7 Great Souvenirs to Buy in South Korea
The UoH Team has made a list of great souvenirs to bring back after a trip to Korea. Do you have any recommendations? It would be wonderful if you could share them in the comments!
1. Seasoned Gim
Gim(김) is a type of seaweed that belongs to the same family as kelp and sea lettuce. It is prepared by spreading the seaweed thinly and widely in paper-like sheets and then drying it. Seasoned gim is made by brushing the seaweed with oil, roasting it, and adding salt, making it a convenient snack or side dish when you don’t have other accompaniments. As it is compact and stores well, it’s definitely good to purchase! Wrapped around warm rice, it makes for a perfect meal.
2. Korean Sheet Masks
Koreans have a special love for sheet masks. Because of this, you can find a wide variety of brands, scents, and benefits at very affordable prices. Just by visiting Olive Young, you’ll see numerous products available, so it’s a good idea to stock up.
3. Traditional Korean Teas
It is also recommended to purchase traditional Korean teas. Some well-known traditional tea brands in Korea include Osulloc, Tea Museum, Dam Tuh, and Sannolu.
4. Korean Books or Magazines
We also recommend you to purchase books or magazines in Korean. Since buying Korean books abroad is not very common, having them with you can be a delightful reminder of Korea whenever you miss it.
5. Merch from DDP or the National Museum of Korea
Places like the National Museum of Korea and DDP are known for creating beautiful and meaningful merchandise that evokes the essence of Korea. Not only tourists but also Koreans frequently purchase these items. Each country and culture has its own unique designs, so buying practical items like tumblers or other useful goods would be a great choice.
6. Merchandise From Your Favorite Cafes
Korea is a paradise for cafes, especially Seoul. While many large cities have a strong coffee culture, Seoul’s love for coffee is truly exceptional. If cafes offer merchandise such as mugs, clothing, key rings, or hats, it’s worth picking some up. They can make for a special gift that combines your personal taste with your travel experience.
7. Hanbok
Hanbok is a traditional Korean garment that has been passed down from ancient times. The basic components of hanbok, such as the skirt (chima), the jacket (jeogori), and pants, have remained unchanged for many years. While it’s not very common to purchase a country’s traditional clothing as a souvenir, it can be a wonderful gift if you have an interest in clothing or if you know someone who misses Korea. Modernized hanbok designs are simpler and more affordable these days, so it’s worth considering.
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UoH offers a personal assistant program with two types of services. For traveling in Korea, we assist with any type of reservations, rentals, and personal assistance. For shopping, we purchase anything you need and ship it to your home. Feel free to email us at uofhorang@gmail.com for a quote and to find out how to proceed!
