The American Soup You'll Find On Costco Food Court Menus In Japan
Like you, we're obsessed with the Costco food court. From the so, so good pizza to the controversial chicken and bacon sandwich (not as good), we can't stop thinking about the delicious deals to be had at our favorite warehouse store. That's why it fascinates — and saddens — us to learn that international Costco locations have different menu items than we don't get to enjoy in the United States. Australia has Korean-style fried chicken, Spain has croquettes, and, perhaps most stunningly, Japan has clam chowder.
Social media lit up with the news that you could get this beloved cream soup in Japanese Costco food courts, along with mouthwatering delicacies like bulgogi bakes, seafood pizza, and pork hot dogs. "I'd die to have clam chowder," one Reddit comment lamented. And honestly, same. The chowder is cheap, too. At just ¥450, or about $3, it's an inexpensive lunch that lives up to the budget-friendly example set by Costco's cheap hot dog combo.
But is Costco's clam chowder any good?
Costco might sell clam chowder at its food courts in Japan, but does it live up to its hype? The answer is a resounding "yes." On TikTok, food reviewer Wayne Dang raved about the soup, lauding the thickness of the broth, the abundant amounts of potato and clam in the soup, and the "creamy ... seafood-y flavor." Meanwhile, over on Instagram, user BeardEatsWorld waxed rhapsodic about the 16-ounce portion, saying that it was "the best" of everything they tried at Costco Japan, topping items like the breaded chicken sticks and strawberry soft serve. The Japanese Taste blog also praised the chowder's "rich umami flavor," but disagreed with Dang regarding the presence of a seafood taste. Julie Sherman, one of the site's writers, wished for more of a briny tang, although her impressions were positive overall.
The only middling review came from YouTube creator Matoka, who referred to the clam chowder as "not bad," but acknowledged that there he may have a bias since he is from San Francisco, which is legendary for putting clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls. Overall, it sounds like Japanese Costco's clam chowder is well worth the price if you happen to find yourself on the other side of the Pacific. Your Costco membership is good at any warehouse worldwide, meaning that there's nothing stopping you from popping in for a bowl of soup!