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🛍️ Korea Shopping List TOP 10 — What to Buy (and Where) in 2025

Updated 2025-09-07 • “Until I’m satisfied” — continuously updated based on reader feedback.

Visiting Korea soon? Here are the TOP 10 must-buy items—from K-beauty and K-pop goods to snacks, homeware, and duty-free exclusives. Includes quick price snapshots, where to buy, 2025 tax-refund rules, and smart packing tips. 이 글은 영어를 중심으로 하되, 이해를 돕는 간단한 한국어 설명도 함께 제공합니다.

📑 Table of Contents

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1. K-Beauty Essentials
2. Korean Snacks & Instant Packs
3. K-Pop Albums & Official Merch
4. Trendy Fashion & Accessories
5. Home & Kitchen Goods
6. Character Goods & Stationery
7. Traditional Souvenirs
8. Tech & Smart Accessories
9. Duty-Free & Tax Refund
10. Pro Shopping Tips
11. Country-Specific Picks
12. Quick Check Quiz
13. Take a Lesson with Me!
14. Next Post Preview

1) K-Beauty Essentials

Why buy: frequent promos, travel sets, and wide shade ranges in major areas (Myeongdong/Hongdae). 행사(1+1, 세트)가 자주 있어 가성비가 좋고, 관광지 매장은 영어 응대가 비교적 잘 됩니다.

Category	Typical Price (KRW)	USD (approx.)	Where to Buy
Cleansers / Toners	₩8,000–20,000	$6–15	Olive Young, brand flagships
Serums / Ampoules	₩18,000–60,000	$14–45	Brand stores, duty-free
Sheet Masks (box)	₩10,000–25,000	$7–19	Olive Young “1+1” deals

Tip: Buy seasonal set boxes; check expiry if bulk-buying masks. 마스크팩 유통기한을 확인하세요.

Phrase: “혹시 세트 할인 있어요?” — Do you have set discounts?

2) Korean Snacks & Instant Packs

Fan favorites: Honey Butter Chips, Pepero, seaweed packs, instant tteokbokki/ramyeon. 대표 간식: 허니버터칩, 빼빼로, 김 세트, 컵 떡볶이·라면.

Item	KRW	USD	Where
Seaweed Family Pack	₩5,000–9,000	$4–7	Large marts, convenience stores
Instant Tteokbokki	₩3,500–6,000	$3–5	CVS, marts

Phrase: “이 맛이 덜 매운가요?” — Is this one less spicy?

3) K-Pop Albums & Official Merch

Shop in Myeongdong, Hongdae, Yongsan-IPark Mall and official pop-ups. Compare photocard benefits by store. 매장별 포토카드 특전이 달라 비교 구매가 좋아요.

Item	KRW	USD	Notes
Album	₩18,000–28,000	$14–21	Random PC benefits vary
Light Stick	₩40,000–70,000	$30–53	Carry-on only; obey battery rules

Flight safety (2025): power banks/loose batteries go in carry-on, up to ~5 units under 100Wh; no in-flight charging on KR carriers. Always check your airline. 보조배터리·배터리류는 기내 반입만 가능.

Phrase: “포토카드 혜택이 매장마다 다른가요?” — Do photocard benefits differ by store?

4) Trendy Fashion & Accessories

From budget streetwear to outlets—sizes run small, so try on. Winter items can be bulky—consider vacuum bags. 사이즈가 작게 나오는 편—착용 후 구매하세요.

Phrase: “한 번 입어봐도 될까요?” — May I try this on?

5) Home & Kitchen Goods

Stainless chopsticks/spoons, stoneware, compact cookware—great value and giftable. Wrap ceramics with soft clothing to save space. 젓가락·숟가락 세트, 도자기 소품은 선물용으로 인기가 많아요.

6) Character Goods & Stationery

KAKAO FRIENDS / LINE FRIENDS / ARTBOX for cute, durable goods. Many stores support global shipping near tourist areas. 관광지 매장은 해외 배송을 지원하는 경우가 있습니다.

Phrase: “해외 배송 가능해요?” — Do you ship overseas?

7) Traditional Souvenirs

Hanbok keychains, fans, small celadon/white porcelain pieces—lightweight yet meaningful. 한복 키링, 부채, 청자/백자 소품은 가볍고 의미가 있어요.

8) Tech & Smart Accessories

Phone cases, Bluetooth earbuds, tiny home gadgets—check voltage/plug (Korea 220V / plug F). 전압 220V, 콘센트 F형을 확인하세요.

9) Duty-Free & Tax Refund (2025 quick rules)

• Immediate Tax Refund at many stores: per receipt ≤ ₩1,000,000, trip total ≤ ₩5,000,000 (show passport at checkout). 즉시 환급: 영수증당 100만원 이하, 여행 총액 500만원 한도.
• Duty-free pre-order: online order & airport pick-up; cut-off often ~3 hours before departure (can extend when busy). 면세 사전주문: 출발 약 3시간 전 마감(혼잡 시 더 빠를 수 있음).
• Know your destination allowance: your home country’s rules apply on arrival. 귀국 시에는 자국 면세 한도를 따릅니다.

Passport & flight info required for duty-free pick-ups; keep e-receipts for warranty/returns. 픽업 시 여권·항공편 정보 필요.

Phrase: “택스 리펀드 되나요?” — Is tax refund available?

10) Bonus — Local Food Kits

DIY bulgogi or kimchi seasoning packs—lightweight and travel-friendly. Check destination customs for food rules. 불고기/김치 양념 키트는 가볍고 휴대가 편합니다.

💡 Pro Shopping Tips

• Bundle wisely: set boxes beat singles; avoid heavy glass where possible. 세트가 단품보다 유리한 경우가 많아요.
• Packing: compression bags; cosmetics into zip pouches; batteries in carry-on. 압축팩, 지퍼백 활용, 배터리는 기내로.
• Refund choice: counter vs immediate — pick what saves time (lines vary). 즉시 환급/카운터 환급 중 대기 줄이 짧은 곳 선택.
• Total cost check: price + exchange rate + membership coupons. 가격 + 환율 + 쿠폰을 함께 비교.

🌏 Country-Specific Shopping Recommendations

🇭🇰 Travelers from Hong Kong

Hunt duty-free exclusives and limited K-beauty sets; light snacks (seaweed, Honey Butter) pack flat. 면세 한정·선물용 세트를 가볍게 챙기세요.

🇯🇵 Travelers from Japan

Focus on skincare/masks and K-pop merch; add tea/ceramics/kitchen tools for gifts. 기초 케어·마스크, 굿즈, 전통 차/도자기를 추천.

🇸🇬 Travelers from Singapore

K-beauty, café-style goods, affordable daily fashion & stationery—good value vs local prices. 가성비 좋은 패션·문구·카페 굿즈가 인기.

📌 Did You Know?

K-beauty and snacks consistently top foreign-visitor baskets; tourist zones like Myeongdong/Hongdae offer multilingual support and overseas shipping options. 명동·홍대 등 관광지는 다국어 안내·해외배송 지원 매장이 많습니다.

📝 Quick Check Quiz

1. Which category benefits most from 1+1 promos? (A) Serums (B) Sheet masks
2. What should you check before buying light sticks? (A) Battery rules (B) Store playlist
3. Where do you usually find the best character goods? (A) Random stalls (B) Official stores

Show Answers

1) B   2) A   3) B

간단 퀴즈로 핵심 포인트를 확인해 보세요.

👩‍🏫 Take a Lesson with Me!

Want smooth shopping conversations? Practice polite requests, returns, and bargaining in my italki lesson. 쇼핑 현장에서 바로 쓰는 정중 표현·교환/환불·가격 문의를 함께 연습해요.

📢 Next Post Preview

Up next: 10 Instagrammable Korean Cafes 다음 글: 인스타 감성 한국 카페 10곳

Tags: Travel to Korea, Korea shopping list, K-beauty, K-pop merch, Korean snacks, Duty free, Tax refund, Korea souvenirs

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