One of the best parts of shopping at Costco is stumbling across something you weren’t looking for — and suddenly deciding you need 12 of them.
That treasure-hunt experience is especially fun when exploring international foods at Costco. Depending on your warehouse, you might come across Korean dumplings, Japanese fried rice, authentic Italian cheese, Argentine alfajores, or an Indian curry that can get dinner on the table considerably faster than takeout.
And while buying unfamiliar food in Costco quantities can feel like a gamble, some international and internationally inspired products have earned especially devoted followings among shoppers.
One thing to keep in mind: “international” doesn’t necessarily mean “imported.” Some products are made in their country of origin, while others are American-made versions of foods associated with another cuisine. Inventory also varies significantly from one Costco warehouse to another, so there’s no guarantee you’ll find every item on this list at your local store.
With that caveat out of the way, here are 12 international Costco foods shoppers really love.
Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice (Japan)
Some frozen meals require you to lower your expectations. Ajinomoto’s Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice isn’t one of them, at least according to its many Costco fans.
The Japanese-style fried rice combines grilled white-meat chicken with vegetables, edamame, rice, and a savory soy-based sauce. Costco sells it in individual microwaveable portions, which solves one of the biggest problems with buying frozen food in bulk: You don’t have to thaw or portion out an enormous bag every time you want lunch.
Shoppers regularly recommend the fried rice as a freezer staple because it can go from frozen to ready to eat in just a few minutes. If you have a little more time, fans suggest heating it in a skillet instead of the microwave to give the rice more texture.
Add an egg, extra vegetables, or your favorite hot sauce, and you’ve got an easy meal that barely feels like cooking.
Bibigo Mandu (South Korea)
If you’ve spent much time wandering Costco’s freezer aisle, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered Bibigo.
The Korean brand’s oversized mandu have become a repeat purchase for plenty of Costco shoppers. Available varieties can differ by warehouse, but beef bulgogi and chicken-and-vegetable are among the versions shoppers may encounter.
Part of the appeal is versatility. You can steam the dumplings when you want them soft, pan-fry them for crispy bottoms, or toss them in an air fryer when you don’t feel like dirtying another pan.
Fans also praise the generous amount of filling, which helps distinguish mandu from some smaller frozen dumplings that seem to be mostly wrapper.
The only tricky part may be deciding how to cook them. A popular compromise is steaming them first and then crisping the bottoms in a pan.
Binggrae Samanco Frozen Dairy Desserts (South Korea)
Yes, they’re shaped like fish. No, they don’t taste like fish. Binggrae Samanco is a Korean frozen dessert featuring a waffle-like fish-shaped shell filled with ice cream and a sweet filling. Costco expanded its variety pack nationally in 2026 after the product had previously been limited to select regions.
The 12-count assortment includes strawberry, chocolate, and red-bean varieties. Red bean offers the more traditional flavor, while chocolate and strawberry make the box approachable for anyone who’s hesitant about trying it. The Costco version has generated some particularly enthusiastic reactions from shoppers, with Allrecipes reporting customers giving the treats a “100/10” rating and even joking about Costco memberships being worth it for Samanco alone.
That’s a lot of pressure for a fish-shaped ice cream sandwich, but apparently Samanco can handle it.
Sukhi’s Chicken Tikka Masala (India)
Indian takeout is wonderful. The bill that arrives after ordering enough dishes for the whole family? Sometimes less wonderful.
Sukhi’s Chicken Tikka Masala offers Costco shoppers a convenient alternative for nights when they want curry without ordering delivery or starting from scratch.
The refrigerated meal combines chicken with a creamy tomato-based tikka masala sauce. Add rice and naan, and dinner can be ready with very little effort.
Fans tend to praise the product more for convenience and its approachable seasoning than for delivering restaurant-level spice. For people who like more heat or complexity, it’s easy to customize with cilantro, chile, yogurt, vegetables, or additional spices.
The Costco-sized package also provides multiple portions, potentially making it a useful alternative to takeout for families.
Garofalo Organic Pasta Variety Pack (Italy)
Buying pasta in bulk isn’t particularly exciting. Buying good imported Italian pasta in bulk is a different story.
Garofalo has roots in Gragnano, Italy, an area famous for dried pasta production, and Costco has carried the company’s organic pasta in multipacks containing several shapes.
That variety is more useful than it might sound. Even the most devoted pasta eater may not want six bags of exactly the same shape taking up pantry space.
Fans praise Garofalo for a texture that holds up well during cooking and doesn’t turn mushy as easily as some bargain dried pastas. And because dried pasta keeps for so long, this is one Costco bulk buy you don’t have to race to finish.
For serious pasta shoppers, compare Costco’s price per pound with the same imported brand at a regular supermarket. The difference can make that giant package considerably more appealing.
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Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano (Italy)
There’s Parmesan, and then there’s Parmigiano Reggiano.
Costco has developed a reputation for selling authentic Parmigiano Reggiano at prices that can make the specialty cheese counter look awfully expensive. Genuine Parmigiano Reggiano must come from designated areas of Italy and follow strict production requirements.
Costco has famously offered enormous whole wheels, but unless you’re feeding an Italian restaurant, the refrigerated wedges are considerably more practical.
And don’t worry about finding enough ways to use one. Grate it over pasta, shave it onto salads, stir it into soup, add it to risotto, or simply break off chunks for a cheese board.
Fans particularly appreciate the nutty, complex flavor compared with shelf-stable grated “Parmesan.” Just make sure to check the country of origin and markings on the package if authentic Italian Parmigiano Reggiano is what you’re after.
Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto (Italy)
The jar is huge. That’s usually the first thing you notice.
But Costco shoppers have come up with a simple solution to the Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto problem: Freeze what you can’t eat quickly.
The refrigerated pesto has built a loyal following thanks to its bold combination of basil, garlic, cheese, nuts, and olive oil. It also has enough uses to make working through a Costco-sized container more realistic than you might expect.
Toss it with pasta, spread it on sandwiches, spoon it onto chicken or roasted vegetables, add it to pizza, mix it into eggs, or swirl some into soup.
Fans like that it offers the fresh flavor and texture of refrigerated pesto without requiring them to haul out a food processor and make a batch from scratch.
Just don’t automatically assume the Italian-style product is imported from Italy. Check the current package if country of origin matters to you.
Havanna Alfajores (Argentina)
Costco’s giant packages make a lot more sense when everything inside is individually wrapped.
That’s one reason Havanna Alfajores are such an appealing bulk dessert. Havanna is one of Argentina’s best-known alfajor brands, and each treat combines cookie-like layers with dulce de leche and a dark chocolate coating.
Delish included the Havanna pack among its best Costco buys for August 2026, spotting a box of 19 individually wrapped alfajores for $14.99 at the warehouse it sampled. The individual packages make them easy to store, share, or toss into a lunch without having to finish the whole box immediately.
For anyone unfamiliar with alfajores, don’t think of these as ordinary sandwich cookies. The combination of crumbly cookie, thick dulce de leche, and chocolate makes them considerably richer — which may also help you resist eating half the Costco box in one sitting.
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Kewpie Mayonnaise (Japan)
Mayonnaise doesn’t usually inspire a cult following. Kewpie isn’t usual mayonnaise.
The Japanese condiment has become increasingly popular in the U.S. thanks to its rich texture and pronounced savory, umami-forward flavor. While it’s a natural match for Japanese dishes, fans put it on just about everything: sandwiches, burgers, eggs, roasted vegetables, and even fries.
Costco-sized bottles can also be a good deal compared with the smaller packages commonly found at specialty or Asian grocery stores.
There’s an important label-reading caveat, though. Kewpie products sold in the U.S. can differ depending on where they’re manufactured, so check the country of origin and ingredient list if you’re specifically looking for the Japanese version.
Costco availability can also fluctuate, which is why fans have been known to stock up when they spot it.
Kirkland Signature Manchego Cheese (Spain)
Cheddar and Gouda are great, but sometimes the cheese board needs a vacation.
Manchego is traditionally produced from sheep’s milk in Spain’s La Mancha region, giving it a firm texture and distinctive nutty flavor. Costco regularly carries imported European cheeses, and Manchego has become one shoppers seek out.
It’s also surprisingly easy to use. Pair it with crackers, olives, fruit, cured meat, or quince paste for an instant appetizer, or simply slice off a piece when the refrigerator starts calling your name.
Costco’s bulk-buying power can make imported sheep’s-milk cheese considerably more affordable per pound than comparable options at specialty stores.
If authenticity matters, look for the PDO designation on the package to verify exactly what you’re buying.
Rao’s Calabrian Chili Marinara (Italian-Style)
Rao’s marinara already has a fiercely loyal fan base. Add Calabrian chiles, and Costco shoppers have another reason to make room in the pantry.
The Calabrian Chili version combines the peppers with cherry tomatoes, giving the sauce a little more sweetness and heat than standard marinara.
Delish named the sauce one of Costco’s best foods for August 2026, finding a two-pack for $14.99 at the warehouse it visited.
That multipack format is particularly appealing because Rao’s tends to command premium prices at conventional supermarkets.
The Calabrian chile version is also a good option for shoppers who find standard jarred tomato sauce a little too sweet or one-dimensional. Use it for pasta, pizza, chicken Parmesan, meatballs, or anywhere else that could benefit from a gentle kick.
Ajinomoto Yakisoba With Vegetables (Japan)
Ajinomoto makes its second appearance on the list with another freezer shortcut.
Its frozen yakisoba follows much the same formula as the brand’s popular fried rice: individually portioned packages that can go from freezer to table in minutes.
The noodles already come mixed with vegetables and seasoning, making them considerably faster than preparing yakisoba from scratch. Shoppers use them for quick lunches and side dishes or as a base for a more substantial meal.
Adding chicken, shrimp, tofu, an egg, or additional vegetables can turn one portion into something that feels a lot less like a microwave lunch.
Fans particularly like that the noodles arrive already well seasoned. And as with the fried rice, experimenting with a skillet instead of relying entirely on the microwave can help improve the final texture.
Are Costco’s International Foods Worth Buying?
Costco’s best international foods play directly to the warehouse club’s strengths: It can sell large quantities of products that shoppers might otherwise buy in much smaller packages from specialty grocery stores.
Japanese and Korean freezer foods are particularly well represented, with Ajinomoto, Bibigo, and Binggrae offering everything from dumplings and fried rice to noodles and fish-shaped ice cream sandwiches. Italian products provide a different kind of value. Pasta, cheese, pesto, and sauce either keep for a long time or are versatile enough that buying a larger quantity doesn’t necessarily mean throwing half of it away.
Still, don’t let the excitement of discovering something unfamiliar override your usual Costco math. Check the unit price, package size, ingredients, and country of origin before tossing something into your cart. And if you find something you love, don’t assume it’ll be waiting for you next month. Costco’s rotating inventory is part of the fun — right up until your new favorite freezer food disappears.
