10 Unique Singapore Souvenirs To Bring Back Home (And Where To Get Them!)

[UPDATED 6 October 2023] Singapore is arguably one of the most expensive countries in the world, but it is also one of the greatest places to visit with amazing sights and yummy food! Singapore, a country which prides itself for cheap hawker eats, is also a shopaholic’s haven ? No trip would be complete without bringing back memories of Singapore in the form of souvenirs. Here’s a list of must-buy Singapore souvenirs, some of which are products of Singaporean start-ups! P.S. Visiting Singapore for your future trip? Make sure you check out our list of 8 awesome hostels around Bugis!

1. Old-school biscuits and tidbits

From Munch Munch:

Credit: Munch Munch on Facebook Travel back in time as you head to a Munch Munch store. The shop sells a variety of Singapore-exclusive snacks and toys from the pre-Internet era! Bring home a Singaporean childhood memory with you, especially the famous (and addictive) iced gems and little mantou biscuits (from SGD 2) ? Credit: Munch Munch on Facebook Aside from sweet treats, you can also find savoury snacks such as prawn chips and chilli-flavoured tapioca chips (from SGD 2). Bring back the inner child in you as Munch Munch also sells candies and toys from the past! Credit: Munch Munch on FacebookDisclaimer: Some snacks may not be Halal-certified however their products especially their biscuits are usually Muslim-friendly as they do not contain pork, lard or alcohol. But do check the list of ingredients or enquire with the staff before purchasing them. We advise you to dine at your own discretion. Address: 1) Chinatown Point: 133 New Bridge Road, #B2-03, Singapore 059413 2) Guillemard Road: 371 Guillemard Road, Singapore 399779 Facebook | InstagramFrom Heavenly Wang:Credit: WangCafe on Facebook Another place where you can get delicious old-school biscuits is Heavenly Wang. This Halal-certified café, which sells traditional local meals, is also famous for its trademark “biscuit wall”. Credit: WangCafe on Facebook Dining in Heavenly Wang will take you back in time and you can leave the place with a souvenir or two by purchasing tubs of their yummy biscuits from their “biscuit wall”. You can find biscuits ranging from the classic iced gems or pineapple sandwich biscuits (from SGD 2). #HHWT Tip: The best part is - there are a couple of outlets at Changi Airport so you can do some last-minute shopping before you fly. ? Opening Hours/Address: You can click here for their store locations and opening hours. Website | FacebookP.S. So many neighbourhoods to visit in Singapore that you're spoilt for choice? Check out our guide to Singapore's hipster neighbourhood, Tiong Bahru!

2. Kaya (from Ya Kun Kaya Toast)

Singapore’s answer to peanut butter and jelly toast is the country’s signature kaya and butter toast, which can be found in every food court or coffee shop. Ya Kun Kaya Toast specialises in traditional kaya and butter toast. The coffee shop may not be halal-certified in general, but they pride themselves for their very own kaya (and the kaya is halal-certified!) ?

Credit: Ya Kun Kaya Toast on Facebook Kaya is a creamy jam made from coconut and eggs (sometimes with added pandan leaf extract for extra fragrance), perfect to be eaten with toast. ? Get yourself jars of Ya Kun’s very own kaya (available from SGD 4/jar at any Ya Kun Kaya Toast outlet) and you can have your very own Singapore-style breakfast back home. Credit: Ya Kun Kaya Toast on Facebook

Note: Ya Kun Kaya jars are not halal-certified anymore. However, we have confirmed that the ingredients do remain the same. Do consume at your own discretion.

#HHWT Tip: As the jars can’t be carried onto your flight (due to the 100ml liquid limit), you may have to check them in. Wrap your jars of kaya with extra layers of clothes or bubble wrap them to prevent the jars from breaking or cracking in your luggage. 

Opening Hours/Address:Click here for store locations and opening hoursWebsite | Facebook | Instagram

3. Orchid-scented perfumes and fragrances

Credit: Singapore Memories Looking for something unique to bring back from Singapore? Get some unique orchid-scented perfumes and fragrances from Singapore Memories! Orchid is Singapore's national flower and this shop uses native local orchids and therapeutic orchids in their products. Credit: Singapore Memories Besides the orchid-inspired scents, Singapore Memories has also revived a range of old and heritage perfumes from Singapore's past like the award-winning Singapore Girl! This will definitely be a meaningful souvenir to remind you of Singapore back in your home country. With a total of 38 different variants of perfumes and room fragrances, you'll definitely find a scent that suits you! You can purchase them online or get them from one of the stores on this list!

4. Tiger Balm products (from various pharmacies and Mustafa)

Haw Par Group is a Singapore-grown multinational group known for its Tiger Balm products. These products were developed in Singapore and are perfect for treatments of aches and pains. You can find a variety of Tiger Balm products in various pharmacies and drug stores in Singapore, namely Guardian, Watsons and Unity. Or you can get them at Mustafa too!

Tiger Balm has a long line of products for different uses. Their ointments are used to treat stuffy nose and itch caused by insect bites. The Tiger Balm plasters are also used for muscular pain relief. Tiger Balm also has muscle rubs perfect for massaging your strains and aches ? Note: Prices may vary across different pharmacies and locations. However, as it's quite easy to find Tiger Balm in stores, you can shop around for a cheaper price!

5. Tea (from TWG Tea)

Another homegrown Singapore brand, TWG Tea has established cafes and stores worldwide, 12 of which are in Singapore. There is a TWG Tea outlet in every terminal at Changi Airport too.

Credit: TWG Tea on Facebook Apart from the stores in the country’s airport, the remaining outlets are in the Central Business District, so finding one wouldn’t be a hassle. Just a heads up, ready some cash as their products are quite pricey! Stop by their café for a cuppa and you might find yourself leaving with bags of their products. You can find a plethora of tea flavours, either in the form of tea bags or loose tea leaves (from SGD 10). We recommend purchasing the tea taster collection, which contains a variety of their bestselling tea flavours such as English Breakfast Tea and Jasmine Queen Tea. Disclaimer: TWG Tea cafes are not halal-certified so do purchase their products at your own discretion. Opening Hours/Address:Find out more about their outlets and opening hours here. Website | Facebook | Instagram

6. Instant Singaporean meals (from various supermarkets)

Craving for halal Hainanese Chicken Rice or Laksa? ? There are many varieties of instant meals in Singapore. Some come in the form of instant noodles or ready-to-eat meals. They range from unique Singaporean dishes such as Singaporean Chilli Crab to common ones such as Laksa and Chicken Rice.

If you are into cooking your own Singapore meals, there are those which come in paste or powder form. Dancing Chef and Prima Taste are just two of the many brands of instant meals, which can be found in the many supermarkets in Singapore. Just follow the instructions on the packets, add your own ingredients and you can enjoy Singapore meals back home! ? P.S. We found the packets above at Mustafa Centre - click here for a one-stop guide to this amazing 24-hour supermarket! Note: Do keep a lookout for the halal sign when purchasing instant meals and prices vary across different supermarkets.

7. Salted egg products (from Irvins)

Singapore-owned Irvins released various salted egg snacks a few years back which started a “salted egg revolution” in Singapore. ? Their halal-certified products come in different sizes and flavours (from SGD 7.50) and they are well-liked by most Singaporeans but you might have to face long queues when you head to their stores.

Credit: IRVINS Salted Egg on Facebook Their products include the classic salted egg potato chips, salted egg cassava chips and their rather unique salted egg fish skin. If you love spicy food, then get yourself the hot bomb versions of their salted egg products and be prepared for an explosion of flavours in your mouth ? Another halal brand that's famous for their salted egg products is Golden Duck, so do keep a lookout when you're shopping for souvenirs! IRVINS Salted Egg Opening Hours/Address:Find out more about their outlets and opening hours here. Website | Facebook | InstagramThe Golden Duck Co. Opening Hours/Address:Find out more about their outlets and opening hours here.Website | Facebook | Instagram

8. Merlion-themed and other affordable souvenirs (from Mustafa Centre)

A trip to Singapore wouldn’t be complete without shopping at Mustafa Centre. You can shop for souvenirs here and it’s open 24/7. Don’t worry about burning a hole in your pocket as almost everything here is affordable ?

They sell a huge variety of souvenirs including those that are Merlion-themed. The Merlion is the national symbol of Singapore and statues of this national symbol can be found in Sentosa and Marina Bay. Get yourself a Merlion keychain, snow globe, fridge magnet or even Merlion-shaped chocolates! Did you know that you can also get Singapore-themed teas at Mustafa? This is definitely a perfect gift to bring home for all you tea lovers! Note: Not all of the Merlion chocolates are halal-certified, so do check the ingredients list before you buy them! Opening Hours: 24 hours daily Address: 145 Syed Alwi Rd, Singapore 207704

9. Alcohol-free perfumes (from Jamal Kazura)

Smell good with alcohol-free perfumes, which you can purchase from a Jamal Kazura outlet, all located in the Kampong Glam district. You can find a variety of perfume vials and attars (Arabic perfumes) and massage oils imported from all around the globe. Jamal Kazura’s products are suitable for men and women of all ages ?

Credit: Jamal Kazura Aromatics on Facebook Their wide range of scents include custom-blended ones and they have a distinct scent especially their floral range, which includes the Bella Rose scent. #HHWT Tip: If you're feeling hungry while exploring Kg Glam, be sure to check out our guide to the latest halal cafes in Bugis! Credit: Jamal Kazura Aromatics on Facebook Interested in making your own customised perfume? Then head down to Jamal Kazura's sister shop Sifr Aromatics located along Arab Street for a truly unique experience! Address: North Bridge Road: 728 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198696 Bussorah Street: 21 Bussorah St, Singapore 199439 Arab Street (Sifr): 42 Arab St, Singapore 199741 Contact: +65 6392 1966 (Sifr) Website (Sifr) | Facebook (Sifr)

10. Singapore-themed merchandise (from Naiise)

Travellers to Singapore and Singaporeans alike should head to Naiise for their amazing local merchandise sourced from locally-based brands and boutiques. From plushies of local meals to t-shirts with Singlish (Singaporean English) phrases, the merchandise sold at Naiise can’t get any more Singaporean! ?

Credit: Naiise on Facebook If you a true foodie, get yourself a bolster or cushion from Naiise. Designs of their bolsters or cushions include that of a durian, curry puff, local kuih, otah-otah and more! ? You can also find parking coupons tissue holders, ang ku kueh (glutinous rice flour with sweet filling) coin pouch and Singapore-themed household items such as doormats, towels and door stoppers. Credit: Naiise on FacebookDisclaimer: Some of their products contain explicit language, so do purchase them at your own discretion! Some of the items stocked (including food, beverages, perfume, and soaps) are not halal-certified - we advise you to check the ingredients list and purchase at your own discretion. Address: Jewel Changi Airport: 78 Airport Boulevard, Jewel Changi Airport #02-205/206, Singapore 819666 Website | Facebook | Instagram

11. Singapore transport-themed trinkets (from Knackstop)

If you're looking for a uniquely Singaporean souvenir, then you definitely need to check out the Knackstop line of keychains and accessories produced by Singapore's own Land Transport Authority!

Credit: Knackstop on Facebook Themed around Singapore's public buses and trains, you can pick up a thumb drive shaped like an MRT train, or magnets modelled after some of Singapore's classic bus stops.

Credit: Knackstop on Facebook Magnets and keychains may seem overdone - but this keychain shaped like a 'STOP' buzzer on a public bus puts an interesting spin on it! ? Website (Official Qoo10 shop) | Facebook So, free up a spare luggage bag (or get one at Mustafa Centre?) for souvenirs alone and be prepared to shop for souvenirs in Singapore! While some in this list may be wallet-friendly, others might be a little pricier so do prepare enough cash. Whatever it is, the souvenirs in this list are worth getting so you can bring home great memories of your Singapore trip with you ?