When you think of Seoul, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is shopping. But some may be at lost when it comes to buying souvenirs to bring back to family and friends, and even for themselves. We’ve rounded up some of the best souvenirs you can get from Seoul, and guess what? They’re Muslim-friendly!
Credit: Giphy
Food
1. Seaweed crisps
What makes seaweed crisps (or 'gim') a great snack is not only that it’s made with natural ingredients without artificial colouring and preservatives, but it also provides a lot of health benefits! The light and crispy snack is low in fat and packed with fibre, and is the perfect thing to munch on, especially when you’re watching TV or on the go.
Credit: Halal Korea on Facebook
Moreover, the original plain seaweed crisps (with no additional flavourings) are usually vegan-friendly. However, if you want to be certain, look for the Doldori brand (pictured), which has been deemed suitable for Muslim consumption by the Halal Korea Consumer's Union! Doldori's chips come in 4 flavours - honey butter, cheese, hot spicy, and wasabi - so you can have a snack for every craving. ?
Where to find them: Convenience stores, supermarkets, Namdaemun Market.
[P.S. Check these 12 halal marts in Korea to see what else you can find!]
2. Honey citron tea
Came down with a cold? Nothing warms you up like a cup of honey citron tea, traditionally used in Korean households as a common cold remedy! This aromatic tea feels like a warm embrace on a chilly rainy day and calms you down. Is the weather too hot? Make it iced instead.
The tea is commonly sold in a large jar, but there are sachet and capsule options nowadays. To prepare, just add hot or cold water to a spoonful (or more) of the sweet, thick and pulpy syrup. Citron tea typically contains a mixture of citrus, citrus peel, honey and sugar. Some brands that have received specific halal certification by the Indonesian Council of Ulama include MasilRaon, Namiro, and Ligaro.
Where to find them: Supermarkets
3. Ummappang Bread
The Halal Korea Consumers Union has paired up with a bakery company to create fully halal bread for Muslims in Korea!
Credit: Halal Korea on Facebook
While this does not mean that all other bread products are unsuitable for consumption, you can rest assured that this brand-new Ummappang has no ambiguous ingredients, and is manufactured in a Muslim-friendly environment with no cross-contamination. Ummappang (named after both the Korean 'umma' for 'mother' and the Muslim 'ummah') can now be found in halal marts in Myeongdong and Itaewon, so you can buy a loaf for breakfast!
#HHWT Tip: While this is the only bread brand formally endorsed by Halal Korea Consumers Union, do note that this does not mean all other bread products are unsuitable for consumption. We recommend you check the list of other products for ingredients such as lard or shortening, and dine at your discretion.
Where to find them: Halal marts in Itaewon and Myeongdong
4. Milkis
Have you ever wondered what carbonated milk tastes like? That’s exactly what Milkis is. Some call it a cross between soda and yoghurt, but it’s definitely nothing you’ve imagined.
Milkis is a product of Lotte Chilsung, a renowned South Korean beverage company, and received halal certification by Korea Muslim Federation in 2015. There are six flavours to choose from: strawberry, melon, banana, mango and orange.
Where to find them: Convenience stores, supermarkets, vending machines
Alternatively, you can buy your halal food souvenirs from Itaewon Foreign Mart! Everything here is sourced from halal-certified suppliers, so whether you're looking for ingredients to cook in your accommodation or simply some snacks to bring back home, this is the place to go!
Address: 137-8 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 10am-12am daily
Cosmetics and skincare products
Note: There aren’t many Korean beauty products that are formally halal-certified. While most of them use natural ingredients, some products may contain alcohol or/and animal-derived substances that make them unsuitable for Muslims. To avoid doubts, use this website to check the ingredients of the product you’re thinking of purchasing or check out our article on some K-beauty products that are Muslim-friendly! We recommend you purchase at your discretion.
5. Facial sheet masks
Sheet masks are one of the best souvenirs to bring back home. It’s cheap, sold in bulk quantities, and can be found everywhere.
A regular pack of 10 sheets is usually priced from 10,000 won onwards, and if there are promotions going on, you can get the sheet masks even cheaper than that! There’s a variety of “flavours” of sheet masks to choose from, and among the common ones are rice, lemon and aloe vera, all of which have their unique properties to rejuvenate and enrich your skin!
Where to find them: Namdaemun Market, Cosmetic stores, drugstores, underground shopping centres
6. Hand cream
On top of being moisturising, Korean hand creams are often packaged in cute little tubes or fancy-shaped bottles, making it easy to carry them around. Besides, they are reasonably priced and come in many different scents.
Depending on how dry your hands are, there are different moisture levels, too, and if you’re not sure which product suits you best, feel free to consult with the friendly store assistants. One of the best hand creams is Innisfree's Orchid Hand Cream, which not only is made up of Muslim-friendly ingredients but also contains SPF to protect your skin from the sun.
Where to find them: Cosmetic stores, drugstores, underground shopping centres
7. Clay mask
The clay mask has been around long before the Hallyu wave hit, but the real obsession with it only started around the year 2017. With so many benefits for the skin and adorable packaging designs, there’s no question why the product is a hit.
Among many clay mask products, Innisfree's Jeju Volcanic Color Mask is one of the most popular. It comes in 7 cute pastel colours, each with different functions, so you can share them with your sisters or girlfriends and have fun applying the mask together!
Where to find them: Cosmetic stores, drugstores, underground shopping centres
Fashion
8. Character socks
No trips to Seoul are ever complete without getting a pair of socks or two, or more! They come in so many different designs at a cheap price - some stores even sell them in 5 pairs for 10,000 won!
Socks only take up so much space in your bag, making them perfect as souvenirs for friends and family. If you’re not into character designs, there are plain, pattern-less alternatives that you can wear to more formal events, or during prayers!
Where to find them: Hongdae shopping district, Namdaemun Market, underground markets at train stations
9. Tote bags
Tote bags are such a hit in Korea that wherever you go, you’ll find people carrying it. This simple bag is a favourite especially among students as it’s easy to style and can fit a lot of things including books and tumbler, which makes it so convenient to carry around.
If you’re creative, you can purchase a simple bag and add your own accessories and designs! A brand you can look out for is Marhen J, a Korean brand that's become popular recently for their square-shaped designs.
Where to find them: Hongdae shopping street, Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, underground markets at train stations
Household items
10. Dolsot bowl
If you have extra space in your carrier, why not bring home the unique dolsot bowl? This ceramic bowl is an essential item in Korean cooking, especially for bibimbap and stews, and also the alternative to the traditional stone pot, which is much heavier.
The great thing about the dolsot bowl is not only that it retains heat well, but you can also cook it directly on the stove! This means you can cook your own kimchi soups once you're back home and get that authentic flavour ?
Where to find them: Namdaemun Market, Insadong
11. Cutlery sets
In the past, metal cutlery sets were used by the Korean royal family to detect poison in food. Still, as metal became more affordable, the citizens also started to use metal spoons and chopsticks.
Koreans take huge pride in metal cutleries, or sujeo, as metal is more resilient than wood or ceramic. Some sets even come with designs on the handle, making it a unique find for your home. A set of sujeo can be as cheap as 3000 won, which makes it a perfect souvenir!
Where to find them: Namdaemun Market, supermarkets
K-Pop merchandise
12. Official albums
Getting the official albums of your favourite group or artist is one of the simple happiness you can have as a fan. It’s also one of the best ways to support them!
You can find music stores almost everywhere, but the best places to visit are Kyobo Bookstore, Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center and Buru's Ddeurak in Myeongdong.
Where to find them: Kyobo Bookstore (various locations), Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center, Buru's Ddeurak (부루의 뜨락)
13. Official merchandise
Can’t get enough of your idols? Why not purchase some official merchandise like the official lightstick!
If you’re a fan of SM Entertainment’s idol groups, you would want to head to SMTOWN COEX Artium. Find all kinds of official goods, from phone cases to jewellery. You can also find official lightsticks at larger music stores or Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center. If you find the official goods too pricey for your budget, unofficial merchandise, including keychains, landyards, badges, calendars and more can also be found in the Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center.
Where to find them: SMTOWN COEX Artium (SM Ent.), Buru's Ddeurak (부루의 뜨락), Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center
14. Official collaborations
Widespread interest in Kpop has led to more opportunities for merchandising collaborations. One of the most successful collaborations to date is the LINE FRIENDS X BTS Project, called BT21, in which the members of BTS created their own animated characters. The BT21 products range from everyday items like mugs and stationeries to fashion items like passport case and pocket mirrors. For Kpop groups' collaborations with other brands, it's best to check out the specific brands' shops!
Where to find them: LINE stores (various outlets)
Credit: GIPHY
Which of these items caught your attention the most? Shopping is always fun, but be careful not to overspend and buy unnecessary things that will take up space in your luggage ?