Our Korea Pasalubong List: 25 Must-Buy Souvenirs to Bring Home
From yummy snacks to fashionable pieces, here’s our list of the best South Korea pasalubong (souvenirs).
We decided not to buy the usual keychains and ref magnets on our Korea winter trip and Korea spring trip. Instead, we hunted down these unique and cheap souvenirs from South Korea, some of which cost only ₩1,000 or less than ₱50 (US$1).
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Tip: Be sure to secure your T-Money Card before flying to South Korea. You can use it to pay for your transport and shopping in Korea. Read our T-Money Card guide to learn more. |
Best South Korea souvenirs as food items
1. Korean instant ramen
Our friend specifically requested us to buy this Korean instant ramen or noodles. While you can easily buy this from Korean grocery stores, we believe it is still one of the best food souvenirs from Korea. It’s cheap and handy. Plus, nothing beats the thought of eating something that came straight from South Korea. A popular Korean instant ramen is Ottogi Jin Ramen, which comes in mild and spicy flavour.
Where to buy: Lotte Mart; Shopee
Price: ₩3,000 (~₱122 / US$2) per 4-piece pack
2. Pepero
Do you know that Korea celebrates Pepero Day every November 11? The date 11/11 signifies the Pepero sticks. It is like Valentine’s Day where people exchange Pepero snacks to show love and appreciation. Express your love to family and friends any time of the year by bringing home these choco-dipped Korean snacks.
Where to buy: Lotte Mart; Shopee
Price: ₩1,000 (~₱40 / US$0.70) per box
3. Gim (Korean seaweed)
Gim (Korean seaweed) is a staple ingredient in some Korean food like gimbap, but it can also be eaten as a snack on its own. It’s a great Korea pasalubong for your foodie friends and relatives!
Where to buy: Supermarkets or convenience stores in Korea; Shopee
Price: ₩1,400 (~₱57 / US$1) for 10 sheets
4. Dragon’s beard candy
This Korean candy tastes so much better than it looks. We only learned about it when our Airbnb host introduced it to us. What’s so special about this Korean snack is not the look nor the taste, but the amazingly meticulous way of preparation.
Where to buy: Insadong; Myeongdong
Price: ₩5,000-7,000 (~₱200-285 / US$4-5) per box
5. Korean jellies and candies
Buy these Korean treats for your pamangkins (nephews and nieces) and sweet tooth friends.
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩2,000-5,000 (~₱80-200 / US$1.50-4) per pack
6. Korean pastries
Because we are pastry lovers, we couldn’t help but buy some Korean pastries from this random bakeshop in Insadong. You could pick assorted pieces of 3 for ₩1,500.
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩1,500 (~₱60 / US$1) for 3 pieces
Unique pasalubong from Korea as keepsakes
7. Personalized stone stamps
At first, we didn’t know what these cute stones are. We later found out that they are personalized stone stamps. You can request to have your signature or any symbol carved just like a normal stamp. These Korea pasalubong items may not be cheap, but the craftsmanship makes up for it.
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩20,000-30,000 (~₱800-1,200 / US$15-22) per piece
8. NAMANE Card
Speaking of personalized items, do you know that you can actually have your Korea travel card customized? Yes, if you get a NAMANE Card, you can design it with photos of your trip or even your K-pop or K-drama idols. Quite a cool and functional Korean souvenir, don’t you think?
Where to buy: Klook
Price: ₩7,000 (~₱285 / US$5) per card
9. Lucky charms
If you believe in lucky charms, then buy one as pasalubong from Korea. You can find some random stalls selling these in any street in Korea. But we found a wide selection of Korean lucky charms in Insadong area.
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩5,000-7,000 (~₱200-285 / US$4-5) per piece
10. Paper products
Paper bags, paper fans, and stationeries — take your pick from any of these Korean paper products. These are the best souvenirs from Korea for your friends who love arts and crafts.
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩2,500-3,500 (~₱102-142 / US$2-3) per piece
11. Bookmarks
For your bookworm friends, get these unique bookmarks. Pick a design that best suits your friends’ personality. They’d appreciate the thoughtfulness for sure!
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩2,000 (~₱80 / US$1.5) per piece
12. Journals
Why not keep a travel journal and start documenting your adventures on paper? There are a number of bookstores selling these journals, but we suggest that you buy the ones sold on the streets. See the many cute and colourful designs? We bet you’ll have a hard time picking one.
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩10,000-20,000 (~₱400-800 / US$7-15) per piece
13. Stuffed toys
Aren’t they adorable? These are cute South Korea souvenirs for your pamankins (nephews and nieces) and inaanaks (godchildren).
Where to buy: Insadong; Myeongdong
Price: ₩15,000-25,000 (~₱610-1,000 / US$12-18) per piece
Useful Korean souvenirs for your home
14. Ceramic items
These useful Korean souvenirs are fragile but worth keeping. Make sure you keep these ceramic items in a secure container if you buy them as part of your home collection of South Korea souvenirs.
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: from ₩4,000 (~₱163 / US$3) per piece
15. Wooden utensils
These are the best Korean souvenirs for your parents and grandparents who love to cook! Need we say more?
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩5,000-10,000 (~₱200-420 / US$4-7) per piece
16. Hand fans
Your moms and grannies will love these hand fans as your souvenirs from Korea. Time to change their old hand fans with these elegant ones from South Korea.
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩16,000-24,000 (~₱650-1,000 / US$12-18) per piece
Best pasalubong from Korea as everyday items
17. Character socks
These Korean socks are the best alternatives to the usual keychains and ref magnets. They are cheap, light, and so cute. The best value for money Korea souvenirs if you’d ask us.
Where to buy: Insadong; Myeongdong Underground Shopping Centre
Price: ₩1,000 (~₱40 / US$0.70) per piece
18. Knitted caps
These are trendy and something you can’t easily find at home. If your friends or loved ones are planning a winter holiday soon, this is the best pasalubong from Korea for them.
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩5,000-10,000 (~₱200-420 / US$4-7) per piece
19. Scarves
Another winter apparel to invest for yourself or for your loved ones. They don’t come cheap at home so might as well buy while you’re in Korea.
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩5,000 (~₱200 / US$4) per piece
20. Bucket hats
Want something you can wear everyday? These trendy bucket hats are perfect. Buy these as your Korean souvenirs for your fashionista friends.
Where to buy: Hongdae
Price: ₩5,000-10,000 (~₱200-420 / US$4-7) per piece
21. Bags
We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw that these hand bags cost only ₩10,000. They are of good quality, and come in many designs and colours. You’d surely be spoilt for choice! And while you’re at it, why not use these bags for your extra luggage after shopping for all these pasalubong from Korea?
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩10,000 (~₱420 / US$7) per piece
Best Korea pasalubong for personal care
22. Clothes
We were also delighted to find affordable clothes in Korea. We passed by this random shop in Myeongdong Station selling blouses and pants for only ₩10,000. They’re quite a steal! Time to buy a Korean pasalubong for yourself, maybe?
Where to buy: Myeongdong Station
Price: ₩10,000 (~₱420 / US$7) per piece
23. Hand mirrors
These are the best Korean souvenirs for your vain friends! 😉
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩3,000 (~₱122 / US$2) per piece
24. Earrings
We saw a crowd of ladies in one of the stores, so we got curious and entered to check what’s going on. To our surprise, the ladies were gushing over these cute Korean earrings. Can’t blame them!
Where to buy: Insadong
Price: ₩3,000-5,000 (~₱122-200 / US$2-4) per piece
25. Korean skincare products
Koreans are obsessed with skincare and cosmetics. If you are like them, then try the Korean skincare products, and see the effects yourself. Myeongdong is definitely the best place to sample and buy skincare products such as face masks, body creams, lotions, and a lot more!
Tip: If you’re a shopaholic, might as well stay in one of the Myeongdong hotels that are just a stone’s throw away from all the shopping.
Where to buy: Myeongdong
Face mask prices: ₩1,000-5,000 (~₱42-200 / US$0.70-4) per piece
Body cream prices: ₩15,000-30,000 (~₱610-1,200 / US$12-22) per set
Now you know what South Korea souvenirs to buy on your trip soon. Make sure you have enough baggage allowance for all these pasalubong from Korea. Happy shopping!
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