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14 Costco Asian Foods That Are Better Than Takeout (For a Fraction of The Cost)

You’ll forget about ordering takeout after trying these Asian foods from Costco.

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Updated Oct. 28, 2024
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You don’t have to spend a fortune to eat well. In fact, you can swap your favorite Asian takeout meals for these foodie finds and save money at Costco instead of tipping for delivery.

From Korean kimbap to Vietnamese pho, the members-only warehouse club has bulk buy bargains on an unbelievable assortment of Asian-inspired items. At these prices, you can fill your cart and keep your budget in check.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

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Okami Garlic BBQ Chicken Bao

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Garlic BBQ Chicken Bao

Price: $9.99

Snag this twin-pack of microwavable bao for less than $10. The price per bun cost is a fraction of what you would pay for a similar takeout menu item.

These steamed bao are packed with antibiotic-free chicken in a savory garlic barbecue sauce, making them a healthy and flavorful option.

Snapdragon Vietnamese Pho

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Vietnamese Pho

Price: $14.99 (on sale for $10.99)

This classic Vietnamese soup is a takeout staple. Traditionally made with spices like cardamom, coriander, and clove, it has a fragrant taste that separates it from other similar “stews.” Snapdragon’s version features star anise, chilies, cinnamon, beef flavoring, and gluten-free noodles.

Costco regulars agree this is a tasty and affordable option. Shopper Vicki wrote this glowing review, “The aroma from cooking the bowl makes your mouth water in anticipation. The cost for the nine-bowl package is an excellent deal!” Compare Costco’s $10.99 sale price to $18.99 for the same item on Amazon.

Nongshim Udon

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Nongshim Udon

Price: $22.99

Don’t confuse this bowl with other types of noodles. The Japanese wheat pasta is thicker and denser than ramen.

At Costco, you can get six 9.73-ounce ready-to-heat-and-eat bowls for under $23. That’s just over $3.80 per meal. You aren’t likely to find a similar deal at a Japanese restaurant or other Asian eatery.

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Madeleine Crystal Taro Cake

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Crystal Taro Cake

Price: $11.79

Score this 0.99-pound box of crystal taro cakes for less than $12 right now. The sweet Asian treat includes a delicate taro paste center and layers of marbled pastry.

If you’re wondering how this stacks up to something you could find in a bakery or specialty store, Redditor moonchildsun7 raved, “As a huge taro lover, it’s hard to find genuinely good taro flavored products. These are a little dry, but the taste is great! Not too sweet, just right.”

Ajinomoto Japenese Style Gyoza

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Japenese Style Gyoza

Price: $14.99

These pork and chicken Japanese-style dumplings are a steal for $14.99. Each 3.18-pound box includes five 12-piece trays and plenty of savory dipping sauce. At this price, you could get all five servings for less than one order of the takeout appetizer.

Reddit user iiko800 praised the freezer find, “So good and our family favorite. We used to buy them at the Japanese grocery store all the time but for a much higher price.”

Tropical Fields Assorted Boba Mochi

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Assorted Boba Mochi

Price: $8.99

Costco sells more than the main menu items. This sweet, pillow-like treat has a soft, almost squishy texture, making it a more exciting alternative to classic cookies or ice cream products.

For less than $9, you can get 60 pieces of Thai Tea, Milk Tea, and Matcha flavors. Don’t assume you’ll pay less for this online. Amazon sells the same size bag for $17.99.

Good Plenty Braised Abalone

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Braised Abalone

Price: $27.99

Abalone is a delicacy you might not expect to find at a bulk-buy warehouse club. But at Costco, you can get five 6.35-ounce cans for under $28.

Reddit user crowcawcawcawcaw notes, “Good value. They can run $10 a can in Asian grocery stores. The abalones inside are also bigger than some other brands sold in Asian groceries.”

Perilla Leaf and Tuna Mayo Kimbap

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Perilla Leaf and Tuna Mayo Kimbap

Price: $17.99

It may look like sushi — but this Korean seaweed wrap has a very different taste. Instead of vinegared rice and raw fish, kimbap is seasoned with sesame oil and includes anything from beef bulgogi to braised tofu.

Costco’s version is an instant fan favorite that shoppers stock up on. Redditor jebbikadabbi points out, “It’s delicious. I want to buy a ton of it before it potentially disappears.” And bonus, you’ll get over three pounds for less than $18.

Jongga Kimchi

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Jongga Kimchi

Price: $6.99 (on sale from $8.99)

The traditional Korean side is a takeout staple. But you could pay a high price for this classic fermented cabbage product. Costco’s $6.99 sale price for three pounds of kimchi is a can’t-miss deal.

Reddit user KassieSaturn posted about this pick, “I’d buy again. My alternative is to either make my own or pay more than twice as much from H-mart.”

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Bibigo Vegetable Spring Rolls

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Vegetable Spring Rolls

Price: $11.39

Are veggie spring rolls your go-to takeout app? If you’re tired of paying a high price for this starter, try Bibigo’s edamame, carrot, leek, onion, and cabbage version. At $11.39 for 50 pieces (plus soy ginger sauce), this mega-sized freezer find is a bargain.

Laoban Ginger Soup Dumplings

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Ginger Soup Dumplings

Price: $12.99

Laoban’s ginger chicken soup dumplings have a fresh, tangy flavor you’ll savor. You can add them to your favorite broth base, steam them, eat them with vegetables, or drizzle a spicy sauce on top.

Ajinomoto Shoyu Ramen Bowls

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Shoyu Ramen Bowls

Price: $20.19

At a fast-casual Asian eatery, one order of chicken ramen could cost upwards of $15. Ajinomoto’s Tokyo-style Shoyu Ramen is only $3.36 per bowl. The frozen meal is ready in minutes, making it a convenient alternative to waiting for takeout.

Cuisine Adventure Butter Chicken Naan Bites

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Butter Chicken Naan Bites

Price: $11.99

Get the savory taste of Indian butter chicken in this 36-count box of frozen naan bites. The stuffed appetizer is a fan favorite that customers enjoy.

Redditor DorShow posted, “Thumbs up for me…I almost didn’t buy as I didn’t see it with a sauce. Doesn’t need any, there is just the right amount in the little pillow of deliciousness.”

Hand-Wrapped Shrimp Wonton Ramen

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Shrimp Wonton Ramen

Price: $18.79

Don’t break the bank on pricey seafood takeout. This six-count pack of shrimp wonton ramen with yu choy costs under $19. Each 10.9-ounce bowl includes five full microwavable wontons.

Bottom line

Zamrznuti tonovi/Adobe Woman in supermarket holding shopping cart

These Asian food items at Costco are a great way to have more control over your food budget and avoid the high spending of constantly ordering takeout food.

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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

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