Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Freeghen]

I am looking to buy some REAL cheese. Does anyone know where I can buy some Feta (Chavroux), or Parranno, Dutch Cantenaar, or smoked Gouda, Applewood Cheddar?

I know this is a long shot.

Or any kind of Euro import store that may have anything similar?

Your help is greatly appriciated.

[optik404]

my french friend found some at emart.

im not really a fan of cheese, but he loves cheese so when he tasted it he said a tear came to his eye and reminded him of france. so i assume it was good

[tzechuk]

Feta and smoked Gouda can be had from Costco or all major department stores (Lotte, Shinsegae, Galleria)... I don't know about the others.. but they have a lot of different types of cheese, so it's worth a try.

In Hannam-dong, there is a delicatessen in the basement of the Volvo building. The place, I think it's called Hansel and Gretel - but it may have closed by now, cos I've not been for years, used to have a lot of good cheeses.

[Kryten]

I was at Costco last week and I've gotta say, I pretty appalled with their cheese selection. I recall them having more of a selection in the past few years, but I think it's gone downhill.

I went there looking for an Edam or Gouda but they had none! Seems like they're only stocking Cheddar, Swiss, and blocks of Parmesan these days. I ended up buying some Gouda at Homeplus because it was on sale. I find Hopeplus has the most sensible prices when it comes to cheese, and big supporter of them due to their foreign imports.

Ahhh.. the more I go to Costco, the more disappointed I get with their selection and prices. Don't know why I keep going back there. I think I'm gonna return my membership for the refund.

By the way, if you're having a hard time finding cheeses at the big marts don't for get to check out the wine section - that's where they carry more of the "exotic" cheeses.. haha.

[Xuanzang]

Shinsaegae department store had an entire section devoted to it at Times Square. The price is hefty though. The only place I've seen real feta is at Yangjae Costco.

[Paul Ajosshi]

[xingyiman]

Costco has the best prices on cheese. Cheddar, gorgonzola, muenster slices, mozzarella are around 8-11,000 won a brick (good sized). Parmesean can run as high as 17,000 - 40,000 depending on the brick you want. If you buy cheeses at Shinsegae be prepared to spend your entire check on them.

[Underwaterbob]

The deli in the black market off the HanGangJin subway stop (one stop from Itaewon) has the best cheese in Korea. Come out of the subway, head towards the Harley Dealership (itself a reason to come here), cross the pedestrian bridge over the road, turn right, go down the stairs near the big bowling pin about a block ahead and you're there.

[definitely maybe]

Bob speaks of the Hannam International Supermarket. While some of the stuff the sell certainly could be "black market," a lot of it is from Costco as well. For those of you who are unaware, Kirkland = Costco. I'm just happy that I can buy ranch dressing there.

[Xuanzang]

[Freeghen]

Thanks for the info everyone.

I guess each Homeplus must carry their own stock because I live right near a Homeplus and all they have is that processed Kraft-slice like garbage that people put on their ramen and The laughing cow. They have some Brie, but Brie is not my thing.

[Xuanzang]

My local Homeplus has gouda, Edam, Emmental, blue cheese and those Sangha processed stuff. But, this is one in Seoul. Just try your local Emart or maybe they're in the process of updating their selection.

[moptop]

you can buy a lot of cheese at namdaemun market. they have a pretty good selection with some different types that have surprised me. we get our haloumi and feta there, often gouda and gruyere, too. it's worth a look. there are 2 places. one is the american underground market. and the other is a little further along.

if you go to Hoehyeon station leave from Exit 5. turn right and you will be walking for about 5 minutes. you pass the arch of the underground american market on your right. it has steps leading down, with a green arch. go to the bottom of the stairs and turn left. there is cheese in the coolers on the corner, and if you turn the other way there is an aisle with more cheese.

keep going, past the american market and it's your next left to find the other area with cheese. i think there is a ginseng store on the corner. turn down the "street" and you will see some stores selling import candy and other goods. it's in these stores, but sometimes a little hidden. just poke your nose in the coolers to see what they have. and always check the expiry date!

[Xuanzang]

Maybe that Russian grocery store that a poster posted about a while back would have cheese at decent prices. It seemed to be right for everything else.

[UknowsI]

I bought 1 kg of Jarlsberg cheese at Costco. One of my favourite brands of cheese. It's quite mild though, a bit like Gauda but maybe slightly more taste. The only disappointment was that it was sliced, I prefer the blocks.