In today’s post, you will find over 40 unique South Korean gifts for people who love South Korea. Of course, one of the best Korean gift ideas is a trip to Korea (check out number 1). But I can imagine that’s not within everyone’s budget.
So my second personal favorite South Korean-themed gift is the Korean traditional game set (number 8). But I’m a huge game lover, so if the recipient is not, check out the other 40 ideas!
Table of Contents
Save these South Korean gift ideas
Don’t forget to save these South Korean gifts for the next time you need unique ideas for someone who loves South Korea!
South Korean gifts for large budgets
#1 A trip to South Korea
The number gift for people obsessed with South Korea is, of course, a trip to South Korea. So head over to Skyscanner or Kiwi or whatever site you use and book a flight to Seoul!
You could also opt for a gift card, so the recipient can book a flight, hotel, or activities themselves. Or you can gift money, so they can spend it in whichever way they like. Check out #37 for a unique and Korean way to gift money.
#2 DIY kimchi kit
If you are looking for Korean gifts for someone who loves Korean food, and more specifically kimchi, this is the gift you need!
Kimchi is fermented cabbage and it’s a popular side dish in Korea. And with this kit, they can ferment their own cabbage at home and create delicious homemade kimchi.
For more DIY inspiration, check out these 25 international DIY food kits.
#3 K-Pop merchandise
If you are looking for South Korean gifts for someone who is obsessed with K-Pop (Korean pop music), then K-pop merchandise of their favorite artists is the best gift you can get.
And trust me when I say that you can find more than enough K-pop merchandise.
If you are not into K-pop yourself, you may be surprised just by how big this industry is. But to give you an idea here’s a mind-blowing stat.
When BTS (one of the most popular K-pop groups) launched a new video on YouTube in 2020, it was watched over 100 billion (yes, that’s with a B) within the first 24-hours.
I thought that was quite an astonishing fact.
But anyway, back to the gifts.
If you know the recipient loves BTS then obviously you should be getting BTS merchandise. But if you are not sure which artist he or she prefers, but you do know he or she loves K-pop, then check out all gifts on Amazon. Or check out #36.
#4 Jewelry box with Korean print
This handcrafted jewelry box is a great Korean gift idea for someone who loves Korean art and crafts. It’s a traditional Korean Mother of Pearl lacquerware. This technique (Mother of Pearl), which is popular in other Asian countries as well, has been used for ages. It’s a shiny camouflage layer typically made from seashells.
#5 Korean snack box
If you are looking for Korean food gifts, then this box filled with 36 Korean snacks is the perfect gift. It includes classic Korean snacks from popular brands such as Orion, Lotte, Crown, and Haitai.
#6 Korean spice blends
If you are looking for more Korean gift ideas for someone who loves Korean food and cooking, these spice blends are the perfect gift.
#7 Korean fashion
W concept is one of the most famous online fashion stores that sell clothes from many different Korean (and other) brands. They ship pretty much anywhere in the world, so you will surely find something for your recipient here. Though if you are in the US online store, you will also see brands that are not from South Korea.
If you want to be sure to buy from a Korean brand, check out Stylenanda, one of the many famous Korean fashion brands that ships worldwide
#8 Traditional Korean games
If you are looking for unique Korean gift ideas for someone who loves games, this set of five traditional Korean games is the perfect gift. The games included are:
- Yutnori
- Biseokchigi
- Gonggi
- Jegi Chagi
- Cat’s Cradle set.
You can find explanations for each game on Amazon too, so they’ll know how to play the games.
If you are looking for smaller gifts, you can also opt for the yutnori game, which is the most popular of all five. Or check out #30 for a popular Korean card game.
#9 Korean-style tea set
This traditional celadon Korean tea set includes 5 cups, a Sookwoo(hot-water cooler), and a Dahgwan (teapot). Celadon is the name for the typical green pottery that’s produced in many Asian countries, including Korea.
#10 Korean sauces
If you are looking for Korean food gifts for someone who is too lazy to prepare Korean meals at home, these Korean sauces are the best gifts for them. All they have to do is add one of the sauces to their dishes and they have created the Korean taste at home without any effort.
#11 Korean calligraphy wall art
This Korean handpainted calligraphy is a great gift for someone who wants to decorate their home in Korean style. You can customize the print by adding the recipient’s name and choosing whether you want only Korean symbols or both English words and Korean.
#12 Korean-themed puzzle
This stunning photograph of Seoul’s skyline is a great gift for people who love Seoul and who love putting together jigsaw puzzles of course. Also, check out these 25 puzzle gifts for more inspiration.
South Korean gifts for mid-budgets
#13 Korean cookbooks
Maangchi’s Big Book Of Korean Cooking: From Everyday Meals to Celebration Cuisine
This book is filled with delicious Korean recipes and beautiful photography to show you exactly how to recreate Korean dishes at home.
Cook Korean!: A Comic Book with Recipes
A fun book with 64 different Korean recipes, but instead of a classic cookbook, the recipes are shown in comic book style.
The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma’s Kitchen
A great book to show you how to turn delicious Korean meals into delicious vegan Korean meals.
Seoul Food Korean Cookbook
Korean cooking from kimchi and bibimbap to fried chicken and bingsoo. The book contains 135 different Korean recipes to try at home.
#14 Korean knot gifts
Korean knots are a type of handicrafts that have been made in Korea for centuries. It’s also known as madeup. You can find jewelry with Korean knots in all shapes and sizes, I quite liked the simplicity of the ring.
And for people who love to know more about the technique, the history, and how to make it themselves, check out the “Maedeup: The Art of Traditional Korean Knots” book.
#15 Korean language course
Korean language courses are one of the best South Korean gifts for people obsessed with Korea! If they are able to speak the language they can enjoy the country even more. They may finally be able to communicate with locals and understand the lyrics of their favorite K-pop songs.
Speaking of K-pop. If you are looking for Korean gifts for K-pop fans, here is the best gift you can get them; Udemy offers an online course that teaches Korean through K-pop songs! Check it out here.
#16 DIY makgeolli kit
This DIY K-makgeolli is one of the best Korean gifts for people who love having a drink (or two). With this gift, they can make their own makgeolli at home.
In case you are not familiar with Korean booze. Makgeolli is a sparkly rice wine from Korea.
For more inspiration for booze-lovers, check out these 25 international cocktail gifts.
#17 Korean gifts for her: skin care products
Korean skincare products are popular among both Korean and non-Korean women because they use natural ingredients and because Korean skins look absolutely flawless.
So this facial serum by SeoulCeuticals is a great gift for anyone who loves beauty products and taking care of their skin.
Or you could give a bomibox that contains multiple Korean beauty products, such as face masks, face serums, and creams.
Check out gift #31 for more Korean gifts for beauty lovers.
#18 Korean finger heart gifts
The finger heart (making a heart from your thumb and index finger) is a popular gesture in Korea to show love. You can find all sorts of finger heart items on Amazon, but I personally liked the hoodie the most.
#19 Korean-themed passport cover
If you are looking for practical Korean gift ideas for travelers, a passport cover in a Korean theme is a great gift idea. You can find over 50 different Korean designs on Zazzle, or you can simply go for the one I picked.
#20 Fun books about Korea
History of Korea
A captivating guide to Korean history, including events such as the Mongol invasions, the split into North and South, and the Korean war by Captivating History.
Culture Smart: Korea
The essential guide to customs and culture in Korea. This is a great Korean gift idea for someone who is going to move to Korea or someone who loves learning about local cultures and traditions.
Hanok: The Korean house
This is a beautiful book full of images of traditional Korean interior design and one of the best Korean gift ideas for someone who loves Korean home decor.
The birth of Korean cool
How one nation is conquering the world through pop culture. A great book for anyone who wants to understand more about Korean culture.
#21 Korean name necklace
This necklace is a great Korean gift for her. The necklace is available in rose gold, gold, and silver, and of course, you can personalize it with the recipient’s name.
#22 Korean-themed gifts: water bottles
If you are looking for cute Korean-themed gifs for sustainable travelers then these stainless steel water bottles are a great gift for you. They will reduce the number of plastic water bottles and they have a Korean theme. I quite liked the one with the Seoul skyline, but check out Zazzle for the many other designs they offer.
#23 Scratch map of Korea
If you are looking for unique Korean gift ideas for travelers, then this scratch map of Korea is the perfect gift! They can keep track of all the places they have visited in Korea and which places they still have to discover.
#24 KAKAO FRIENDS laundry bags
Laundry bags are always practical gifts for travelers, but what makes this one of the great gifts for people who love Korea, is the fact that it’s in the theme of KAKAO FRIENDS.
And if you are like me, and you have no idea what KAKAO FRIENDS are, I did some research for us. They are Korean emoticons or characters that are used on KakaoTalk, which is a super popular messaging app. And the characters have become wildly popular in Korea as well. This is why you can now find all sorts of KAKAO FRIENDS merchandise.
#25 Korean-themed socks
Socks a great small and practical Korean-themed gifts for travelers. Check out all options on Zazzle or go for the cute socks with hearts in the color of the flag of South Korea.
#26 Online taekwondo courses
Taekwondo is the most popular form of martial arts in Korea. So if you are looking for Korean gifts for people who are into sports or martial arts, these courses are a cool gift idea.
And even if the recipient is not so into sports, it’s a great gift that will also help to keep them safe when traveling.
#27 South Korea travel guides
Lonely Planet: Korea
This is one of the best Korean gift ideas for someone who travels on a budget and who is about to travel to Korea.
Solo girl’s travel guide to South Korea
As you probably already guessed this book is a great gift for a solo female traveler in Korea.
The Rough Guide to Korea
The rough guides are great guidebooks for all types of travelers, especially those who love a bit of adventure.
#28 Korean-themed travel mug
Check out all 416 different Korean-themed travel mug designs on Zazzle or buy the one with the temple as a gift for someone who loves Korea and who loves takeaway coffee.
South Korean gifts for small budgets
#29 K-drama gifts
Just like K-pop, K-drama is extremely popular both in Korea and outside. So if you know the recipient loves K-drama, check out all the cool gift ideas on Amazon, or go for the cute make-up bag.
#30 Korean card game
This Korean traditional card game is another one of the great Korean gift ideas for people who love games.
The flower cards can be used for different games, such as Go-Stop, check out the explanation of different flower card games at Pagat.
#31 Korean skincare book
If you are looking for Korean gift ideas for her, this book about Korean skincare is the perfect gift for her.
Korean skincare has pretty much taken over the world due to its effectiveness in creating clear and natural skin and by only using natural products. This book will teach her all the secrets Koreans that use to get to that beautiful glowy skin.
#32 Cute Korean shirt
Are you looking for Korean gifts for someone who loves the cute Korean fashion style? Then this Korean shirt with a rabbit is exactly what you need.
#33 Korean-themed tote bag
This tote bag with the Korean symbol for love is one of the great small and practical Korean gift ideas for travelers.
#34 Korean coloring book
This coloring book with Korean art is a great relaxing and soothing Korean gift.
#35 Korean travel poster
This is one of the best South Korean-themed gifts for people who want to bring a bit of Korea to their homes.
#36 K-pop slang dictionary
This book is another one of the great Korean gift ideas for someone who loves K-pop. But it’s also a fun gift for someone who loves to know Korean slang, regardless of whether they like K-pop or not.
#37 Korean gifts envelopes
If you are looking for unique Korean gift ideas to gift money, then these traditional envelopes are a great idea!
#38 Korean rice cakes
Are you looking for Korean food gifts for someone who loves sweets? These Korean rice cakes are a great gift idea for them.
#39 More Korean-themed gifts: luggage tags
If you are looking for Korean gifts for someone who loves kimchi but you didn’t want to go for the DIY kimchi kit, then this luggage tag is a great practical and small gift.
If you are looking for Korean-themed gifts for someone who doesn’t love kimchi, or you simply don’t know whether they love it or not, check out the other options on Zazzle.
#40 Korean tea
If you are looking for Korean gifts for a tea lover, then gifting a typical Korean tea is one of the best ideas. Tea is a super popular beverage in Korea, and one of the most popular Korean flavors is Barley tea. Check out the next item for another popular tea in Korea.
Check out the tea gift guide for more gifts for a tea lover.
#41 Ginseng tea
Ginseng is a root that has been used in Korean traditional medicine for ages. It has been said to reduce inflammation, improve mental health, boost the immune system, and protect against cancer.
#42 Korea travel journal
A travel journal that is specific to the country they love or the country they are going to visit is the perfect small gift for travelers.
If you would rather give a neutral travel journal, check out these 25 cute travel journals.
Save these South Korean gift ideas
Don’t forget to save these Koren gifts on Pinterest, so you’ll know where to look next time you need some Korean inspiration.
