Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sarbonn]

I was at Costco the other day just praying that they had Diet Dr Pepper, which of course they did not. As a matter of fact, their choice of diet drinks really sucks, but that's a reflection of the market here I guess, so it's just one of those things I have to live with (It has cut down on my consumption of soda, so that can't be a horrible thing). But this got me to thinking about how sometimes we search for items that we can't find, and we keep hoping we'll see it pop up in some bizarre place.

An example: (this isn't a food, really, though) When I came here, they gave me a nice apartment, but my fridge smelled like all fridges do when you first turn them on. It smelled awful. I knew that a package of banking soda would make this smell so much nicer, so I went searching for a box. Couldn't find it. Couldn't even communicate what it was I was looking for. Found baking soda (bulk size) in Costco, but honestly, wasn't looking for a bag that was going to fill my refrigerator (HUGE BAG OF BAKING SODA).

Then I was wandering around Itaewon, and I think I found one of those overpriced gray markets that's not all that hidden away. On the shelf were two boxes of American brand baking soda, exactly what I was looking for. Would never have imagined I would find it there. They also had a lot of other overly expensive American goods, which got me thinking this store gets most of its stuff from Army Commissary runs.

So, I thought I'd try to create a thread that might be useful. People could talk about products they'd really like to find, and if it's somewhere here in Korea, someone might be able to answer and say, "Hey, that's in that little store near the subway exit in Yangzae," or something like that.

I know some people have been looking for Campbells Tomato Soup, so I have been keeping my eyes open for that, although I have yet to be successful in finding yet. Although I'm starting to see Campbells Soup products more often these days.

So, anyone have anything they're searching for? Or anyone have any good finds they'd like to share?

[Bibbitybop]

Hannam Supermarket (Just south of the Harley Davidson shop) at Hangangsin station (one station east of Itaewon) is the best and biggest foreign food market in Korea. Beats the racist and small Foreign Food Market near What the Book? in Itaewon.

[Lukychrm42]

Umm I found baking soda in Emart on my first trip to the supermarket.

I've spent weeks looking for REAL dates, not jujubes, and I finally found some at a miniscule Chinese shop.

I found raw agave nectar in Shinsi.

I found sundried tomatoes at Megamart.

I found durian at Homeplus and an international mart that also had chickpeas, tamarind, lemongrass and cumin.

Frozen blackberries and blueberries at Galleria.

I plan to find a good mango or two when I visit Seoul next weekend, because the few around here look disgusting.

Anyone seen a YOUNG THAI COCONUT? Surely in Seoul, please share!

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Me and my wife both crave fresh papaya and unripened mango's. Fresh papaya is available at our local Asian market but a little pricey and hardly fresh picked form the tree.

[Suwon Sister]

Miracle Whip!

My sister brought me some from the States during her visit this summer but it ran out long ago.

Home Plus keeps surprising me with the U.S. food that ends up of their shelves. Recently I found tomato sauce and my favorite salad dressing. I should have bought more than I did because as magically as they appeared, they have disappeared.

I was also looking for cinnamon and last week for the first time, they had it.

Now if they would carry sour cream. I do buy it on our monthly run to Costco in Seoul but it is such a huge container. I would like to buy it in pint size containers.

Becky

[moosehead]

why don't they have limes here?

that's something I honestly don't get

and avacodos - when you find them they are like SO expensive!

[Bibbitybop]

[robot]

I'm mostly set now, but am still missing Mott's Clamato.

I've heard it being on sale at Hannam Mart, but have never seen it there.

Sure, I could get Caesars at Wolfhound or RMT, but I'd rather have my own bottle.

[Whirlwind]

Sobe I'm so happy to be heading home in a few weeks. No more of having to hear about "Hey, did you know that Costco now carries black olives!" and getting excited about such mundane things. Or having to go from one black market to another to get different items. Everyything will be in one place and I don't have to make multiple trips to different locations. Cheese? I'll have my choice back home and it'll be cheaper. Yay.

[princess]

[ciccone_youth]

[Fishead soup]

Check out the Pinoy(Phillipino market) Every sunday afternoon just outside the Catholic church in Heywha station. I've seen Root Beer there.
They also have cheese whiz.

[EricaSmile84]

I found dill pickles at an E-Mart in Busan which were a treat to add to my Mrs. T Bloody Mary.

[Weetbix Kid]

I'm hanging out for NZ marmite! We can't get it for love or money on Geoje!

[PhD]

I make my own sour cream. (make it with a tablespoon of buttermilk for one pint of cream. Let it sit overnight in a warm place.) You can buy starter online from New England Cheese Company. They send the starter out very fast. I also make my own feta cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt.

Dill pickles are easy to find. E-Mart, and Costco carry them. You have to buy a big bottle at Costco, but being pickles, they last FOREVER.

Frozen Berries are found at Costco as are avacados, and mangos. They also usually carry real dates.

I crave root beer.