The Best Things to Buy in Korea

Korean fashion and pop culture have absolutely erupted in the West over the past decade, meaning more and more tourists are making a beeline there to experience the music, the cityscapes, and the shopping than ever before. When it comes to the best things to buy in Korea on your travels, however, what should you prioritize?

Coming up with the perfect Korea shopping list isn’t easy if you’ve never set foot in the country before, so the SIMOVO team has put together a fantastic rundown of what to look for, where to find it, and the brands you’ll want to spend your hard-earned travel money on.

Of course, before going anywhere near any shops and stores in Korea, we seriously recommend you invest in an eSIM for South Korea so you’re completely covered for mobile data while you’re away. Spend more money on the things you want to take back from your Korean adventure, not on accessing the internet!

What to buy in Korea and where to shop

Some of the most popular things people purchase in Korea - as tourists - include K-Pop merchandise, authentic sweets and snacks, high-end fashion items, beauty products, and exclusive souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else.

Before we break down the best stores to shop across Korea, let’s dip into each of these categories and take you through what to look for when filling up your basket.

Discover must-have Korean beauty products

South Korea’s world-famous skincare culture is just one thing that’s put the country in the social media spotlight over the past few years. K-Beauty, as it’s become known, is built around the simple idea of treating your skin as if it’s precious, focusing on keeping hydrated and using minimal, natural ingredients. It’s all about the “glass skin” movement!

While shopping in Korea, you’ll find plenty of beauty products that have yet to make their way overseas. For example, if you’re keen to boost your skin and beauty regimen while you’re traveling here, watch out for:

• Deep pore cleansing foams
• Limited sheet masks (from brands such as Mediheal and Dr. Althea)
• Skin serums from Torriden
• Etude House cleansers
• Peripera lip tinting
• Essences by Haruharu

Of course, your own tastes and needs will vary, so always check the labels where possible and dig deeper into these brands if you’re keen to top up on K-Beauty.

Find stylish fashion and high-end Korean items

The Korean look is always evolving, but it’s always cool, and it’s always about showing off your individuality. Minimalism and boutique looks tend to catch fire here, and there’s a focus on accessorizing with care (you can, after all, go too heavy on the bling).

As with beauty and makeup, there are plenty of fashion pieces and accessories that simply haven’t left Korean shores. Be prepared to see looks and lines change literally with the seasons, too, meaning what will look chic in fall won’t necessarily make it to summer.

Korea is also hot on socks! The sock culture here really leans toward patterns and bold designs, again, lending to the idea that the best look on you makes you stand out as an individual.

Be sure to watch out for:

• Branded footwear and sneakers (such as Suecomma Bonnie)
• Sunglasses and frames by Carin and Gentle Monster
• Kuho minimalist fashion and professional wear
• Sportswear by HDEX
• Minimalist outfits by Andersson Bell

Taste popular Korean snacks, sweets, and drinks

If you’re more focused on what goes inside than on the outside, Korea is absolutely bursting with tasty treats you’ll want to tuck into while you visit, and to take home to friends and family.

Ginseng, for example, is a very big deal in Korea, mainly thanks to the fact it’s been relied upon for health benefits here for decades. Many people rely on it for immunity boosting and energy lifts, and it adds a richness to teas, candies, and more.

Soju, too, is worth enjoying as the nation’s iconic rice or barley drink. You’ll often get to try it as a spirit mixed with beer, or in one of many different flavors - why not think about some of your loved ones’ taste buds and line up a bottle or two to take back?

Then, there’s deep-fried yakgwa, which are crunchy and sweet, and which you’ll find easy to eat on the go. You’ll often find them lined up with almonds, which are again a popular snacking option for lots of people across the country.

Here are a few more snacky ideas you might want to look out for when shopping around Korea:

• Jolly Pong (puffed rice snacks)
• Kyoho Jelly (fruit jelly balloons)
• Chikyu Gummy (fruity gummy candy and sweets)
• ORION (pies, cookies, and chocolate snacks)

Choose authentic local souvenirs and small gifts

Of course, beyond buying for yourself, it’s always worth thinking about getting some souvenirs you can take home to people who have missed you! Thankfully, there are tons of opportunities for you to purchase authentic souvenirs from small businesses and bigger stores alike.

For example, depending on the ages of people you’re buying souvenirs for, you might want to really dive into Korean pop culture and take home BTS apparel and CDs, or pop a LINE plushie or two in your basket. We also recommend checking out BUTTER as a brand for some truly creative and cute souvenirs that you can pop on your desk.

For more traditional tastes, it’s worth considering investing in traditional tea sets, especially given Korea’s tea culture. Perhaps only rivaling the UK for its sheer focus on tea, Korea’s love of herbal drinks extends to its often minimalist but still decorative tea sets, consisting of bowls and unique teapot designs.

In general, Korea is all about minimalism. Therefore, you’re likely to find a raft of simple, unobstructive home goods and accessories across specialized stores here, for example, kitchenware and tableware items made from quality bamboo, and candles made from soy.

Essentially, Korea straddles a fairly unique line when it comes to ultra-modern pop culture and traditional minimalism. Why not dip into both worlds?

Explore the best places to shop in Korea

Far be it from us to tell you where to shop when you land in Korea, but if you really want a helping hand on where to start filling up your basket, we’re on your side.

Here’s a quick list of some of the best-loved store brands and lines available in Korea, and what they specialize in.

• Lotte World Mall (just about everything)
• Namdaemun Market, Seoul (snacks, accessories, technology)
• Olive Young stores (beauty)
• Shinsegae Department Store (luxury brands and authentic souvenirs)
• Insadong Street, Seoul (traditional souvenirs and handmade items)
• Chicor stores (beauty)
• Garosugil (high-end fashion and beauty)

Now you’ve had a taste of what’s likely to await you when looking for things to buy in Korea, it’s time to protect your mobile data spending with an eSIM! Consider an eSIM for China, Japan, and Korea that keeps you connected to the fastest, most reliable network coverage available. 

That means you’ll always be able to find new shops and brands no matter where you are - and you won’t have to worry about paying for extortionate phone bills when you get back home!