What Can You Buy With 1000 Won in South Korea?

Understanding the purchasing power of a small denomination like 1000 South Korean Won (KRW) offers insight into daily life costs in South Korea. For those accustomed to other currencies, this amount might seem negligible, yet it can still facilitate certain small transactions. This article explores what 1000 Won realistically buys, providing a practical perspective on its value in the South Korean economy.

The Value of 1000 Won

To put 1000 South Korean Won into perspective, its value is comparable to loose change in many Western economies. As of August 2025, 1000 KRW is approximately equivalent to about $0.71 to $0.72 USD. In terms of Euros, 1000 KRW converts to roughly €0.61 to €0.62. For those familiar with Japanese Yen, it translates to approximately ¥105 to ¥106.

This illustrates that 1000 Won represents a small sum, insufficient for significant expenses. While it may not buy a standard cup of coffee, it holds enough value for very basic items. It primarily functions as change or for incidental, low-cost purchases.

Common Items You Can Buy

Despite its small value, 1000 Won can still purchase a few specific items, especially from street vendors or discount stores. These include:

• A single hotteok, a popular Korean sweet pancake.
• One fish cake skewer, often including complimentary fish cake soup.
• Small portions of other street foods, such as a cup of tteokbokki, particularly in busy university areas.
• Certain small baked goods or snacks like peanut bread (ttangkongppang) or Deli Manjoo, a cream-filled pastry.
• Promotional items, chips, microwave rice, or instant noodles in large supermarkets.
• A range of stationery, toys, or other small household goods at discount retailers like Daiso.
• A pair of Korean character socks.

What 1000 Won Won’t Buy

While 1000 Won has some purchasing power for very small items, it is insufficient for many common daily necessities. A standard cup of coffee from a cafe typically costs significantly more, often 3,500 to 5,000 KRW, with budget chains charging upwards of 1,800 KRW for an Americano. Public transportation fares, such as a base subway fare in Seoul, are also well above 1000 Won, generally costing 1,550 KRW for a transportation card user.

Even a bottle of water from a convenience store usually exceeds 1000 Won. A full meal, even an inexpensive one from a convenience store, typically costs between 3,000 to 6,000 KRW. Street food items, while generally budget-friendly, often start from 2,000 KRW for a portion. Therefore, 1000 Won primarily serves as supplementary change rather than a primary unit for substantial daily expenditures.