What to Buy in Korea: 20 Awesome Gifts!
11. State of the Art Electronics – Korea’s got the newest and latest technologies for smart phones and TVs. And if your friend can’t wait for that brand new 3D TV to come out in their country, buying some technology might be the best gift you can get from Korea! Tip: Korea has a tax on luxury items (this includes high-end electronics like TVs), so it may be more expensive depending on the country you are from. Go to Yongsan Electronics Market to buy the latest in technology.
12. Tteokbokki Snacks – Tteokbokki is a favorite Korean street food for all and it’s not impossible to take home! Among the many delicious Korean snacks is a tteokbokki flavored snack. It’s uber delicious and it’s got that same tteokbokki spice too. Find this at supermarkets across Korea.
13. Gim (김) – Gim is roasted and salted laver (a type of seaweed) which is used to wrap rice and make delicious gimbap. But even if you’re not eating it with rice, it’s still good to eat just as a snack to fuel your YouTube addiction as they come in individual packages. If you’re looking to save money, don’t buy this in Myeongdong or Namedaemun (tourist traps!). You can buy it cheaper at supermarkets.
14. Makgeolli (막걸리) – Not too many who drink soju the first time say “yo, that was the most awesome thing I ever drank!” Instead of that,we suggest getting your pals a bottle of makgeolli. The fizzy white alcoholic beverage has a unique taste that is distinctly Korean. And it’s quite a pleasant beverage to drink! Find these at supermarkets or convenience stores around Korea.
15. Anything from Sangsangmadang – Sangsangmadang is a building in the middle of Hongdae, and it features the Design Square, which sells really cool and fun things by Korean designers. It’s got very cool designs for wall clocks, lighting fixtures, posters, tea bag holders and other random things. Check out this blog or this blog to see some pics and see the google maps here.
16. Anything from Daiso – Daiso is a discount superstore chain found all over Korea. Here, everything can be bought for less than 5,000 won. And it’s not crappy stuff either; it’s good quality goods for uber cheap prices, all with Korean designs. Nice! There are chains literally everywhere in Korea. But here are two bigger ones in Myeongdong and Hongdae just in case 😉
17. Korean Fashion – This is another obvious one, but we just want to let you know that you can pretty much buy the same items in cheaper as most places get their merchandise from Dongdaemun. Read this tip to make sure you know you’re not getting ripped off buying Korean fashion gifts for your friends and family back home.
Photo source: Maangchi.com
18. Korean Cookware – There are some very Korean pots used for cooking that are great gift ideas. Eat ramyun in super cheap brass bowls like you see in your favorite Korean drama (also sold at Daiso). Also, why not buy a stone pot for making your own dolsot bibimbap (stone pot bibimbap). Can be bought at Namdaemun Market among other places.
19. Utensils – Chopsticks and spoons are great practical gifts to get your friends back home. Korea tends to use metal utensils more than wooden utensils, but you can find both with traditional designs near Insadong.
20. Korean Coca-cola Bottles – If it’s your last day in Korea and you’re still wondering what to buy in Korea because you don’t know what to buy, get Korean Coca-cola bottles. Sure you can get the plastic stuff at supermarkets, but order one at restaurants to get a classy bottle (ask them if you can take it home).
Have gift suggestions of your own? Share with us in the comments section!
16 Comments
Is there any way I can buy a Korean pillow online? My husband has struggled for years to find a pillow that is comfortable for him. At this point, I am willing to buy a pillow from anywhere in the world that will make him happy.
Yes, you can buy pillow in Gmarket. You can download this app from playstore. But it will cost a lot because from Korea there are fees to go to other countries
Korean stores here in the United States sometimes carry Korean bedding including the pillows.
sure! just google “buckwheat pillow” I just found one on Amazon 🙂
When my Oppa came to the USA he brought his Korean Pillow with him but his had little plastic straws in it. I would always tease him and ask him how he could sleep on something like that. Then I tired it and it was pretty nice. However his did make sound if he moved when he was sleeping. lol
The stamps look cool!
the phone stuf are great !!!!really pretty & cute
you guys have a lotssss of cutyyyyyy stuff
my brother is marrying a south Korean, and wer are all packing up to go do a traditional wedding in south korea ,
was wondering what i can find for cheap there , like is jewelry , hair treatments, nail pampering , spas …are they cheap ?
what are things i can buy there that wud be a huge bargain compared to other countries other than the things mentioned above?
it depends on what area you will be staying in.
Smoky topaz gems used to be cheap in Korea, but I don’t know if that is still the case.
Any tips on where in Seoul to buy Korean scarfs for a gift.
I’m rather disappointed in your list which strikes me as being rather lightweight in scope. There are so many really beautiful traditional Korean crafts you could have mentioned such as Celadon, lacquerware, silk, brass, Korean furniture, paintings, etc. By not highlighting these major beautiful works that speak so much for Korean culture, you are not giving readers who are unfamiliar with Korea, an idea of some unique gifts and presents that they and their friends might enjoy. I hope you will correct this oversight if you make other suggestions in the future.
I think his list is more for millenials who aren’t as likely to go for those things.
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I want to purchase a desk top replica of the Kyongju Emile Ball
Amazing list. I actually liked the gifts list you have shared!