I’m going on a trip to Korea soon, and I was wondering if there’s any Korean omiyage that’s popular in Japan? Something that’s maybe commonly requested? I’m a little worried I might bring back something that is already readily available here and didn’t realize.
I’ve asked around the office but people just keep saying that seeing me returning with a smile is the only souvenir they want… which like ok you’re all adorable and I love you but I’m still gonna buy you something so please help me out haha
18 comments
I always get Korean seaweed (the dried, lightly flavored kind that come in little packs, to be eaten with rice or as a snack). It usually comes in big bags of like a dozen packs for reasonably cheap; you can get enough for multiple packs for each colleague (so you don’t look like a cheapo only giving them one pack).
Yakgwa, a kind of deep-fried cookie? was also a big hit in my office. I think they last a while, but check best before dates just in case.
I’ve received small snacks/cookies with Korean packaging from coworkers. I’ve also received Korean seaweed packs.
When in doubt, edibles always work.
I used to buy the honey almond and brownies treats, but you can find it now days at Donki. Maybe instant noodles like Carbo Buldak Bokkeummyeun or Shin Ramen black.
Something with nori.
If I were your coworker, I’d love Korean seaweed(韓国のり)
This isn’t exactly the most common souvenir but I brought back some Korean silverware (mostly the long spoons) for my family and friends when I was in high school. They’re still using them after six years lol. It’s pretty cheap too.
My old boss would get snacks and face packs. They were gone the day he put them on the shared goods table.
I have purchased rice puff candy, corn tea teabags, face packs, and random snacks for my colleagues.
Kimchi chocolate and chili pepper chocolate are a must for the more adventurous coworkers or batsu game.
Kaesong Koryo Insam Liquor
Masik Pass Slippers
CD “The Song of the Sun Will Be Immortal”
Air Koryo memorabilia
A copy of “The Pyongyang Times”
…
Face masks can please some people, but doesn’t work for all.
Brownies. Nori stuff. Other snacks in general.
Great question!
Nori. Definitely go with the nori. Everybody loves that stuff.
Sheet masks are good too, and they are not only for the ladies!
Corn-flavored candy goes down really well, too.
But really, your colleagues seem to like you, and they’ll be happy with whatever you bring back for them!
I always get the 참 붕어빵, cakes shaped like fish (basically taiyaki) with chocolate cream inside. You can get them at pretty much every convenience store or supermarket, and they’re individually wrapped.
One of our security guys in Seoul, middle aged but, many years my senior at the time, kinda quiet. Didn’t seem very socialable with anyone. He gave me a little keychain on my first trip through Korea. It was cheap, but locally made and sold in the markets. He was proud of it — you could tell.
It was something small, but very Korean. I think that’s an excellent choice.
Omg I’m also going to Korea in a few days and had no idea what to buy for omiyage. Thank you for making this post 🙏
If you live in Tokyo (or pretty much any big city in Japan), don’t worry too much about giving souvenirs that can ONLY be gotten at the destination. Pretty much anything can be bought anywhere so stick with popular items.
I remember working with someone who did his best to get something super unique to a place and it was always….weird
Korean omiyage snacks at the airport are crap (at least compared to Japan) so I’d strongly recommend buying something a day or two before leaving. Go to a supermarket or just sweep up a bunch of stuff at CU
Food – get some multi packs of mini kim (nori) or choco pies for things that people can take a single unit of. If open sharing of a bigger bag in the office is ok then loads of the crisps/chips are great – 꼬북칩 (like corn flavoured turtle chips) are my personal fave. Onion rings also good, and their shrimp crackers taste better than the ones you can get in Japan to me
Other – as other people have pointed out, face masks can be great and they’re not that expensive to buy a good amount of. You can get lots of sample sized hand creams and stuff as well in places like olive young. Cheap socks are everywhere and great too. Might be a bit weird though
Avoid – personally I think most of the HBAF nuts are not that good. The spicy flavour was actually gross, I bought two packs for my dad and we had to bin them