Key Takeaways
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The majority of Indians are introduced to South Korea through BTS and K-dramas. People are already familiar with the best-selling K-pop merchandise and new skincare launches. This is one of the reasons South Korea has become so popular among Indian travellers.
Through ads, series, and reels, people know what to buy in South Korea when they visit. Moreover, most of these items are cheaper to buy in South Korea, and some are rarely available outside the country.
So, from skincare and K-pop merchandise to instant noodles, quirky socks, traditional hanbok, and stationery, there’s plenty to buy that will genuinely excite you. In this blog, you will learn the 13 best things to buy in South Korea and where to find each.
A Quick Shopping Reference in South Korea
| Item | Best Place to Buy |
Approximate Budget in INR |
| Korean skincare | Olive Young, Myeongdong | 700 – 1,600 per product |
| Korean makeup | Olive Young, Etude, 3CE stores | 400 – 2,200 per product |
| K-pop merchandise | Myeongdong, Hongdae | 1,000 – 3,000 per item or album |
| Korean snacks | GS25, CU, Lotte Mart | 90 – 250 per pack |
| Hanbok accessories | Insadong, Bukchon | 320 – 1,500 per item |
| Ginseng products | Gyeongdong Market, KGC stores | 1,000 – 5,000 per box |
| Quirky socks | Daiso, Artbox, Dongdaemun | 100 – 200 per pair |
| Hanji paper crafts | Insadong Ssamzigil | 1,500 – 2,000 per item |
| Stationery | Artbox, Daiso, Kyobo | 70 – 700 per item |
Top Things to Buy in South Korea
Whether you are buying skincare for yourself, noodles and snacks to bring back for family, or K-pop merchandise for a fan in your group, this guide tells you exactly what to buy and where to find them.
1. Korean Snacks
South Korea makes a simple snack look attractive, innovative, and tasty. From sweet honey butter chips to spicy tteokbokki-flavoured treats, these snacks offer unique flavours you won’t find anywhere else.
All major Korean snacks are available at convenience stores such as GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, and Emart24. You do not have to go to a specific market for snacks; your nearest convenience store has them all.
The best Korean snacks you can buy
- HBAF Honey Butter Almonds
- Dalgona candy
- Seaweed-based treats
- Market O Real Cheese Chips
- Lotte Choco Pie
- Honey Butter Chips
- Jolly Pong
- Turtle Chips
- Banana Kicks and many more
2. Korean Noodles
Korean noodles can’t be compared to anything available in India; they are so flavourful. Everyone is tempted by the noodles because of the way Koreans slurp and enjoy them.
Especially the instant Korean ramyeon gained a great following in other countries. Though some of these flavours are available in India, the prices in Korea are 40 – 60% lower.
A pack of Shin Ramyun costs approximately 120 – 140 INR in India, but in South Korea, it’s just 60 – 70 INR at Lotte Mart, Homeplus, Emart, or any convenience store.
The best noodles to buy when in South Korea
- Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black
- Paldo Cheese Noodle
- Samyang Foods Buldak Quattro
- Samyang Foods Buldak Yakisoba HOT Chicken Flavour
- Paldo Rabokki Noodle
3. Korean Makeup
K-beauty makeup has revolutionised the beauty industry worldwide with its innovative formulas and packaging.
The foundation, lip gloss, blush, and lipstick naturally give dewy finishes. Moreover, you will find some of the world’s bestselling products in Korea for a lower price, such as TIRTIR, rom&nd, and ETUDE.
Olive Young is the most important retail chain for makeup and skincare in South Korea. It is a pharmacy-style beauty chain with stores across Seoul. If you are staying in Seoul, the Olive Young Myeongdong is one of the most visited stores.
Best makeup products to buy in South Korea
- Lip Colours: Benefit Playful Tint and Hince Mood Enhancer
- Foundations: Son & Park Glow Ring Foundation, Etude House Double Lasting Foundation, TonyMoly Facetone Skin Tint, Hanskin Bio Origin Royal Ampoule B.B EX, and Missha M Radiance Foundation
- Blushes: Fwee, Rom&nd, 3CE, and Etude Heart Pop Blusher
4. Skin Care Products
Korean skincare products sold in India via Amazon, Nykaa, and Purplle are priced almost 30% higher than when bought directly in Korea.
From Glow Recipe’s viral products to local brands like Sulwhasoo, every product prioritises skin nourishment. Whether you buy skincare or makeup products, if your purchase is over 15,000 KRW (approx. 955 INR), you get a tax refund as a tourist.
Best skin care products to buy in South Korea
- Cleansing: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm, Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil Deep Clean, and The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam.
- Toner: Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturiser, COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner, and SOME BY Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner.
- Serum: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide and Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum.
- Moisturiser: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream, Etude Soonjung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream, Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel, and Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream.
- Sunscreen: Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Sunscreen, TIRTIR Hydro UV Shield Sunscreen, and Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen.
5. Korean Beverages
Korean drinks have unique flavours. In most Korean series, you can see people drinking a small bottle of banana milk. It is most loved by locals and tourists for its sweetness.
Then you have traditional teas like omija (five-flavour berry) and modern inventions like sparkling yoghurt drinks. Most of the drinks come in collectable bottles or cans with cute designs, making them a perfect gift for your friends. These are among the cheap things to buy in South Korea that are usually sold at higher prices in India.
All these beverages are available at GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, and Emart24 convenience stores across Seoul and every major city.
The drinks you must try in Korea
- Banana Milk
- Sikye
- Bacchus
- Soju
- Coffee milk
- Milkis
- Chilsung Cider
6. K-pop Items
Merchandise is among the most famous things to buy in South Korea if you are a K-pop fan.
There are official merchandise albums with exclusive photocards, light sticks, and limited-edition collaborations with popular music bands. Recently, the dalgona candy-making kits themed on Squid Game have been a popular buy.
Best Spots to Buy K-pop Items
- Kyobo Bookstore
- K-MECCA
- WithMuu
- Kakao Friends
- LINE Friends
7. Coffee & Tea
Coffee and tea are common purchases in any country we visit. Korea’s coffee culture is sophisticated and unique. They blend traditional tea ceremonies with modern cafe innovations.
Here are the top Coffee & Tea shops you can go to in South Korea:
| Best Coffee Shops | Best Tea Houses |
| Cafe Onion Anguk | Hanok Tea House |
| Fritz Coffee Company, Dohwa | Sinyet chatjip (Shin Tea House) |
| Ediya Coffee Lab | Traditional Teahouse Insadong |
| Rewire Coffee | Tteuran |
| Namusairo Coffee | Suyeonsanbang |
Note: At some coffee shops, such as Fritz Coffee Company and Cafe Onion, you can buy packaged beans and powder as souvenirs. For tea, visit the tea shops in Insadong.
8. Hanbok
Hanbok is Korea’s traditional attire. It has also been redesigned for modern adaptations while maintaining its elegant cultural significance.
This is one of the most famous things to buy in South Korea, and you can make it an experience. Rent one and walk around the park, temples and palaces for a photoshoot. Especially if you visit during South Korea’s cherry blossom season, you will have a great atmosphere to take pictures.
They are available in various price ranges, from budget-friendly options to premium silk versions.
Best places to buy
- Insadong hanbok rental shops
- Namdaemun Market
- Dongdaemun Market
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Online at Hanbok Lynn
- Traditional stores in the Jongno district.
Note: If you buy a full hanbok to take back to India, pack it in a flat garment bag inside your checked luggage. The fabric creases easily; the skirt is designed to be oversized and needs more space.
9. Korean Stationery Products
Even adults get excited about Korean stationery. These things help people stay organised.
The stationery items make everyday tasks more enjoyable. Brands like Artbox and Hot Tracks offer unique items you won’t find elsewhere. The attention to detail, quality materials, and adorable designs make Korean stationery ideal for students, professionals, or anyone who appreciates well-designed everyday items.
Best places to buy
- Artbox stores
- Hot Tracks
- Daiso Korea
- 10×10 online and offline stores
- Kyobo Bookstore
- Street vendors in Hongdae
10. Phone Accessories
Korean phone accessories are both practical and stylish. Each product features popular characters or trendy designs.
You can find protective cases with built-in card holders, decorative phone rings and wireless chargers. These accessories reflect Korea’s tech-savvy culture.
Best places to buy trendy phone cases in Korea
- Dongdaemun Electronics Market
- Yongsan Electronics Market
- Kakao Friends
- Gangnam underground shopping centre
- Lotte Young Plaza
- Hongdae street shops
- Myeongdong accessory stores
11. Quirky Socks
Sounds weird, but socks are one of the cheapest and best things you can buy in South Korea. You will find them in funny designs, from cute animals and food items to Korean characters and witty sayings. These socks turn a basic necessity into a fun fashion statement.
Compared to other items, socks are incredibly affordable, lightweight to pack, and make great gifts for people of all ages. These are definitely simple souvenirs from South Korea that people will actually use.
These socks come in cute designs featuring ramen bowls, soju bottles, kimchi, cats, bears, funny faces, and cartoon characters.
You will find them around Myeongdong Station, Namdaemun Market, Gwangjang Market, Hongdae and even at small street markets.
12. Handmade Paper (Hanji)
Hanji represents Korea’s traditional papermaking artistry, dating back over 1,000 years. This is one of the unique things to buy in South Korea.
These papers are very durable and used for artwork, home decor items like lamps and boxes, and stationery.
Hanji is eco-friendly, represents a meaningful connection to Korean cultural heritage, and is not mass-produced. This makes them a special purchase from South Korea. You can buy them at any arts and crafts store in South Korea.
13. Ginseng and Red Ginseng Products
South Korea is the world’s largest producer of Korean ginseng, and this is one of the most valuable souvenirs you can bring home. Korean Red Ginseng is made by steaming and drying fresh six-year-old ginseng roots, which increases its shelf life and gives it a stronger flavour.
Many people buy ginseng for its traditional health benefits. It is commonly consumed to improve energy levels, reduce tiredness, support immunity, and help with overall wellness. You will find it in several forms, including fresh roots, concentrated extracts, capsules, tea, jelly sticks, candies, and health drinks, making it easy to carry back to India.
The best places to buy authentic Korean ginseng
- Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC)
- Lotte Department Store
- Shinsegae Department Store
- Hyundai Department Store
- Duty-free shops
- Geumsan Ginseng Market
Shopping Tips for Indians in South Korea
- VAT refund: For purchases over 15,000 KRW (approximately 955 INR) at only VAT-refund-available stores. Ask for a tax-free receipt at the billing counter. At Incheon Airport, use the self-service kiosks in the departure hall before clearing immigration.
- Payments: Most stores in Myeongdong, Hongdae, and malls accept cards. Namdaemun Market, Gwangjang Market, and street vendors in Insadong and Hongdae operate on a cash basis.
- Supermarkets vs tourist stalls: Buy snacks and noodles at supermarkets, not tourist stalls. Lotte Mart, Homeplus, and Emart sell the same snacks and ramen at 20 – 30% lower prices than souvenir stalls in Myeongdong.
- Duty-free allowance: 75,000 INR per passenger. This should cover all your purchases like skincare, clothing, snacks, electronics, and gifts. Above this amount, customs duty applies.
- Alcohol: Only 2 litres are duty-free.
- Keep all receipts: Customs officers may request proof of purchase for high-value items. Keep your receipts in one place.
- What passes without issue: Korean skincare, makeup, snacks, noodles, stationery, socks, clothing, and hanbok accessories are considered personal goods and covered under the standard allowance.
- Electronics: If you carry more than one of the same device type, customs may treat the additional unit as a commercial import, for which you are supposed to pay duty.
Conclusion
Shopping in South Korea is much more than buying souvenirs; it is a cultural experience. Every shopping district has something unique, whether it’s the latest Korean skincare, official K-pop merchandise, traditional hanbok, handmade crafts, or delicious snacks to take home.
Many products are either cheaper than in India or you get a greater variety. So, plan enough time just to visit shopping places in South Korea.
If you are planning a trip with your friends, family or as a couple, contact Dimaak Tours. We recommend the activities, hotels, areas and best shopping markets based on your interests.
FAQs on Things to Buy in South Korea
1. What are the best things to buy in South Korea?
Korean skincare, makeup products, K-pop merchandise, Korean snacks, instant noodles, red ginseng, hanbok, and traditional hanji paper are among the most popular things to buy in South Korea.
2. Which is the best shopping area in Seoul?
Myeongdong is the best shopping destination, especially for K-beauty, fashion, and street food. Namdaemun Market is ideal for affordable souvenirs. Hongdae is great for trendy fashion and accessories. For traditional Korean handicrafts, visit Insadong.
3. Can tourists claim a tax refund while shopping in South Korea?
Yes. Tourists can claim a VAT refund on purchases, but only at eligible stores. For this, you need your passport while shopping, and keep your receipts safe to complete the refund process.
4. What food items should I bring back from South Korea?
Popular foods include Honey Butter Chips, HBAF almonds, Shin Ramyun, Buldak noodles, Korean seaweed snacks, banana milk-flavoured candies, traditional teas, roasted coffee, and Korean instant drink mixes.
