Korean Job Discussion Forums

[iotaphi821]

So, I'm hoping to make the move sometime in the next couple of months and I'm wondering how hard it's going to be for me to find certain things once I get to South Korea. Sort of like my must have's here, I'm wondering if you can get them there and about how much they cost. So here's my list:

Pepsi, Doctor Pepper, Mountain Dew
Cigarettes (Curious as to what brands are available and how much they go for per pack)
Kraft Mac and Cheese (The powdered stuff, none of that high class "Deluxe" crap)
Guinness (I'm sure if you can find this, it's ungodly expensive)
Sliced Lunch Meat (I'm pretty sure this is available too, I'm more wondering about quality)

I think that's about it for the moment.

.....wow....I just realized how bad the title of this post sounds. LOL

[Ruraljuror]

I will preface this post by stating that all of these things are available, if you go to certain "black markets" that are in the Itaewon area of Seoul. However, since you most likely will be at least 40 minutes from Itaewon (assuming you live in Seoul...it would much, much more if you don't) I going to assume you are in a typical area, not Itaewon, and are asking about the daily availability of these items. I'm sure as soon as I hit the "submit" button everyone will jump all over me telling me awesome black markets where you can buy these things, but since most people don't travel too far from where they live and work Mon-Fri, this is SOLELY dealing with the typical convenience store.

[Oreovictim]

[iotaphi821]

I figured it'd be damn near impossible to find most of those things. The cigarettes, honestly, was the big thing and as long as I can get marlboro lights, I'll survive. Specially with em being so damn cheap. Main reason I asked about some of the other stuff is because I was curious to its availability so I knew whether or not to pick some up and bring it with me. If it was available or cheap, i'd get it there, if it wasn't I'd bring a few with me. Know what I mean?

Hell, I can make do with coke. Just have to have some sort of Soda since I refuse to drink coffee ALL day for my caffeine fix.

8,000 won a pint for Guinness...hrm....just goin off the top of my head I'm guessing that's around what? 7 bucks a pint U.S.?

Expensive....but sooooooo worth it.

Thanks for the reply Rural, I appreciate it, and once I get over there I'll even buy you one of those 7 dollar guinness....assuming you tell me where abouts to go to get one LoL

[iotaphi821]

[Ruraljuror]

Your welcome. When you find out where you will be teaching, you should make a thread along the lines of "I'm moving to ____________, what's it like?" and ask these same questions and I'm people will be able to help you out. They will tell you where to shop, and where the foreigner bars are. If you manage to move somewhere near a Costco, you will be able to have all of the things you ask about on a daily basis, as they are all at Costco...but most people do not live near one.

If you do a search, you can probably find a Korean restaurant near where you live right now...go there and try out the food. Your reaction to Korean food will let you know how important it is for you to live near a Costco. Many of us like Korean food, and are able to do without easy access to Costco.

And of course, I would assume it goes without saying, but if you want access to Western products you need to live in Seoul. The farther away you live, the harder it will be to get the things on your list.

[agoodmouse]

Watch out when you find Guinness or other imported beers at HomePlus or other markets. Sometimes these beers have been sitting there since no one has purchased them because Koreans just don't like them. At my HomePlus, they're just gathering dust. Literally.

[AgDragon01]

Guys - location to Costco DOESN'T matter. Go online and have everything shipped to you.

www.ezshopkorea.com

I have had tons of stuff shipped, they even ship things that need to be cold, like deli meat, in iced coolers. It ships in two days. If they call you for any questions, they speak English well. I've never paid more than 7,000 won for shipping charges. They accept ATM transfers too. Enjoy.

[kprrok]

[iotaphi821]

Funny thing about that site....on the sidebar where it lists items by category....the icon for general looks a WHOLE lot like a pot leaf.....

just found that amusing.

and yeah, it seems a bit pricey. pack of johnsonville brats for like...7 USD?

Hrm, I guess I'd use it though if I was seriously jonesin' for something, but yeah, still seems a bit pricey.

Thanks for the tip though

[moosehead]

am I the only one mislead by the title of this thread?


sigh.....well one can dream

[Mr. Pink]

Have things changed in the last 2 years? I used to get Pepsi, Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew at any 7 eleven store. Hell, they make Pepsi and Mountain Dew in Korea and you can get those mini 1/2 size cans in most vending machines too, so that means they are at E-mart, etc. Dr. Pepper is imported and so costs a bit more, but it is the American stuff (full of caffeine).

[agoodmouse]

[superacidjax]

[Milwaukiedave]

Iota,

I drink Pepsi when I'm in the US, but switch to Coke here in Korea. You might try both and figure out which you like best. There's definately a taste difference between the two. Dr. Pepper here is pretty much the same though.