You’re almost at the end of your trip, but you don’t have any Korean souvenir ideas for your family and friends yet ? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with some of the best recommendations to buy before you leave !
Tea 🍵
Korea has a long history with tea, and thanks to brands like O’Sulloc, it’s still produced locally today. Even though it’s not as commonly consumed as it once was, tea remains an important part of Korean culture. Therefore it can be a great Korean souvenir idea for anyone who enjoys a good cup. You can find tea in most supermarkets, but for a special gift, I recommend stopping by the O’Sulloc store in Insadong. They offer a wide variety of flavors, and their beautifully decorated boxes make the perfect present. While you’re there, take a moment to enjoy a warm cup of tea in their cozy upstairs tea room!
Tea bags and loose leaves aren’t the only types of tea you’ll find in Korea. Another popular option is yuja-cheong (유자청), a citron marmalade that’s mixed with warm water and enjoyed like tea. It has a sweet, soothing taste—perfect for cold, harsh weather! Definitely give it a try. You can find it in most supermarkets or in specialty shops.
Soju 🥂
Soju is a big part of Korean culture and a staple at gatherings with friends. If you’d like to recreate that fun atmosphere back home, bringing back a bottle of soju is a great idea! You can easily find the most popular brands in convenience stores like CU. And for an extra touch, check out souvenir shops for small soju glasses with cute designs to complete the set !
Ginseng 🫚
Ginseng is one of Korea’s most famous traditional health products, known for its energizing and immune-boosting properties. It’s a meaningful Korean souvenir idea, especially if you have friends or family who are into wellness or natural remedies. You can find ginseng in many forms—tea, capsules, and extracts in supermarkets, health shops, or dedicated ginseng stores.
Sweet & Savoury Snacks 🍫
Late-night snack runs to convenience stores were a staple of my life in Korea when I was studying there. So naturally, I couldn’t go home without stocking up on my favorite Korean snacks! Since many of them are hard to find outside of Korea, they make fun and tasty souvenirs—whether for yourself or as gifts for friends. Don’t forget to grab a mix of sweet and savory treats to share a little taste of Korea !
My favorite are : Choco mushrooms, Chocopies, pepero, ramyeon, yakgwa, seaweed and spicy chips !
Chopsticks 🥢
To accompany some of the snacks you’ve brought back like ramyeon you can also bring back chopsticks ! Chopsticks might seem like a simple souvenir, but they can actually make a really thoughtful and unique gift. In Korea, chopsticks are often made of metal (unlike wooden ones in other countries), and can come in beautifully designed sets with matching spoons.
You can find elegant sets in souvenir shops, traditional markets, or even in big supermarkets. Some come in nice boxes, making them perfect for gifting. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and a fun way to bring a bit of Korean culture back home !
Socks 🧦
Socks? I was honestly surprised by how many sock stalls I came across in subway underground markets! But I soon learned that South Korea is one of the world’s leading exporters of knit socks—which makes a pretty good case for bringing a few pairs home. You’ll find every style imaginable: fun patterns, bold colors, cute animated characters—you name it. They’re easy to find in subway markets, but if you’re looking for even more variety, Myeongdong is a great place to start. Just make sure to bring some cash, as many sellers don’t accept cards.
Plushies 🧸
Another one of my favorite Korean souvenir ideas is plushies! In Korea, animated characters pop up everywhere—promoting products or simply making things cuter. Two of the most iconic brands are Kakao Friends and LINE. These companies, known for their apps like messaging, maps, and search engines, also opened hugely popular character stores across Seoul. Some shops even span multiple stories and overflow with plushies, each with its own name and personality ! Plushies make adorable souvenirs—not just for kids, but also for any adults who love collecting cute things.
Skincare 🧴
It’s almost impossible to talk about Korea today without mentioning skincare. The country leads the way in skincare innovation, offering products that have become must-haves for people around the world. Korean brands constantly develop cutting-edge formulas and use unique ingredients (like snail mucin!) to tackle all kinds of skin concerns. That’s what makes skincare such a great Korean souvenir idea. If you’re unsure what to choose, go for sheet masks—they’re a classic, super easy to pack, and they usually work well for everyone !
One brand I highly recommend is Olive Young—you’ll find everything you need there, and in Seoul, the staff is usually very helpful with foreign visitors!
Kpop Albums 🎵
It’s hard to talk about Korean culture without bringing up K-pop. As one of the main forces behind the Hallyu (Korean Wave), K-pop has helped spread Korean music all over the world. These days, idols go on world tours and have fans in just about every country. When just a decade ago, the trend was mostly limited to Asia.
That’s why a K-pop album makes such a fun and thoughtful souvenir. If you know someone who’s a fan, they’ll be seriously excited to get one ! Albums are usually cheaper in Korea and pretty easy to find. For good prices, you can check out the Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center. But a more convenient one is Kyobo bookstores since most locations have a few shelves full of K-pop albums.
Korean Learning & Cooking Books 📖
Yes, you can totally buy books in Korea even if you don’t speak Korean ! Many large bookstores have an English section with a pretty good selection. If you’re looking for a gift, I’d recommend either a Korean language book or a Korean cookbook.
It can be hard to find good Korean learning books in some countries, so if you—or someone you know—wants to learn the language, this is the perfect opportunity to grab a well-structured textbook. You’ll find options for every level !
Cookbooks are another fun idea. If you loved Korean food and want to share it with friends or family, bringing home a cookbook means you can recreate some of your favorite dishes. It also makes a great gift for any home chefs you know! Some cookbooks even have Korean and English side by side, so it’s a cool way to learn the language and cook at the same time.
Traditionnal artefacts 🖌️
If you’re looking for something more traditional, Insadong is a great place to explore. You’ll find everything from handmade ceramics and calligraphy brushes to hand-painted fans and traditional masks. Many of the items are made by local artisans, so each piece feels unique and authentic. You can even customize some of them—for example, I was able to get the paintbrushes I bought engraved with my name, right there by the seller!
These kinds of souvenirs are perfect if you want to bring home something with a more cultural or artistic vibe.
Now that you have you have covered all my Korean souvenir ideas, check out these other articles about South Korea !
