13 Korean Food Souvenirs

The best Korean Souvenirs for Foodies: whether they're gifts for friends, coworkers or yourself, these Korean food ideas and snacks are sure to be a hit. (I've focused on Korean food items that are hard to find outside of Korea.)

One of the best parts of a holiday in Korea is buying unique Korean souvenirs! As a food blogger, Korean food gifts are my fave souvenirs but if you're looking for traditional and modern Korean souvenirs beyond food, click here. (Alternatively, click here if you want to know what are the best Korean regional food specialties in the different parts of Korea.)

I've also included the best places to find these Korean foods- usually traditional markets and Korean supermarkets (my favorite places to browse on holiday!)

Turtle Chips (Choco Churros flavor) and Butter Waffles are the faves for modern snacks.

Personally I prefer traditional snacks such as dried squid- they're tasty, light, and don't break easily so easy to transport. (The perfect snack to serve with alcohol actually.

These days, you can also find artisanal versions- for example, at Gwangjang market in Seoul, I found some toasted rice crackers (They were inspired by the crispy rice you find at the bottom of your Dolsot (Stone pot.)

Where to get: traditional Korean markets, supermarkets, Daiso and convenience stores.

Most of us only know of Napa cabbage kimchi (baechu kimchi) but there are actually dozens of types. When in Korea, why not pick up some more obscure types of kimchi to bring home, such as bossam oyster kimchi? (wrapped oyster kimchi.)

It's the perfect gift for a friend or coworker who loves Korean food!

Note that Kimchi must be packed in your checked-in luggage and not in your carry on!

Sure, you can get the fermented vegetables from any grocery store, but why not learn to make your own kimchi in Seoul? I did that last year- your handmade kimchi will be sealed for you, so it's easy to bring home!

Some of these Korean fermented pastes are available outside of Korea now (usually found in a plastic tub.)

However, you can find homemade versions in Korean traditional markets for more unique flavors- some allow you to taste before you buy.

Where to get: Korean markets

Some popular Korean teas include:

• Yuja-Cha (Yuzu Tea): Yuzu Tea and Plum tea often come as a glass jar thick fruit syrup (Cheong) so can be quite heavy to carry. For lighter souvenirs, go for Barley tea or green tea bags. (A popular green tea brand is O Sulloc- there's an outlet in Myeongdong.)
• Korean plum tea (Maesil-cha)
• Omija Tea (said to be good for the immune system)
• Barley Tea (Bori Cha): this is a good choice for someone who doesn't have a sweet tooth.
• Jujube Tea (Red Date Tea)

If looking for a more substantial gift, you can even give a traditional tea set to enjoy the tea with! (Go for the celadon ones.)

When my Korean friend visited me from Seoul, she gifted me with Korean rice cake (tteok.)

There are so many delicious snacks that you won't be able to find outside of Korea! (Here's a list of the best Korean snacks to bring back with you, such as Yakgwa.)

HBAF Nuts

I'll be honest I've never really seen the appeal of HBAF nuts but they are very popular and there's a super wide range of flavours, so definitely something for everyone. (If you're not sure what to get, Honey Butter is a bestseller.)

Where to find: There's a standalone HBAF shop in Myeongdong. You can also get them in Lotte Supermarket.

In Korea, you can get these in cartons, instead of the typical plastic container. Some people feel that the taste is slightly less strong, but it is undoubtedly more practical for traveling!

Where to get: Supermarket

If your friends likes to cook, give them dried Korean ingredients, such as green tea powder or dried seafood (dried fish, dried octopus, dried abalone etc) to make soup with. I bought several hundred dollars worth of dried seafood from Busan- don't forget to refrigerate them or they will go mouldy, unlike Chinese dried seafood!

Where to get: You can get them at traditional Korean markets and grocery stores.

You'll find a much larger range of instant Korean ramen here. They're a great gift for K-drama loving friends!

Look for weird flavours that aren't easily available outside of Korea- you can find collaboration products with unique flavours at difference convenience stores (which are located all over Seoul.)

Some of the most popular convenience stores in Korea include CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven. They're EVERYWHERE in Korea but the prices are a bit higher than the Korean supermarkets. For example, when I bought bottled water from CU in Busan, it was actually more expensive than the water at Lotte supermarket, which is a high-end supermarket.

Where to get: Supermarkets and convenience stores

This traditional Korean snack is super light, so perfect if you don't have much baggage allowance left. Just note that the packaging is quite clunky so it will take up a bit of space.

Some brands also do collabs/ are endorsed by popular Korean stars, which friends who are fans would love.

Where to get: Supermarkets and traditional Korean markets.

Koreans are big on alcohol.

There are many types of soju and makgeolli (Korean rice wine) in Korea, making a great gift for your boozy friends!

Korea is well-known for its ginseng which has a lot of health benefits. You can get fresh ginseng (not practical as souenirs), dried ginseng, ginseng supplement pills, ginseng tea etc!

Ginseng is quite pricey so save these as gifts for close friends and family.

Where to get: Retail stores or Departments stores

This super popular Korean childhood snack is great for fans of Korean culture.

Where to get: Supermarket.

Different parts of Korea are famous for different foods. For example, if visiting Jeju Island, tangerine souvenirs is a must!

Any questions about the best Korean food souvenirs to buy for friends, coworkers or family who are foodies? Let me know in the comments!