Chocolate or mixed available for us lol.
Chili Cheese Potato: We don't have lol. Bulgogi Cake: We don't have. Cheeseburger: We used to have. Garden Pita Sandwich: We have a different version of that.. and not even a sandwich.
Hotdog with the drink is a staple to any Costco but we have an additional Polish Hotdog. Pizza? We used to have the deluxe pizza, not anymore. so we only have Pepperoni and Cheese and that's it. As for the drinks, other than the names being different, it seems to be the same except we don't have Oolong Tea, and we serve Coke and Pepsi and 7UP and can't remember what else, but I do remember we don't serve Oranges...
As for our tables, we have those standing ones, since our Costco is small and we have literally a single table outside and close to the parking lot......
10 We don't have lol
9 we don't have lol
8 we don't have lol... but we do have a cheaper version of it.. maybe that counts?
7 We used to have that!
6 Atlantic Salmon from Norway? We have both Pacific and Atlantic. And a little thing about the Meat Section, unless it's different there, All of our fish comes in frozen which is a no duh, so what they do is they cut it, let water running to make it easier for the packer to well pack it, then send it out looking like that so yes, it's been previously frozen.
5 We do have but not the ones they carry.
4. We have a different one and it's a Kirkland brand.
3. We oddly have this lol
2. Rottiserie Chicken: All Costco's have this. US is much larger than the ones in Canada, but has literally no taste. While the ones in Canada are smaller, but has the flavor. Costco note: The chicken Costco loses a ton of money on these and it's the same with the hotdogs since they never raise the price of the chicken, everything else they do. But not the chicken or the hotdogs, since they hope that the chicken in turn sells a TV. In realistically, they only really use this chicken as a service. As for seasoning, I don't know about Japan, but we get ours from an Littledale, which they season it for us.
1. We have! Just under a different name lol
The dinner rolls are popular here in the states too.
So many different things to make with them.
My wife and I got addicted to any Hokkaido milk product when we were in Tokyo. I would definitely gain a lot of weight if I had access to a Japanese Costco.
A Costco opened up near by and they initially had a large selection of various foods from Asian countries. This is probably due to the fact our area has a large number of overseas Japanese workers here. It's actually really neat to see them in the Costco here, too. They seem to really enjoy it and it's not a bad deal for bulk, generally fresh foods.
I feel like you can find everything in those things. Too bad we don't have any in France
Oh no too bad!! One day I hope you can go there!! It's so cool and everything is big American size!!
“Onion-curry deep-fried bread”… Sounds super-intriguing, but I would want to eat it often!
Anyway, it looks almost identical, but many of the products are considerably different.
It looks like the Costco we have in Iowa, but the food options at your Costco are very different.
Interesting!! What kind of item did you see in Japanese Costco that you don't have in your Costco?
This was so fun to watch. Your Costco restaurant has A LOT more options. We do have that shrimp dumpling soup though. The Japanese dessert looks a lot like the cakes we have, just a regional flavor
If the sushi was only $30 then it is almost worth it to fly over just for that...I don't care if it is mass produced, $30 for 48 pieces is a bargain!!!!
This was a very interesting episode, thank you for sharing this experience with us! At my local Costco it looks very similar, but of course without things like a portable toilet. You asked for feedback on if a lot of our 'prepared foods' are quite literally made on-site; it is true! Not just Costco, but even our regularly grocery stores often have daily prepared meals that you can see being made if you know where to look.
Once more, I must express my thanks. Okini~!
(Edit: I am from Massachusetts, in USA!)
Hi Chris!! Now I have to visit Costco in America!! I want to see how different from Japan it is! I think you will like to visit Japanese costco too!!
The ToiPoly bag is really just an updated version of toilet bags some used in the 1970s while out camping. They are still sold today as portable folding camp toilets.
I liked that you got bacon of all things from an American store and it actually appears to be real (pork belly) bacon and not that poor excuse that other places of the world call bacon. :)
I bought the frozen takoyaki from my local costco in Australia. It was pretty good, although of course the centre is hotter than the surface of the sun :D
Excellent video! Just wanted to say avoid TokyoTreat at all costs!! They sent me the wrong box for my 6mth subscription. Every month the box they sent was a stupid noodle box instead of the sweet box I paid for. Most of the noodles you can get at the local asian stores in Australia. They kept apologising but didn't fix it.
Thank you so much!! I'm glad you enjoy the video! By the way I'm sorry to hear about what happen to you with TokyoTreat! I talked to them and they said please contact to them and they can help you! You can email them here: tokyotreat.com/contact/support
I think if you can give them a picture of your comment to them they can help you!!
It's *literally* 100% identical with the normal changes in inventory to appeal to local palates..
What a video Oo
Going to Costco is like the least favorite part of my week
Now that I work I never have to go with my parents anymore... Thank goodness 😅
It is hilarious to me that Japanese actually look forward to going here and that it's like an American wonderland to them 🤣 though I personally can't stand going there I'm so happy it's a way for Japanese to learn more about and experience first-hand what it's like to live in America!
The reason is simple Japan in many respects is completely parallel to the US. Which it is why it is so popular as a tourist destination, at least it was when they let tourist in ;). Mrs. Eats gave a good example in Japan people sell super realistic toy gun, in America almost anyone can buy a real gun. In Japan they have Anime Characters that act in a highly exaggerated way, in America many people are Anime Characters.
@@southcoastinventors6583 that’s because real guns are prohibited in Japan. They are very much into peace now. The last time their Emperor tried invading the US, they got nuked and the common people have been paying with their lives in the form of cancers ever since because of the leftover radioactive particles in the environment.
You are awesome Mrs. Eats!!!!!
Thank you!! I'm glad you enjoy the video!!
I recently renewed my Costco membership after almost 15 years away. What I like is that every week, there are many new things. I get in a lot of walking going up and down every aisle, sometimes twice! While there are obviously differences in the products on sale (especially food), it appears the Japanese Costco follows much the same store layout and format as the ones here in the USA. (By the way, you really lived up to the Mrs. Eats nickname in this episode! 😁)
Makes me want to go to Japan even more. Such good food.
Just adorable! Mr. Eats, you're a lucky guy! 👍
We also have a window in american Costco's where you can see all the workers preparing food and I'm always impressed by how clean they keep them! :o
As for the muffins I always have to chop mine in half since I can't finish them but I've never thought of mixing flavors and freezing them.
Thanks for the great idea Mrs. Eats!
Things looked quite similar, of course there are several tweaks to presentation.
Food prep areas looked almost identical.
We don't have the face mask thing (at least not at Costco)
Usually have chicken bake not Bulgogi bake
Soda machine has a different variety all the way across, except maybe two Pepsi
Smoothies but, I've never seen melon flavor here.
Tiramisu or Tres Leche' depending on location and time of year.
Thanks
Same but different,! Now I have to go to American Costco!
Whenever she smiles and asks us, "Do you guys have this in your Costco?" I scream and cry internally, "No.." 😭😭I wish!!!
This was a very interesting video. I'm surprised how much the Costco looks the same as the one in my area, but I loved seeing the items that we do not have here. I live where the corporate headquarters are and have gotten a bit of a look into their buying practices and so I'm not surprised to see the items that are more suitable to Japan. They are very thoughtful in their buying practices, and they work hard to benefit the suppliers as well as the consumers.
I’m in Florida, but from California. I believe when I was growing up it used to be called The Price Club. Our stores are very similar, I see, except in the US they don’t really offer Japanese fare. Just the usual brands one might see in the grocery store, but not much and definitely not in the ready made foods section. But that would be heavenly!
I’m very envious that the Costco in Japan still has raw onions and relish for their hot dogs. Since Covid, at least here in the Las Vegas ones, they no longer give those condiments at the food court. I really miss the raw onions 🧅
Same in Los Angeles Costcos, no more raw onion for the hotdogs unfortunately
3:34 I have never heard of that. Stateside we would just eat both muffins at the same time 😆
Oh I see! Japanese have lot of tricks for keeping food from Costco!! On TH-cam there are so many videos that teach you how to buy and use items from Costco!!
Awesome video! Those 'big' carts at Costco Japan are still only about 2/3 the size of carts at Costco USA, the ones in the video look like regular grocery carts to me xD.
Most of that stuff you simply don't find in American Costco but that makes sense and alot of it looks better. I would buy those takoyaki.
Also that tiramisu. 4 people two days? I was thinking it would only last me two days.....
Ooooh I think you will enjoy takoyaki!! You can get so many for only ¥800!! Which item did you see that is only in Japanese Costco?
Yes, many Japanese eat a little at a time compared to Americans!! It's pretty normal for many families to only go to Costco a few times a year. They usually try to freeze the stuff they get and keep it longer!
@@MrsEats I don't have alot of experience with Costco shopping, but I'm pretty sure that you won't find sushi grade Costco where my family lives in America. Nor will you find Japanese snack foods in such great numbers or. What is really similar to American Costco is the atmosphere and the overall look of the store. The cafeteria looks about the same and the soda pop fountain was exactly the same kind as in America!
Unfortunately there are no Costco in Shikoku so I will have to visit someday with a friend. :(
Your costco looks like mine (canada) but the products are différents, except for the rotisserie chicken 😂
Rotisserie chicken is universal!
It looks basically the same we love the samples as well and costco has found alot of success selling new products by having those tasting options. We definately like the frozen section it would seem alot more than the japanese but i think that's because you guys like fish and fresh a bit more. They cookie and treat aisle is the same but western and the front of the costco has various super cheap food like giant cheap hotdogs/sausages etc. The pre cooked food section is of course more western type but aside from the obvious differences in what we eat it's almost exactly the same. I got the feeling that if i lived in japan and was missing the usa i would go to costco to feel a little bit of home. No puddings in balloons no huge fish section they have an amazing pesto butter salmon that i love getting.
The rear area (prep) of the store is the same, and some of those items like those pinwheels we have, but the more local stuff like the sushi and squid stuff we do not. Largely at first glance the store looks identical, even the english signs per section, the Kirkland brand, all of the coloring, spacing, sample stands, outfits. It is when you read the smaller Japanese print on the packages and price signs, etc that the differences are there. As an American if I had been there and had to shop I would know exactly where to go, get what I need in any area, and get out without a single issue along the way. It's safe to say you're quite getting the actual experience of that place.
I want to add, your up front eatery there has a lot more options than we do, you'd be disappointed with our choices. One flavor of smoothie and ice cream too, 2 flavors (no supreme) pizza, the hotdog+drink combo, usually some boring chicken bake, and not a whole lot else.
We used to have delicious Chicken bake in the US. But then it went away for Covid. When it came back, it had changed and now it’s terrible. I wish I could have bulgogi bake.
Mrs Eats- Where and how did you learn to speak English so well? You are totally fluent in English! Good job on this video too! It was a lot of fun to watch.
Cioppino Is a popular dish originating in San Francisco. Please come here and try it some day.
I live in Niigata, so have to go to Yamagata or another prefecture to shop. I love it, though. My favourite thing to get is cheaper wine (no wine in Canadian costco), feta cheese, and chevre -- all much cheaper than in a fancy cheese shop, which is the only other place to get them! Here's a hint from a friend -- buy the big roast chicken, eat as much as you can, and put the rest into a pot with water and make soup!
the garden pita sandwich is so-so, btw
Great video, I'm amazed that you guys have all that different selection at the food court still. We haven't had Combo in over a year at my local Costco + a few other removed items. Only Hotdog/Pizza/smoothie/sundae/chicken bake/churro.
Every time I went to the ones in Chiba, I was still amazed how many people were still surprised by the whole concept. It was the only place where I could get decent meat.
I wish Okinawa had a Costco! I loved the selection at the ones near Tokyo. I thought it was pretty amazing that there were seasonal smoothie flavors too!
In the Costco our family go, we do not have any fresh seafood (I'm actually jealous of that, looks like amazing ingredients) and I have not seen any food that exits the usual western style of cooking. For the muffin trick, I have not seen it used here, although it is pretty smart. And no, unfortunately we cannot get giant vegetables such as the parsnip (I think it is parsnip?). I am sure my former chef father would love to have such a wide array of fresh food to cook with, seems like cooking paradise. Greetings from Quebec, Canada!
The only one thing I don’t like about supermarkets in Japan is that most of the time they are too crowded. Every 15 seconds you will end up blocking someone’s way so you have to be aware of your front, back, left, right every single second.
My trick is to live near a nice supermarket which closes at midnight so you can go buy 50% OFF discounted foods after 10pm when it’s not busy.
I've been away, missed your videos! 💜 Gotta say, I usually think everything in Japanese stores are awesome but the weiner in the bun on the shelf?!?! That I would neeeeever dare lol Glad to see you're havin a blast in our western stores of overconsumption lol You have to try Ikea's food! Omg so good 👍
💜 from 🇨🇦
Love the muffins!
I get them a few times a year. Taste great, but gotta stay off butter lmao.
Mrs. Eats is a world wide treasure
I have only been to Costco in Canada but would love to go to Costco in other countries too…
Omg I'd love to explore Japanese Costco 😍
We don't have Costco in Germany as far as I know. We once had Walmart but Walmart had some problems with our worker rights and we germans are wary if a company tries to be super friendly to their customers. ;) We know they just want our money and we prefer the honest way. :D
But it's always interesting to see supermarkets in other countries ... supermarket besides Aldi, Lidl, Kaufland and Co. - we know them very well.
I visit our Costco here in Japan--about a 20-minute drive from my house--about once a month. It's been interesting to see over the years as the product mix has gradually shifted to feature more domestic products, so that now it's about half-domestic, half-foreign products. There have been some random product disappearances lately--Kirkland brand precooked bacon, SPAM (they've been selling a Korean substitute), a few others, so I guess even mighty Costco can't completely avoid the international supply chain disruptions. I'll keep going back, though, as long as they have my REAL Mayonnaise!
I think a lot of people in America only go to Costco for big parties & stuff as well. I’ve only been a few times, we typically only go there when having a huge party or event!
2:57 to answer your question, yes, they do also do this here.