So, I'm thinking about heading over to Costco soon and was wondering if you need to have a membership in advance or if its OK to buy one there?

And, and what's fun to do in Daegu!?

You can buy one there and use it straight away. I haven't been in a couple of years but when I was last there membership was 30,000 won.

Go to Costco

I believe that the Seoul Costco's membership cards are up to about 35,000 won per year, if memory serves me correctly.

My husband and I recently got a membership at the Daegu Costco and I believe it was $35,000. We just went there and signed up once we got there.

What kind of fun things are you looking to do in Daegu? We've been here almost a year. There's a lot of hiking (Apsan, Palgongsan), temples....Seomun Market, Ariana's, downtown....send me a message if you'd like more information...we know our way around this place pretty well, too. Welcome to Daegu!

Man! I went to CostCo today and afterwards, I felt like I survived a war. The people, the pushing, the cart traffic, the spitting on the floors, the insanity! It was like shopping at Emart with everyone on speed (and Emart is like Wal-Mart on crack). I spent a lot of money, took away some good finds, but still am going to need to buy certain goods online. I wanted a few specifics: tortillas, pita, sauerkraut, canned green beans, and they didnt have those, unfortunately. I didn't know until after all my goods were rung up that it was either cash or a Samsung card...nothing else. Thankfully the ATM was right there. The food court pizza was great!

_A_

I hear ya with the insanity, but you just gotta keep your eyes on the prize and realize you're going to walk out of there with a whole lot more than Emart ever has to offer. But not finding tortillas?! I'm afraid you might have overlooked them in the frozen food section..same aisle as the cheese and sour cream. In the dozen or so times I've been there: tortillas always, pita never, canned green beans once I believe, and saurkraut not. Someone could correct me. You can find your flour tortillas at the Asian marts here in Busan..better sized in my opinion (more taco, less burrito).

And word to the wise - hit the great pizza at the food court BEFORE you shop..you'll save about 200 grand in groceries shopping with a full stomach

on tortillas:

Most marts in Busan seem to have them. Near where I live, Homeplus in Oncheonjang has 2 different sizes in the freezer section, as well as some strange green ones in the cheese aisle that I haven't been brave enough to try. Or for the big fat burrito ones, Emart in Myeongnyundong has them in the freezer section. Given that these are relatively low-traffic locations for foreigners, I'd imagine that Homeplus and Emart carry them at their other locations as well... unless north-side Busanians are strangely into making KoMex.

on Costco:

I've only been once, but the cheese (somehow a deal at 6,000won/pound), dill pickles (large container 7,000won), and cheap bagels (5/2,500won) were what seemed best. And since going to Daegu isn't worth it for bagels, I guess it comes down to cheese and pickles. How American is that!?
It did definitely seem like a war zone, perhaps the downturn in the economy is encouraging people to buy in bulk...

Canned green beans can be found on Homeplus.

Pita in Sasang Asia Mart

Tortillas as stated above

Costco had a 40pk of really big tortillas. I was looking for something smaller. I usually buy my tortillas from Homever, but was worried since Homplus is taking them over. But Homeplus carries tortillas I think, so I probably dont have to worry. I found Sauerkraut on ezshopkorea.com, so I'll buy some cans. Or maybe I'll go back to making it. 2 out of 4 batches were really good last time I tried.