What to Buy in Singapore? 10 Impressive Souvenirs

Let's take a quick look at some fascinating souvenirs from Singapore. If it's your first time here, this article will guide you on what to buy while exploring Singapore.

Singapore isn't just a tourist hotspot; it's also known as a 'shopping paradise' eagerly sought after by travelers! When in Singapore, don't forget to pick up souvenirs for your friends and family!

The Merlion sea lion is an iconic symbol in Singapore with the head of a lion and the body of a fish.

You've probably seen many check-in photos with the iconic Merlion statues spouting water, taken by tourists visiting here. It allows them to proudly share with friends and family that they've been to Singapore. This Merlion symbol is so popular that tourists can easily spot it on various souvenir products like lighters, keychains, t-shirts, hats… That's why it's one of the most beloved and commonly purchased Singaporean gifts.

If you're looking for a souvenir featuring the Merlion, head to Chinatown, where you'll find the perfect selection of these souvenirs.

Considered a shopping paradise, it's where numerous famous brands from around the world converge. You can opt for high-quality branded items at major shopping centers. Alternatively, explore the night markets in Singapore for affordable fashion items, depending on your preferences and budget.

If you're into luxury shopping, head to the Orchard area. Here, you'll find a plethora of different fashion brands and diverse products to choose from.

For budget-friendly shopping, visit markets like Chinatown Night Market, Lucky Plaza Night Market, Bugis Street Night Market, Little India, and more.

Getting to Orchard: North South Line, Orchard Station

When you visit Bugis Junction or Vivo City for shopping, you'll be overwhelmed by the variety of unique fashion accessories at reasonable prices. You can also rest assured about the product quality as items here undergo strict inspection. In Singapore, counterfeit and low-quality goods are never an issue.

Getting to Bugis: East West Line or Downtown Line, Bugis Station

It's advisable to carry the Singapore Tourist Payment Card (NET FlashPay) from Mytour with you for convenient use of public transportation and easy access to more places. Getting around the city will be much easier that way!

Consider stopping by snack and treat stalls in Singapore to buy them as gifts. What could be more wonderful and meaningful than bringing the flavors of Singaporean cuisine back as gifts for your loved ones? Everyone is sure to love it. You can visit Value stores for a wide selection. Here, you can not only buy products with Singaporean flavors but also Japanese snacks. Alternatively, you can go to Candylicious, known as the 'candy paradise'!

Candylicious is also seen as a sweet candy paradise, this 'sweet world' will mesmerize you endlessly. Each Candylicious store displays hundreds of colorful jars of various types, flavors, and famous brands of candy. You can choose your favorite type and then indulge like a candy buffet party. This system has two stores, one at Vivo City and one on Sentosa, right in front of the entrance to Universal Studios Singapore.

Not overly renowned in the cosmetics world, but this is an ideal suggestion for those who are unsure what to buy as gifts when traveling to Singapore. Cute and practical items like lipstick, makeup remover, skincare products, face masks, etc., are beloved by women. Some reputable and quality cosmetics stores you can consider are: Sasa, Sephora, Watsons, etc.

While Sephora offers affordable prices, Watsons carries the famous Australian brand Essence. All three chains offer a variety of products and different brands, so make sure to spend some time exploring all three to not miss any favorite items.

Another suggestion is small decorative items. You can head to Arab Street, near the Bugis area. This is where you'll find shops specializing in selling adorable handmade decorative items such as LED lights, handwoven baskets, rugs, etc. These items can be used to decorate your own home or make meaningful gifts when traveling to Singapore.

Strolling around Chinatown, you'll easily spot stalls selling a variety of exquisite handicrafts, crafted with intricate designs and eye-catching shapes. So, buying them as gifts is incredibly meaningful. Some suggestions for you to choose from: Jade carvings, brass sculptures, wooden carvings, etc.

Kaya is a special type of jam made from coconut milk and eggs. If you've ever been to Southeast Asian countries, especially Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc., you must have heard of and tried this type of jam. Tourists visiting here enjoy indulging in a slice of hot Kaya toast spread with rich, creamy Kaya jam, paired with a cup of hot milk tea. Ya Kun Kaya Toast Family Café is a very famous restaurant for this traditional jam. At first glance, it may seem like just ordinary jars of jam, but once you taste it, you'll find it hard to forget the unique and distinctive flavor of Kaya.

To contribute to the essence of Singaporean cuisine, one cannot overlook Bak Kwa, also known as 'dried meat' originating from China. Bak Kwa is similar to our beef jerky but is often made from pork, although beef or chicken can also be used. Any discerning diner will be enchanted by this delicious treat. Many believe that if you haven't tasted this exquisite Bak Kwa while traveling in Singapore, you've missed out greatly. In Singapore, Bak Kwa has become a popular gift often exchanged during the Lunar New Year.

Laksa is an unmissable dish in Singaporean cuisine. It's a traditional dish of the Peranakan people, blending the flavors of curry, coconut milk, and chili sauce to make the broth, then served with noodles, shrimp, cockles, and otak otak fish cakes. To make it convenient for travelers to buy and take away, Laksa sauce is packed in glass jars. You can simply purchase it and cook it with basic ingredients to enjoy a piping hot bowl of Laksa right away!

It's a miss if you visit Singapore and overlook Toko Aljunied, especially when this shop is one of the few in Singapore that still sells Batik fabric. This is a long-standing shop of an Indian family, located on Arab Street. In addition to Batik fabric, it also sells many traditional Peranakan and Indonesian clothing designs; even cheap perfumes. The shopkeepers here are also very enthusiastic and welcoming.

Singapore has two major sale seasons in a year, one in the summer around May-July, which coincides with the tourist season, and one during the Christmas season at the end of the year, with the most attractive being Black Friday week. So, make sure to seize the opportunity to hunt for many 'goodies' at affordable prices!

Foreign tourists who shop for over $100 in Singapore will receive a 7% tax refund. You can combine three receipts from the same store to apply for this policy.

Finally, wishing you a pleasant trip! For better preparation, you can also check out articles about solo travel experiences in Singapore, explore the list of 18 Top Music Events and Exhibitions in Singapore 2023, River Wonders Singapore, Singapore - Malaysia 4 Days 3 Nights Itinerary, read interesting reviews about Chinatown Singapore, Little India Singapore, Bugis Singapore, southern islands of Singapore, Sentosa Island Singapore, Kusu Island Singapore, Kranji Singapore,...

Do you know what gifts to buy in Singapore for a lasting impression?