Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yesterday]

I went and checked out the Hannam Supermarket (foreign goods) under the Volvo building at Hangangjin station...

I was disappointed - that it wasn't as good as many people have made out on this board..

I purchased some bottles of exotic juices (coconut juice, pina colada mix) - Chinese spring rolls etc

not only was it VERY expensive - but after I got home - I discovered all the expiry dates on the bottles were 2005-01 (4 years expired) !!!!

(had to throw it all in the trash) - expensive waste of time/money..

then I tried some of the spring rolls..

within a couple of hours - I was sick and running to and from the bathroom...

beware - before you purchase anything there - stuff has been sitting in that store for years..

and there is no expiry dates on many of their goodies...

basically - I would not go back again...

[The Grumpy Senator]

They get 90% of their stuff from Costco. Just go there and eliminate the middle man.

[cheeseface]

I went there for the first time about a week ago. The only things I wanted to buy there were spices to cook Indian food and a leg of lamb. I got what I wanted and had a look around and I have to say apart from the lamb and spices it was pretty shit really.

[cdninkorea]

The availability of oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, and frozen blackberries keeps me going back again and again. Everything else I need is available at Costco.

[sarbonn]

I went there last month for the first time, and I was really disappointed. Didn't find anything I wanted at all. They did have some tomato soup (Campbells) but then I started finding that in regular Korean places...well, in foreign goods sections, but still not like it was some kind of blackmarket item anymore.

Yeah, most of their stuff comes directly from Costco and is marked up beyond the markup at Costco. I was really disappointed.

[esetters21]

I went there one time before as well. I didn't buy anything, and have not been back. Between Costco and Korean retailers, I find the things to sustain me.

[cheeseface]

Can you get lamb at Costco? Just wondering like?

[crazy_arcade]

Hannam hasn't been very good for probably 2 years at least.
Furthermore, yes it's damn expensive. It's not there for English teachers...it's there for foreign diplomats/businesspeople.

[Bibbitybop]

This is Korea. You should be checking expiration dates anywhere you go. Also, in Korea the date is often a manufactured date, not an expiration date.

If I bought goods and found out they were bad or expired, I'd take them back to the store, not trash them, and get my money or exchange them. Yes, you can do this, even at small shops in Korea.

There are many things Hannam supermarket sells that they don't just get from Costco: American cereals, special pasta noodles, sauces, Skoal (not a user, just saw it), special cheeses, cat food, toiletries and a variety of other things I looked for at Costco and bought at Hannam supermarket.

[bangbayed]

Costco used to sell lamb but I haven't seen it there for a couple years.
Hannam used to be good, but I think the competition from the shops in Itaewon has hurt their business, so you see stock on the shelves that should've sold long ago. It was originally supposed to cater to the diplomatic community, which kind of explains the prices. The same goes for Haddon House (much better selection) in Oksu-dong, not too far from Hannam.

[esetters21]

[Adventurer]

Well, I bought some real feta cheese yesterday, but it was very expensive. It tasted great. It's not something I would do often. I like the supermarket well enough. I am glad, though, that there is a Costco in my area.

[wylies99]

It isn't worth a big trip to go to Hannam Market. If you are already going to be in the vicinity, well, it's worth it for a few things, but Foreign Market and Muslim Mart and some of the smaller stores in that area seem to be trying harder. The prices could come down at all of these kinds of stores, but Hannam Market just doesn't seem to care about their customers.

[Sapa]

yeah I thought it was popintless making the efort to go there. nothing you can't find elsewhere really.

[Adventurer]