OSULLOC Tea: Why It’s The Best Souvenir Or Gift From Korea

Last Updated on August 3, 2026

Ever wonder what the best souvenir in Korea is? It’s one of the top asked questions in expat groups. People are headed home and want to take a gift. Family is coming and want to take gifts back. My answer, every time, is OSULLOC tea. It’s Korea’s best-known green tea brand, grown on Jeju Island, and you can find it anywhere from a Seoul tea house to the Incheon Airport gift shop on your way out. Gift sets run about $25–$100 depending on size. It’s homegrown, it’s a premier product, and, most importantly, it’s a gift people actually use.

OSULLOC Tea is one of those brands that can convert people, I think. It’s just that good. Honestly, I’ve given a ton of Korean-centric gifts in the past decade while living in Korea, from the metal chopstick sets with holsters to handmade Hangeul stamps. And then there were the silk table settings, gorgeous in the shop, absolutely never used, still sitting untouched in a drawer at my last count. Tea, on the other hand, gets used. So over the years I’ve gone back for OSULLOC again and again.

At least with tea it’s something that people can use and it won’t end up in a drawer forever. This is the perfect gift from Korea for friends and family HOWEVER, if you’re looking specifically for a gift that is for the Korea loving person back home, then check out this awesome list that is super Korea-centric for the Korea beauty lovers, K-pop lovers, and Korean language learners too. Back to the topic at hand though…

I recently visited the Signiel Hotel here in Seoul and was reminded how much I enjoy a good cup of OSULLOC tea. (I’ve been going through a ginger tea phase for a bit now.) Signiel actually has their own special blend that was produced via a collaboration between OSULLOC and renowned chef Yannick Alleno. The exclusive brew makes my top ten list of teas and I was literally snagging the tea bags to take home with me whenever I could.

While that one may be super difficult to get unless you’re at Signiel, there are definitely plenty of other delicious blends to check out at the nearest OSULLOC tea house, or, if a tea house visit doesn’t fit your itinerary, at the airport or online (more on that below).

Skip down to exactly what you’re looking for:

• OSULLOC Tea Houses in Seoul
• Where To Buy OSULLOC Tea Outside of Tea Houses
• What You Should Know About Green Tea
• What About Matcha?
• Which tea should you buy from OSULLOC?
• FAQ

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

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OSULLOC Tea Houses in Seoul

OSULLOC has managed to make tea houses contemporary and cool and has a few spots around Korea that are worth finding. From the outside, many of them look rather industrial but head inside and you’ll find an elegant interior with wooden accents. There isn’t a tourist itinerary that’s complete if it doesn’t feature a stop into an OSULLOC Tea House.

Of course, the best OSULLOC tea house to visit is the OSULLOC Tea House and tea fields on Jeju Island, the Hawai’i of Korea. But, if the itinerary to Korea doesn’t include a visit to Jeju, then there are some tea houses in Seoul that are easy to add to any itinerary or trip to Seoul. Here are a few of the easier to get to options.

Tea houses can have a pretty substantial list of tea options, but if you want to plan ahead, check out this guide to Korean teas to find the best one for you.

OSULLOC Tea House Bukchon (오설록 티하우스 북촌점)

One of the newest OSULLOC tea houses. The Bukchon tea house opened in 2022 and is not only beautiful but they also offer special signature dishes that you can only get here. Try their rice dessert plate with four dipping sauces or green tea waffles. This is the prettiest OSULLOC tea house in Seoul if you ask me and has views out over the Hanok houses of the Bukchon Hanok Village. 

• Address: 45 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 북촌로 45)
• Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00am ~ 8:00pm; Friday – Sunday: 11:00am ~ 9:00pm

OSULLOC 1979 (오설록티하우스 1979점)

As the OSULLOC brand is owned by the cosmetics giant Amore Pacific, it’s not surprising a premier tea room opened in their gorgeous headquarters in Yongsan in central Seoul. OSULLOC 1979 is the brand’s first premium tea room and offers a special tea blending service by a tea sommelier as well as an afternoon tea set.

Why 1979? It was the year Amore Pacific founder Suh Sung Hwan began cultivating wasteland on Jeju Island near Hallasan mountain. The space is beautiful and combined with a visit to the Amore Pacific Museum downstairs is even better. Is OSULLOC 1979 a bit more than you want? Just next to it in the same building is one of the more standard OSULLOC Tea Houses with all of the regular drinks you would expect to find there. Go for the chic adventure at OSULLOC 1979 or stop in quickly for a try at the tea house across from the entrance and visit the Amorepacific Art Museum, a must see.

• Address: 100 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 한강대로 100)
• Hours: Monday – Friday: 11:00am ~ 7:00pm; Saturday – Sunday: 11:00am ~ 8:00pm

National Museum Of Contemporary Art Tea House

Another tea house that has a great location is the one in the National Museum of Contemporary Art which is just east of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The tea house is on the first floor and looks out into the courtyard of the art museum that features various architectural styles and has some wonderful exhibitions and installations throughout the year.

This tends to be a more calm atmosphere and is a great location to sip tea and peruse the gift options after you’ve visited the art in the museum.

• Address: 165 Sogyeok-dong (Samcheong-ro 30), Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 삼청로 30)
• Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm; Wednesday, Saturday: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm

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Where To Buy OSULLOC Tea Outside of Tea Houses

Not everyone has time for a tea house detour, and that’s okay, OSULLOC is genuinely easy to find elsewhere:

• Incheon Airport: OSULLOC has a presence in the departure area, making it an easy last-minute grab if you’re realizing on your way to the gate that you forgot gifts.
• Department store duty-free (Lotte, Shinsegae): Both carry OSULLOC gift sets, often at prices close to what you’d pay at a tea house.
• Amazon: OSULLOC has an official storefront on Amazon, which is the easiest option if you’re gifting to someone who isn’t in Korea at all, or if you want to order ahead. Selection and pricing run a little different than what you’ll find in-country, so treat it as the convenient option rather than the cheapest.
• Any Amorepacific-owned beauty store or department store beauty counter in Korea will often carry a small OSULLOC tea selection too, since it’s the same parent company as Sulwhasoo and Innisfree.

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What You Should Know About Green Tea

• Green tea is known as a true tea because it uses the leaves from an actual tea plant.
• Green tea is considered milder than black tea and usually has a vegetal or earthy flavor.
• Green tea has tons of antioxidants which improve blood circulation and lower the risk of blood clots and heart attack.
• Green tea helps to lower cholesterol.
• Green tea can increase energy levels and speed up metabolism as well as improve liver function so it’s often sited in the weight loss industry for aiding in shedding some pounds.
• Green tea can slow memory regression and improve memory recall and has been shown to protect the brain from neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

If you want to learn more about the health benefits and side effects of green tea, definitely check out The Ultimate Guide To Green Tea on Cup&Leaf. It’s got some great information.

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What About Matcha?

I’d be doing this article a disservice if I didn’t talk about OSULLOC’s matcha, because honestly it might be the better gift these days. I have OSULLOC matcha in my house right now, it has become a staple at this point, and my daughter is completely obsessed with it. If you’re shopping for someone who already drinks matcha at home, or who’s into the whole matcha-latte-making-at-home trend, OSULLOC’s powdered matcha is a much better gift than a box of tea bags. It’s the same Jeju-grown quality, just in the form people are actually asking for right now.

OSCULLOC’s matcha line goes beyond the plain powder too, they do matcha-flavored snacks, spreads, and seasonal collabs (their matcha KitKats, when they show up, disappear fast). If you’re gifting to a kid or a teenager who wouldn’t know Sejak green tea from Wedding Green Tea but would recognize matcha, this is the category to shop.

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Which tea should you buy from OSULLOC?

Gift giving can be difficult if you’re not exactly sure what flavors people like, but that’s where the gift sets really come in handy. I, myself, am still learning which teas I do and do not prefer. I didn’t really begin drinking tea until I came to Korea, but I’ve consumed a lot of it in the years since, and these days, tea is basically all I drink. I gave up coffee entirely and switched to tea exclusively: I usually start the day with an Earl Grey or English Breakfast, and then move to a green tea or matcha in the afternoon.

I don’t tend to love the very floral ones but like the simpler deeper teas. I also really love the teas that are blended with a fruity flare in the afternoon. They are quite the pick-me-up.

What’s great about OSULLOC is that even if you’re not sure which teas your friends or family prefer, you can still buy a lovely gift for them. Their box sets include ample variety and the packaging is gorgeous with lovely Korean designs and artwork on them. You really don’t even need to wrap them!

You can check out the OSULLOC Amazon Storefront to find a great gift. Here are some of the box sets that I have gifted in the past.

The OSULLOC Lovely Tea Box

• How much is it? Around $40.00 online
• What does it include? 4 different teas, 3 of each

This set includes blended organic green teas including: Samdayeon Jeju Young Tangerine, Moon Walk, Wedding Green Tea, and Jeju Orchid Green Tea. This is a great gift especially if you’re on a budget but want to give something that’s very lovely. There are three of each kind of tea, so it’s also perfect if you’re not quite sure what someone will like.

The OSULLOC Premium Tea Collection

• How much is it? Around $40.00
• What does it include? 8 different kinds of teas, 5 of each

This set is a bit larger and traditionally has included: Pure Green Tea, Samdayeon Rich Tea, Samdayeon Yeonggyul Tea, Canola Flower & Honey Tea, Camellia Flower Tea, Orchid Flower Tea, Tropical Black Tea, and Samdayeon Honey Pear Tea. The set comes in a beautiful gift box, and every one of these teas is just delightful to sip.

The OSULLOC Master Blend Collection

• How much is it? Around $100.00 online
• What does it include? 8 different kinds of teas, 4 of each

This collection also includes eight different teas with four of each kind. The set includes: Sejak Green Tea, Tangerine Tea, Yuja Tea, Moon Walk, Camellia Flower Tea, Cherry Blossom Tea, Wedding Green Tea, and Jeju Orchid Tea. The Sejak green tea is definitely the one for the non-floral-loving tea drinker, and the yuja is for the citrus lover like myself. This set includes a few more floral varieties than the others.

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The only tea I ever consumed when I was in the States was English Breakfast, so it’s been an exhilarating ride learning just how many teas there are, especially here in Korea, and which ones I like. These days my rotation looks something like: Earl Grey or English Breakfast to start the morning, green tea or matcha in the afternoon, and I still really enjoy some of the other local teas from Korea, like sujeonggwa, a cinnamon bark tea that really quenches the thirst when it’s hot, served warm in the winter and iced in the summer.

There’s much to enjoy in a cup of tea, so try some yourself or share it with a loved one or friend as a gift. It’s definitely the perfect thing to spread some joy.

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FAQ

Is OSULLOC tea available outside Korea?

Yes, OSULLOC sells select gift sets through its Amazon storefront and some international retailers, though the flavor variety and pricing are better in Korea. If you want the full lineup, buying it in-country is still the move.

Is OSULLOC tea good quality, or is it just a pretty souvenir?

It’s the real thing, OSULLOC grows its own tea on Jeju Island and has picked up awards at international tea competitions. The packaging is gorgeous, but the tea itself holds up. I switched from coffee to tea entirely, and OSULLOC is a big part of why.

What’s the difference between OSULLOC and Amorepacific?

Amorepacific is the parent cosmetics company (they also own Sulwhasoo and Innisfree); OSULLOC is their tea brand, founded in 1979 when the company began cultivating tea fields on Jeju.

Can I visit the OSULLOC tea fields on Jeju Island?

Yes, the original OSULLOC Tea Museum and tea fields are on Jeju and are one of the island’s most popular free attractions, with the Seoul tea houses acting as a city-based alternative if Jeju isn’t on the itinerary.

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These days, a cup of OSULLOC is just part of how my day runs, Earl Grey to start, green tea or matcha by afternoon, and a box of something new whenever I need a gift in a pinch. If you’re building out a full Korea gift list beyond tea, my Korean gift guide is the place to start and rounds out the rest, and if you’re planning a Jeju trip, the actual tea fields are worth seeing in person.

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