Things to Buy in Korea: A Guide to the Best Souvenirs and Gifts

Are you planning a trip to South Korea and wondering what to buy as souvenirs or gifts for your friends and family back home? Or are you already in Korea and feeling overwhelmed by the countless shopping options and products available? Don't worry, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll share with you some of the best things to buy in South Korea that are unique, popular, and affordable. Whether you're looking for food, beauty, fashion, culture, or anything in between, you'll find something that suits your taste and budget.

Things to Buy in Korea: A Guide to the Best Souvenirs and Gifts

• Food
• Fashion & Beauty
• Culture
• Household

The food items that you can buy in Korea as souvenirs or gifts

Korea is famous for its delicious and diverse cuisine, so why not bring some of the flavors home with you? Here are some of the food items that you can buy in Korea as souvenirs or gifts:

►Ramyeon (Instant Noodles): Ramyeon is one of the most popular and convenient snacks in Korea. You can find a wide variety of flavors and brands, from spicy to cheesy, from Shin Ramyun to Samyang. You can buy ramyeon at any convenience store, supermarket, or online shop. They are easy to cook and enjoy anytime, anywhere.

►Gim (Dried Seaweed): Gim is another staple snack in Korea that is healthy and tasty. It is made from dried seaweed that is roasted and seasoned with salt, oil, sesame seeds, or other ingredients. You can eat gim as it is or wrap it around rice or other fillings. You can buy gim at any grocery store or online shop. They come in different sizes and packages, from small sheets to large rolls.

Recommended places to buy: Emart, Lotte Mart

►Hot Pepper Paste (Gochujang): Hot pepper paste is a condiment that is essential for many Korean dishes, such as bibimbap tteokbokki or bulgogi. It is made from fermented red chili peppers rice soybeans and salt It has a spicy and savory flavor that adds depth and richness to any dish. You can buy hot pepper paste at any grocery store or online shop They come in different levels of spiciness and sizes of jars.
Recommended places to buy: Emart, Lotte Mart

►Korean Red Ginseng (Hongsam): Korean red ginseng is a traditional Korean medicine that is believed to have various health benefits, such as boosting immunity energy and blood circulation. It is made from steaming and drying fresh ginseng roots. You can buy Korean red ginseng in various forms such as roots slices extracts capsules tea candy or honey. You can find them at any pharmacy department store or online shop.

Recommended places to buy: Cheong Kwan Jang (Korean Red Ginseng Corporation) 

Fashion & Beauty items that you can buy in Korea as souvenirs or gifts

►Korean Face Masks: Korean 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!). 

Recommended brands: Innisfree, Skinfood, The Face Shop, Etude House, Olive Young, Lalavla, Aritaum

►K-Pop & K-Drama Goods: If you're a fan of K-Pop or K-Drama (or both), you'll be delighted by the variety of goods that you can buy in Korea related to your favorite idols or actors. You can find albums,
posters, stickers, photocards, lightsticks, keychains, dolls, cushions, clothes, accessories, and more at any music store, bookstore, or online shop. You can also visit themed cafes, museums, or exhibitions that feature your favorite stars.

Recommended places to buy: Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center, SM Town Coex Artium, YG Republique, K-Star Road, MBC World, Klive Hologram Concert Hall, K-Pop goods

►Korean Clothes + Shoes: There are so many budget Korean clothing shops in this country it’s insane! You can find fashionable and quality clothes and shoes at reasonable prices in Korea. Some of the popular shopping areas include Myeongdong, Hongdae, Ewha Womans University, Dongdaemun, and Gangnam. Some of the popular items include oversized sweaters, denim jackets, pleated skirts, trench coats, boots, and sneakers.

Recommended places to buy: Myeongdong Shopping Street, Hongdae Shopping Street, Ewha Womans University Shopping Street, Dongdaemun Shopping Complex, Gangnam Underground Shopping Center

Culture items that you can buy in Korea as souvenirs or gifts

Korea has a rich and diverse culture that spans thousands of years of history and tradition. If you're interested in learning more about Korean culture or sharing it with others, you can buy some of the cultural items that represent Korea's heritage and identity. Here are some of the cultural items that you can buy in Korea as souvenirs or gifts:

Hanbok (Traditional Costume): Hanbok is the traditional costume of Korea that consists of a long skirt (chima) and a short jacket (jeogori) for women and loose pants (baji) and a long coat (durumagi) for men. Hanbok is worn on special occasions such as weddings, festivals, or holidays.

Recommended places to buy: Gwangjang Market, Namdaemun Market, Insadong

Arts and crafts: Korean traditional handmade ornaments are a type of craft that are made by hand using various materials and techniques. They are a beautiful and meaningful gift that represent Korean culture and history. You can find many types of traditional accessories that are suitable for different occasions and preferences, such as Norigae (Pendant), bokjumeoni luck pouches, Jangseung (Totem Pole)

Recommended places to buy: Ssamzie-gil Road & National Souvenir Center, Korean Folk Village Museum Shop

Household

Electric Rice Cooker: Electric rice cooker is a device that cooks rice perfectly every time with just a push of a button. It is an essential appliance for most Korean households as rice is a staple food in Korea. You can buy electric rice cookers at any electronics store or online shop. They come in different sizes, models, and features such as pressure cooking, multi-cooking, voice control, etc.

Recommended Brands: Cuckoo, Lihom, Samsung, LG

Cute Stationery + Office Supplies: Cute stationery and office supplies are another thing that Korea excels at producing. You can find all kinds of stationery and office supplies that feature adorable characters, designs, or colors such as pens, pencils, notebooks, stickers, folders, clips, etc. You can buy cute stationery and office supplies at any stationery store or online shop. They are fun and functional gifts that anyone would love.

Recommended places of purchase: Artbox, Morning Glory, Line Friends Store, Kakao Friends Store