The International Costco Deli Item The US Will Probably Never Be Lucky Enough To Have

Costco locations around the globe are beloved for their selection of highly sought-after foods and appliances, but one could argue that certain areas of the world have it better than others. It's well known that China has Costco locations with brand-name merchandise and delicious food court items, but Korea has its fair share of exclusive products as well. One of the more notable of these is the fresh Korean fried chicken sold in the retailer's deli section.

It's hard to verify whether all 20 Korean Costco locations sell fried chicken in their delis, but it's at least been confirmed the poultry is sold at the Costco located in Gocheok-dong (the largest Costco location in Korea), and it's definitely not the only one. The deli item is sold in open-air buckets that contain upwards of 15 pieces of chicken each. This makes the chicken's price even more impressive. A bucket of the fried chicken costs anywhere from 15,970 to 17,970 won (equivalent to $11.95 and $13.45, respectively).

As for how consumers have responded to Costco's fried chicken, fans in Korea have been seen lining up inside the store just to get their hands on the deli item. Many compare the chicken's taste to Korean KFC, noting that it has a tasty, salty flavor that is absolutely irresistible. In fact, some Costco delis are enforcing a one-order-per-person rule for the fried chicken due to high demand.

The deli fried chicken at Costco locations across Korea is all the rage currently, but this isn't the only time fried chicken has captured the hearts of Costco customers. The legendary Costco food court in Taipei is known for serving buckets of fried chicken for $289 NTD (roughly $9 USD). Each bucket features six pieces of chicken with a crispy batter that sets it apart from other versions of the dish. Those who have tried the chicken praise it for being juicy and tender, advising Costco members to give it a shot if they ever visit the city.

Fried chicken also used to be sold at Costco locations in Canada, much to the delight of the chain's members. The crispy fried chicken was a beloved fixture of the Canadian food court menu up until it disappeared in 2022. Despite this unfortunate discontinuation, the Canadian food court item undoubtedly joins the short list of beloved fried chicken buckets sold at Costco. Shoppers were especially loving it when paired with the poutine gravy and hot sauce that came alongside it.