There's one major difference between Costco food courts in the US and South Korea and it's not t

From the outside, Costco locations in South Korea look pretty similar to those in the US. They're towering buildings, stuffed with products sold in bulk. Even the food courts are almost identical, serving hot dogs, pizza, and soft-serve ice cream. 

However, scrolling through photos taken in Korean Costcos reveal a key difference: Customers are eating an incredible amount of the free onions that are provided in American stores as a hot dog topping. 

Costco customers in South Korea eat 20 times as many onions as American Costco cafe customers, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing company data. The 13 Costco locations in South Korea go through more than 200 tons of onions a year. 

While the figure seems impossibly high at first, scrolling through photos taken at Costcos across South Korea reveals the dominance of onions in the store's cafes.

From bulk goods to the Kirkland brand, Costco locations in South Korea are almost indistinguishable from their American counterparts.

#costco #코스트코

A post shared by costco korea 코스트코🇰🇷 (@costco_korea) on Sep 24, 2016 at 8:03pm PDTSep 24, 2016 at 8:03pm PDT

In the cafe, the menu seems pretty similar as well — and yes, Costco does sell sushi in the US.

꺼억👻

A post shared by @taeya_a on Sep 16, 2017 at 6:27am PDTSep 16, 2017 at 6:27am PDT

But, then there's the onion.

코스트코 장 보러 왔다 😬 오늘 저녁엔 연어랑 광어랑 육회 먹어야지~

A post shared by RJ (@rrannn._.ji) on Sep 16, 2017 at 1:04am PDTSep 16, 2017 at 1:04am PDT

Some people just have a couple of spoonfuls alongside their pizza.

👫❤️🍕

A post shared by @z__on_ on Sep 17, 2017 at 12:22am PDTSep 17, 2017 at 12:22am PDT

Others are eating an entire plateful.

살이 찌네 어쩌네 말이나 말지...🐷🐷 #엄마곰은뚱뚱해 라고 해도 할말없음

A post shared by 노원베이비카페 리얼베이비 (@realbaby_john) on Jul 13, 2017 at 6:48am PDTJul 13, 2017 at 6:48am PDT

Customers top the onions with mustard and ketchup.

늦은 저녁♡ #코스트코 #참새방앗간#푸드코트#저녁메뉴 #오늘#부부스타그램#일상#데일리#인스타그램

A post shared by 태연원장 문의) 카톡 아이디 dud0309 (@myname_kty) on Jul 20, 2017 at 5:02am PDTJul 20, 2017 at 5:02am PDT

Others have a plate of onions, and then add some more on their hot dogs.

Costco hot dog

A post shared by 원용 이 (@feverluck) on Jul 17, 2017 at 1:55am PDTJul 17, 2017 at 1:55am PDT

Some people call the dish "Costco kimchi," according to the LA Times.

#코스트코#힐링타임#푸드코트#피자#불고기베이크#조개스프#먹스타그램

A post shared by 다뽕쓰 (@da_jjang__) on Aug 15, 2017 at 6:28pm PDTAug 15, 2017 at 6:28pm PDT

"It's an extension of that dietary culture," Costco shopper Jeon Won-il told the LA Times.

#미이라 존잼 with #빵돼지 🍕🌭🥞🍔🥖🍞🐷

A post shared by @yxxsuzy on Jun 18, 2017 at 9:16am PDTJun 18, 2017 at 9:16am PDT

Because kimchi is so popular in South Korea, many Costco shoppers expect an acidic side to cut through the greasy food.

간단하게 먹자며.. #가벼운한끼 #2인분 #돼지의길 #코스트코

A post shared by 김소은 (@sso_eun_) on Jun 19, 2017 at 3:56am PDTJun 19, 2017 at 3:56am PDT

"They need something like a pickle or a kimchi, in a way," food consultant and restaurant owner Daniel Gray told the LA Times.

. . 저녁은 마트서 해결합시다 . . #저녁#메뉴#피자#치즈피자#양송이스프#코스트코#마트#메뉴#먹방#먹스타그램#맛스타그램#인스타푸드#온더테이블#데일리#일상#줌마그램#주부생활#육아소통#instadaily#instafood#foodporn#pizza

A post shared by nari lee (@narilee_1129) on Jan 23, 2017 at 3:59am PSTJan 23, 2017 at 3:59am PST

With Costco serving up unlimited onions for free around the world, maybe it's time for free-sample-loving Americans to give "Costco kimchi" a chance.

#코스트코 #피자 #핫도그 🍴 7천원의 행복 🍕🌭💕

A post shared by 정민 김 (@jeong_min.94) on Jul 25, 2017 at 2:55am PDTJul 25, 2017 at 2:55am PDT

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyxtM6tpqxlk6TAta%2FOZp2op5RisLDB0a1kpKeimq5ur86sq5ynXaC2rq%2FHomRraGFseno%3D