What to Buy in South Korea: Unique Gifts, Local Treasures & K-Pop Goodies

Tina Vestal from Vibrant Travel
2 days ago
4 min read

Location: South Korea

Great for: Singles, Couples, Families, Groups, and Honeymoons

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South Korea offers a wide range of unique and popular souvenirs that you can bring back from your trip. The prices can vary depending on the item's quality, size, and where you purchase it. Here are some of the most popular souvenirs, their approximate costs, and the best places to buy them.

Women by water and pavillion wearing hanbok — Women in Hanbok

Hanbok (Traditional Korean Clothing): Hanboks are beautifully designed traditional Korean clothing. The cost can vary greatly depending on the quality, but a basic set for adults may start at around $50, while more elaborate ones can go into hundreds of dollars. You can find them in popular tourist areas like Insadong and markets.

Asian woman touching her face representing k-beauty — K-Beauty

Korean Cosmetics and Skincare: South Korea is famous for its cosmetics and skincare products. You can find popular brands like Etude House, Innisfree, Medi Heal, and Tony Moly. Sheet masks can cost around $1 to $2 each, while other skincare products can vary widely in price. Shops in Myeongdong in Seoul are great for cosmetic shopping. Olive Young has a flagship store in Myeongdon. Although touristy, stop and to price Kbeauty. Many skincare products can also be purchase at pharmacies for an even better price.

Korean Snacks and Food: Popular food souvenirs include snacks like ginseng candy, dried seaweed, and various types of kimchi. Prices vary, but you can find reasonably priced options in traditional markets, such as Namdaemun Market in Seoul. Supermarkets and convenience stores are also a great place to find snacks at good prices.

Tea setting with tea being poured into bowl — Tea

Korean Tea: Traditional Korean teas such as green tea and ginseng tea make excellent souvenirs. The "best" Korean tea varies based on personal preference, but popular selections include nokcha (green tea) for its health benefits and refreshing taste, as well as everyday staple infusions like bori-cha (barley tea) and oksusu-cha (corn tea), which are often enjoyed as a water alternative. Other notable choices are the invigorating ginseng tea (insam-cha), the sweet and sour yuja-cha (citron tea), and the distinctive omija-cha (five-flavor tea). Prices can range from $10 to $30 for a box of high-quality tea. Places like Insadong are known for their tea shops.

K-Pop and K-Drama Merchandise: If you're a fan of K-Pop or K-Dramas, you can find merchandise like posters, albums, and clothing. Prices can vary, with posters and smaller items being relatively affordable. Myeongdong and Dongdaemun in Seoul are popular spots for K-Pop merchandise.

Traditional Korean Art and Crafts: Traditional Korean crafts like Norigae (hanging decorations), calligraphy, and fans can be bought as souvenirs. Prices vary based on the intricacy and quality of the item. Insa-dong is a prime location for these items.

Signage written in hangul — Signage in Hangul

Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) Products: Hangeul-themed products like jewelry, stationery, signage, and clothing are popular among tourists. Prices can range from a few dollars to more, depending on the item and where you buy it.

Korean Chopsticks and Tableware: Korean chopsticks, bowls, and other tableware can make for unique souvenirs. Prices vary depending on the material and craftsmanship. Look for them in traditional markets and areas with artisan shops.

Various hanging laterns fpr sa;e — Korean Lanterns

Hanji (Traditional Korean Paper) Products: Hanji is used to make various products like lanterns, fans, and decorative items. Prices vary based on the item's complexity. You can find these in Insadong and traditional craft shops.

When buying souvenirs in South Korea, it's a good idea to compare prices in different shops and markets, as well as to check the quality of the products. Bargaining is not common in most stores, but it's acceptable in some markets. Also, keep in mind that prices can fluctuate, so the figures mentioned here are approximate and may change over time.

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