Top 20 Things to Buy in Korea – And Why Everyone Loves Them!

From K-Beauty to Snacks: 20 Irresistible Things to Buy in Korea

When I see foreign friends shopping in Korea, they often buy similar things.
It's not just a coincidence, it's because you can only buy it in Korea, or it's much cheaper and more fun to buy it here.
So today, I will introduce 20 things that foreigners buy when they come to Korea.
It's not just living, it's all "for a reason" choices!
I'll also tell you where you buy a lot, so you can recommend it to your overseas friends.

 

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🎁 1. From mask packs to cushions, K-beauty shopping is a must
Korean cosmetics are famous all over the world. Mask packs, cushion compacts, and lip tints are what foreigners who have a lot of skin problems buy when they come to Korea. Especially, Olive Young, Aritaum, and Laneige stores sweep high-quality and pretty products at affordable prices. Friends from anywhere in the U.S., France, Southeast Asia, etc. go to Olive Young at least once.

Olive Young, who says she'll stop by when she travels to Korea

 
 
 
🍜 2. Ramen noodles that take up one side of the suitcase
There are no Korean instant noodles in the world. I bring spicy chicken noodles, raccoons, Chapagetti and Kimchi ramen from convenience stores, E-Mart, and Lotte Mart. For foreigners who want to challenge the spicy taste, buldak is the most popular! It can be easily cooked, and it has a deep taste unique to Korean food, so everyone buys several boxes.

Buldakmyeon is the most popular!

 
💄 3. Olive Young Shopping Bag is a symbol of travel
Olive Young is a "K-beauty paradise" among foreigners. It is equipped with everything from skincare to health supplements to mini beauty items, and there are many cute design limited products. Just looking at the shopping bag makes me think, "Oh, you've been to Korea." Japanese and Taiwanese friends took their shopping bags with them!
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☕ 4. Bear's beer and limited goods at convenience stores
"Gompyo wheat beer" sold at convenience stores is popular due to its cute design and soft taste. In particular, limited-edition beer glasses or merchandise with Gompyo's character are frequently offered, and some foreigners are collecting them. It is easy to find at CU and GS25 convenience stores.

Is this beer?

👟 5. New Balance 530, why is Korea cheaper?
Interestingly, it's a foreign brand, but it's cheaper in Korea. Especially, friends from Japan and Thailand buy several pairs of New Balance sneakers. These days, it's fun to compare prices at ABC Mart in Myeong-dong and Gangnam, and official New Balance stores.

New Balance 530

🧴 6. Korea is the best hair care item
As Korean shampoo and treatment products are good, foreigners buy large quantities of brand products such as Ryeo, Amos, and Mise-en-scène. Especially, products that are good for scalp care and treatments that are good for scent are always on the list. They are often bought at drug stores, E-Mart, and Lotte Mart.

Korean shampoo and treatment products

🍦 7. Jaws bar, watermelon bar, those days' emotions
Among the ice creams on display at convenience stores in Korea, old ice creams such as Jaws or Watermelon Bar and Bbongdda are especially popular. Foreigners who fall in love with the design and taste full of Korean sensibility take a bite and they are amazed. Some people buy many because they are pretty and cheap to post on Instagram.

Old ice cream is especially popular

🛍 8. Shopping for stationery at Daiso is basic
Daiso in Korea is a heaven indeed. Cute character pens, rice cake memos, stickers and masking tapes are all designed and the prices are good, so everyone packs their shopping bags. You can never buy such designs in foreign countries at this price! In particular, Daiso Myeongdong is crowded with foreign tourists

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📸 9. K-pop photo cards and goods
If you're a fan of idols such as BTS, New Jin's, and Seventeen, you can't miss shopping for goods in Korea. There are so many foreign fans looking for official photo cards or seasonal goods on the streets of Aladdin, Ktown4u, and Hongdae goods shops.

We can't miss out on goods shopping

 
🧼 10. Oriental medicine toothpaste and charcoal soap
In Korea, there are many kinds of toothpaste and good quality. LG Household & Health Care's herbal toothpaste and charcoal-based soap are especially popular among travelers from Europe who want to take care of their health. They can be easily found in pharmacies, drug stores, and Olive Young.


🍯 11. Red ginseng with honey, citron tea
For foreigners who value health, red ginseng is known as Korea's representative health item. Sticky red ginseng or citrus tea with honey are especially popular as gifts for parents! They are often bought at Jeonggwanjang, department store, food hall, and duty-free shops.

Sticky red ginseng

🧃 12. Konjac jelly, calorie-free snack
Konjac jelly has become famous among foreign YouTubers because it can be eaten during diet and tastes good. It's available in small packaging at Olive Young or convenience stores, so everyone buys it by type.


🧃 13. Banana milk. Korean sentiment
Banana milk, the signature convenience store item! The bottle with Korean on the green lid is a souvenir in itself. When you take a bite, you'll be touched by the sweet taste, and if you take a picture of it, you'll get the Instagram vibe! You can easily buy it at GS25 or 7-Eleven.

The bottle with Korean on the green lid is a souvenir

 

📚 14. Props in dramas or webtoon goods
There are a lot of foreign fans looking for goods such as 'Itaewon Class', 'Park Sae-roy Cup', and 'Goddess of Mercy'. There are many original webtoon dramas these days, so there are various related goods. Check out Yes24, Hot Tracks, and character shops in front of Hongik University.

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🍢 15. Tteokbokki meal kit is okay at home
Instant tteokbokki from brands like Pulmuone, CJ, and Ottogi is really popular with foreigners. It's easy to recreate the Korean flavor at home, so many Southeast Asian friends especially buy it. It's also on sale at large supermarkets and convenience stores!

 ❄️ 16. Pack a hot pack in winter
Small, light, and warm hot packs are especially popular among European friends. Some people say hot packs are essential during winter trips in Korea, and I buy several boxes because they are cheap. They are also on sale at Daiso, E-Mart, and pharmacies!

🧸 17. Kakao Friends and Line Friends dolls
Ryan, Apeach, Brown, Connie... Isn't it cute to hear the name? You can choose character goods from dolls, key rings, and stationery at Kakao Friends flagship store in Gangnam and Line Friends store in Hongdae. People from children to adults like them

Kakao Friends dolls

✏️ 18. T-shirts or accessories with Korean letters
Hangeul is a unique and pretty design element for foreigners. T-shirts, tumblers, and key rings with the words "happiness, " "chicken, " and "soju" are popular because they contain both humor and sensitivity. They are often seen in Myeongdong Street and Hongdae souvenir shops.

"soju" T-shirts

💊 19. Acne patch, it really works
It doesn't show if you put it on your skin. It's a pimple patch that's really effective! It is hard to find and expensive in foreign countries, but in Korea, you can buy it at low prices at drug stores such as Olive Young and Lops. It is especially popular among foreigners in their 20s and 30s who have skin trouble.

🎎 20. Traditional pattern props and Korean paper items
Postcards or notes made of traditional Korean paper and traditional fans are good as gifts. They are especially liked by seniors and art lovers because they contain Korean style and sensibility. You can find them like treasure hunts in Insa-dong, Gwangjang Market, and Namdaemun Market.


✨ Next time, I'll even tell you the product name! 
What do you think about the items we introduced today? Do you understand why foreigners buy that? Actually, this list is only the beginning.
The Korean Friend blog will give you more details about the brand name, specific recommendations, and where to buy it at the cheapest price in the next article! So make sure to keep your favorites and look forward to the next content.