Where to Buy Diapers and Baby Formula in Korea: A Local Dad’s Guide to Korean Marts

One of the biggest worries for parents traveling to Korea is, "What if I run out of diapers or my baby's specific formula?" I’ve been there. I remember once taking Woobin to a park and realizing I only had one diaper left. My heart sank! But don’t worry. Korea is a paradise for baby products, as long as you know where to go. Today, I’ll show you where to find everything your baby needs, from the big "Big 3" marts to hidden local spots.

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1. The "Big 3" Supermarts: Your One-Stop Shop

In Korea, we have three major hypermarkets that are like Walmart or Target. This is where I always go to stock up on Woobin’s essentials.

• E-mart (이마트): Generally has the widest selection of baby brands. Look for the "Baby & Kids" section.

• Lotte Mart (롯데마트): Very tourist-friendly, especially the branches in Seoul Station or Jamsil.

• Homeplus (홈플러스): Great deals and often carries international brands.

H3 Why go here? These marts have dedicated aisles for diapers (기저귀 - Gijeogwi) and formula (분유 - Bunyu). Most importantly, they have clean "Nursing Rooms" (Suyu-sil) where you can change diapers or feed your baby while shopping.

2. Navigating Korean Diaper Brands

If you forgot your Pampers or Huggies, don't panic.

• Local Brands: Huggies Korea (Yuhan-Kimberly) is the most popular and very high quality. Other great local brands include Bosomi and Bambo Nature.

• Sizing Tip: In Korea, diaper sizes are often categorized by the baby’s weight in kilograms (kg) and their developmental stage (e.g., "Step 1" for newborns, "Step 4" for walking toddlers). Look for the weight chart on the side of the pack.

3. Buying Formula (Bunyu) and Baby Food

If your baby is picky about formula, I recommend bringing enough for the whole trip. However, if you need to buy some here:

• Domestic Options: Imperial Dream XO and Absolute are the top choices for Korean parents.

• Imported Options: Large marts often carry Aptamil and Hipp, which are very popular among "Gangnam Moms."

• Ready-to-eat Baby Food: Look for the refrigerated section or the baby aisle for "Juk" (Korean porridge) pouches. Brands like YammiMeal or Pasteur offer great organic options for traveling.

4. Where to Go When Marts are Closed?

In Korea, most large marts are closed on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month by law. If you have a "diaper emergency" on a Sunday:

• Convenience Stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven): They usually carry small travel packs (3-5 pieces) of diapers and wet wipes.

• Pharmacies (Yak-guk): While they don't always carry diapers, they are the best place for specialized items like organic baby lotion, medicine, or specific types of wipes.

• Coupang (Rocket Delivery): If you are staying at an Airbnb for a longer period, ask your host to help you order from Coupang. It delivers almost anything by the next morning!

Packing light is key to a happy trip, so don't feel like you need to bring a month's supply of diapers from home. Korean products are world-class, and Woobin has grown up healthy and happy using them! Do you have a specific brand of formula you're worried about finding in Korea? Drop the name in the comments, and I'll check if it's available at my local E-mart for you!