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First Days in Korea — Your Shopping Checklist

First Days in Korea — Your Shopping Checklist

You just landed. Your apartment is empty. You don’t know where anything is. Here’s exactly what to buy, where to get it, and what it costs — organized by when you’ll need it.

⚠️ Before you shop online

Most online platforms need a Korean phone number. On Day 1, your best friends are physical stores: Daiso (household basics for ₩1,000~₩5,000), convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven on every block), and Emart/Homeplus (big supermarkets). All accept foreign cards. Once you have a Korean SIM, online shopping opens up.

Day 1 — Immediate survival

Get these within hours of arriving. All available at convenience stores or Daiso near your home.

Prepaid SIM card or eSIM

Available at the airport or any CU/GS25. Chingu Mobile and KT prepaid are popular. An eSIM from Airalo works if your phone supports it. You need a working number to register on any Korean app.
Airport booth / CU / GS25 / Airalo (eSIM)

₩9,900~
/month

Bottled water + basic snacks

Any convenience store. Grab a few 2L bottles (₩1,200 each) and some triangle kimbap (₩1,500) to get through the first night. Look for 1+1 deals — buy one get one free.
CU / GS25 / 7-Eleven

₩5,000~

Basic toiletries

Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap. Daiso has everything for ₩1,000~₩3,000 each. Olive Young for better quality at 2-3x price. Don’t overbuy — you’ll have proper delivery access soon.
Daiso / Olive Young / convenience store

₩5,000~
Daiso set

Trash bags (종량제 봉투)

Korea uses paid designated trash bags — you can’t use regular bags. Different colors for general waste vs. food waste. Buy at any convenience store or supermarket. The bags are specific to your district (구).
CU / GS25 / Emart — ask for “종량제 봉투”

₩3,000~
10-pack

Power adapter (if needed)

Korea uses Type C/F plugs (European-style round pins), 220V. If you’re from the US/UK/Japan, you need an adapter. Daiso has them. Your laptop charger probably handles 220V already — check the label.
Daiso / convenience store / airport

₩1,000~
Daiso

Days 2-3 — Home basics

Once you have a SIM and can use Coupang/Gmarket, order these. Or visit Emart/Homeplus in person.

Bedding set (이불세트)

Most Korean rentals come without bedding. A basic set (comforter + pillow + covers) on Coupang starts at ₩25,000. Better quality around ₩40,000-60,000. Search “이불세트” or “bedding set” in the English app.
Coupang Rocket / Emart / Homeplus

₩25,000~
basic set

Towels

Pack of 5 basic towels on Coupang is around ₩10,000. Daiso has individual face towels for ₩1,000-3,000 each.
Coupang / Daiso / Emart

₩10,000~
5-pack

Hangers + drying rack (건조대)

Most Korean apartments don’t have dryers. You need a foldable drying rack (접이식 건조대). Coupang has good ones for ₩15,000-30,000. Essential item.
Coupang / Daiso (hangers only) / Emart

₩15,000~
drying rack

Cleaning supplies

All-purpose cleaner, sponges, mop. Korean apartments have hard floors — get a floor mop (밀대), not a vacuum (yet). Daiso: mop ₩5,000, sponges ₩1,000, cleaner ₩1,000-3,000.
Daiso / Coupang / convenience store

₩8,000~
full set

Basic cookware

One pot, one pan, basic utensils. If you’re in a goshiwon, shared kitchen may have these. Daiso frying pans start at ₩5,000. Coupang has starter cookware sets ₩20,000-40,000.
Daiso / Coupang / Emart

₩20,000~
starter set

Slippers (실내화)

Koreans never wear outdoor shoes inside. Get a pair of indoor slippers immediately. Also useful: bathroom slippers (separate pair) since Korean bathrooms get wet.
Daiso / Coupang

₩1,000~
Daiso

Days 4-7 — Getting comfortable

The essentials are covered. Now make your apartment livable for the long term.

Air purifier (공기청정기)

Not optional in Korea. Fine dust (미세먼지) season runs roughly March-May and is serious. Budget: Samsung/Winix/Coway at ₩89,000-199,000 on Coupang. Replace filters every 6 months (~₩15,000).
Coupang / HiMart / Emart

₩89,000~

Humidifier (for winter) / Dehumidifier (for summer)

Korean winters are brutally dry (heating on all day). USB desk humidifiers from ₩9,000. For summer, the humidity is intense — a small dehumidifier (제습기) is ₩50,000-100,000. Buy the one matching your arrival season.
Coupang / Daiso (small USB type)

₩9,000~
USB type

Shoe rack (신발장)

Korean entryways (현관) are tiny. A stackable shoe rack keeps things organized. Coupang has slim multi-tier racks from ₩15,000.
Coupang / Daiso / Ohouse

₩15,000~

Storage boxes + closet organizers

Korean closets are small. Stackable storage boxes (수납박스) and hanging organizers make a big difference. Daiso has great options at ₩1,000-5,000. Bigger items on Coupang or Ohouse.
Daiso / Coupang / Ohouse

₩3,000~

Lint roller (돌돌이)

Small thing, life-changing. Korean floor dust + shedding clothes = you’ll use this constantly. Refill rolls available everywhere. A Korean household essential.
Daiso / convenience store / Coupang

₩1,000~
Daiso

Buy here vs. bring from home

Some things are genuinely cheaper or better in Korea. Others you should pack in your suitcase.

✅ Buy in Korea (cheaper/better)

  • Skincare & cosmetics — 30-50% cheaper than abroad
  • Electronics — Samsung/LG often cheaper at source
  • Stationery & household goods — Daiso is unbeatable
  • Instant food & snacks — endless variety, very cheap
  • Glasses/contacts — fast, cheap, high quality
  • Socks & basic clothing — very affordable
  • Rice cookers & small appliances — Korean brands excel

🧳 Bring from home (hard to find/expensive)

  • Deodorant (stick type) — Korea barely sells it
  • Your specific medications — prescriptions differ
  • Cheese & dairy you love — imported = expensive
  • Shoes above size 280mm (US 11+) — limited selection
  • Clothing for larger body types — Korean sizing runs small
  • Specific spices/sauces from your cuisine
  • Books in your language — hard to find physical copies

💰 Week 1 total budget estimate

Bare minimum (goshiwon, Daiso-heavy): ₩80,000-120,000 (~$60-90 USD)

Comfortable setup (studio apartment): ₩200,000-350,000 (~$150-260 USD)

Full apartment setup (furniture included): ₩500,000-1,000,000+ (~$370-740+ USD)

These estimates assume your apartment has basic appliances (stove, fridge, washing machine). Most Korean rentals include these.

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