American food in Seoul: burgers, sports bars, Costco runs and Thanksgiving turkey

Craving a burrito bowl or a proper Thanksgiving dinner? Seoul has you covered better than ever. Chipotle opened near Gangnam Station in 2026, Costco has a giant store in the city, and Itaewon still does American comfort food and game-day crowds.

The short version

• Itaewon, Haebangchon (HBC) and Noksapyeong, all in Yongsan-gu, are the hub for American-style bars and restaurants.
• US chains keep arriving: Shake Shack (since 2016), Five Guys (2023), Popeyes (back since 2022) and Chipotle (September 2026) [1].
• Costco Korea's Gocheok-dong store in Seoul is the country's biggest. A Gold Star membership has been KRW 43,000 (about USD 32) a year since May 2025 [2][3].
• NFL games air on Monday mornings in Seoul. Sports bars in Itaewon and HBC open for the Super Bowl [4][5].
• For Thanksgiving, book a restaurant or order a turkey dinner by mid-November; a lot of 2025's seatings sold out early [6].

USD conversions use the Federal Reserve H.10 rate of October 30, 2026 (USD 1 = KRW 1,333.99) [7].

Where the American food is: Itaewon and around

Itaewon grew up next to Yongsan Garrison, the old US Army base, and that history still shows in its menus. Most US forces have since moved south to Camp Humphreys, but the neighborhood kept its burger joints, brunch spots and bars. Next door, Haebangchon (HBC) and Noksapyeong have smaller, more local-feeling places run by expats.

Places we confirmed from 2025–2026 sources:

Restaurants in this part of town open and close fast. CALI Kitchen, for one, closed in December 2024 [6]. Check Naver Map or Instagram before you head out.

US chains in Seoul

A decade ago, the American chain scene was mostly Starbucks and fast food. Now it's a lot closer to a strip mall back home. Here's an October 2026 rundown from Seoulz [1]:

Chipotle plans two more Korean stores in 2026, at the Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam and The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido [1]. Not every chain sticks: Good Stuff Eatery closed in 2022 after five months, and Eggslut left in 2024 [1].

Fair warning on menus: Korean branches tweak recipes and portion sizes, and prices run higher than back home. A burger-and-fries combo at a US chain is a treat here, not a cheap lunch.

Costco and American groceries

Costco Korea

Yes, there's a Costco, and yes, it has the bulk paper towels, the rotisserie chicken and the food court. Korea was one of Costco's early international markets, and the Gocheok-dong store in Seoul, built in 2022 on the site of the old Yeongdeungpo Prison, is the biggest in the country [2]. Costco had 19 Korean stores as of November 2024 [3].

Membership costs:

• Gold Star: KRW 43,000 (about USD 32) a year since May 1, 2025, up from KRW 38,500 [3].
• Business and Executive fees went up at the same time [3].

Korean Costcos mix US staples with local items like bulgogi bakes and soju samples [2]. Go on a weekday morning. Weekend Costco runs in Seoul are a contact sport.

Other ways to stock up

• Imported-food shops cluster around Itaewon and Hannam-dong. Some old favorites are gone; High Street Market in Itaewon is closed [8]. Check current listings before you trek across town.
• Department store food halls at the big Seoul department stores carry imported cheese, cereal and snacks at premium prices.
• Online shopping apps deliver many US brands overnight. You'll usually need a Korean phone number and verification to sign up.
• US bases. If you have military ID or base access, the commissary and exchange are the easiest source of American groceries. Civilians without a defense connection can't shop there.

Game day: watching US sports in Seoul

Seoul is 14 hours ahead of New York in winter, so Sunday afternoon kickoffs back home land on Monday morning here. The Super Bowl is a Monday-morning event, and Itaewon bars like Sam Ryan's open for it, often with drink deals [4]. The Craic House hosts a viewing too [5].

Tips for game day:

1. Ask your bar a week ahead whether it's opening early. Biggie's, for example, says it may open early for big events if there's enough demand [5].
2. Book time off. For the Super Bowl, plenty of Americans take a morning off work.
3. Stream at home for regular-season games. The NFL and NBA both sell international streaming packages; check what's available in Korea before you subscribe.

Thanksgiving in Seoul

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026. It's a normal workday in Korea, so most Americans celebrate on the weekend. Turkey isn't a standard Korean grocery item, so plan early.

Options that ran in 2025, per a November 2025 roundup [6]:

Dragon Hill Lodge in Yongsan also put on a buffet, but you need US military base access to get in [6]. Expect 2026 menus and prices to change, and book by early November. Want a whole bird to roast yourself? Ask your butcher or an imported-food shop to order one, and check that your oven can fit it, since many Seoul apartments have small countertop ovens.

Planning a Friendsgiving? Find co-hosts in our community group for Americans in South Korea.

Sources

1. Seoulz: American chains in Korea, and why Chipotle bet on Gangnam (October 2026)
2. The Takeout: South Korea's largest Costco was once one of the country's most infamous prisons (August 2025)
3. Korea JoongAng Daily: Costco to hike membership fees in May (February 2025)
4. 10 Magazine: Where to watch the Super Bowl in Seoul and Busan (2025)
5. The Korea Times: Biggie's Sports Bar brings excitement back to HBC (February 2026)
6. 10 Magazine: Thanksgiving dinner in Seoul 2025
7. Federal Reserve: H.10 foreign exchange rates
8. Time Out Seoul: High Street Market (closed)

Keep reading

• American life in Seoul
• Nightlife in Seoul
• The US military community in Seoul
• Cost of living in Seoul vs Los Angeles