It’s never an easy task to shop for the most important people in our lives. And who deserves more appreciation than our beloved Korean moms – our ‘Ummas’ – who care for us with a warm meal and a heart full of love? Here are some can’t-miss suggestions for gifts that have secretly, or not so secretly, been on the wishlists of Korean moms everywhere.
From gadgets to skincare splurges to creature comforts, our Korean mom editors have compiled a list of the gifts that they’d love to receive and/or are planning to give to their own mothers this year. Here is your cheat sheet for some unique and useful gift recommendations that are sure to delight all the moms in your life.
1. , $50
‘Stunning and comprehensive.’ – Vogue
‘Nothing short of miraculous. A paradigm-shifting achievement comparable to Larousse Gastronomique.’ – Min Jin Lee, author of Pachinko
This is the gift of the year for anyone who loves Korean cooking. Authored by Junghyun (JP) Park, the renowned chef and owner of 2 Michelin star Atomix, this groundbreaking book isn’t called “The” Korean Cookbook for nothing! 350 authentic and delicious Korean recipes for the home cook, written by the perfect guide to this extraordinary cuisine.
JP along with his wife, Ellia Park, run four restaurants in New York – Atoboy, Naro, Seoul Salon, and Atomix. In 2022, Atomix received the Art of Hospitality Award from The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and achieved No. 8 in World 50 Best 2023, the top restaurant in North America. In 2023, Park won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: New York State.
2. Personalized Cutting Board for Mom, $25+
This is a sweet gift for Korean moms or Korean mothers-in-law whose cooking is beloved by their family. The inscription says, “Mom’s cooking is the very best in the world”. You can personalize the writing on the board, expressing how much you care for her. She will think about you and appreciate you whenever she uses the board.
3. Korean Beauty Baekje Geumsan Women’s Pomegranate Collagen Jelly Stick 5.1oz / 30 Count (5 Pack), $30
This collagen jelly stick is composed of pomegranate with natural estrogen, red ginseng concentrate and collagen which is excellent for women’s health and skincare. Your mom will enjoy taking it because it has so many health benefits with great taste.
4. Medicube Triple Deep Erasing Cream, $43
From the company that makes the cutting-edge skincare devices you see all over the internet, this cream from Medicube punches above its weight class with a price tag that is far less than similar high quality creams. It hydrates the skin from the inside out with collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid and helps to make the skin look plump by keeping it supple and dewy. Clinically proven to soothe skin irritation, improve skin flaking, and tighten pores, this cream will reduce the appearance of freckles and blemishes, and diminish wrinkles in just weeks.
Especially great for dry and mature skin. Performs even better when used together with the Medicube Age R Booster device below.
5. Medicube Age-R Booster H – a Facial Treatment Device for Maximizing and Boosting Skin Care Absorption, $299
Medicube Age-R Booster-H is a game changer. No waiting for weeks and months for signs of effectiveness, this Korean facial device works immediately to make all your existing skincare products work better. This facial treatment device creates electro-passageways, allowing skin care products to penetrate deeper and deliver enhanced benefits. We tried this device with all our various skincare products from serums to creams and were amazed at its effectiveness.
Clinical results have shown a significant improvement in skin permeability by 490%, skin glossiness increased by 57.4%, skin pore volume reduced by 28.5%, temporary redness decreased by 2.8%, skin texture refined by 6.8%, and skin tone enhanced by 0.6% after just one use.
The device is charged and ready to go right out of the box and unlocks the true potential of your skincare products. The easiest way to elevate your routine and achieve instantly healthier, more radiant skin.
6. Coolibar Wide Brim Sun Protection Hat – Foldable, Packable, with Chin Strap for Wind, $49
This lightweight and crushable travel beach hat can be easily folded and packed without losing its shape! The shapeable, full 5 1/8” brim provides ample face, ear, and neck shade wherever she needs it most, while the lovely tulip detail gives this UPF 50+ travel hat a feminine touch. From a morning walk to lunch at the park, you can count on the adjustable chin cord to keep her protection secure.
7. RENPHO Shiatsu Foot and Calf Massager, $199 (Normally) $300
You know one of the best gifts is the massage machine! With this Multi-Use Foot Calf Massager Machine (feet, calves, and arms) with the adjustable support bar, your mom can use this shiatsu massager machine to relieve discomfort on her feet, ankles, calves, legs, and arms.
8. RENPHO Leg Massager with Heat for Circulation, Air Compression Calf Thigh Foot Massage, 2 Heat, 3 Massage Types, 3 Intensities for Pain Relief, $110
After a long day, nothing quite hits the spot more than a foot and leg massage! Uniquely engineered wraps inside these massage boots simulate the kneading and stroking of tissues, helping to relieve muscle fatigue/pain and improve circulation.
- 3 MODES & 3 MASSAGE INTENSITIES FOR PREFERENCE
- ADJUSTABLE WRAPS & EASY TO USE – Velcro design, easy to change the size and intensity + handheld controller to easily control the unit
9. Lunix LX3 Cordless Electric Hand Massager, $126 + Coupon (Normally $160)
This hand massager will relieve your mom’s hand and wrist pain with 6 levels of massage, intensity combined compression, and heat takes some time to achieve the temperature of 107°F. This is also cordless so you can take it anywhere!
10. Ororo Heated Vest, $140
This is just ingenious. Korean moms adore a good quilted vest and this lightweight heated version will be her favorite go-to wardrobe piece. Multiple colors available and the battery pack is rechargeable.
11. Cuckoo Air Purifier, $82 (Normally $100)
Keep her air free of harmful pollutants while getting rid of lingering cooking odors. The Korean brand Cuckoo is a trusted name that she will appreciate.
12. Mother of Pearl Lacquer Tray, $119
This is a stunning tray with mother-of-pearl butterflies that is reminiscent of classic Korean luxury decor. You can hang the tray on the wall and display the artistry when not in use.
100% Handmade
Color: Black / Blue / Red
13. Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer, Polished Silver, $279 ($350 Value)
This Cadillac of drip coffee makers is a delightful machine that she will cherish for a long time. Brews up to 10 cups of coffee and comes with a stainless steel carafe that will keep coffee hot without burning.
14. Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream, $140
Moms love this luxurious eye cream. Sulwhasoo is Korea’s best skincare brand and this concentrated red ginseng eye cream will firm while softening visible wrinkles, revitalize the look of the under-eye skin, and help improve the look of elasticity.
15. Sulwhasoo Limited Edition Gift Set, $260 ($353 Value)
Excellent value on best-selling Sulwhasoo Korean face cream. Discover Sulwhasoo’s heritage ingredient, ginseng, with a full size Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream, intro size Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum, and a collection of deluxe samples all in holiday-inspired packaging. Limited time only.
16. Bala Bangles – Set of 2,1lb or 2lb Each, $49-65
These fashionable, functional, and hands-free workout weights for wrists and angles will be fabulous for the mom who loves to stay in shape.
- Add constant but comfortable hands-free resistance to your workouts and daily activities with this pair of wrist and ankle weights.
- A fully adjustable athletic elastic band and ultra-strong velcro make the Bangles a perfect fit for men and women alike.
- Made of the highest quality fitness materials – recycled steel wrapped in baby-soft silicone.
17. Cuckoo Talking Rice Cooker| 6-Cup Multi-Function Rice Cooker, $260
This Cuckoo Rice Cooker is one of the steady best-sellers. You will have two extra modes; high pressure and non-pressure, and you have more choices with the texture of your rice. However, if you like less moist rice, try experimenting with the non-pressure setting. Your mom will love the fact that she can cook her rice in different ways, even toasted rice (nurungji) with just the push of one button!
18. Jung SaemMool SPF Cushion Foundation with Refill Included, $42
Infused with the know-how of K-beauty professional Jung Saem Mool, this cult classic cushion foundation is so easy to apply for flawless skin. And she’ll love the free refill.
19. Cosori Air Fryer, $100
What? She doesn’t have an air fryer yet? If you want to truly change her everyday life for the better, get her this wonderful kitchen tool. This workhorse exceeds expectations for all kinds of easier and healthier home cooking.
20. Korean Premium Traditional Handmade Tableware Set, $360
Another gift idea for your mom or anyone who enjoys cooking Korean food at home is a traditional brassware dining set. While on the pricier side, this premium brass set of plates, bowls, and utensils will seriously upgrade your Korean dining experience at home. Comes with everything pictured including silverware.
21. NuFACE FIX Starter Kit, $112 (Normally $149)
This line smoothing device with NuFACE FIX line smoothing serum instantly smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, and forehead with a gentle microcurrent. The device is small enough that your mom will bring it when she travels and feels her skin to be rejuvenated at night after a long day.
22. Zojirushi Stainless Mug, 16-Ounce, Lavender, $27
This stainless steel vacuum insulation mug is the best one out there and will keep beverages hot or cold for hours for your mom.
23. Ember Mug, $100 (Normally $130)
Many of us already gave this mug to our moms and it was a huge hit. Now we are coveting it for ourselves! This magic mug will keep her drink perfectly hot for hours. A modern-day marvel that is a proven winner.
24. Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle with 5 Presets, $70
Hot tea all day is just what the Korean mom ordered. Make sure she gets her favorite temperature every time with this elegant fast heating model with multiple temperature presets. Perfect for pour-over coffee as well.
25. Airplane Footrest – Travel Foot Rest (Thickened Memory Foam), $25
No more lower back pain, stiffness, and leg swelling during or after long flights! This footrest with high-quality, thick memory foam will give your mom relief and greatly enhance her travel experience on a plane. Simply hang it on the arms of the tray table and place your feet on the footrest. Enjoy it with the tray table up or down. The adjustable straps allow for the perfect length to provide the necessary support.
26. Back and Neck Massager with Heat, Massage Gifts, $28 (Normally $43)
The back and neck massager has a 3D design to simulate real human hands will bring your mom deep kneading and will massage muscles thoroughly. This massager has a heat option that will give your mom extra relief on the sore muscle as well. You can enjoy it at home or in the car when you travel!
27. Mother of Pearl Trinket Box, $69
This beautiful hand-made Korean mother of pearl trinket box is a wonderful gift for your mom. This jewelry box is so intricate with Crane patterns that your mom can’t help but be impressed by them.
Fun Fact: Cranes are sacred creatures that represent longevity, health, gracefulness, and success in Korean culture. Therefore, this gift is one that literally symbolizes your wish for her longevity, health, success, and prosperity!
28. Daeng Gi Meo Ri Ki Gold Premium Special Hair Care Set, $98
When I found out my parents love Daenggi Meori shampoo but they didn’t want to spend the extra money for it, I bought them this set so they won’t have to worry about replenishing it for a long time.
- Infused with naturally derived pure and raw ingredients including ginseng
- No artificial color and cares scalp
- Promotes Hair Growth
- Nourishment to dry hair
- Made in South Korea
29. KGC Cheong Kwan Jang Korean Red Ginseng Extract, 240g, $206
Cheong Kwan Jang is the most renowned Korean red ginseng manufacturer globally and has been producing the best red ginseng products since 1899. Korean Red Ginseng Extract is their #1 red ginseng product and the perfect gift for Korean moms. This extract may give your mom an energy boost daily, mental alertness, and a better immune system during this pandemic.
30. Indoor Grill Electric Grill Griddle CUSIMAX Smokeless Grill, Portable Korean BBQ Grill, $110
This indoor grill will make your mom enjoy delicious BBQ year around. The grill has a turbo smoke extractor that brings away most smoke when grilling. You don’t have to worry about triggering the smoke alarm or making the whole house smell like a BBQ restaurant when cooking.
31. Coravin Timeless Three PlusWine by the Glass System, $161
This is the perfect gift for moms who like to take a glass of wine at dinner and won’t finish the whole bottle. This will keep wine so fresh for up to 3 + years.
32. Cozy Bliss Luxury Super Soft Striped Faux Fur Throw Blanket for Couch, $46
This ultra-soft and anti-static-cozy faux rabbit fur blanket make your mom’s bedroom or living room as comfortable as possible. An extra bonus is that this marvel is machine wash and tumble dry, which makes your mom’s life so much easier!
33. I Love Pillow Ergonomic Head Neck Contour Sleeping Pillow, $50 (Normally $108)
You know every mom brushes up against some degree of the neck and shoulder pain and this pillow by LMP Worldwide is designed to fix all manner of discomfort!
34. Ugg Annsley Slippers , $70-100
Keep her feet toasty all year round with real Ugg slippers. 100% wool inside, non-slip rubber soles, and lots of pretty colors to choose from.
35. Rechargeable Portable Hand Warmer, $24
This hand warmer is so perfect and pretty for moms or anyone who wants to warm their hands during cold days.
- Quickly warming up: Just takes less than 2 minutes to reach 42 degrees (Celsius).
- Double-Sided Warming: Keep hands as warm as possible
- Long-last warming time: keep warming for 3~4 hours on a full charge
- Small Size & Lightweight (60x60x22mm): Just the right size to hold in hand.
36. Apple AirTag 4 Pack, $80
This is a wonderful gift for moms who are forgetful sometimes. They can drop an AirTag in their wallet or attach to their keys and always find the location via their iPhone.
- Keep track of and find your items alongside friends and devices in the Find My app
- A simple one-tap setup instantly connects AirTag with your iPhone or iPad
- Play a sound on the built-in speaker to help find your things, or just ask Siri for help
- Precision Finding with Ultra Wideband technology leads you right to your nearby AirTag (on select iPhone models)
- Find items further away with the help of hundreds of millions of Apple devices in the Find My network
- Put AirTag into Lost Mode to be automatically notified when it’s detected in the Find My network
- All communication with the Find My network is anonymous and encrypted for privacy, Location data and history are never stored on AirTag
- Replaceable battery lasts over a year
- AirTag is IP67 water and dust resistant
- Make AirTag yours with a range of colorful accessories, sold separately
37. TJ TKR-365HK Karaoke Machine Korean Karaoke Singing Machine, $813
This is a true Karaoke machine that is used at Korean Karaoke bars! It truly is a fabulous gift for moms who love to sing. Includes English and Korean songs.
- Support 41,000 Songs – Korean, K-POP, English, Japanese songs, etc
- New song update by Android Smartphone (Not possible by Apple iPhone), Video Streaming via USB Device
- High-Quality sound system: equivalent to the commercial-grade karaoke machine
- Built-in 1TB Hard Disk and also displays High Definition background video
- You can store your own recordings with USB, while you are playing your favorite mp3
38. JYX Karaoke Machine with 2 UHF Wireless Microphones, Bluetooth Speaker, $120
This is a more affordable Karaoke machine gift choice for moms who love singing their hearts out! Works with YouTube karaoke videos so the song choices in Korean and English are plentiful.
39. Dyson Airwrap Hair Styling and Drying System, $599
The Dyson Airwrap multi-styler is the Mercedes Benz of hair tools and we know how much Korean moms love their voluminous hairdos. This styling tool is truly the most coveted of hair products and it now has even more new features to love—new attachments that make achieving beautiful curls and waves faster and easier, with no heat damage to help maintain hair strength.
Often sold out, the Airwrap deserves all the hype, and like many Dyson products that have come before this, it’s hard to overstate what a game-changer it is. it also makes a great self-gift if great hair is part of your self-care plan!
40. Mother of Pearl Small Jewelry Box, $40+
Jagae is the mother of pearl (the shells of the abalone, mollusk, or clam) that Korean artisans have used to inlay the top of lacquered objects and to make high-quality furniture and household objects since the 6th century. Only royalty, noblemen/women, and the extremely wealthy could afford elegant jagae furniture and household items back in the day since the techniques were very difficult, delicate, and labor-intensive to make. Jagae items were especially popular with Korean noblewomen because of their exclusively gorgeous accents on jewelry boxes, hairpins, the back of mirrors, and vanity tables.
This jagae small jewelry box will make a great traditional Korean gift since it’s not just practical but holds craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
43. Foldable Meat Slicer Electric Deli Slicer for Home, $190
Ribeye at the grocery store too thick for bulgogi? This sleek foldable and compact meat slicer will be a great addition to your mom’s kitchen. She can cut any meat such as boneless beef, pork, lunch meat, summer sausage, even block cheese, homemade bread, vegetables, and fruits. She can turn the thickness control knob to whatever thickness you choose, cutting everything from bulgogi, paper-thin hams to roasts, turkey/chicken breasts, and deli meat with ease!
We hope you like our reviews and recommendations! All products featured on Best of Korea are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you would like to purchase a product, please use our links and we may receive an affiliate commission for your purchase. Best of Korea LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
