What to buy in Seoul? — Top 33+ must-buy gifts, souvenirs & best things to buy in Seoul

Or some of the handmade items are also quite impressive, maybe it’s a unique perfume bottle created by you, decorate a phone case or make your own Makgeolli – a Korean rice wine from rice as mentioned above. You have both interesting experiences and finished gifts for everyone from your own hands and heart. Who doesn’t love that gift?

In these traditional neighborhoods there will be a few workshops where you can experience making your own handmade products. In Insadong, there is a famous workshop where you can try your hand at making flower lamps or jewelry boxes from “hanji” – a traditional Korean paper as introduced above.

Super cute socks

If you are having a “headache” of not knowing what souvenirs to choose for your family members and friends, these are the best options for you. On average, a pair of cute socks only costs about 1,000 won. So, get your hands on these “super cute” socks!

In addition to simple colors, you can choose socks printed with famous characters such as: Avengers, Justice League, Pokemon, Disney princesses, Toy Story, Mickey and Minnie as well as other cute animals…

Where to buy: Stands along shopping malls. For example: Myeongdong, Hongdae, Dongdaemun, underground shopping malls and some local markets.

Phone cases

From cute pastel designs and K-pop culture icons to eye-catching jewels, you’ll wish you had more than one phone so you could buy more than one of these amazing phone cases!

If the phone you are using is not an iPhone or a Samsung, it will be difficult to find a case to your liking. However, don’t worry, because some stalls also sell many other cute accessories such as headphones, charging cables, with many unique and pretty designs.

Where to buy: Shops along shopping malls (e.g. Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam), underground shopping malls (e.g. Myeongdong and Gangnam), and some local markets.

Top Seoul souvenirs: K-pop albums, K-Drama movies and its merchandise

If you are a diehard fan of the Korean entertainment industry, including music (Kpop) or television (K-Drama), there are countless stores in Seoul that sell all kinds of K-Pop related products such as posters, paintings, t-shirts and billions of other items about your favorite idols.

In addition to the usual shops, there are also exclusive souvenir shops of the “giant” in the entertainment industry. Must mention to SM Entertainment’s SMTown is a place where fans will be “lost” in the world of souvenirs of artists managed by SM.

Seoul, the birthplace of the Korean pop wave! So, if you’re a K-pop lover, then head to K-pop-related exclusive stores to buy souvenirs such as: Posters, autographed photos, t-shirts, stationery, and more.

K-pop albums are also cheaper in Seoul (about AU$20 to AU$40) than buying them in Malaysia… and you also have more choices.

Seoul what to buy: Limited Edition Starbucks tumblers

If you’re a collector of pretty Starbucks tumblers, get your hands on the limited edition designs while you’re in Seoul. In fact, most of the designs of these mugs are created by Korean designers.

Where to buy: Any Starbucks store in Seoul.

What to get in Seoul: Dojang (Personalized Korean Name Stamp, Name Seal)

Design your own personal stamp while you’re in Korea! These stamps will be great memories for yourself and a special gift for friends back home. You can find countless workshops or shops in Insadong where designers create a traditional “Dojang” or “seal” product in Korea, like the Todok Gongbang (60 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea).

The regular Korean dojang is made of wood, ivory or jade. It’s even possible to have a custom name seal with your own name on it (as long as it fits into the square base).

Where to buy: Insadong area.

Shin Ramyun Black

On your list of things to buy in Seoul, you should definitely buy Samyang Spicy Noodles. You can find a pack of Shin Ramyun Black, which comes with additional beef soup and has a richer flavor than the original.

Where to buy: Supermarkets, grocery stores and convenience stores in Seoul.

Instant soup base packets

Whenever you are in Seoul or anywhere in Korea, there will be a lot of ready-to-eat foods or instant foods for you to choose from such as soup packs or packaged rice because Koreans are very busy with their lives. Shop now at the grocery stores or convenience stores and enjoy a Korean meal at your home to remember your days here.

Mugs or Cups

Get one of the traditional Korean design mugs. This is really not your ordinary item that you use every day. You can easily find Korean-style mugs in souvenir shops at the National Museum of Korea – the most famous museum in  Seoul.

Kimchi

Korea dubbed the land of kimchi, so in addition to the usual main ingredients such as napa cabbage or radish, you’ll find some of the more typical kimchi varieties in Seoul, such as kimchi made with cucumbers, scallions, and even non-spicy ingredients. Be sure to check the tightly wrapped product on the flight. Because you are not allowed to carry kimchi in hand luggage on the plane.

Where to buy: You can find prepackaged products in any supermarket or duty-free store, but there is a much better variety of fresh kimchi at local markets.

Honey cake

Unlike Doraemon’s favorite dorayaki, these honey cakes are quite smooth on the outside, although the honey may look a bit dry in the inside, it will be delightful when you feel it melt in your mouth.

Where to buy: Bakery shops, supermarkets in Seoul.

What to get in Seoul: Market O Real Brownies

Market O Real Brownies is always delicious with great softness and rich flavor with chocolate pieces that melt in your mouth. The cake comes in three flavors: chocolate, green tea and orange.

Where to buy: These cookies are available at most supermarkets and grocery stores in Seoul.

What souvenirs to buy in Seoul: Choco Pies

As one of the most popular snacks for tourists to take home, Lotte Choco Pies come in many delicious flavors such as: green tea, strawberry, cocoa, calamansi…

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Orion Korean Moist & Chewy Cake

Shaped like a cute fish, the cake also has a chocolate red bean filling in the middle and will definitely be an attractive cake for the kids.

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Honey Butter Almond Snack

In addition to honey and wasabi flavors, Korean honey almond snack also come in many unique flavors such as hot and spicy chicken, yogurt, strawberry, biscuit and cream, red bean, laver and caramel. The brand also offers other nuts like macadamia and cashews.

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Honey Butter Chips

In addition to the usual French butters, you can also find flavors like maple syrup, cherry blossom, and caramelized almond.

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

What souvenirs to buy in Seoul: Binggrae flavored milk

In addition to the popular banana flavor, you can also try other flavors like melon, strawberry, and coffee. Because the shelf life is just under a week, you can box the product to take home. Banana milk is also one of the most favorite drinks in Korea.

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

What should I buy in Seoul: Mitte Hot Chocolate Drink with Marshmallow Sloth

Mitte hot chocolate drink has a delicious taste, is easy to use and is also very beautiful, so you can find this cute drink in your upcoming trips to Korea.

Where to buy: Supermarkets, department stores, grocery stores and convenience stores in Seoul.

Honey citron tea

Honey tea is perfect for both hot and cold days as you can enjoy it with ice or sugar when use it as a hot drink. Korean honey tea is available in powder, tablet and extract form. These refreshing honey-based teas also come in a variety of flavors: grapefruit, aloe, ginger, blueberry and jujube.

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Pepero Cookies

These stick cookies come from Lotte are usually quite popular, but if you need to buy some, choose from unique flavors like: Cheese Cheese and those sprinkled with colorful spices.

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Petitzel Sweet Pudding

Pudding Petitzel comes in a variety of flavors such as: Royal custard, chocolate, milk custard, cream and strawberry. The brand also offers a cheese-like pudding in camembert and blueberry flavors. If you like fruit desserts, you can choose to buy Petitzel Fruit Jelly, Yogurt Jelly and Gummy Jelly.

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

What should I buy in Seoul: Butter Waffles

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Things must buy in Seoul: Tteokbokki crackers

Tteokbokki crackers may not be as spicy as the spicy Korean rice cakes you often find on the streets of Myeongdong, but its nutty flavor will make you unforgettable when enjoying this cake.

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Anytime Xylitol Mint Candy

Anytime Xylitol candy is a delicious candy, easy to find in Korean supermarkets. With a creamy, melted milky shell and a cool mint filling, just a bite is enough to feel the immediate spread of freshness.

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Korea Green Tea Milk Spread Jam

Korean green tea jam is the perfect choice for matcha fanatics. This sweet spread is also flavored with almond, green tea and chocolate with a hint of cookie crumbs.

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Things must buy in Seoul: Korean Sauces

Want to try cooking Korean-style food after your trip to Seoul? Start with scrumptious sauces like jinganjang (soy sauce), doenjang (fermented soybean paste),  gochujang (pepper powder) and cham areum (toasted sesame oil).

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Ginseng chicken soup (Samgyetang)

If you don’t want to start from scratch and spend a lot of time on cooking, just buy a few packs of Korean ready-made soups like: samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), beef broth, kimchi soup, and seaweed soup…

Where to buy: Supermarket, grocery store and convenience store in Seoul.

Must buy in Seoul: Korean Instant Noodles Ramyeon

Koreans love instant noodles, also known as “ramyeon”, after rice. Ramen has many varieties, diverse flavors and is very convenient because it does not take up to 5 minutes to cook. Some are also available in plastic cups, but you should buy a “5 in 1” box to save space for your luggage.

Anti-Hangover Alcohol detox & Liver care

Korea is known as the “hard-working” drinking country of the world. That’s why you’ll find a wide range of anti-hangover alcohol detox & liver care products, such as “Gyndyo-bar” and many more alcohol detox products.

Where to buy: These products are sold a lot in convenience stores such as GS, CU, 7-Eleven.

Must buy in Seoul: Kimchi ingredients

In addition to the nickname “country of ginseng”, Korea is also known as “the land of Kim Chi”. More than 3,000 years ago, Koreans created kimchi from the vegetables they grew. From generation to generation, the processing of kimchi has become familiar, an important part of Korean culinary culture and spread to the whole world.

Korean kimchi has a characteristic spicy, aromatic and delicious taste and is very nutritious. If you love the original Korean kimchi taste and intend to make kimchi to eat gradually, to give to relatives or friends, buy kimchi ingredients right during your Seoul trip. The ingredients that you can buy such as flour, shrimp meal, fish meal… Markets or large and small supermarkets in Seoul all sell these ingredients.

Jewelry Box

Jewelry box or boseok-ham is one of the famous traditional Korean items, on the top list of buying gifts when traveling anywhere in Korea. Boseok-ham has an extremely sophisticated and eye-catching design, made from the best quality wood pieces, sturdy and durable over time.

The outside of boseok-ham is decorated with traditional Korean motifs such as forest, mountain, peacock, phoenix, etc. In particular, the entire pattern on the box is inlaid with pearls, and the inside is wrapped in a red velvet fabric, silver locks are crafted with delicate patterns. This will be a meaningful gift to help you win the heart of the women you love the most.

Seoul in the eyes of travel lovers is always beautiful and contains countless mysteries that have not been discovered yet. Get ready to enjoy traveling in this livable city and share it with your friends, family, loved ones,… by bringing them spiritual gifts, memories you’ve made in Seoul. Hopefully the 33+ traditional souvenirs, meaningful gifts, various snacks, high-quality handmade items of Seoul that we suggested above will help you somewhat choose the most appropriate gift.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Seoul you can refer to

• Private Incheon International Airport Transfers (ICN) for Seoul
• Private Incheon Airport Transfers (ICN) for Seoul
• Incheon International Airport (ICN) Limousine Bus Transfers for Seoul (Gangnam District)
• Klook Exclusive Seoul 5 Day Pass
• Discover Seoul Pass (BTS Edition Available)
• [SALE] Instant Ticket! Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5 Days to travel around the cities in Korea
• Private Incheon Airport (ICN) and Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfers for Seoul by S.A Tour
• Everland Private Car Charter with Admission Ticket by Wondertrip
• KAL Limousine Bus Ticket for Seoul
• [Limited Offer] AREX Incheon Airport Express Train One Way Ticket in Seoul
• Bukchon Oneday Hanbok Rental Experience (4/24 Hrs)
• Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, and Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour from Seoul
• Seoul City Sightseeing Bus (Downtown Palace Namsan Course/Seoul Panorama Course)
• [Limited Offer] Incheon International Airport (ICN) Luggage Services (Between Airport and Hotel) by Safex
• 4G Prepaid SIM Card (SK Airports Pick Up) for South Korea
• [Sale] Hanbok Experience (Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store) with Korean Hairstyling
• [SALE] South Korea 4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airports Pick Up) from KT Olleh
• 4G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for South Korea (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Portable WiFi for South Korea from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)

Are you finding more top things to do in Seoul: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here.