The best souvenirs from South Korea aren’t necessarily the products you see in every online shopping haul. With so many recommendations, it’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is buying without considering whether you’ll actually use or enjoy those things yourself.
From Jeju matcha and Korean designer homeware to unusual museum gifts and personalised accessories, here are 14 unique things to buy in South Korea, including some of my favourite finds from Seoul and Busan, and where to find them.
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1. OSULLOC Korean Matcha
Korean malcha (말차) and Japanese matcha are the same type of finely powdered green tea, although individual products can differ in cultivation, processing and flavour.
OSULLOC (오설록) is one of South Korea’s best-known tea brands, producing green tea and matcha from its tea gardens on Jeju Island. Its Premium Matcha is described as having a mild, nutty flavour, subtle sweetness and gentle umami, making it an interesting alternative to Japanese matcha.
There are several products to choose from depending on how you like to drink your matcha. I picked up OSULLOC’s Jeju Matcha Milk Tea, a sweetened instant mix that’s easy to prepare with water or milk. If you prefer pure matcha without added sugar, the brand’s Premium Matcha is made from 100% organic Jeju green tea and is suitable for both traditional matcha preparation and lattes.
OSULLOC also sells a clever little O Matcha Shaker, which makes preparing matcha much easier without needing a traditional bamboo whisk or sieve. Simply add cold or room-temperature water and matcha powder, shake and pour into your drink. It’s particularly useful for travelling or making matcha at home without investing in specialist equipment. You can buy it separately or as part of the Premium Matcha Shaker Kit.
Where to buy: OSULLOC tea houses and selected department stores across South Korea, including Haeundae in Busan. If you’re visiting Jeju Island, you can also visit the OSULLOC Tea Museum and its neighbouring tea fields.
2. Collins Salt Bread Incense
Salt bread, or sogeum-ppang (소금빵), has become hugely popular in South Korea. Originally from Japan, these buttery bread rolls have a crisp, lightly salted exterior and a soft centre, with melted butter creating a particularly delicious, golden base. You’ll find bakeries specialising in salt bread throughout Seoul, often with queues outside.
Korean lifestyle brand Collins (콜린스) has turned this bakery favourite into an incense scent, designed to recreate the warm, buttery aroma of freshly baked salt bread. At around ₩20,000 per tin, they’re a relatively affordable gift for someone who enjoys home fragrances.
Other unusual fragrances include matcha latte, tomato, and scents inspired by banana pudding, cherry ice cream and Korean fruits.
Each set of incense comes in a compact metal tin containing 70 sticks and two holder clips. The lid doubles as an incense tray, so you don’t need to purchase a separate holder. Each stick burns for approximately 15–20 minutes.
Where to buy: Collins Bukchon (콜린스 북촌), 26 Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, within walking distance of Anguk Station. You can also browse the official Collins website.
3. ONGO Maedeup Cap
If you’re looking for a South Korea souvenir that’s a little more contemporary, ONGO takes inspiration from traditional Korean knotting, known as maedeup (매듭), incorporating decorative knots into modern baseball caps.
What I like about the design is that the knot detail gives an otherwise everyday accessory a distinct connection to Korean craftsmanship, without looking like a conventional tourist souvenir.
ONGO has also collaborated with Seoul’s official Seoul My Soul merchandise collection, creating caps that combine the city’s branding with its signature knot details. Prices start at approximately ₩46,000 for its Flower Knot Caps, while the Seoul collaborations range from ₩49,000 to ₩63,000.
Where to buy: ONGO’s flagship store in Seongsu, Seoul, or the brand’s official website.
4. Newmix Banana Milk Instant Coffee
The Korean brand Newmix (뉴믹스) has given instant coffee a modern makeover, with some unusual flavours inspired by Korean food and drinks. One of its most popular products is Banana Milk Instant Coffee, inspired by Korea’s iconic banana-flavoured milk. The idea comes from a Korean convenience-store trend of mixing banana milk with hazelnut coffee, creating a sweet, creamy drink with a hint of coffee bitterness.
Newmix has plenty of other flavours to choose from, including roasted rice, roasted chestnut, mint chocolate and matcha latte. The roasted rice and chestnut varieties draw on traditional Korean flavours, whereas the matcha latte version combines green tea with coffee. There are also coffee-free options, including Earl Grey milk tea, chocolate banana and strawberry milk.
The mixes come in boxes of 10 individually wrapped sachets, making them easy to pack or share as gifts. You can also sample different flavours at Newmix stores before deciding which ones to buy.
Where to buy: Newmix has stores in Seongsu, Anguk, Hannam and Myeongdong in Seoul.
5. Korean Banana Milk Merchandise
If you’ve visited South Korea, you’ll probably recognise the distinctive yellow-and-green bottles of Binggrae banana milk. First introduced in 1974, it’s become one of the country’s most recognisable convenience-store drinks.
I found a banana milk-inspired mug for around £16 in Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Busan, complete with a green lid resembling the top of the original bottle. It’s perfect for enjoying the Newmix Banana Milk Instant Coffee mentioned earlier, and a fun way to bring a little Korean convenience-store culture into your morning routine.
I also picked up a pair of banana milk socks from a sock shop next to the Miffy store in Busan. Elsewhere, I spotted banana milk hair clips at MIMILINE and keyrings in shops around Hongdae, Seoul. They’re affordable, practical alternatives to bringing home the drink itself, particularly given the UK’s restrictions on importing dairy products from South Korea.
Where to buy: Independent gift shops in Huinnyeoul Culture Village for mugs, sock shops near the Miffy store in Busan, MIMILINE for hair clips, and accessory shops around Hongdae for keyrings.
6. MU:DS (뮷즈) Colour-Changing Soju Glasses
Standard Korean soju glasses are a common souvenir, but the National Museum’s colour-changing versions are considerably more entertaining.
The Tipsy Scholar glasses are inspired by Banquet of the Governor of Pyeongan Province (평안감사향연도), an 18th-century Joseon-era painting that depicts an elaborate banquet along the Daedong River in Pyongyang, including three drunken scholars who inspired the designs.
Pour in a cold drink and the scholars’ faces gradually turn red, mimicking the facial flushing associated with drinking alcohol. This reaction is particularly common among people of East Asian ancestry due to a genetic variation affecting how their bodies process alcohol. The glasses recreate the effect using temperature-sensitive pigments, adding a playful twist to the historical designs.
You can buy a set of three miniature 60ml soju glasses for ₩26,000, each featuring a different scholar, or choose from three larger 210ml glasses sold individually for ₩18,500 each. The larger versions are also suitable for drinking makgeolli, Korea’s traditional rice wine.
They’re a fun way to bring Korean art and drinking culture together in something you’ll actually use at home, particularly since you don’t have to use them exclusively for soju.
In my opinion, the National Museum of Korea is one of the most underrated souvenir shops. The museum’s MU:DS official merchandise collection takes inspiration from Korean history, artworks and cultural treasures, transforming them into contemporary gifts and accessories. Depending on the current collection, you can find stationery, accessories, homeware and decorative objects incorporating traditional Korean designs.
Where to buy: National Museum of Korea gift shops in Yongsan, Seoul, or the official MU online shop. You can buy the three-piece Tipsy Scholar soju glass set or choose a larger individual Tipsy Scholar glass.
Another unusual find from MU:DS is an exclusive National Museum of Korea edition of Dobble, created in collaboration with Asmodee Korea. If you’ve played the original matching game, you’ll recognise the familiar circular cards, but this version replaces the usual symbols with 57 illustrations inspired by Korean cultural artefacts and the museum’s collections.
7. Make Your Own Mother-of-Pearl Souvenir in Seoul
For something more traditional, look for Korean mother-of-pearl crafts, known as najeonchilgi (나전칠기). This decorative technique uses small pieces of iridescent shell to create intricate patterns, often on lacquered surfaces. It’s a longstanding Korean craft tradition, particularly associated with the southern coastal city of Tongyeong.
You’ll find mother-of-pearl designs on everything from jewellery boxes and trays to mirrors, coasters and small accessories. But rather than buying a finished souvenir, why not make your own in a traditional Korean craft workshop.
There are several mother-of-pearl classes in Seoul where you can learn about the craft and decorate your own keepsake, such as a compact mirror, keyring or jewellery box. They’re suitable for beginners, with an instructor guiding you through the process, and you get to take your finished creation home.
Where to buy: If you’d rather purchase a finished piece, explore the craft shops in Insadong, museum gift shops and specialist Korean craft stores.
8. Daiso Korean Bathroom Slippers
Daiso is a treasure trove of items you didn’t know you needed, but one of the more unexpected souvenirs you can pick up in South Korea is a pair of bathroom slippers, known as yoksilhwa (욕실화).
Many Korean bathrooms are designed as wet rooms, with the shower, toilet and sink sharing the same waterproof floor. Rather than walking across wet tiles in bare feet or socks, it’s common to keep a separate pair of waterproof slippers by the bathroom door.
These aren’t quite the same as ordinary sliders. Many designs have drainage holes that allow water to escape, helping the slippers dry more quickly. You’ll find everything from simple neutral styles to colourful, patterned designs.
Daiso sells bathroom slippers for around ₩3,000–₩5,000, making them an inexpensive and surprisingly useful souvenir. They’re particularly handy if you have a wet-room-style bathroom at home. They’re also handy for swimming pools, spas, gym showers and communal changing rooms, where you might want waterproof footwear rather than walking barefoot on wet floors.
Where to buy: Daiso stores throughout South Korea. Look for the bathroom accessories section or the Korean label 욕실화.
9. Customised Coffee Sleeve from OBJECT (오브젝트)
Coffee culture is a big part of South Korea, and I particularly like the idea of bringing home something you’ll actually use. OBJECT (오브젝트) is a Korean lifestyle and design store that showcases products from independent artists and illustrators, with everything from stationery and homeware to bags and accessories. The brand has also expanded internationally, with stores in Japan and Taiwan.
One of the most interesting things you can do is create your own customised souvenir using iron-on patches. The concept is simple: choose a base item, such as a reusable fabric coffee sleeve, pouch, keyring or tote bag, then browse the colourful selection of embroidered patches. There are illustrations, characters, letters and other designs to choose from, allowing you to create something completely personal.
Once you’ve decided on your design, arrange the patches exactly where you want them. Staff then heat-press them onto your chosen item, leaving you with a finished souvenir to take home.
A customised coffee sleeve is particularly fitting for South Korea, where takeaway coffee is part of everyday life. It’s also small, lightweight and practical, so you can continue using it long after your trip without sacrificing valuable suitcase space.
Where to buy: OBJECT has stores in Seoul, Busan, Jeju and other locations, including its flagship in Hongdae, Seoul, which has a dedicated customisation area. In Busan, you’ll find OBJECT in Seomyeon at 11 Jeonpo-daero 209beon-gil. Check which branches offer the patch customisation experience before visiting.
10. Character Bag Charms and Keyrings
One trend you’ll quickly notice in South Korea is people decorating their handbags, backpacks and even luggage with colourful character keyrings and plush bag charms. Known as baek-kku (백꾸), or bag decorating, it’s a fun way to personalise an everyday accessory. You’ll find everything from miniature stuffed animals and cartoon characters to beaded charms and collectible figures.
Although Miffy originated in the Netherlands, South Korea has some brilliant location-exclusive collections inspired by its different cities.
The Seoul Denim Edition is exclusive to the Miffy store in Seongsu, reflecting the neighbourhood’s youthful, vintage-inspired fashion scene. Busan has nautical designs celebrating its coastal identity, while Gyeongju has an adorable bakery collection inspired by chalborippang, the city’s famous barley bread. These regional exclusives make particularly fun souvenirs, as you can pick up a design unique to somewhere you’ve visited that isn’t available elsewhere.
If you want something more distinctly Korean, look out for Kakao Friends characters such as Ryan and Apeach.
You can also win character collectibles from gacha machines throughout South Korea. I managed to win an adorable bread-themed Miffy from a mini claw machine after a bottle of soju, and it’s now one of my most prized possessions from the trip!
Where to buy: Character-goods shops, Artbox, Kakao Friends stores and capsule-toy machines throughout South Korea. Miffy has dedicated stores in Seongsu, Seoul, and Haeundae, Busan, as well as a café and store in Yeongdo, Busan. There are also Miffy locations in Gyeongju and Geoje.
For affordable character keyrings and bag charms, don’t miss NYUNYU (뉴뉴) and MIMILINE (미미라인). Both are popular Korean accessories stores packed with cute designs, from plush characters and collectible keyrings to jewellery, hair clips and socks. Both have branches in Seoul’s Dongdaemun and Myeongdong shopping districts.
Seoul Denim Edition Miffy
11. Nuflaat Homeware
If you love unusual homeware, Nuflaat (누플랏) is the Korean tableware brand to discover in Seoul. Created by IICOMBINED, the company behind Gentle Monster and Tamburins, Nuflaat takes a playful approach to everyday dining accessories, turning ordinary objects into something closer to contemporary art.
Its Nail Collection is particularly striking, featuring white ceramic cups and teapots decorated with long, pointed, glossy red fingernails. The Nail Cappuccino cup has two exaggerated red nails protruding from its side, giving the impression of a manicured hand gripping the cup.
Another standout is the Candle Fork, a stainless-steel dessert fork designed to resemble a lit candle when placed upright in a cake. It’s a lovely way to make serving cake or dessert feel a little more special, particularly for birthdays or when you have guests over. I bought one because I’d never seen anything quite like it before, and it’s exactly the sort of unusual, functional souvenir that’s bound to be a conversation starter.
You’ll find Nuflaat on the third floor of HAUS NOWHERE SEOUL, an experimental retail space in Seongsu that brings together fashion, beauty, art and design.
While you’re there, head up to the fifth floor for NUDAKE Tea House, where you can actually experience Nuflaat’s sculptural teaware. The tea menu is just as unconventional as the cups, featuring blends inspired by unusual scents and imagined characters. One of the most intriguing is Leather Boots, a black tea combining roasted peanut and almond notes with hints of whiskey and smoke, designed to evoke the warmth and character of aged leather.
Where to buy: Nuflaat, 3rd floor, and NUDAKE Tea House, 5th floor, HAUS NOWHERE SEOUL, 433 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Browse the Nuflaat collection and NUDAKE’s Leather Boots tea.
12. HBAF Honey Butter Almonds
HBAF is a South Korean snack brand produced by Gilim International, best known for turning ordinary almonds into an enormous variety of sweet and savoury flavours.
The original Honey Butter Almonds (허니버터 아몬드) are the brand’s signature product, combining a sweet, buttery coating with a slightly salty flavour. But there are plenty of more unusual options, including garlic bread, baked corn, wasabi and Jeju matcha.
HBAF almonds make particularly good souvenirs because they’re easy to pack, available in smaller sharing-sized packets and suitable for giving to friends or colleagues. You can also buy assorted packs if you’d rather try several flavours without committing to full-sized bags.
Where to buy: HBAF has dedicated almond stores in Myeongdong and Gwangjang Market in Seoul, plus a store at 76 Gwangbok-ro in Nampo, Busan. You’ll also find selected flavours in Korean supermarkets and convenience stores.
13. North Korean Banknotes
One of the more unusual souvenirs you can bring home from South Korea is a North Korean banknote, which you can sometimes find for sale at souvenir shops visited on tours of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
The DMZ separates North and South Korea and was established following the 1953 Korean War armistice. Visiting the area offers an opportunity to learn about the division of the Korean Peninsula and the ongoing relationship between the two countries.
North Korea has its own currency, the North Korean won (KPW). Its banknotes feature imagery connected to the country’s history, political figures and national landmarks.
However, don’t assume every note sold as a souvenir is an authentic, circulating banknote. Check whether you’re purchasing an original, a collectible issue or a reproduction.
If you’re planning to visit the DMZ, my DMZ tour from Seoul review covers what to expect, including the Third Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory and an opportunity to speak with a North Korean defector.
Where to buy: Souvenir shops around Imjingak Peace Park in Paju, which is included on some DMZ tours from Seoul.
14. K-Beauty from Olive Young
Korean skincare and makeup are among the most popular souvenirs from South Korea, but shopping at Olive Young can be overwhelming. With countless products, unfamiliar ingredients and endless TikTok recommendations, it’s easy to fill your basket without considering what your skin actually needs.
Before shopping, I’d recommend getting a skin analysis or personal colour analysis. I tried both a professional skin analysis in Seoul and a free Olive Young skin scan in Busan, as well as a personal colour analysis at Color Place in Seoul. These experiences helped me make more informed decisions about skincare ingredients and makeup shades. Selected Olive Young stores offer free analysis services, so you don’t necessarily need to pay for a private consultation.
Once you know what you’re looking for, Olive Young is an excellent place to explore Korean skincare brands such as Torriden, Anua, Round Lab and Mediheal, alongside homegrown makeup brands including rom&nd, Peripera, CLIO, dasique and LANEIGE.
Beyond Olive Young, many Korean beauty brands have flagship stores in Seoul offering experiences you won’t necessarily find elsewhere. Medicube’s Seongsu flagship lets you try its skincare and AGE-R beauty devices, while LANEIGE seoul in Myeongdong offers personalised products, including a bespoke Lip Sleeping Mask where you can combine two fragrances to create your own. Seongsu is also known for its rotating K-beauty pop-ups, often featuring product demonstrations, interactive experiences and exclusive gifts.
Another recent addition is Olive Better, Olive Young’s wellness-focused sister brand, launched in 2026. Its four-floor Seongsu flagship offers healthy snacks, herbal teas, aromatherapy and body care, alongside a wellness drinks bar.
Although Olive Young has expanded internationally and many Korean beauty products are available in the UK, shopping in South Korea can still offer better value through promotions, exclusive bundles and tourist tax refunds. Some products, particularly sunscreens, also have different formulations for overseas markets due to local regulations.
Where to buy: Olive Young stores throughout South Korea, including Olive Young N Seongsu and Central Myeongdong Town. For flagship experiences, visit Medicube and Olive Better in Seongsu, LANEIGE seoul in Myeongdong, and the rotating beauty pop-ups around Seoul.
Can You Bring Korean Food and Skincare Products Home?
Before stocking up on Korean snacks, tea and beauty products, check your home country’s customs regulations and your airline’s baggage restrictions.
If you’re returning to Great Britain, restrictions apply to meat and milk-based products brought from South Korea. This includes ordinary dairy drinks, while powdered coffee and milk tea mixes may also be restricted if they contain milk ingredients. Being powdered or shelf-stable doesn’t automatically make a product exempt, so check the ingredients and the latest GOV.UK food import guidance before travelling.
Skincare products are generally fine to bring home for personal use, but remember the airport liquid restrictions. For international flights departing Incheon, liquids, creams and gels in hand luggage must be in containers of no more than 100ml, fitting into one transparent 1-litre bag. Larger products should normally go in checked luggage.
For fragile souvenirs, such as ceramics and drinking glasses, wrap them carefully and consider carrying particularly delicate purchases in your hand luggage.
Can Tourists Claim a Tax Refund on Souvenirs in South Korea?
Yes! International visitors can claim a VAT refund on eligible purchases from participating stores in South Korea, making souvenir shopping potentially better value.
The minimum qualifying purchase is generally ₩15,000, and you’ll need your passport. Look for shops displaying Tax Free or Tax Refund signs, including participating beauty stores, department stores and retailers.
There are two main ways to claim:
- Immediate tax refund: At participating stores, the eligible tax refund is deducted at the checkout when you present your passport. This applies to individual purchases below ₩1 million, subject to an overall limit of ₩5 million during your trip.
- Airport tax refund: If you pay the full price and receive a tax refund receipt, you can process your claim at a designated airport kiosk or refund counter before leaving South Korea. Keep your receipts and purchased goods available in case they need to be inspected by customs.
To qualify, eligible visitors must generally leave South Korea within three months of purchasing the goods, and the items must be new and unused.
For more information, see the official Korea Tourism Organization tax refund guide
Final Thoughts: What Souvenirs Should You Buy in South Korea?
South Korea has no shortage of unusual souvenirs, but you don’t need to come home with everything you’ve seen recommended online. Some of my favourite finds were things I’d never thought to look for, from the Miffy I won in a gacha machine to the Nuflaat Candle Fork I can’t wait to use at home.
I’d recommend leaving some room in your suitcase for things you discover along the way, rather than planning every purchase in advance. And if you’re visiting Seoul, my guide to the best things to do in Seoul can help you plan your sightseeing around some of these shopping neighbourhoods.
