What Are Those Giant White Rice Cakes at Costco Korea?(The Expat Guide to Garaetteok)

If you have ever wandered through the fresh food or deli sections at Costco Korea, you have likely stumbled upon a massive, heavy package filled with thick, white, pillowy cylinders. They are piled high, incredibly cheap, and locals seem to grab them by the armful.

If you have been staring at it wondering, “What on earth is that, and what do I do with it?”—you are not alone.

This mysterious white cylinder pile is actually Garaetteok (가래떡), one of South Korea’s most traditional, beloved, and versatile rice cakes. While it might look intimidating in such a huge bulk size, it is one of the best budget-friendly culinary treasures you can discover as an expat. Best of all? You don’t even need to cook it! Let’s break down why Costco’s version is a total steal and how to enjoy it eat it fresh without additional cooking right out of the store.

🍡 What Exactly is Garaetteok (가래떡)?

Garaetteok is a traditional Korean rice cake made by steaming non-glutinous rice flour and then pounding or extruding it into long, thick, cylindrical shapes.

Unlike Western baked goods, Garaetteok doesn’t contain yeast, gluten, or dairy. Instead, its magic lies entirely in its texture:

The Texture: It is dense, incredibly soft, and boasts a signature pillowy chewiness that Koreans call Jj쫀득 (Jj쫀득-han) texture.
The Flavor: On its own, it has a very subtle, mild, and clean rice flavor. Because it is neutral, it acts like a sponge for whatever sweet or savory flavors you pair it with.

💰 The Ultimate $10 Hack: Ready to Eat with No Cooking!

While you can find smaller packs of rice cakes at local traditional markets, Costco Korea offers an unbeatable advantage for international residents.

1. Insane Bulk Value

At a local supermarket, a tiny pack of rice cakes can disappear in one sitting. Costco sells massive, heavy bulk packs of freshly made Garaetteok for around 10,000 KRW (approx. $7.50 to $10). The volume-to-price ratio is absolutely unmatched.

2. 100% Pre-Cooked & Fresh

Many expats assume they have to spend hours boiling, frying, or baking these giant cylinders. That is a total myth! The Garaetteok sold at Costco is made fresh daily. When you pick it up from the aisle, it is incredibly soft and completely cooked. You can actually open the package right in the food court or in your car and eat it fresh without additional cooking as a soft, comforting, and filling snack.

🍯 Choi’s Costco Shopping Hack: The Ultimate Sweet Pairings

Because Garaetteok is completely neutral on its own, you need to grab the right pairing partners while you are inside Costco. Skip the bakery section’s croissants and head over to the grocery aisles to find these two perfect companions:

Kirkland Signature Maple Syrup: Dip a piece of soft, Garaetteok into pure maple syrup. The combination of Western sweet maple syrup and traditional Eastern chewy rice cake is a mind-blowing flavor crossover.
Costco Honey (The Honey Bear): This is the traditional Korean way. Locals love dipping fresh, soft Garaetteok into thick, golden honey for an instant, comforting energy boost.

❄️ How to Store the Massive Pack (Expat Survival Guide)

Since the Costco portion is huge, do not let it sit on your kitchen counter for more than a day, or it will harden into a brick. Here is my foolproof method to make it last for weeks:

Step 1: While the sticks are still soft from the store, use a knife or kitchen shears to cut the cylinders into bite-sized pieces or convenient 10cm sticks.
Step 2: Lightly coat them with a tiny bit of sesame oil (to prevent them from freezing together into one giant lump).
Step 3: Portion them into Ziploc bags and throw them straight into the freezer.
Step 4 (To Reheat): When you’re hungry later, pop a frozen piece into your air fryer for a few minutes. It will instantly revive into a golden snack that is crispy on the outside and melted-chewy on the inside!

Quick Reference: Costco Garaetteok At-A-Glance

Feature	Details
Texture Profile	Soft, dense, and incredibly chewy (Gluten-free)
Best Costco Price	Massive bulk pack for around 10,000 KRW
Instant Eating	100% pre-cooked and ready to eat from the package
Best Local Dipping Sauces	Honey, Rice Syrup (Oligodang), or Kirkland Maple Syrup

The next time you walk past those giant white cylinder piles at Costco Korea, don’t hesitate. Grab a pack, pick up some honey, and experience the ultimate, comforting K-snack that every expat falls in love with!

💬 Over to You!

Have you spotted this massive white rice cake bundle on your last Costco run? What is your favorite dipping sauce for Korean rice cakes?

For more insider shopping hacks, hidden local item reviews, and expat lifestyle guides in South Korea, make sure to bookmark choitip.com!