Alcohol & Liquors
Korea has a long tradition of drinking. As part of an agrarian society, many farmers
developed grain alcohols from their local specialties. Korea's most famous drinks are
all made from rice: soju, dong-dong-ju, and makkolli. The
different regions of Korea each have their own distinctive methods for making
drinks, with some local residents achieving Intangible Cultural Asset status. |
Antiques
Popular antique items include Silla (668 - 935) paintings, ceramics, pottery, and metal
craft work; Goryeo (918-1392) ceramics; and Joseon (1392-1910) wooden chests, furniture, and
white celadon (pottery). Remember that the Korean Cultural Properties Preservation Law
forbids the exporting of designated "important cultural properties." Take care
when purchasing genuine antiques. Make sure you get a certificate of authentication and
have the item assessed by the Art & Antiques Office (Tel: 662-0106 or 664-8997) if you
have any doubts. |
Bamboo
Koreans turn bamboo into a number of products, including beds, chairs, pillows, blinds, and
ladders. Bamboo mats create a small pocket of air between the person and ground, offering a
cooler environment from sitting directly on the ground.
|
Brush Paintings & Supplies
Calligraphy and brush painting are popular hobbies among the young and old. Brushes of all
different sizes, inks of various colors, and traditional paper of many types of textures
can be found at specialty shops, especially in Seoul's
Insadong area. |
Cloth & Clothing
Many different types of tailor-made and off-the-rack clothes can be bought in Korea.
Korean tailors can custom make a suit and set of hand-made shirts in a couple of days.
Korean sizes tend to be a little small for Westerners. That "large" T-shirt
you buy in Namdaemun Market
may not be large enough! Korea has a wide selection of fine silks and other fabrics.
You can also buy hand made traditional clothes (for more information about
Traditional Clothes, see the
Cultural Spotlight section.) |
Electronics
As one of Korea's major exports, many types of electronics good are available, from
computers and computer chips to TVs to microwave ovens to stereo equipment. Department
stores, specialty markets, and brand name stores all carry a wide selection, but the
prices tend to be higher than back home (due to heavy government subsidies of exported
products). Prices at discount stores and the Yongsan electronics market can be as much as
30% cheaper. Domestic products use 220 volts, while most U.S. appliances use 120.
Transformers from 220 to 110 and 110 to 220 can be found at most electronics stores. Most
products include excellent after-sales service where repairmen come to your house to pick
up the faulty item, take it to their repair shop and fix it (if they are unable to repair
it on the spot), then return it to your door again. In Seoul, visit the
Yongsan Electronics Market
for the best buys. |
Furs
With the deeply discounted price of fur products in Korea, you can almost save the price of
your plane ticket by coming to Korea and making a purchase. Specialty fur shops and and
duty-free stores usually have the best bargains. Most department stores also have
off-season sales during the summer months. |
Garlic
As one of the staple ingredients in many types of Korean food, garlic can be found
at any market or food store. Koreans buy it whole, chopped, and powdered. Several
areas are famous for their garlic yields. One of the most famous,
Tanyang, even has
an annual Miss Garlic beauty pageant. |
Ginseng
The Greek words pan (all) and Axos (medical drug) combine to form
panax ("cure all"), part of the scientific name for ginseng. A staple of
Chinese herb medicine, ginseng is used as preventative treatment for a number of ailments.
Because of the personal attention given by individual farmers and close government
supervision of the process, Korean ginseng has a world-wide reputation for high quality.
|
Handbags and Suitcases
Korean shops carry a wide choice of purses, hand bags, back packs, travel bags, suitcases,
and briefcases. Prices vary depending on the quality of the items, the types of store, and
your bargaining skills. The items are made from cowhide, alligator, or eel skin, as well
as a variety of synthetic. Handbags follow international fashion trends, and the latest
styles from Europe are quickly copied by domestic makers. |
Handicrafts and Traditional Goods
In addition to bamboo, brush painting supplies,
and pottery, Korea produces many different types of traditional
handicrafts. Lacquerware tables, chairs, wardrobes, and chests can be found in many homes.
Brass is fashioned into vases, lamps, and tables. Wooden masks used for generations in
plays and dances are also popular collectibles. (For more information about masks, see the
Hahoe Mask Museum pages
in the Travel section.) Many women enjoy macrame
and embroidery, and many shops can be found specializing in these items. |
Jade
To Koreans, jade symbolizes purity. You can find a wide selection of necklaces, bracelets,
hair pins, and statues made from this material. Ch'unch'on in
Kangwon Province is rich in nephrite
jade and many craftsmen work in the area. |
Jewelry
Korean jewelers have a wide variety of rings, necklaces, earings, and bracelets made from
local amethyst, topaz, and jade. Gold and silver are also popular materials, and diamonds are
a girl's best friend in any country. Jewelers should be able to provide a certificate of
authenticity for all items they sell. |
Kimch'i
What would Korea be without kimch'i? There are over 40 different variations of
spiced radishes or cabbage fermented with hot peppers, onions, salt, and garlic. Each
family has their own way of making it, giving theirs a unique flavor. Not all
kimch'i is hot, but some types do require some getting used to. However, once you
get used to it, you will probably find yourself getting urges for it! There are even
kimch'i museums showing the main types and the process of making it. See our
Cultural Spotlight highlighting
kimch'i. |
Leather and Eel Skin Products
Korea has great prices for all sorts of leather products. Find the coats, jackets,
belts, gloves, shoes, and wallets you want in a multitude of designs and colors.
Many of these products can also be found made from eel skin and other unusual materials. |
Name Stamp (Dojong)
Instead of signing their names, Koreans stamp important documents with their name chop
(dojong), although nowadays the practice is being replaced by actual signatures.
Traditionally, the chops used the Chinese characters (Hanja) of the person's
name, but Korean characters (Hangul) have become more common. You can order
a name stamp on-line from our
Silla
Gift Shop. |
Shoes
In addition to the numerous real and imitation Nikes, Reeboks, and Addidas sports shoes
for sale, leather and suede dress shoes are also a good bargain. Like clothing, Korean
sizes tend to be small, so you may have trouble finding larger sizes unless you go to
It'aewon. Many places can also custom make shoes and boots. |
Sporting Goods
In addition to shoes and sports clothes, Korea makes a wide selection of other sporting
goods, such as tennis rackets, ski equipment, fishing rods, and baseball gloves. Famous
makers like Nike and Reebok, as well as many Korea brands, have outlets in most major
shopping areas. |
Tea
Like other Asian societies, Korea has a long history of a tea culture. Many people
enjoy drinking nok-ch'a (green tae) or insam-ch'a (tea with ginseng).
Although many traditional tea houses have been replaced by coffee shops and bars, a
few still thrive in Seoul's Insa-dong
area. You can order tea online from the Life in Korea
Food and Drink Store. |
Watches
Watches in a wide range of prices can be had in Korea. Well-known name brands are on sale
here, as well as many cheap imitations. Although some prices may be outrageously cheap, be
sure you know the customs regulations for bringing counterfeit items into your home
country. As any any country, beware of people selling $50 Rolexes! |
|
|
