Busan Specialty Goods You Can Take Back Home｜Haeundae Fish Slices, BIFF Candy Cakes, Medicinal Snacks, Magli Wine – The Complete Must-Buy List for Hong Kong Visitors

For those flying from Hong Kong to Busan, the four most worthwhile souvenirs to bring back home are clear: Haeundae fish cakes, BIFF sugar cookies, medicine candies, and Magli wine. These four items are lightweight, easy to store, make great gifts, and can all be brought back to Hong Kong within the duty-free limit. This article covers everything you need to know—what to buy, where to buy it, how much it costs, and how to pack it—so you can gather all your souvenirs during your trip to Busan without having to rush through the airport last minute.

1. Haeundae Fish Slices: Busan’s iconic street food, best kept fresh when packaged in vacuum bags

Haeyundae eomuk is one of the most iconic street foods in Busan. Eomuk (어묵, eomuk) is a dish made from white fish paste, either fried or cooked, and can be found everywhere in Busan—from convenience stores to traditional eomuk shops. Well-known eomuk restaurants are located around the BIFF Square in Nampo-dong as well as along the coastline of Haeyundae (Source: Busan Tourism Organization).

The top recommendation for bringing back to Hong Kong is “vacuum-packed fish slices”: they can be stored at room temperature for 2–4 weeks without needing refrigeration, and once opened, just place them in the fridge. Compared to freshly cooked fish skewers, vacuum-packed versions take up less space and don’t leak juices, making them the perfect gift for colleagues and friends. The approximate price at local stores in Busan is ₩10,000–15,000 per bag (about HK$58–87).

II. BIFF Sugar Cakes: Freshly baked desserts located next to the film festival plaza — best enjoyed while still warm

BIFF hotteok is the Busan version of the traditional “hotteok,” but it’s particularly famous in the BIFF Square area of Nampo-dong. BIFF stands for Busan International Film Festival, which has been held since 1996, and BIFF Square is located in Nampo-dong (Source: Busan International Film Festival official site).

These freshly baked sugar cakes are crisp on the outside and soft inside, with a black sugar and sesame filling that bursts out when bitten—perfect as an energy boost while shopping. At local stores in Busan, they typically cost around ₩1,000–2,000 (about HK$6–12). They taste best when eaten on the spot; if you’d like to take them back to Hong Kong, you can buy frozen versions, which can be reheated in a small pan at home to retain about 80% of their original flavor.

III. Medicinal Snacks: Traditional Korean honey treats – the most respectful gift for elders

Yakgwa is a traditional honey-fried snack from South Korea. It’s made by frying flour, honey, and sesame oil together before dipping it in honey, resulting in a chewy texture with a sweet flavor (source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security’s database on traditional foods). With a lower sugar content compared to Western candies and infused with the aroma of sesame and ginger, yakgwa is widely appreciated by older generations, making it an ideal gift for presenting to family elders.

The medicine-themed gift boxes feature elegant packaging that is durable and shatterproof, making them perfect as formal gifts. At local stores in Busan, the price ranges from around ₩15,000 to 30,000 per box (approximately HK$87–175), depending on the packaging style and quantity. If you’re concerned that older relatives might find it too sweet, you can opt for smaller packages or the “sugar-reduced version” of these medicine treats.

IV. Magli Wine: A local rice wine from Busan that can be brought back to Hong Kong tax-free in quantities up to 1 liter

Makgeolli is a traditional Korean rice wine with an alcohol content of around 6–8% (a common range for Korean rice wines, per the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of South Korea). Busan offers a wide selection of local brands, and its portable bottle format makes it an excellent gift for friends and family who enjoy sipping casually.

The key lies in luggage limits and duty-free allowances: According to Hong Kong Customs, passengers aged 18 and above are allowed to bring back 1 liter of “other alcoholic beverages” duty-free, and Magli falls under this category. Any excess amount must be declared to customs and taxed (source: Hong Kong Customs’ “Duty-Free Allowances for Alcoholic Beverages”). A typical bottle holds 300–750 ml, so buying 1–2 bottles keeps you within the duty-free limit; remember to check it in rather than carry it on (due to liquid security restrictions). The approximate price at local stores in Busan is ₩1,500–4,000 per bottle (about HK$9–23).

V. Must-buy List for Hong Kongers: 4 Must-Haves + 3 Popular Shopping Areas

If you want to purchase all 4 items at once, the most convenient options are the following 3 popular areas, each catering to different purchasing needs:

• Nampo-dong BIFF Plaza: Sugar cakes, fish flakes, and medicinal sweets are all within walking distance—perfect for travelers looking to save energy.
• Haeundae: Haeundae Fish Street and large supermarkets – convenient shopping with great prices
• Seomyeon: Lotte Department Store and duty-free shops, offering the widest selection of branded medicines and snacks, including Magli

Below are the reference prices at local stores in Busan for these 4 kinds of souvenirs (based on a combination of data from the Busan Tourism Organization and actual price inquiries in 2026). The exchange rate is estimated at ₩1,000 ≈ HK$5.8:

Souvenirs	Reference Price (₩)	Around HK$	Notes
Haeundae Fish Slices (Vacuum Packaged)	10,000–15,000	58–87	No refrigeration needed, long shelf life
BIFF Sugar Cookies (Freshly Baked)	1,000–2,000 per piece	6–12	It tastes best when eaten hot.
Medi-Candy (Gift Box)	15,000–30,000	87–175	Give the elders a proper send-off
Magli wine	1,500–4,000 per bottle	9–23	Tax-free for 1 liter or less

VI. FAQ: Common Questions from Hong Kong Visitors About Bringing Souvenirs from Busan

Q1: Can Magli wine be taken on a flight back to Hong Kong?

Sure. Margarita is classified as “other alcoholic beverages,” and those over 18 can bring 1 liter duty-free; it must be checked in, not carried in hand luggage (due to liquid security restrictions). Any excess amount can be declared to Hong Kong Customs.

Q2: Does the vacuum-packed fish fillet need to be refrigerated? How long can it be stored?

Commercial vacuum-packed products can be stored at room temperature for 2–4 weeks. Once opened, they should be refrigerated and consumed as soon as possible. Upon returning to Hong Kong, it’s recommended to store them in the fridge for the best flavor.

Q3: Will the medicated candy be too sweet? Will older adults accept it?

Yaoqie has a moderate sweetness with sesame and ginger flavors. It’s fresher than Western candies and well-received by most older adults. For gifting, smaller packages or sugar-reduced versions are more thoughtful choices.

Q4: Where can I buy the most authentic BIFF sugar cakes?

They are most concentrated around the BIFF Plaza in Nampo-dong, with one grilled stall after another. You can also buy frozen tteokbokki to take back to Seoul I—just reheat it in a small pan, and it will retain about 80% of its original flavor.

Q5: Where is the most convenient place to buy all 4 items at once?

Nampo-dong BIFF Plaza: Sweet cakes, fish flakes, and medicinal candies are all within walking distance. You can find Magli Bu at Lotte Department Store or large supermarkets in Seomyeon, and you’ll be able to pick up everything you need in just half a day.

Q6: How much should I budget for souvenirs?

The full set of 4 items costs around ₩40,000–60,000 (approximately HK$230–350), including a gift box version; you can easily find a decent souvenir for each person within a budget of HK$300.

VII. Related Recommendations: Check out more Busan travel tips here

• Is it worth buying a Busan Pass? It costs ₩55,000 for 24 hours and ₩85,000 for 48 hours—you’ll break even if you visit just 3 attractions in a day.
• Complete Guide to Medical Beauty Trips in Busan｜How to Choose Dermatology Clinics in Seomyeon, Haeundae, and Nampo-dong? How Much Cheaper Are the Prices Compared to Seoul?
• Dcard Price List for The First Dermatology in Busan｜Thermage FLX is 40% cheaper than that in Gangnam; HIFU treatments cost just 9,000 New Taiwan Dollars per 100 shots, with a discount applied

VIII. Conveniently schedule your Busan cosmetic surgery at Barog West – Chinese-language booking available

In addition to buying souvenirs, many Hong Kongers take the opportunity to schedule cosmetic treatments in Busan—where prices are generally 20–40% lower than in Seoul. The local Dermatology clinic in Busan listed below offers services in Traditional Chinese, allowing you to compare prices online before making a reservation.