Cycle 4 – Item 157

11 (Tue) June 2013

Rotisserie Chicken Quarters

3.0

at Costco

-Yangjae, Seocho, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

solo

3 important updates on Costco Korea’s rotisserie chicken.

1.  The chicken is now sold by weight: 999 won per 100 grams.  Previously, the sets were sold at a flat rate of 11,990 won for 6 quarters.  Here, I got 5 quarters weighing a total of 1,106 grams for 11,049 won.  Either way, that’s lower than the price of raw chicken, which is around 1,200 won for thighs, making me wonder what kind of cheap-ass bird Costco sources for this item.

2.  The pieces are now varied in size, some significantly larger than others.  Previously, they were all kinda the same.  The lack of uniformity suggests that Costco has stopped sourcing from one of those notorious factories that mass-produces identical birds, which probably means that the company now buys from several such factories each with a varying standard.  In any case, I found that the bigger pieces – huge by local standards, so probably imported -were much juicier and better than before.

3.  The seasonings are now simpler.  Previously, the flavor was distinct, like it contained a secret ingredient, found only in the rotisserie chicken from Costco, not amenable to reproduction.  The new formula seems much much more basic, essentially just salt & pepper.  I prefer it the new way – tastes homemade rather than industrial.

I wonder if I’m the only person in Korea who (a) notices these changes, (b) writes about them, and (c) cares.

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)