What are things you can only buy in Korea?

Buying souvenirs for yourself or gifts for friends and family back home is always an enjoyable part of the travel experience. For those who are looking for authentic Korean souvenirs that are not in your country or things to buy in Seoul, consider this your guide.

Check out the list below to see which keepsake souvenirs and gifts you should buy before leaving Korea!

1. Electric Rice Cooker

An electric thermal rice cooker from “CUCKOO” is what every Korean housewife has on their wish list. Made by a top Korean household appliances brand, this magical thing has a voice function and it can make not only rice but also stews! It is pricey but absolutely worth to buy and take it home.

If you want to get this high-tech rice cooker, drop by the Lotte Mart that is directly connected to Seoul Station before you make a transfer to Incheon International Airport.

2. Ramyeon (Instant Noodles)

“Ramyeon” is one of the best things to buy in Seoul! Koreans love these instant noodles called ‘ramyeon’, after rice. They come in various kinds and tastes and they are extremely convenient because it takes less than 5 minutes to cook them. They also come in a cup-type but we recommended you buying a pack or a 5-in-1 pack since cup noodles take a lot of space in your carrier.

As ramyeon is so popular with Koreans and tourists, the companies keep launching out different flavors. Among all the new products, the really spicy hot chicken ramyeon is the most famous one. Koreans love to have it when they’re stressed out. If you’re not that good at eating spicy food, try the carbonara flavor in a pink package which is less spicy.

• Find out 10 Must-Try Korean Convenience Store Foods

3. Soju & Makgeolli (Korean Alcoholic Drinks)

One of the things many foreign visitors in Korea bring back home is, of course, Korean alcoholic drinks. “Soju and Makgeolli (Korean rice wine)” are relatively cheaper than those outside the country. So try to fit one of these bottles into your carrier no matter what! Recently, soju companies have launched sojus in fruit flavors, such as grapefruit, peach, and plum, and more! These fruit sojus are more popular these days because they are less bitter.

Makgeolli is a Korean traditional rice wine that is less strong than Soju. This drink goes well with many Korean traditional foods, such as Jeon (Korean traditional pancake or pizza) and Tofu Kimchi. If you want to make your own Makgeolli or learn about Korean food & drink culture, check out the below activities below!

Best Makgeolli Tour in Seoul:

• Make Your Own Traditional Rice Wine (Makgeolli)
• Korean Rice Wine (Makgeolli) Tasting Tour in Insadong
• Traditional Korean Rice Wine (Makgeolli) & Cooking Class
• Dine & Discover Korean Traditional Alcohol in Hongdae

4. Gim (Dried Seaweed)

“Gim”, or a paper-like dried seaweed with a bit of salt sprinkled and spread with sesame oil, is full of calcium, vitamins, and carotenes. Inexpensive and with relatively little weight, many foreign visitors love to take the delicious dried seaweed home!

5. Korean Beauty Products

Korea’s BB Creams, cushions, facial packs, and sheet masks are some of the most beloved beauty products that gaining worldwide popularity. You can find them at drugstores like Olive Young, Lalavla, and beauty brand stores such as Innisfree, Etude House, Missha, all of which are clustered in Myeongdong district.

Read more about K-beauty:

• Must-Have Korean Cosmetics in K-dramas
• Must-Buy Affordable Korean Beauty Products
• K-Beauty Services in Seoul: Skin Care, Makeup, Hair, Nail

6. K-Pop & K-Drama Goods

If you are a huge fan of K-Pop or K-Drama, there are stores around Seoul where you can find every kind of K-Pop related goods such as posters, paintings, autographed stills, T-shirts and many more. While there are ordinary stores, there are also souvenir shops run by major entertainment agencies. To find out more, check out Where to get K-pop Goods in Seoul.

Fun Things to Do for K-Pop Fans:

• BTS Tour with the Best Fan ARMY in Seoul
• K-Pop Dance Lesson: How to Dance Like K-Pop Stars
• Seoul K-Pop Tour: See K-Pop Stars on Their Way to Music Bank
• SBS MTV The Show
  
• K-pop Entertainment Companies & Idol Restaurant Private Tour

Fun Things to do for K-Drama Fans:

• Seoul K-drama Shooting Spots: 1 Day Small Group City Tour
• Incheon K-drama/movie Shooting Spots 1 Day Tour – from Seoul

7. Stationery Items

Drop by stationery or design shops where you can find from simple to unique and hip design products. They are usually located inside large bookstores such as Hot Tracks at Kyobo Bookstore, Youngpoong Bookstore, 10X10 Ten by Ten, and Art Box. See more Best Stationery & Design Shops in Seoul.

8. Korean Red Ginseng (Hongsam)

As one of the 10 food items to enhance the immune system, Korean red ginseng or “hongsam” in Korean, is very popular among foreign visitors. They are expensive but worth buying it as a gift for significant ones back home.

The most famous Korean red ginseng brand is called “Cheongkwanjang” and it also runs a spa named Cheongkwanjang Spa 1988, where you can experience a premium red ginseng therapy and massage. You can also try Red Ginseng Tea Making Experience in Seoul and learn more about Korean red ginseng.

9. Traditional Handicrafts

You certainly should buy at least one of the many traditional handicrafts Korea has to offer. From plates, spoon and chopstick sets, ceramics, teacups to folk facial masks, you can find plenty of traditional items around Insadong and Bukchon Hanok Village areas.

In these traditional neighborhoods, there are several workshops where you can experience making traditional handicrafts. Check out the best DIY activities below!

Make your own Korean traditional souvenirs:

• Make Your Own Stamp in Insadong
• Design & Make Your Own Chopsticks/Spoon in Buamdong
• DIY Mother-of-Pearl Experience in Bukchon Hanok Village
• Make Traditional Korean Accessories with Korean Traditional Paper, ‘Hanji’
• Make a One of a Kind Souvenir with Korena Traditional Paper, ‘Hanji’

10. Customized Souvenirs

If you want something more special to take unforgettable memories from Korea, design your own customized souvenirs! These are super popular in Korea these days, especially among young people. For example, you can order a personalized name tag that will make your items like bag/key much more noticeable!

Also, reversible sequin cushion is also trending nowadays, in which you can surprise others with a hidden photo/phrase printed on the cushion.

Join the trendiest DIY classes in Seoul:

• Make Your Own Custom Ring/Bracelet/Necklace in Hongdae
• Make Your Own Perfume in Seoul
• Find Your Personal Scent and Make Your Own Perfume in Bogwang-dong
• Make Your Own Leather Goods near Hongdae
  
• DIY Leathercrafts Class near City Hall Station
• Make Your Own Slime in Hongdae
• Make Your Own Phone Case/Pencil Case/Jewelry Case in Hongdae

11. Socks & Stockings

Korean socks and stockings are well known for their high-quality and low price. If you want a cute and unique pair of socks, buy a few pairs of character socks! Wearing these socks with famous cartoon and movie characters and celebrities on them, you can become a humorous person in your group!

12. Korean Snacks

Once you try Korean snacks, you will definitely want to share them with your friends and family back home. Must-buy Korean snacks are Honey Butter Chip, Ggobuk Chip, Choco Heim, Mongshell, and many more! You can also easily order them through Trazy Snack Shopping.

• Read on to find out Top 11 Korean Snacks & Instant Coffee You Must Taste!

13. Kakao Friends & LINE Friends’ Daily Goods

Kakao Friends & LINE Friends are the most beloved characters in Korea right now. Visiting Kakao Friends & LINE Friends stores is a must-do if you are in Seoul! Kakao Friends stores are in Gangnam, Myeongdong, COEX Mall, and more. LINE Friends stores are in Sinchon, Sinsadong, and more. You can find numerous cute daily goods that will make you open your wallet.

At Line Friends Store, you can also get all kinds of BT21  items, which are the characters designed by BTS members! If you have any BT21 or Line Friends items that you want from Korea, click here and request a custom order.

• Read on to find out Korea’s Must-Visit Shops│Brands You Shouldn’t Leave Out.

14. Hanbok (Korean Traditional Dress)

Buying a Korean traditional dress, ‘hanbok’, is totally worth the money. Stop by Jongno Shopping Center. Here, not only you can find hanbok shops, but you can also buy traditional ornaments and accessories as well.

Since Hanbok can be relatively expensive, try to drop by several shops and compare the price before you buy it. If you have bought one, show off your pretty Hanbok to your friends! They will absolutely be jealous.

Hanbok Rental Services in Seoul:

• Daily Hanok Rental in Seoul
• Modern Hanbok Rental & Photoshoot at Korean Traditional House or Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Traditional Korean Hanbok Experience at Goguan Studio

15. Starbucks Goods

Starbucks isn’t a Korean brand but there are plenty of Starbucks goods that you can only purchase in Korea. Especially in summer and winter, Starbucks Korea releases limited-edition goods, such as camping chairs & small luggage in summer or year planner diaries in winter. Also, you can get a tumbler with Korean traditional designs or the names of the main cities in Korea on it.

16. Korean Clothing & Fashion Items

If you are into K-fashion, or Korean fashion and clothing, visit Dongdaemun Market or Namdaemun Market. If you are looking for more hip and high-end designer brands, Garosu-gil and Apgujeong would be the perfect place for you. For shoppers who want more unique and one-of-a-kind design fashion brands, Style Nanda in Hongdae district can be a great place to shop.

• Check out K-Fashion Tips: Must-Buy Fashion Brands in Korea.
• Read on the Affordable K-Fashion Brands Loved by K-pop Idols.

17. Osulloc Tea & Snacks

Osulloc is a premium Korean tea brand based in Jeju Island. Osulloc tea gift sets are always wonderful souvenirs that you will never regret. You can also buy it as a gift to your loved ones. Buying Osulloc tea with tea food, such as green tea milk spread or langue de chat (green tea flavor cookie set) is highly recommended!

Find this blog helpful? Then make sure you check out Korea’s #1 Travel Shop, Trazy.com, where you can find the latest, trendiest and newest things to do in South Korea as well.