Bottom line: Pepero Day falls on Wednesday 11 November 2026, and the easiest way to join in is to buy Lotte’s Pepero at any Korean convenience store (Lotte lists a standard box at ₩2,000) or to grab one of the 2026 Stray Kids and Sanrio packs before they sell out. Most card and QR discounts on shop posters name Korean banks or pay apps, so visitors usually pay the full price. Information as of 16 October 2026.
Quick Korea Travel Guide
Getting in: Landing at Incheon? See every airport-to-Seoul option, or the route to Myeongdong where Lotte’s tourist-facing Pepero activity usually starts.
Stay in touch: Get a Korea eSIM from Airalo before you fly (from $4.00, as of October 2026).
Download first: Naver Map for routes and Kakao T for taxis.
Where to book: GetYourGuide Seoul tours, Lotte World tickets on KKday and N Seoul Tower tickets on KKday.
Getting around: T-money vs Climate Card covers the transit card most visitors use.
For more planning: Korea Travel Toolkit.
Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. If you book through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Pepero Day is Korea’s snack-and-gift day, and in 2026 it lands in the middle of the working week. This guide covers what Pepero Day is, where visitors actually see it in Seoul, the limited editions Lotte Wellfood has announced for 2026, and how the day fits into Korean couple culture. For the rest of the month, see the best time to visit Korea.
Quick answer
- What it is: a Korean gift day on 11 November, named for the date (11/11 looks like four sticks) and the chocolate biscuit stick Pepero, made by Lotte Wellfood.
- 2026 date: Wednesday 11 November 2026, so expect offices, schools and universities to be swapping boxes on a normal working day.
- 2026 limited editions: Lotte announced 10 season packs on 14 October 2026, including 7 collabs with Stray Kids, Sanrio Characters and Ganadi, plus the return of Double Rich Salty Vanilla.
- Where you will see it: convenience stores, supermarkets and Lotte’s tourist-area events in Myeongdong, Seoul Station and Jamsil.
- Price: Lotte lists a standard box at ₩2,000; its 2026 packs run from ₩8,000 to ₩16,000 (list prices, 16 October 2026).
- Discounts: the poster deals you see in shops are tied to Korean-issued cards or pay apps; a plain 1+1 sticker works for everyone.
- Couple tie-in: it is the casual day on a calendar that also has Valentine’s Day and White Day, so a small box and a note is the usual gesture.
Date idea · Jamsil · via KKday
Lotte World Seoul Tickets: 1-Day Pass & Magic Pass
⭐ 4.5/5 from 2,412 KKday reviews · 70K+ sold · QR code entry · Magic Pass add-on for fast-track rides · no cancellation (as of Oct 2026)
What this guide covers
What Is Pepero Day, and Why 11 November?
Pepero is a thin biscuit stick dipped in chocolate, launched by Lotte in 1983. The date works as a visual joke: written 11/11, the numbers look like four sticks lined up. The day is usually traced to middle-school girls in the Busan and Gyeongnam area in the mid-1990s, who swapped Pepero as a wish to stay slim like the stick. Lotte then turned it into a nationwide marketing day, and today the wish for slimness has given way to sharing: friends, classmates, colleagues and partners hand each other a box.
It is not a public holiday, so shops and offices run as normal. The day is also Farmers’ Day (농업인의 날), an official commemorative day, but the chocolate version is the one you will see everywhere in Seoul. Lotte now markets it abroad too: Stray Kids, Pepero’s global ambassadors, released a digital single called “November 11” on 10 September 2026, and Lotte’s ads under the line “빼빼로데이엔 망설이지마!” (“Don’t hesitate on Pepero Day”) passed 10 million views in six days.
1. Where Travellers See Pepero Day in Seoul
You do not need a plan to notice Pepero Day. From late October the front of a convenience store turns into a Pepero stand, and the biggest displays are at the chains CU, GS25, 7-Eleven and emart24. The chains usually reveal their own gift sets in the last days of October, so look for posters at the door. In past years GS25 ran a month-long “Ppae-stival” from 1 to 30 November with card-only 2+2 offers, as the display below shows.
Lotte itself targets visitors. In 2025 its collab packs appeared first in Myeongdong, Seoul Station and Jamsil, then reached major convenience stores, marts and online from mid-October, and Line 2 and 55 subway stations carried Pepero ads, including billboards near Hongik Univ. Station. For 2026, Lotte says it will run activity at major tourist spots, and in August it opened a K-Snack House pop-up with a Pepero Zone at the Lotte Department Store Main Store in Myeongdong (it closed on 10 September 2026). If you stay in the area, Myeongdong and the Jamsil side of town are the likeliest places for tourist-facing events.
2. Best Places to Buy Pepero in Seoul
For a short stay, convenience stores are the simplest route: they are on every block, open late and take foreign cards at the regular price. Use the table to pick by what you want.
| Where | What you will find | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, emart24) | Standard boxes, character packs and chain-exclusive gift sets | Poster discounts often need a Korean card or pay app; plain 1+1 stickers work for everyone. See the convenience store guide |
| Lotte Department Store Main Store, Myeongdong | Host of the 2026 K-Snack House pop-up with a Pepero Zone (ended 10 September 2026) | Check the store for any November follow-up before you plan a trip around it |
| Supermarkets and marts, including Lotte group stores | Larger multi-packs and seasonal collab packs | Collab packs reached marts and online in mid-October in 2025 |
| Lotte Wellfood Sweet Mall (online) | The full 2026 Pepero Day range at list prices | Korean-language shop with Korean delivery, so use it as a price reference rather than a tourist shop |
The 2026 limited editions
Lotte announced 10 season packs on 14 October 2026: seven collabs (two Stray Kids, four Sanrio Characters, one Ganadi) and three gift sets, with the early-2026 flavour Double Rich Salty Vanilla back for the season. Here are the list prices on Lotte’s own shop on 16 October 2026 (before its 20% sale price):
| 2026 pack | Contents | List price |
|---|---|---|
| Sanrio Characters choco or Crunky | 8 boxes (440 g / 312 g) | ₩16,000 |
| Sanrio Characters assort | 4 boxes (148 g) | ₩8,000 |
| Stray Kids almond | 8 boxes (296 g) | ₩16,000 |
| Ganadi assort | 5 boxes (239 g) | ₩10,000 |
| Sampler 6 / Gift 6 | 6 boxes (258 g / 290 g) | ₩12,000 |
| Carrier 4 | 4 boxes (184 g) | ₩8,000 |
| Double Rich Salty Vanilla | 1 box (40 g) | ₩2,500 |
Promotions run alongside the packs. Lotte says spending ₩30,000 or more on Pepero earns Stray Kids merchandise (a tarpaulin bag and keyring) or a Ganadi hand mirror, and ₩30,000 or more that includes a Sanrio pack earns one of four Sanrio shopping bags at random. Dates and pick-up rules differ by pack; the Ganadi mirror promotion was posted for 15 to 28 October. Pepero’s official Instagram has the current terms.
3. How Pepero Day Fits Korean Couple Culture
Pepero Day is the casual end of a calendar full of couple days. Valentine’s Day on 14 February is traditionally when women give chocolate, and White Day on 14 March is when men reply; 11 November has no such script. A box of Pepero with a handwritten note is the usual gift for a partner, and the same box goes to friends and coworkers, which is why the day feels more playful than romantic.
If you are travelling as a couple, pair the snack with a Seoul date. The classic stop is N Seoul Tower, whose terrace is covered in love locks; N Seoul Tower tickets on KKday start from ₩19,900 for non-Korean visitors. Wearing a hanbok gets you free entry to the royal palaces (see the hanbok rental guide), and the Han River parks work for an evening walk. Lotte’s own theme park, Lotte World, is in Jamsil, and Seoul nightlife covers the evening.
Date idea · Gyeongbokgung · via GetYourGuide
Seoul: Hanbok Rental with Gyeongbokgung Palace Entry
⭐ 4.6/5 from 991 GetYourGuide reviews · 1 hour to 1 day · 1,500+ hanbok to choose from · hairstyling and accessories · free cancellation up to 24 hours before (as of Oct 2026)
Staying near the action helps: Signiel Seoul sits 424 m from Lotte World in Jamsil, and L7 Hongdae by Lotte Hotels is 237 m from Hongik Univ. Station. Ratings are from Agoda as of October 2026. More areas are in where to stay in Seoul.
Hotel pick · Jamsil · via Agoda
Signiel Seoul
⭐ 9.2/10 from 7,709 Agoda reviews · 235 m from Jamsil Station · 424 m to Lotte World (as of Oct 2026)
Also on Expedia: Signiel Seoul · Trip.com
Hotel pick · Hongdae · via Agoda
L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE HOTELS
⭐ 8.9/10 from 22,543 Agoda reviews · 237 m from Hongik Univ. Station · city-view rooms and a 22nd-floor rooftop bar (as of Oct 2026)
Also on Expedia: L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE HOTELS · Trip.com
4. Tips for Buying Pepero as a Visitor
- Buy early. Character and idol packs sell out in the days before 11 November, so shop in the first week of the month.
- Singles cost the same per box. Lotte’s Carrier 4 (₩8,000) and its Sampler 6 and Gift 6 (₩12,000 each) all work out to ₩2,000 a box, the same as the standard price. You are paying for the packaging and the collab goods.
- Pay normally. Foreign cards work at the regular price. Look for a plain 1+1 or 2+1 sticker, not the “QR discount” signs.
- Pack carefully. Boxes are flat and light, but the sticks snap, so carry them in hand luggage and check the sell-by date.
- Check import rules. Declare food where your home country requires it. Cash tips are in how much cash to bring to Korea.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until 11 November itself. The popular packs are gone by then.
- Planning around a card-only deal. Poster discounts that list Korean banks or pay apps will not apply to a foreign card.
- Assuming it is a day off. Wednesday 11 November 2026 is a normal working day, so lunch spots and cafés may be busy at midday.
- Buying a gift set for the snack. A set costs the same per box; buy it only for the packaging or goods.
- Treating it as couples-only. Friends and colleagues swap boxes too, so a small box is fine for anyone.
- Forgetting transport. Seoul’s transit cards and Naver Map save time on a shopping route across Myeongdong, Seoul Station and Jamsil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pepero Day?
Pepero Day is a Korean gift day on 11 November. People give boxes of Pepero, Lotte Wellfood’s chocolate-coated biscuit stick, to friends, classmates, colleagues and partners.
When is Pepero Day 2026?
Pepero Day 2026 is on Wednesday 11 November 2026. It is a normal working day, not a public holiday.
Why is Pepero Day on 11 November?
The date 11/11 looks like four Pepero sticks. The custom is usually traced to middle-school girls in the Busan and Gyeongnam area in the mid-1990s.
Where can I buy Pepero in Seoul?
At convenience stores such as CU, GS25, 7-Eleven and emart24, at supermarkets and marts, and online at Lotte Wellfood’s Sweet Mall. Lotte also runs events in tourist areas such as Myeongdong, Seoul Station and Jamsil.
How much does Pepero cost in Korea?
Lotte lists a standard box at ₩2,000. Its 2026 Pepero Day packs list from ₩8,000 (Carrier 4, Sanrio assort) to ₩16,000 (8-box Sanrio and Stray Kids packs) as of 16 October 2026.
What are the 2026 Pepero Day limited editions?
Lotte announced 10 season packs on 14 October 2026: Stray Kids (almond and white cookie), four Sanrio Characters packs, a Ganadi assort pack, three gift sets, and the return of Double Rich Salty Vanilla.
Can tourists use Pepero Day discounts?
Plain 1+1 and 2+1 deals work for everyone. Many poster deals (QR discounts, 2+2, cashback) name Korean banks or pay apps, so a foreign card usually pays the regular price.
Is Pepero Day only for couples?
No. Pepero Day is for friends, classmates and coworkers as well as partners. Valentine’s Day on 14 February and White Day on 14 March are the more romantic dates.
What Else Should You Plan Around Pepero Day in November?
Pack for cool, dry weather using the Korea packing list, compare areas in where to stay in Seoul, and keep a morning free for Olive Young and Daiso, where small Korean gifts are cheap.
Sources (official pages checked)
- Lotte Wellfood Sweet Mall, Pepero category: 2026 Pepero Day pack names, weights and list prices (16 October 2026)
- Pepero official X account: Ganadi pack promotion, 15 to 28 October 2026
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center: admission and free entry for hanbok wearers
- Lotte Wellfood, official company site
- Press coverage of Lotte Wellfood’s 14 October 2026 announcement: Smart Economy and News Who Plus
- The Korea Herald, 30 August 2026: Lotte Wellfood K-Snack House pop-up in Myeongdong
- Korea IT Times, 10 September 2026: Stray Kids single “November 11”
- Hankyung, 5 November 2025: Lotte Wellfood Pepero Day rollout in Myeongdong, Seoul Station, Jamsil and the subway
Book the basics for your Korea trip
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Related Guides
- Korea Travel Toolkit: what to book before you fly
- Best Time to Visit Korea – November weather
- Korea Packing List – autumn layers
- Where to Stay in Seoul – areas and hotels
- Korea convenience store guide – where Pepero displays go up
- N Seoul Tower – the love-lock terrace
- Hanbok rental in Seoul – free palace entry in hanbok
- Han River parks – an evening walk
- Everland vs Lotte World – theme park choice
- Seoul nightlife – after the date
- Myeongdong is not Seoul – what to see instead
- Olive Young Seoul – cheap Korean gifts
- Daiso Korea must-buys – small gifts
- Incheon Airport to Seoul – arrival options
- T-money vs Climate Card – transit cards
- Naver Map in English – store-to-store routes
- Kakao T taxi guide – late returns
- How much cash to bring to Korea
- Korea in November: Weather, Foliage and What to Pack
- Christmas in Seoul: Lights, Markets and New Year Countdown
- Best Korean Snacks to Buy: Prices and Where (2026)
- Korea Souvenirs Under 10,000 Won: Best Picks (2026)
Information as of 16 October 2026. Prices, packs and promotions change, so confirm on the shop, chain or product page before you buy.
