This list of the best things to buy in South Korea will help you find a memorable souvenir so you can cherish your trip for years to come.
One of the best things to do when visiting South Korea, is to treat yourself to the fabulous shopping that exists in the country. From stylish clothes, cute knick knacks, fantastic skincare, and more – Korea is home to an affordable cost of living and exciting shopping opportunties!
If you’re about to embark on an exciting trip to the Land of the Morning Calm, here are the best things to buy in Korea. Prepare to shop til you drop!
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The Best Things to Buy in Korea: Modern and Traditional Souvenirs
From modern gifts to traditional Korean souvenirs, this ultimate list shares all of the best things to buy in South Korea. Make sure to arrive with space in your suitcase!
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1. Korean Face Masks
Face masks are a staple in K-Beauty, and you can find a wide variety of face masks in any beauty store. You can find face masks made from fresh fruits, herbs, plants, all the way to animal byproducts which may not be enticing for all.
There are even fun masks that do unique things like bubble, pull your skin tight, or plasters a character’s face on your face (like Shrek and Donkey!). Be sure to take advantage of the face mask deals that are often on, like buy 10 for $X.
2. And anything K Beauty
Korean skincare and beauty products are sweeping the world in popularity and I’m lucky to be living in the land of K Beauty and to have it all right at my fingertips! So while visiting, be sure to stock up on locals’ favorite brands and products. It’s, in my opinion, one of the best things to buy in Korea and it’ll be drastically cheaper in Korea than in the US!
Some of my favorites….
- Innisfree Jeju Clay mask
- Skinfood Strawberry mask
- Any and all face masks: From Innisfree, Skinfood, The FaceShop, etc.
- Holika Holika Foot peel masks: These make the skin peel from your feet like crazy! And can be found From Olive Young Stores or generic brand at Daiso Stores
- I’m the Real Shrek face masks + skincare: Found at Olive Young
- Weird/crazy skincare ingredients: snail, placenta, horse fat etc.
For the best beauty shops in Korea, check out this list by Culture Trip.
Read More: A Two Week South Korea Itinerary
3. Korean Clothes + Shoes
There are so many budget Korean clothing shops in this country it’s insane! Many aren’t chains so sadly I can’t give you one single brand name to check out, but half the fun is exploring out all of the random stores you come across.
There are 10,000 won / $9 USD stores where everything is around that price, there are stores with any and every type of article of clothing for cheap, and there are shops that boast the hippest and freshest Korean style.
Korean shoes are the absolute cutest as well – if you can fit into them! Korean clothing and shoe sizing is quite small compared to western sizing. So if you’re a tall or curvy man or woman, you may have a bit of a hard time. It can be frustrating seeing the cute clothes and not being able to fit into them, I know the pain being a tall and big footed woman.
4. Silly Socks
Korea is the land of super cheap and super cute + silly socks! They have anything and everything you could imagine and usually they are only 1,000 won / $1 USD! Check them out in the local shops on shopping streets and in the underground subway/metro malls.
5. Cute stationery and office supplies
One of the greatest joys in being a teacher in Korea – other than the fulfillment from educating children blah blah blah 😉 – is the fun and cute stationery around you! There are so many pretty designs, silly patterns and colors, not to mention the characters. You want a pikachu notebook? No problem. What about a fish pencil case? Easy.
One of the best chains for cutesy things is ArtBox. They have stores in most big cities in Korea. Otherwise any local stationery shop will sell the finest and cutest Korean pencil/paper goods.
Some of my favorites….
- Fun shaped and funky pencil cases
- Every single color pens and pencils
- The cutest paper products
- The silly and sassy stickers
6. Phone Cases and Accessories
One thing you’ll notice immediately upon arriving in Korea, is the multitude of phone case and accessory stores. They are everywhere!! So if you’re in need of a new phone case that is cute, silly, goofy, or unique, wait to pick one (or two) up in Korea.
They’re decently priced and have some of the coolest designs! If you’re in need of cute ear buds, charging batteries, etc, they also have them here for a decent price.
Some of the best phone accessories in Korea to buy…
- Phone cases
- Cute and unique phone rings
- Charging cables
- Battery packs
7. K-pop Merch
K-pop is a global phenomenon that’s stolen the hearts of people all over the world! And k-pop fans are pretty serious about their love for this style of South Korean music. Obviously while visiting the land where it all started, if you’re a major stan, this is great opportunity to pick up some k-pop perch!
Most shops and stands in Korea will have some sort of merchandise for visitors to buy ranging from socks, to posters, to stationery and more!
8. Dojang or Traditional Stamps
Dojang is a customized stamp of a person’s name in Hangeul. Most Koreans own a Dojang to sign their name for official documents or needs. In some souvenir shops you can have your very own Dojang made of your name in Hangeul.
The best place to find a Dojang stamp shop is in Seoul, and specifically Insadong. You should be able to spot them easily, but I know there’s a stand in the Ssamzigil shopping mall.
9. Korean Chopsticks
Korean chopsticks are unique compared to chopsticks in other countries! Unlike other Asian countries who traditionally make chopsticks out of wood or bamboo, Korean are traditionally made from iron and today, steel.
Korean chopsticks also have a different shape, and tend to be flatter versus the round shape you may see other places. Pick up some of the finest silver chopsticks to commemorate your stay.
10. Hanji Paper
Hanji Paper is a traditional and homemade paper that’s a beloved item in Korea. They’re made from the bark of a mulberry tree, a native species to Korea that grows on the mountainsides. The paper can be found in many pretty colors and designs. The paper is traditionally used as stationary, wallpaper, and even in umbrellas and fans.
11. Korean Tea
Korean tea is a little bit different from our typical idea of tea in the west, so prepare to try more herbal and floral varieties. I recommend the traditional fruit teas like omija-cha (made from magnolia berries) and meshilcha (sweet plum tea) and if you’re feeling adventurous, try the dandelion tea too! Korea also produces delicious green tea from Boseong or Jeju I can highly recommend.
12. Traditional Wooden Korean Masks
Originating from Andong, these Korean masks are carved from wood and have a long-standing tradition in Korean culture. Their Korean name is Hahoetal masks (하회탈). They were used as costumes for characters in dramas and ritual ceremonies from the 12th century on. They make for a nice hanging piece in your home to remind you of your time in Korea.
13. Wooden Wedding Ducks.
If you know someone getting married soon, Korean wedding ducks are a unique and beautiful gift! In Korea, a pair of wooden duck carvings are given as a wedding present and often used in ceremonies. These Madarin duck carvings symbolize eternal love because it’s believed these birds mate for life. Such a sweet sentiment!
14. Hanbok
Hanboks are colorful traditional Korean clothing that is culturally worn during special events such as weddings, festivals, and other important ceremonies. There are styles for both men and women! If you don’t want to take home your own, it’s possible to rent Hanboks at many of the Korean temples and palaces in Seoul and you can snap photos of your beautiful Hanbok to keep forever.
Read More: How to Spend One Week in South Korea
Korean Snacks and Candy To Buy and Try
South Korea, and all of Asia for that matter, has so many unique and fun snacks that are vastly different from home. One of the best things to do while visiting is to indulge in all the wacky things you’ve never experienced before!
Whether it’s the more traditional food items or the new-age modern Korean snacks, tasting the local food and bringing some home for loved ones to try is a lot of fun. Here is my list of food to buy in Korea!
Read More: A Guide To Korean Food in Korea
15. Soju
Obviously you cannot come to Korea without sampling this immensely popular alcoholic beverage. You can pick up a bottle for so cheap at the convenience stores and in many different flavors. Original is quite strong but a must-try, and my personal favorite flavor is apple.
16. Korean spices and pastes
Korean food is beyond flavorful and Korean cooking often uses unique seasoning items you can’t find quite anywhere. If you dig traditional Korean food, save room in your suitcase and buy things like
- jinganjang: soy sauce
- gochujang: hot pepper paste
- chamkireum: toasted sesame oil
- doenjang: fermented soy bean paste
17. Pepero
Pepero is a cookie/biscuit stick dipped in chocolate or other flavors. It’s very similar to Pocky but is the Korean take on this classic snack. I can eat so many boxes of Pepero it’s dangerous. And if you happen to be visiting Korea on November 11, it’s national Pepero Day and this snack is a must!
18. Spicy Ramen Noodles
South Korea has recently become quite famous for having one of the hottest instant ramen noodles in the world. Take the spicy ramen challenge if you dare and bring some home to give to your friends (or enemies). The spiciest brand is Samyang Foods 2x Spicy Hek Buldak Bokkeummyun.
19. Dried Seaweed
This probably does not sound too appealing to many westerners, but I’ve actually come to really enjoy the dried seaweed snacks here. They often are salty and slightly sweet and compliment white rice so well.
20. Hotteok Box Mix
Hotteoks are Korean pancakes that are oh so delicious and one of my fave Korean snacks. This street food is predominately only made and sold during the winter, and is made from a dough with cinnamon sugar nut mixture in the middle, and deep fried.
They’re so popular that you often get one fresh out of the oil, which means they’re hot hot hot! Although commonly found in the winter, you can usually find a Hotteok box mix in the stores that you can take home and make your own.
21. Instant coffees, beverages, and soups
Another very popular snack item in Korea, is instant coffees and beverages. This may sound kinda lame, but you look in the coffee aisle and you’ll find a lot of unique flavors. There’s even instant soups that people make as if it’s a coffee beverage to drink in the morning, and honestly it’s pretty good. From pumpkin lattes to matcha teas, there’s a lot to choose from.
22. Anything Honey Butter Flavor
Honey butter flavor is uniquely Korean, and has gained notoriety in recent years thanks to social media. Honey Butter Chips were the first of its kind, but has since become a flavor for many other snacks (like almonds). Be sure to pick up a bag to try while you’re visiting Korea.
23. Korean Red Ginseng
Ginseng is grown in South Korea and is famous for its health and healing properties. It comes in all shapes and forms and can be purchased as a health drink, as a dried snack, and even in supplement form.
24. Kimchi
Another obvious item on the list, kimchi is one of those dishes that people seem to either love or hate. Regardless, it’s your duty as a visitor to sample even a small bite of it.
If you’re in the love camp, take a small jar home with you to share with others! Be sure to check baggage regulations, I believe you can bring kimchi on the plane with you, but only a small amount (I’ve read 100 ml).
↠ Read More: South Korea Travel Tips
25. Hangover Cure Products
Korean hangover cures have become huge in recent years and range from small liquid shots to pills that claim to promise a morning free of hangover after a crazy night out on the town. You’ll probably want to give it a shot after nights of shooting soju – nothing is worse than a rice liquor hangover!
There you have folks, some of the best and my all-time favorite things to buy in Korea!
What do you think the best Korean souvenirs are? Share below!
Hey, I’m travelling to Korea next month and was wondering if there are any traditional household items, or items made with traditional Korean crafts, that I could bring home to decorate my own place with? If so, do you have any recommendations on whether to go to a market or a store? I am going to be visiting Daegu and Seoul. Thanks!
Hello! For traditional Korean goods, I recommend visiting Insadong and the markets there. They sell traditional homemade Korean paper, fabrics, crafts and more. Fans are a beautiful Korean item as well as wall hangings and porcelain items. Chopsticks are another great option! I haven’t purchased these items personally, but I know I’ve seen them around the traditional markets in Seoul! Good luck ☺️