SPECIAL SECTION : KIRKLAND SIGNATURE
AN AUTHENTIC TASTE OF KOREA
W
hen Costco Wholesale opened its first warehouse in South Korea , the buying team wanted to create a beef bulgogi item that exceeded local competitor offerings in taste , quality and value . Thousands of ingredients were tested in different quantities and combinations before the recipe was finalised , with Costco buyers tasting and testing quality at every stage of the development process . Kirkland Signature Marinated Beef Bulgogi was introduced at the very first opening in Seoul – and it didn ’ t disappoint .
“ Right from the start , it was a bestseller in the Korean market ,” says Hovey . “ Our Korean buying team developed it specific to their taste profile , so it is a really authentic product [ designed ] to be as close as possible to a restaurant-quality eating experience for Korean barbecue .”
The item was so popular that Costco ’ s international buying team took notice and began testing it in other markets in the USA , Mexico , Canada and Australia . The response from members was “ incredible ”, says Hovey , and it didn ’ t take long before Costco ’ s marinated beef bulgogi became a staple all over the globe .
“ What we wanted to deliver is a real taste of Korea , wherever the member lives ,” Hovey explains . “ The main unique attribute is that we all buy the same bulgogi marinade from the original Korean supplier , so it ’ s an incredibly consistent and authentic product wherever you are .”
When the marinade makes its way to Costco ’ s Australian service delis , it ’ s combined with the best of local produce .
“ We use Australian beef that ’ s processed daily in our meat department ,” says Hovey . “ The meat department slices it onsite , very , very thinly [ according to the Korean team ’ s specifications ] and then the deli team marinates it in our marinade that ’ s procured from Korea , along with a few other ingredients like fresh sliced spring onions , and then it ’ s offered up for members .”
Combining authentic international flavours with the best of Australian produce is something Hovey is immensely proud of . Not only does it enable Costco to support local suppliers and lower its environmental footprint , but it ensures members receive the best value for money .
“ We have some of the best beef in the world here , so we use that and combine it with the Korean bulgogi marinade and that gives it that authentic flavour ,” he says .
“ It ’ s one of our bestselling items in the deli and has been year after year after year . The authenticity , quality and value speak for themselves – and it ’ s made fresh daily in the warehouses ,” he continues .
24 | MAR / APR 2025 COSTCO CONNECTION