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The Charm of Korean Souvenirs

Many travelers never forget to visit gift shops and souvenir stores when they travel or go on business trips. Souvenirs remind us of the moments and emotions of our journeys and allow us to share local charm with people close to us. So, what kinds of attractive items are worth purchasing in Korea, especially in the capital city, Seoul?

Seoul is the center of K-culture, including K-pop and K-dramas. It is also a city where the 500-year history of the Joseon dynasty lives on through landmarks such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine. Seoul boasts diverse spots frequented by foreign tourists, including Myeong-dong, Insa-dong, and Gwanghwamun Square. In this article, we will introduce souvenirs you can buy in Seoul, focusing on Jung-gu and Jongno-gu, areas beloved as must-visit courses for tourists.

2025 Korea Souvenir Recommendations

1. Seoul Official Souvenirs ‘Seoul Goods’’

When you go to New York, you buy I♥NY goods, and in Amsterdam, you buy I amsterdam goods. In Seoul, you’ll find official goods that embody the city brand “Seoul, My Soul” and the diverse charms of the city. Let’s take a look at Seoul’s official souvenirs, ‘Seoul Goods.’

1.1. From Seoul’s iconic landmarks to lifestyle products 
reflecting the city’s values – high-quality souvenirs, Seoul Goods

Since its launch in 2024, Seoul Goods has been offeringover 250 types of products through collaborations with local artists and trending brands, blending tradition with modern trends. The lineup is diverse, ranging from bestsellers like postcards and magnets to sculptures, diffusers, fashion, accessories, and character goods, making them ideal as gifts.

In particular, permanent stores are located in tourist hotspots such as Myeong-dong, Gwanghwamun Square, and Cheonggyecheon in Jung-gu and Jongno-gu, offering high accessibility. Recently, Seoul Goods has been gaining recognition among locals through pop-up stores, city events, and cultural content. Celebrate your trip to Korea and Seoul with the official city souvenirs that capture happy travel moments.

1.2. 2025 Art Collaboration Goods with Three Notable Seoul Artists

Since 2024, Seoul has been collaborating with local artists to release limited edition art-collaboration goods. This year, starting in August, limited products have been launched with three notable artists: Junyoung Kang (@junyoung_kang27), Grafflex (@grafflex), and  Jihee Kim (@kimjihee_official). Discover practical items such as T-shirts, canvas bags, and tumblers, as well as beautifully designed goods like scarves and paperweights. How about recalling your memories of Korea—and more specifically, Seoul—with Seoul Goods created through collaborations with artists?

2. Seoul Character Goods

2.1. Haechi & Soul Friends (Seoul’s Official Mascots)

Haechi, the symbol of justice and protection that guarded the royal palaces during the Joseon dynasty, and the Four Guardians of the cardinal directions — Blue Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise — were reborn in 2024 as Seoul’s new official mascots, “Haechi & Soul Friends.”

With the slogan “Don’t Worry, Be Haechi!” Haechi and the Soul Friends spread positive energy and now appear widely at Seoul events, on public transportation, and in merchandise, cementing their presence as mascots of the city. How about adding keyrings, mugs, or eco-bags featuring Haechi and Soul Friends, the symbolic mascots of Seoul, to your shopping cart?

2.2. Kakao Friends

Kakao Friends is one of the most beloved character brands in Korea. Flagship stores can be found in major tourist areas such as Myeong-dong. These stores are great for taking photos and provide plenty of fun experiences beyond shopping. Discover IP goods featuring characters like Ryan, Apeach, and Muzi, who are a beloved parts of everyday life for many Koreans.

2.3. Line Friends

3. Popular K-Food Snacks

The third category of recommended Korean souvenirs is popular snacks. Food items are among the easiest souvenirs for travelers in Seoul to bring back. They’re small, lightweight, convenient to carry, and a way to experience Korean flavors. Let’s take a look at must-have items that always make it into tourists’ suitcases.

3.1. HBAF Almonds

3.2. Ramen

Ramen goes beyond being a simple meal; it is one of the most beloved pillars of K-food worldwide. And in fact, Koreans truly love ramen. Spicy varieties such as Buldak Bokkeum Myeon, Shin Ramyun, and Jin Ramyun are the most widely consumed. There are also many others, including Bibim-myeon (spicy cold noodles) and Jjajang Ramyun (black bean noodles). Koreans often mix two different types or add ingredients. Examples include “Chapaguri” (from the film Parasite) or “Sundubu Yeol Ramyun,” where ramen is cooked together with soft tofu. The world of ramen is endless.

Tip. How to Enjoy Ramen in Seoul!

• ●Buy a cup of ramen at a convenience store, add hot water from the in-store water dispenser, and eat it right away. If the convenience store has plastic chairs like in the photo below, you can enjoy them outside. 

• ●If you happen to visit the Han River, don’t miss trying “Hangang Ramen,” cooked by a vending machine. Buy a pack of ramen at a riverside convenience store, then use the special cooking device that combines an electric range with a water dispenser to cook and enjoy it.

• ●Try making ramen with your favorite celebrity’s recipe. For example, BTS Jungkook’s “Bulgeuri” or GOT7 Mark’s “Mark Set Meal,” both of which mix different ramen types or combine them with other foods for a unique taste!

3.3. Instant Mix Coffee

Before coffee machines, capsules, or drip coffee became common in Korean homes and offices, it was stick-type instant coffee mixes that dominated the space. With coffee, creamer, and sugar combined in one packet, Korean instant coffees like Maxim Mocha Gold are beloved for their pleasant aroma and sweet flavor. Kanu, on the other hand, offers higher-quality ground coffee in a stick form, delivering a premium taste while still being convenient, with options like Americano and Latte.

• ●Available at all supermarkets, convenience stores, large discount stores, and duty-free shops.

3.4. Gim (Korean Seaweed)

Gim (also known as Korean Seaweed or K-Seaweed Snacks) is traditionally eaten with rice, but it has now become a globally popular healthy snack. It has a nutty flavor, crisp texture, and savory taste. Lightweight and compact, it’s easy to carry, inexpensive, and makes a great souvenir to share with office colleagues after a business trip. It also has a long shelf life.

• ●Available at convenience stores, large supermarkets, and airports for between 5,000–30,000 KRW.

3.5. Banana-Flavored Milk 

Banana-Flavored Milk is an iconic Korean beverage that first appeared in the 1970s. It features smooth milk blended with sweet banana flavor. Its unique jar-shaped bottle, inspired by traditional Korean ceramic jars, gives it a nostalgic charm that resonates with consumers. For decades, it has been enjoyed as a sweet, relaxing moment in everyday Korean life. At airport convenience stores, an average of 1,200 bottles issold per day at a single location, showing its immense popularity among both Koreans and foreign visitors. Today, in addition to the original banana flavor, you can also enjoy strawberry, Melona flavor, and more, easily found at convenience stores and supermarkets.

4. Traditional Souvenirs

The final category of Korean souvenirs we recommend is traditional souvenirs. In this article, instead of expensive display pieces, we focus on items that can be used in daily life while still reminding you of your visit. Choosing something you can use every day makes travel memories more vivid and meaningful. These items are practical, budget-friendly, and make delightful gifts.

There are even mother-of-pearl boxes chosen by Chef Edward Lee (@chefedwardlee), well-known for winning Iron Chef, being runner-up on Netflix’s Cook at All Costs, and cooking at a White House state dinner. At his fine-dining Korean restaurant SHIA in Washington, D.C., he presents the dessert “Hanip” in Seoul My Soul mother-of-pearl boxes. Hanip is the final course in his restaurant’s dinner menu. (Related article)

4.2. Spoon & Chopstick Sets

Among Asian countries, Korea is unique in its everyday use of stainless-steel chopsticks and spoons. Unlike other countries that use wood or plastic, Korea adopted more hygienic and durable materials. Some say this tradition traces back to the Joseon royal court, which used silver chopsticks, later influencing the broader culture. The combined set of spoon (sutgarak) and chopsticks (jeotgarak) is simply called sujeo in Korean. As both a symbol of Korean food culture and practical dining tools, they make excellent souvenirs. Consider stainless steel, bangjja yugi (traditional hand-forged brassware), or silver spoon-and-chopstick sets as Korean keepsakes.

Ways to purchase spoon & chopstick sets:

• ●Stainless-steel sets from kitchenware stores in Namdaemun Market or Gwangjang Market *Under 10,000 KRW

• ●Assorted sets from souvenir shops or craft stores in Insa-dong *Around 30,000–50,000 KRW

• ●Premium brass or silver sets from Namdaemun Market specialty shops or department stores *Over 100,000 KRW

Now we’ve explored a wide range of unique and special Korean souvenirs that can only be found in Seoul. We hope this guide helps you choose souvenirs that enrich your trip to Korea and bring back wonderful memories. Please note that product availability and store details may change depending on the season, so be sure to check with each store for the latest information before your visit!