Before you take the AREX train to the airport, there is one final mission: Grocery Shopping.
The Lotte Mart at Seoul Station is a paradise for tourists. It is massive, foreigner-friendly, and directly connected to the airport railroad. But with thousands of items, what should you bring back home?
As a local snacker at K-Life Lab, I have selected the Top 7 items that your friends and family will love.
1. HBAF Almonds (The King of Souvenirs)
You cannot leave Korea without these. They transformed boring almonds into a dessert.
- Must-Try Flavors: Honey Butter (Classic), Wasabi, Cookies & Cream, Grilled Corn.
- Tip: Buy the "Variety Pack" with small bags. Perfect for giving out to coworkers.
2. Korean Seaweed (Gim)
Lightweight, healthy, and delicious. It is the best gift for anyone.
- Snack Gim: Look for "Gim Bugak" (Seaweed Chips) or Seaweed with Almonds inside.
- Lunch Gim: The small individual packs of roasted seaweed are great for eating with rice.
- Brand: "Yangban" or "Bibigo" are safe choices.
3. Instant Coffee (Maxim Gold)
Koreans are addicted to this yellow stick. It is the perfect mix of coffee, sugar, and creamer.
- Why buy it? It tastes surprisingly good and smooth. It was featured in many K-Dramas (like Vincenzo).
- Tip: Buy a box of 20 or 50 sticks.
4. Market O Real Brownie
This is a legendary item among Japanese and Asian tourists.
- Taste: It tastes like a high-end bakery brownie, not a factory snack. Very rich and chocolatey.
- Packaging: The retro packaging is very cute for gifts.
5. Ramyeon Multipacks
Yes, you can buy Shin Ramyun in your country, but Korea has exclusive flavors.
- Recommendation: "Shin Ramyun Black" (Premium), "Buldak" (Various flavors like Carbonara, Cheese), or "Chapagetti".
- Note: Check your country's customs rules regarding meat products!
6. Zero Sugar Snacks
Korea is currently obsessed with "Zero Sugar".
- Lotte Zero: Zero sugar chocolate chip cookies, jellies, and cakes. They taste exactly like the real thing but with fewer calories.
7. Soju & Makgeolli
Want to bring the party home?
- Soju: Buy plastic (PET) bottles instead of glass to prevent breaking in your luggage.
- Makgeolli: Be careful! Fresh Makgeolli might explode due to fermentation gas. Look for "Sterilized Makgeolli" (Sal-gyun) which is safe for flights.
💰 Crucial Tip: Tax Refund & Packing
- Immediate Tax Refund: If you buy over 30,000 KRW, go to the special cashier for an immediate tax deduction. Bring your Passport!
- Free Boxes: Don't buy plastic bags. There is a "Packing Area" (Ja-yul Po-jang-dae) where you can use free cardboard boxes and tape to pack your goods. (Note: Tape might not be provided recently due to eco-rules, so bring your own or fold the box well.)
- Lockers: You can store your luggage in the free lockers for 3 hours while shopping.
K-Life Lab’s Advice
Go on a weekday morning if possible. Weekend afternoons are a war zone!
Happy Shopping!
