The 12 Best Asian and Asian American Groceries to Buy at Costco Right Now
At the end of July, Business Insider reported that the average Costco customer is a 35- to 44-year-old Asian American woman. By the first week of August, I’d already had this article land in my inbox twice and had sent it off myself to two Asian American friends.
See, I love Costco. Passing through the warehouse entrance instantly improves my mood. I know that unbelievable deals await me, I get excited about new product drops (ICYMI: Fly By Jing is coming soon!), and, as I coast down the aisles, my imagination soars with all the delicious things I’ll be eating soon.
I love Costco for all sorts of goodies, but the stores also stock some seriously stellar Asian and Asian American groceries. (So I totally understand that average customer stat!) These are my 12 favorites to buy right now.
1. A-Sha Taiwanese Ramen Noodles, $9.79 for 12 packets
A-Sha has a patented century-old recipe. These top-rated Taiwanese noodles are air-dried for 18 hours. A-Sha’s chewy noodles are coated in a rich, flavorful sauce made with sesame oil and soy sauce. I stock up on two boxes whenever I go.
2. Rakuichi Honey Butter Mixed Nuts, $9.99 for 17.63 ounces
The first time I saw this product, I stopped in my tracks. The packaging looks very similar to Gilim Tom’s Farm Honey Butter Almond that you can find at H Mart. Costco’s version is made in Korea and not only has almonds, but also includes walnuts, cashews, and macadamia nuts in the mix. Each nut is covered in a buttery honey coating that works for an early morning snack or a late-night treat (and all the times in between). And can we talk about the price? Ten dollars for two pounds! This is a definite must-have in my book.
3. I-Mei Brown Sugar Boba Ice Milk Bar, $13.99 for 12 bars
Calling all boba fans! This creamy frozen treat isn’t too sweet, tastes just like brown sugar milk tea, and has the right amount of tapioca pearls encased in each bar. These have quickly become a staple in my household.
4. Tropical Fields Organic Coconut Rolls, $7.99 for 11 ounces
Anything that has coconut and sesame seeds is going to get my attention. These crispy rolls are organic and gluten-free and are delightful with an afternoon tea.
5. Nongshim Shin Ramyun, $13.79 for 18 packages
Shin Ramyun by Nongshim is a best-seller, for good reason. The broth is ultra-flavorful, the noodles are chewy, and you can easily add extra ingredients to make it more substantial. For a quick meal, I love adding a soft-boiled egg, scallions, and pork.
6. Golden Island Korean BBQ Pork Jerky, $11.99 for 14.5 ounces
Korean BBQ in snack form? Yes, please! This jerky is tender with a satisfying sweet and salty flavor.
7. Nongshim Tonkotsu Ramen, $7.99 for 6 bowls
It can be 100 degrees outside and I’ll still be in the mood for a hot bowl of this creamy, savory tonkotsu ramen. This product is by the same brand that makes Shin Ramyun, so this, of course, caught my eye. Each microwavable bowl comes with noodles, a sauce base, and an optional spicy sauce packet. The cooking instructions also include a thoughtful microwave guide for noodle texture.
8. Bibigo Chicken and Vegetable Steamed Dumplings, $11.99 for 36 pieces
I’m always adding to my stash of freezer dumplings. I love to keep a well-stocked variety on hand at all times. Most of the steamed dumplings I have require a steamer, but these dumplings by Bibigo are microwave-only. According to the package instructions, they shouldn’t be cooked any other way!
9. Paradise Green Dried Mangoes, $11.69 for 35.2 ounces
Dried fruit makes a great snack and my personal favorite is mango. This giant two-pound bag is just over $11 dollars. Enjoy dried mango on its own or dice it up and add it to granola, oatmeal, trail mix, and baked goods.
10. Kewpie Deep Roasted Sesame Dressing and Marinade, $6.79 for 30 ounces
If you love Japanese Kewpie mayo, you’ll definitely want to try this versatile sesame condiment. It’s creamy with a deep, nutty roasted sesame flavor, just like the product name suggests. Use it in salads, add it to a chicken marinade, or spoon it over cooked meat and fish.
11. Bibigo Beef Bulgogi Mandu, $7.99 for 48 ounces
For a frozen dumpling that doesn’t skimp on the protein, try these beef bulgogi mandu by Bibigo. These dumplings are fully cooked, super juicy, and have a filling ratio of 73%. The instructions include an option to pan-fry, steam, or add to boiling soup.
12. I-Mei Puffs Variety Pack, $11.59 for 12 packs
I-Mei is one of the largest food brands in Taiwan and these puffs are one of the country’s most popular snacks. Each puff is light, crunchy, and sweet, with a crispy shell and a creamy filling. It’s almost too easy to eat an entire pack by yourself. Luckily, you can get 12 packs for less than $1 apiece.
Do you have any favorites to add to this list? Leave them in the comments below!