Korean Job Discussion Forums

[linky123]

I heard that Yongsan American base has everything you would find in the States. Such as American groceries. I also heard, if you are a U.S. citizen you can enter the base to buy stuff from there. Is this true and anyone ever try this?

[PRagic]

Not true, unless you are in the military, a DOD employee, retired military, or contract worker. You can be escorted on base by a troopie, though, but you can't go into the PX to shop for food.

But, hey, you're moving overseas for the exotic experience, right? Go to COSTCO like everyone else.

[KoreaninKorea]

You just can't go on base. You need to find a military friend.

BTW, I heard they have a Taco Bell.

[lsrupert]

A military friend IS needed, and your ARC or passport and another form of ID. You cannot even get into the commissary. (Grocery store) You can go to the food court, though. They have taco bell, burger king, subway, American Chinese, Baskin Robins, Starbucks, and an American diner/pizza place. At the food court, you can also find a few groceries, which you can buy. Multi grain bread (that's what I buy!!), chips, candy bars, boxed donuts, fruit, nuts...
There are several sit down restaurants on base, but I don't think that they outdo many that can be found on the economy. They DO have a Pizza Hut in the basement of the Dragon Hill lodge. I know, I know, Pizza Hut can be found off base as well. Here's the difference. The price AND size will be the same that you would get in America. It's worth ordering pizzas on base and taking them home. Personally, I have to be dairy free due to an allergy. Koreans have a hard time with this. They will say that it is "IMPOSSIBLE" to make a pizza without cheese. They won't even try. Yet, if I order on base, it's no problem. Hmmmmmmmmmmm........ The price, size, and no problem part make me very happy!

Oh.. someone was looking for barbecue on another post. You can get barbecue at Oasis, which is also in the basement. I've been told that you can order a complete turkey or ham dinner from the deli down there as well. I've never done that. They do have good bread and desserts though!

[julesk]

The fajitas at Oasis are great, and the Maine lobster and prime rib at Sables is excellent. The Hartell House has elegant dining, with an amazing menu. If you go to dinner on Yongsan base, I highly recommend all three. Also, it is not accurate to say that you cannot enter the commissary or the PX. They will usually let you enter and look around with your escort, but you need proof of a RCP or DoD ID card to order to actually purchase anything. The process is similar to Costco. You need this at most convenience stores / quick marts on base, as well. You can buy things at the food court without the RCP or ID Card. However, if you have a military friend / relative / spouse who can escort you on to the base, then (hopefully) they will be willing to use their RCP or ID card to help you buy groceries. In order to buy food in the commissary, though, they must be stationed at Yongsan, not visiting from a different base. If there is someone escorting you, getting on the base is very easy. All you need is your ARC card, and your escort will need to register into the visitor system.

[CentralCali]

[julesk]

[lsrupert]