When traveling to South Korea, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice with an incredible range of souvenirs. From traditional health products to trendy snacks, here are the best Korean specialties to bring home for family and friends.
Korean Red Ginseng (Hongsam)
Korean ginseng is world-renowned for its medicinal properties, and red ginseng, in particular, makes a luxurious and meaningful gift — especially for elders in your family. Prices vary depending on the type, age, and preparation of the ginseng, but its superior quality is widely trusted.
Red ginseng is available in many forms — tea, candy, liquor, even cookies. The most famous brand is CheongKwanJang, known for its premium packaging and health benefits. It’s a top choice for both locals and international tourists.
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Korean Snacks and Candies
Korea is heaven for snack lovers. You’ll find a huge variety of cookies, chips, chocolates, and unique treats, many with flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Green tea cookies, rice snacks, and ginseng candies are particularly popular.
These are perfect gifts for kids, colleagues, or anyone who loves discovering new tastes.
Dried Persimmons (Gotgam)
A symbol of Korean autumn, dried persimmons are a sweet and healthy treat made through a natural drying process — with no preservatives or additives. Unlike dried persimmons from other countries, Korean gotgam has a unique flavor and texture.
They’re known to help calm the nerves, boost focus, and support heart health thanks to their natural fruit sugars. If you’re unsure what to bring back from Korea, this delicious superfood is a great option.
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Korean Tea
While Korean tea might not be as internationally known as Japanese or Chinese tea, it’s a thoughtful and elegant souvenir.
Green tea from Boseong, Hadong, or Jeju Island is known for its rich flavor. Traditional teas like omija-cha (five-flavor berry tea) or maesil-cha (plum tea) are popular for their refreshing taste and health benefits.
Looking for something special? Try a tea gift set from Osulloc — a premium tea brand from Jeju that combines traditional tea culture with modern presentation.
Korean Chili Powder and Chili Paste (Gochugaru & Gochujang)
These are staple ingredients in Korean cuisine, essential for making dishes like kimchi, tteokbokki, and stews. Gochugaru (chili powder) comes in both coarse and fine varieties and is hard to find outside Korea.
Gochujang, on the other hand, is a savory-sweet chili paste used in many Korean recipes. It’s less spicy than Vietnamese chili sauces and adds a deep red color and umami flavor to food — a great souvenir for home cooks!
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Korean Sauces
Korea is famous for its flavorful sauces, and they make perfect souvenirs. Some of the must-try options include:
- Gochujang – chili pepper paste
- Ssamjang – dipping sauce for meat wraps
- Doenjang – fermented soybean paste used in soups
These sauces are beautifully packaged and easy to carry home, making them both practical and authentic gifts.
Korean Ginseng
There’s a reason ginseng deserves another mention. Thanks to Korea’s ideal climate and soil, Korean ginseng is regarded as some of the best in the world.
From red ginseng to white and black ginseng, each variety offers different health benefits — from boosting immunity and improving brain function to anti-aging and cancer prevention. It’s a deeply respectful and valuable gift for parents, grandparents, or anyone who values wellness.
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Korean Seaweed (Gim)
No Korean kitchen is complete without seaweed! Available in many forms — from full sheets for gimbap (Korean sushi rolls) to snack-sized, roasted and flavored seaweed — this superfood is tasty and healthy.
Seaweed is rich in nutrients and is especially loved by kids and adults alike as a light, satisfying snack. It’s lightweight, affordable, and available almost everywhere in Korea.
Whether you’re a foodie, a culture lover, or simply want to share a piece of your Korean adventure, these souvenirs are thoughtful gifts that capture the essence of Korean culture and flavor.
From healthy red ginseng to flavorful sauces and snacks, South Korea offers a little something for everyone. And if you’re looking for more unique travel tips and gift ideas, don’t forget to follow my blog — your go-to guide for discovering hidden gems around the world.
