These are the Korea souvenirs that earned a spot in my suitcase, and somehow, a spot in our home too. Some are practical, some are pretty, and one got eaten within the week (no prizes for guessing which).
My Korea Souvenirs List
1. A Korean ink stamp (dojang)
In Korea, a dojang is a personal seal carved with your name, traditionally used instead of a signature on official documents. I had mine carved at a tiny stamp shop in Insadong, where an old man worked on it while I browsed next door. Twenty minutes later, my name in Hangul, carved in wood, wrapped up like jewellery. The rookie mistake? I came home without the red ink pad. Temu sorted that out for a few dollars, and now I stamp things that absolutely do not need stamping.
2. Skincare
Yes, the obvious one. But obvious for a reason. Korean skincare is cheaper and more varied at home, and Olive Young is basically a theme park for your face. I stocked up on sunscreen (the light, no white cast kind), a stack of sheet masks and a snail essence I am still pretending I understand. Pack a few spare zip bags. Trust me.
3. Wooden wedding ducks
Koreans love a lucky charm, and carved wood ones feel less touristy than a fridge magnet. Wedding ducks (wonang) are a pair of wooden mandarin ducks, a symbol of a long and faithful marriage, traditionally given to newlyweds. Ours sit on the shelf facing each other, which apparently means things are going well. (If one gets turned around, you know there’s been a fight.)
4. A modern hanbok
Traditional hanbok is gorgeous but not exactly brunch-friendly. Modern hanbok keeps the shape and the colours, minus the volume. I found mine in a small boutique in Ikseon-dong, a soft wrap top I wear with jeans, and nobody in Melbourne has guessed where it’s from yet.
5. Art for our house
A minhwa print of a tiger and a magpie. Minhwa is Korean folk painting, and this pairing is a classic good luck motif: the magpie brings good news, the tiger keeps bad spirits out. The tiger is also hilariously goofy-looking, which is exactly why I bought it. The best souvenirs are the ones you see every day, and this one hangs by our front door.
6. Noodles
Korean ramyeon flavours you simply can’t find abroad. Grab them from a supermarket or GS25 and fill every gap in your luggage. Just declare them at Australian customs (meat flavour sachets can get you pulled aside).
Follow me on Instagram @KultureKween for more recent updates.
[…] use it on postcards, journals, and greeting cards. If you’re looking for a cultural Korean souvenir for yourself or someone else, the Dojang is affordable (prices start from AUD 10), personal, and […]