Ultimate Guide To 33 Traditional Korean Gifts (2024)

Table of Contents
7. Gong Gi Korean Jacks Jack Stone Game 15 pieces, $9 8. Set of 5 Korean Coasters with Traditional Bojagi Design, $15 9. OSULLOC Premium Tea Bag Gift Set, 60 Count with Gift Bag, $47 10. Yoon Ji-Young Traditional Korean Gifts Set (Soybean Paste, Hot Red Pepper Paste, and Soy Sauce), $35 11. Korean Premium Traditional Handmade Tableware, $384 12. CheongKwanJang [Hong Sam Won, Korean Red Ginseng] – 50ml per Pouch (20 Pouches), $22 (As seen in Korean Dramas!) 13. Personalized Korean Alphabet Necklace, $28+ 14. Korean Traditional Sea Turtle Designed Chopsticks and Spoon Set, $45+ 15. The Face Shop Facial Mask Sheets, $20 16. Korean Traditional Simple Bronze Shot Glasses Heavy Weight Perfect for Gift, 4 Cups, $96 17. Premium Floral Double-Sided Bojagi in Red & Smoke Blue, $21+ 18. Daeng Gi Meo Ri Ki Gold Premium Special Hair Care Set, $98 19. Hangul Korean Personal Name Seal, $38 20. Jagae, Mother of Pearl, Korean Traditional Vanity box with Mirror, $138 21. Jagae, Mother of Pearl, Shoehorn, $50 22. Mother of Pearl Twin Cubes Lacquered Jewelry Box Crane Pine Tree Red, $70 23. 2 Korean Silver Ring, $220 24. Seoulbox Signature One Time, $40 + 10% Off 25. HealthyLine Far Infrared Heating Pad with Natural Jade and Tourmaline Stones, $280 – $2000 26. Handmade Korean Celadon Sake Set for 5 – Crane and Cloud (with Gift Box), Pitcher & Cups, $98 27. The Face Shop The Gentle for Men Anti-Aging Skincare Gift Set | Skin Firming & Smoothing | Elasticity Restore & Skin Rejuvenate, $70 28. DONGINBI Red Ginseng Korean Skin Care Set, $104 29. SNP PREP – Peptaronic Complete Korean Skin Care Set, $49 30. Artestia Raclette Table Grill,1200W Electric Indoor Korean BBQ Grill, $96 31. Korean Hanbok Card – Korean Traditional Clothes Shape Special Card, $4+ 32. d’Alba White Truffle Mist Spray Serum, $39 FAQs References

7. Gong Gi Korean Jacks Jack Stone Game 15 pieces, $9

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This is another ultimate Korean traditional gift. This is the play that has been played by Korean children for many centuries. This game is played with 5 little pebbles and you can play alone or with other people.

Here is the YouTube for how to play GongGi.

8. Set of 5 Korean Coasters with Traditional Bojagi Design, $15

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KOREA TRADITIONAL DESIGN – This coaster set, made of ramie, is made of a luxurious material and is especially popular with Koreans. Pictured above is a set of five unique color combinations.

9. OSULLOC Premium Tea Bag Gift Set, 60 Count with Gift Bag, $47

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Osullocwas founded in 1979 on Jeju Island and since then, they have been producing the highest quality teas in Korea, and possibly the world. They are best known for Jeju pure green tea and your friends will definitely love this flavor. In addition, there are two more options that are also uniquely from Jeju Island and you will experience Jeju with each sip of those teas.

10. Yoon Ji-Young Traditional Korean Gifts Set (Soybean Paste, Hot Red Pepper Paste, and Soy Sauce), $35

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Yoon Ji-Youngis one of the esteemed Korean food manufacturers that have been producing Korean traditional pastes and soy sauce for four generations. Their first-rateDoenjang(Korean traditional soybean paste),Gochujang(Korean traditional hot red pepper paste), andGanjang(Korean traditional soy sauce) are fermented for more than 1 year withYoon Ji-Young‘s family traditional technique.These three things are among the foundational building blocksfor Korean cuisine and the perfect essential gift to your friends who you want to introduce to the wonder of Korean cooking.

11. Korean Premium Traditional Handmade Tableware, $384

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Another gift idea for your parents or anyone who enjoys cooking Korean food at home is a traditional brassware dining set. Its pricetag may come with a little sticker-shock but this premium brass set of plates, bowls, and utensils will upgrade your dinner settings to emulate tableware for the royal families of Korean dynasties in the past.

12. CheongKwanJang [Hong Sam Won, Korean Red Ginseng] – 50ml per Pouch (20 Pouches), $22 (As seen in Korean Dramas!)

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Korean ginseng is an herb that has been uniquely cultivated by Korean people for over 4000 years and is considered to be among the most sought-out by those wanting to look and feel their best. It has so many health benefits such as boosting the immune system, giving energy, increasing mental alertness, promoting blood circulation and list goes on.

CheongKwanJangis the most renowned Korean red ginseng manufacturer globally and has been producing the best red ginseng products since 1899.Hong Sam Wonis their red ginseng drink product with cinnamon, ginger, and jujube fruit extract. It is the perfect introduction to the Korean well-being lifestyle for your friends who want an energy boost daily and a better immune system.

13. Personalized Korean Alphabet Necklace, $28+

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These personalized Korean alphabet necklaces will make lovely Korean gifts to your mother, girlfriends, daughters, nieces, or coworkers, basically to everyone you know. These customized necklaces will have their names in Korean letters which will be distinctive and special to each of them. These made-to-order necklaces are available in 18k gold plated, silver, rose gold plated, and white gold plated with 5 different chain lengths in 14″, 16″, 18″, 20″, and 22″.

14. Korean Traditional Sea Turtle Designed Chopsticks and Spoon Set, $45+

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This chopsticks and spoon set is so graceful, with sea turtle patterns, that your friends will fall in love with them! They are made of stainless steel and are available in gold and silver tones.

Fun Fact: Did you know that Korea is the only country that uses metal chopsticks and spoons? Other Asian countries use either wooden or plastic chopsticks and spoons. Also, Korean chopsticks are a very thin rectangle shape and harder to use than others. So Koreans believe that they are very dexterous and coordinated with their hands and fingers, all thanks to Korean chopsticks!

15. The Face Shop Facial Mask Sheets, $20

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You know that Korean facial masks are the best; so they become perfect holiday stock stuffers or small gifts all year long. THE FACE SHOP is one of the foremost Korean beauty brands in the world and it is known for its natural facial masks! This pack has 15 mask sheets and the price is so reasonable that you will find yourself buying multiple packs for your friends.

16. Korean Traditional Simple Bronze Shot Glasses Heavy Weight Perfect for Gift, 4 Cups, $96

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These exquisitely-made bronze soju glasses set are the ideal Korean gift since Koreans, and those who appreciate K culture are sentimental people, especially, when they drink. You and your friend will find yourselves waxing nostalgic when you drink soju from those glasses together.

17. Premium Floral Double-Sided Bojagi in Red & Smoke Blue, $21+

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This beautiful floral double-sided fabric is great for wrapping a gift when you really want to make an unforgettable impression. There are four different sizes and you can buy multiple units as needed. But be warned that these elegant wraps could steal some thunder from whatever’s inside!

*Bojagi is the ancient Korean tradition of wrapping and carrying with fabric. Make your celebrations beautifully waste-free with these easy-to-follow videos.

18. Daeng Gi Meo Ri Ki Gold Premium Special Hair Care Set, $98

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Who doesn’t love Korean Daenggi Meori’s phenomenal shampoo? Here is the perfect Daenggi Meori Shampoo Set for the holidays! Below are just a few of the great benefits of Daenggi Meori haircare.

  • Infused with naturally derived pure and raw ingredients including ginseng
  • No artificial color and cares for the scalp
  • Promotes Hair Growth
  • Nourishment to dry hair
  • Made in South Korea

19. Hangul Korean Personal Name Seal, $38

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This Korean name chop can be customized in Korean, English, or Chinese. Featuring a lovely natural tan wood with a brass stamp face and an ornate tassel, this unique seal will delight any recipient on your gift list who longs for a more formal, traditional time while navigating a modern frenetic world.

20. Jagae, Mother of Pearl, Korean Traditional Vanity box with Mirror, $138

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Jagaeis the mother of pearl (the shells of the abalone, mollusk, or the clam) that Korean artisans have used to inlay the top of lacquered objects and to make high-quality furniture and household objects since the 6th century. Only royalty, noblemen/women, and the extremely wealthy could afford elegantjagaefurniture and household items back in the days since the techniques were very difficult, delicate, and labor-intensive to make.Jagaeitems were especially popular with Korean noblewomen because of their exclusively gorgeous accent on jewelry boxes, hairpins, the back of mirrors, and vanity tables.

Thisjagaevanity box with a mirror replicates what Korean noblewomen used since the Joseon Dynasty. This will make a great traditional Korean gift since it’s not just practical but holds craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

21. Jagae, Mother of Pearl, Shoehorn, $50

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This mother-of-pearl shoehorn might be just what your father, husband, or friend needs! This delicate but sturdy shoehorn will elevate going out into a whole new experience.

22. Mother of Pearl Twin Cubes Lacquered Jewelry Box Crane Pine Tree Red, $70

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This exquisite mother-of-pearl organizer box is an excellent piece of art that also functions as a useful way to organize jewelry or makeup. This box is gracefully decorated using an ancient Korean artistic technique to add a royal touch to the everyday.

23. 2 Korean Silver Ring, $220

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These handcrafted silver twin rings have been favored by Korean noble ladies for centuries and whoever you gift these to will marvel at their timeless beauty!

24. Seoulbox Signature One Time, $40 + 10% Off

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The Seoulbox “One Time” is a marvelous introduction to your friends who want to try various Korean snacks. This delightful box will give your friends so many Korean snacks and goodies, along with various K-Pop and K-Beauty items sprinkled in, that they may resent you for whetting a newfound, insatiable appetite for all things Korean!Seoulboxalso has other options that you can subscribe to and receive this goodness monthly!

You will get 10% off on an order from the link below or all orders sitewide since you are a Best of Korea reader. Please use the code “BEST10” when you check out!

25. HealthyLine Far Infrared Heating Pad with Natural Jade and Tourmaline Stones, $280 – $2000

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This heating pad is a thoughtful gift to your family and friends who have chronic muscle and joint pain, and need relief. The pad contains 154 pieces of jade and tourmaline which will help your friends with blood circulation, and it will help the body ache with its infrared ray. On top of these benefits, it also emits negative ions, known to improve lung function for more efficient breathing. Your family or friends will be forever grateful to you when they lay on the pad after muscle pain, a vigorous workout session, a long day of skiing, or simply on a cold night.

26. Handmade Korean Celadon Sake Set for 5 – Crane and Cloud (with Gift Box), Pitcher & Cups, $98

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Korean Celadon, also known as Koryo Celadon, is the ceramic greenware that was developed in the late 9th century and Koreans produced the greenware actively during Koryo Dynasty (918-1392 AD). At first, Koryo Celadon was influenced by China but it became very distinct from Chinese Celadon. The biggest difference between Korean and Chinese Celadons is that Korean Celadon is a more grayish green-blue tone than the Chinese version, which is more jade in tone. Also, Koryo Celadon’s very delicate crack pattern all over the ware is what makes Koryo Celadon so special and elegant.

This Korean Celadon Sake Set is so intricate with Crane and Cloud patterns that your friends will be dazzled. Cranes are sacred creatures that represents longevity, health, gracefulness, and success in Korean culture. Clouds represent harmony and prosperity in Korean culture. Therefore, this gift is an ideal present for friends or family to wish them longevity, health, success, and prosperity!

27. The Face Shop The Gentle for Men Anti-Aging Skincare Gift Set | Skin Firming & Smoothing | Elasticity Restore & Skin Rejuvenate, $70

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The Face Shop complete skin care set from Korea is the perfect gift to surprise your husband, boyfriend, dad or friend and encourage them to take better care of their skin!

28. DONGINBI Red Ginseng Korean Skin Care Set, $104

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Donginbi is the premium Korean Red Ginseng beauty brand that shares the same parent company (Korean Ginseng Corp) with CheongKwanJang. Its main ingredient is Korean red ginseng. Like I mentioned above, Korean red ginseng is great for its anti-aging effect. This is a fantastic product if you want more affordable skincare thanSulwhasoobut still reap the benefits. Your friends will love you for them!

29. SNP PREP – Peptaronic Complete Korean Skin Care Set, $49

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SNPis a Korean beauty company that dedicates itself to making the top quality skin care products and it is well known for that. “S” stands for science, “N” stands for nature and “P” stans for purity. As you can see from what its name stands for, its goal is to provide skincare to the consumers with skin experts’ consistent research and development, and natural and pure ingredients.

SNPhas several brands within andSNP PREPis one of them. Its main ingredients are hyaluronic acid with peptides, cica, and vitamins. These will make your skin maintain moisture and regenerate, also great for anti-aging. This would be one of the best gifts to your daughters, friends, wife, and mother to try out excellent Korean skincare.

30. Artestia Raclette Table Grill,1200W Electric Indoor Korean BBQ Grill, $96

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This electric grill pan is the one that will make it possible for you to enjoy yummy Korean BBQ at your home! It comes with a non-stick grill pan, cooking stone, and 8 small individual cooking pans that you can melt cheese or cook anything small in. Your friends who will receive this as a gift will be so thankful that you should prepare yourself to become a permanent member of their dinner party guestlist.

31. Korean Hanbok Card – Korean Traditional Clothes Shape Special Card, $4+

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These Korean Hanbook cards are just too pretty! These cards will make your Korean gifts extra special when your friends open them. Share your love for Korean culture with these cards this holiday season!

32. d’Alba White Truffle Mist Spray Serum, $39

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This mist is one of the most popular mist serums in Korea. It first got famous by getting the nickname “the flight attendants’ mist.” Korean flight attendants have a reputation for being fashionable and using the best beauty products so whatever they use becomes a sensation in Korea. They have been powerful influencers even before Instagram was created. Flight attendants swear by its hydration power and who can testify better than them? Their work environment, inside of planes, is one of the driest places outside of a desert community. You should get in on this insider secret before becomes the next impossible-to-find-in-stock K-Beauty essential.

Ultimate Guide To 33 Traditional Korean Gifts (2024)

FAQs

What is the etiquette for Korean gifts? ›

Never sign a card in red ink or use green, white or black wrapping paper. If you're invited to a Korean's home then you should take gifts such as fruit, good quality chocolates or flowers and present the gift with two hands. Gifts are not opened when received and will be done so later.

How much money should you give at a Korean wedding? ›

According to a survey in February 2023, the majority of the respondents answered that the proper amount of cash wedding gifts for not-so-close coworkers or friends is 50,000 South Korean won. About 30.2 percent said they would bring 200,000 South Korean won as cash gifts to the weddings of their close friends.

What gifts do Koreans like to receive? ›

Popular Gift Choices in Korea
  • Booze. Individuals often enjoy partaking in the traditional Korean practice of toasting with a drink. ...
  • Money. ...
  • Products Related To Health And Wellness. ...
  • Hanji.
Dec 3, 2023

What is the traditional gift for a Korean wedding? ›

Traditional Korean Wedding Gifts

Money, called chug ei-geum, given in a white envelope is the most common Korean wedding gift. The amount given usually ranges from $30 to $200, depending on the guest's relationship with the couple.

What gifts one Cannot give to a Korean? ›

Traditionally, many Koreans refused to give knives, scissors or anything else used for cutting because they didn't want to severe any relationships.

What are the best gifts to give in Korea? ›

  1. Souvenir from Home. Small souvenirs from home show great consideration to your Korean hosts for a business meeting or when getting together with friends. ...
  2. Liquor. Never leave the airport without picking up some duty-free alcohol. ...
  3. Invitation for Dinner. ...
  4. Household Goods. ...
  5. Money. ...
  6. Gift Basket. ...
  7. Invitation to Visit. ...
  8. Gift Certificate.

Who pays for Korean wedding? ›

Technically, the answer is: the parents. But it is more important to understand why the parents take the money. The parents take the money because in Korea, the parents of the newlyweds generally pay for the wedding.

Is $100 enough for a wedding gift? ›

The etiquette suggests that the wedding gift amount for a guest can be about $50-100. Sisters and brothers, aunts, uncles, and nephews give $100-150. Is $100 enough for a wedding gift from a couple? Yes, it is pretty enough if you are not a mother of the bride or any other close relative.

Is $50 too little to give for a wedding? ›

They suggest the following breakdown: coworkers or distant relatives should spend 50 to 75 dollars. Friends or relatives, 75 to 100 dollars. For close friends, family members, or if you're in the wedding party, you should spend 100 to 150 dollars—or more.

What is the best gift for a Korean friend? ›

  • Skin Care.
  • Hair Care.
  • Essential Oils.
  • Fragrances.
  • Soaps & Bath Bombs.
  • Sex Toys.
  • Face Masks & Coverings.
  • Spa Kits & Gifts.

What do Koreans spend most money on? ›

Whether it's calf-leather Italian Prada bags or classic, checkered British Burberry trench coats, South Koreans are the world's biggest spenders on personal luxury goods per capita, Morgan Stanley said.

How to send gifts to friend in Korea? ›

If you want to send a gift that you have, you can send it via the post or via a private courier company (we recommend Eurosender for its great fees). Alternatively, you can buy a gift online and have it delivered to your recipient in South Korea.

Why do Korean brides wear red dots? ›

The Bride + Groom's Attire

Together, the energy is balanced. Red dots the size of coins are painted on the bride's cheeks to ward off evil spirits. Today, many Korean American brides opt to wear white and might change into a traditional dress, called a hanbok, for certain ceremonies of the day.

What do guests wear to a Korean wedding? ›

If you're a guest at a traditional wedding, close family may be wearing Hanboks, while extended family and friends usually defer to the same business casual as a wedding hall event - though, since these ceremonies are often held outdoors, keep the weather in mind more closely!

What is the lucky number for weddings in Korea? ›

The number 7 is considered lucky in South Korea for buisness, weddings,etc….. The number 4 is considered unlucky because the pronunciation of the number 4 sounds similar to the word '死' which means death in Chinese characters.

How do Koreans show appreciation? ›

Koreans also demonstrate their respect and gratitude using body language. They bow when they say thanks. This is actually very similar to Japanese, where bowing is also used to show thanks. The deepness of the bow demonstrates your level of respect.

What is considered most respectful in Korean culture? ›

A short bow—essentially a nod—is the most respectful greeting. Give and receive any object using both hands.

What is the Korean tradition of giving money? ›

In South Korea, guests present their envelopes of cash to an appointed friend or family member of the newlywed couple upon arriving at the reception. In return, they are presented with a meal ticket that allows them entrance to the wedding banquet, and the amount given is discreetly written in a register.

References

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