Discover the essence of South Korea with our guide to the top 10 must-buy souvenirs. From traditional crafts to modern delights, find the perfect memento to cherish from your Korean adventure.
Traveling to a new country means bringing back some fun and memorable souvenirs for your loved ones. And when it comes to Korea, there are a lot of different and cool Korean souvenirs that you can buy. Here’s a list of our recommendations for Korean souvenirs that you can take back home!
Edible Items as Korean Souvenirs
Korean Instant Noodles/Ramen
While Korean instant ramen noodles are now available everywhere, there is something to be said about getting it directly from the country. And, you might even find a flavor not usually available anywhere else! If you are buying instant noodles as a souvenir from Korea, make sure you choose the flavors that are not available online. That will make it more special.
If you are not familiar with flavors, you can check out our recommendations for Korean ramen noodles.
Packaged Korean Food
Korean ramen is not the only food item you can take back home as a souvenir. The pre-packaged food industry in Korea is massive. There are plentiful options when it comes to ready-to-eat meals. Choose canned foods, soups, tteokbokki, and more!
The best part about taking back Korean food is the ease of buying. You can find them at any convenience store in Korea, be it small mom-and-pop style store or a large multi-location CU outlet. And, they are very light on your pocket!
Korean Snacks
Well, no one does snacking like Korea. Korean snacks are delicious, convenient, and simple. And, like packaged food, you can find amazing deals on them at stores, especially on multi-packs.
Korean snacks come in both varieties – sweet and salty. So, whether your friends have a sweet tooth or if they like something spicy, you will find many options. The Honey Butter Chips are especially addicting. Once you start eating them, it’s difficult to stop. In the sweets section, Choco Pie is quite famous with its chocolate coated marshmallow cake goodness.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a Korean specialty that you can buy from any traditional markets in the country. They are the perfect gifts for older generation, be it your parents or other relatives. The best place to buy high-quality and authentic ginseng is Jegi-dong. You will find all the types of ginseng here – raw, dried, and even extract.
If you are wondering how it can be consumed, there are many ways. You can have it raw, turn it into a drink and add honey and milk, or you can grill it to make different dishes. If you are confused about which ginseng to choose, or how can you trust an unbranded ginseng, try looking for Jung Kwan Jung (홍삼정). This brand sells ginseng in sealed packets.
Skincare and Beauty Products
Of course, you cannot go back from Korea without buying K-beauty products. Here Korean beauty and skincare products are affordable and you can find the best quality products. Try some local brand that isn’t available globally to take back something unique. You can buy beauty and skincare products from the local drugstore, Olive Young.
Try opting for Korean face masks are not only they do not take much space in your luggage, but they are also affordable and effective. You can also try Daiso and Artbox for purchasing K-beauty related souvenirs.
Check out Best Korean Face Masks.
Korean beauty items are not only functional, but they also come in very cute packaging.
Korean Beverages
Soju
It is the most popular and iconic alcoholic drink in South Korea. And, it comes in many different flavors! It is one of the must buy gift items from Korea.
You may think that it comes in glass bottles and will be difficult to carry. But, no need to worry, now soju manufacturers use light plastic to make the bottles. Soju in plastic bottle will be convenient and makes up for a perfect Korean souvenirs.
Coffee
For coffee fans in your circle, you can opt for local coffee brands from convenience stores. KANU is one such local brand making premium instant coffee. Popular for its rich aroma and taste, the brand sells more than 10 billion coffee sticks each year.
Tea
Korea is well known for its love of all types of tea. They have their own Tea Festival and a whole dedicated Tea Ceremony, so, of course, they make really good teas.
Korean citron tea (yuja tea) is a popular tea among locals. It has honey and citrons and is super delicious. It’s a weigh-y gift, so think about someone special if you are taking it as one of the souvenirs. It will weigh down your luggage! If you really want to buy, try tea bags as they will be a much lighter option.
K-Entertainment Related
For hard-core K-pop, K-drama, and K-movie fans in your family, there’s nothing better than getting them K-goodies straight from Korea. There are so many options and they are much cheaper than what they would get otherwise. Myeongdong is the best place from where you can get your hands on some exclusives that will be much appreciated by your friends. You can get collectible pins, vinyls, CDs, posters, and more. You can also visit LINE Friends store or BT21 store for some cute Korean souvenirs.
Postcards, Bookmarks, Handmade Cards (Conventional Souvenirs)
Korean postcards, bookmarks, and handmade cards are one conventional souvenir item that you can take back. It’s small, convenient to carry, and doesn’t take up much space. It’s also pretty cheap compared to other options. You can get these from almost anywhere in Seoul.
Wrapping up
While there are many more options, we have curated a collection of some unique Korean souvenirs. We hope you find some amazing gifts for your loved ones to take back home from Korea!
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