The Best Items at Costco Food Courts in Japan

"A visit to the food court at Costco locations in Japan offers enough tempting choices to make a multi-course meal and includes items you won't find at U.S. stores. I tried the Jumbo Bulgogi Bake, a rectangular pastry filled with sweet-and-savory marinated beef, melted cheese, and green onions in a golden-brown crust; the calzone, which contains plenty of onions, cheese, and Japanese sausages similar to hot dogs with a thinner, sweeter sauce; and the popular eight-piece salmon poke roll made with nori, sushi rice, and large pieces of marinated salmon that TikTok creator Jeanelle said “looked too simple but actually tasted like poke we’ve had in Hawaii.” For dessert I had soft cream options—Hokkaido soft serve with a mild, rich cream flavor from Hokkaido milk, Uji Matcha that’s less sweet and more earthy, or a half-and-half swirl—and I learned that flavors rotate seasonally. I was also surprised to find comforting clam chowder on the menu (something not offered at American Costco food courts), and noted that influencers like Vancouver-based Daniel Wong have given Japanese Costco food courts top marks while pointing out that some items change seasonally; if you’re already a member elsewhere, your Costco membership is valid at international warehouses." - Derin Yilmaz