Jane Han is the North America editor for The Korea Times. Based in Seattle, she has covered business, culture and social issues across the United States for over 15 years. She previously worked at The Boston Globe.
Shoppers in US give Costco hot dogs a Korean twist with ‘Costco kimchi’
Julia Goolia, a food content creator, demonstrates how to make the viral "Costco kimchi," a mixture of onions, ketchup, mustard, relish and crushed red peppers, in a video on Instagram. Captured from HellthyJunkFood Instagram
By Jane Han
SEATTLE — At Costco food courts across the United States, a new condiment trend known as “Costco kimchi” is transforming the chain’s $1.50 hot dog into a surprising cross-cultural mashup.
Shoppers are mixing ketchup, mustard, relish, diced onions and crushed red peppers into a bright, tangy pile that many say mimics the flavor and crunch of kimchi. The viral hack, first shared by social media food influencer Photogami, has spread across TikTok, Instagram and Reddit, inspiring customers of all backgrounds to give their hot dogs a zesty upgrade.
It’s not real kimchi, of course. There’s no fermented cabbage or chili paste involved, but fans insist this quick mix delivers a similar bite reminiscent of “geotjeori,” Korea’s fresh, unfermented version of the dish.
“It’s crunchy, a little bit spicy, salty. You get the tang and heat from the mustard, and that tiny bit of relish gives it sweetness. It kind of makes it like Korean-style quick kimchi,” says Photogami, demonstrating the mixture at a Costco food court.
The recipe is simple: two cups of diced onions, three pumps of ketchup, one pump of mustard and a spoon of relish, all mixed with two packets of crushed red peppers.
“It’s crunchy, sweet, spicy and sour all at once,” one user wrote on Reddit. “It’s not the real thing, but it scratches the itch.”
What began as a playful nod to Korean flavor has become a full-fledged food court trend. Shoppers now post their own versions, adding jalapeños, Sriracha or vinegar to chase a truer kimchi tang.
“Does it taste like kimchi?” asks food vlogger Julia Goolia, as she takes a big bite of her hot dog topped with the colorful mix. “It’s giving something that people would say is kimchi in America. It’s an ideal combination.”