The reliable buys are seasoned gim (seaweed), HBAF almonds, vacuum-sealed kimchi, single-pack ramyeon, and makgeolli — plus mart-only private brands like No Brand (roughly 40–50% below branded prices) and Jaju skincare. Korean marts aren't just grocery stores: they're where Koreans buy birthday gifts and stock up on skincare, and the packaging is built for giving, which makes them efficient for souvenirs.
One practical thing first: there is no large mart in Myeongdong. Korean marts cluster around transport hubs, not tourist streets. Every major mart is reachable by subway in under 25 minutes from central Seoul.
| If you're here | Nearest mart | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong / City Hall | Lotte Mart Zettaplex, Seoul Station | Line 4, 2 stops — 5 min |
| Hongdae / Sinchon | Lotte Mart Zettaplex, Seoul Station | Line 2 → City Hall → Line 1 — 17 min |
| Itaewon / Yongsan | Emart, IPARK Mall | Yongsan Station — direct |
| Jamsil | Lotte Mart Zettaplex, Jamsil | Inside Lotte World Mall |
| Gangnam | Shinsegae Gangnam (Express Bus Terminal) | Line 9, 2 stops — 5 min |
What to buy
- Gim (김), seasoned seaweed — the reliable bestseller. Flat tins pack easily and don't crush. Premium brands like Kwangcheon come in gift-set format.
- HBAF almonds — the brand that took over duty-free, here at mart prices. Carry-on safe.
- Makgeolli (막걸리) — Korean rice wine. Look for 생막걸리 (unpasteurized, live cultures, ~10 day shelf life) versus regular pasteurized. Checked luggage only either way.
- Kimchi — vacuum-sealed packs travel well in checked luggage.
- Ramyeon — single packs are carry-on safe.
If you're after something to snack on right away rather than pack for the flight home, see which convenience stores in Seoul are worth visiting instead.
Mart-only private brands
| Brand | Mart | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| No Brand | Emart / standalone | Bulk snacks 40–50% below branded price |
| Jaju (자주) | Emart | Toner pads, sunscreen |
| Natural Garden | Emart | Sheet mask multi-packs |
| Peacock | Emart | Premium dosirak, marinated meats |
| Only One | Lotte Mart | Exclusive chips and kimchi |
No Brand is the most underrated: same factories and ingredients as premium brands, sold without the branding markup. A No Brand toner pad costs roughly 40% less than the Mediheal equivalent.
The Seoul Station trick
Seoul Station is the only place in the city where you can check in for your flight and drop your checked luggage before taking the train to Incheon. Participating airlines include Korean Air, Asiana and Jeju Air. Check-in closes three hours before departure, and the AREX express takes 43 minutes to T1, 51 to T2. Do this first, and you shop the mart directly above with your weight limit already settled and both hands free. Over half of that store's sales reportedly come from international shoppers.
VAT refund
Minimum 15,000 won per purchase, passport required, at the in-store refund counter.
For a completely different kind of shopping — haggling, fresh food cooked in front of you, stalls run by the same family for generations — see is Gwangjang Market still worth visiting.