Must buy in Singapore: 15+ best souvenirs & best things to buy in Singapore

What to Buy in Singapore, what is Singapore famous for shopping? Let’s take a look at some extremely interesting Singapore souvenirs and if this is your first time here, this article will tell you what to buy when traveling to Singapore. So, let’s check out the list of Must buy in Singapore: 15+ best souvenirs to buy in singapore & best things to buy in Singapore below!

Not only is it an extremely attractive tourist destination, the lion island is also considered a “shopping paradise” that is sought after by many tourists! If you are wondering what to buy as a gift when traveling to Singapore, below are 15 suggestions divided into groups, easy to buy, easy to bring back and the recipient will also love!

Singaporean Specialties You Can Buy as Gifts

Food is always a gift that touches the emotions, especially when it carries the flavor and story of a land. In Singapore, local specialties are not only delicious but also delicately packaged, easy to bring back and suitable for many people. From traditional snacks to sauces, teas, and typical candies, each one is like a “story” about the island nation’s culinary culture.

Must buy in Singapore: Bak Kwa Jerky – Delicious, Easy-to-Transport Singaporean Specialty

No need for holidays, Bak Kwa jerky is always one of the most favored gifts by Singaporeans when they want to give. This is a type of pork (or chicken) marinated with honey, soy sauce and special spices and then grilled over hot coals. The meat is thin, soft, and shiny with an eye-catching reddish-brown color. When bitten, it has a moderate chewiness, a sweet taste mixed with a little saltiness and a faint smoky smell that makes it hard for anyone to resist.

The most impressive thing is the way they package it for buyers to take home as gifts. Each slice of meat is vacuum-sealed in a silver bag or luxurious paper box, ensuring hygiene and convenience. If you want to give your loved ones something that is “eatable immediately” and has a strong Singaporean flavor, this is the perfect choice!

Where to buy: Bee Cheng Hiang Store (Bugis, Chinatown), Lim Chee Guan (Orchard)

Pineapple Tarts

With the first bite, you will understand why pineapple tarts are always on the list of must-buy gifts when coming to Singapore. The soft butter crust, almost melting on the tongue, covers the soft pineapple jam filling, slightly sweet and sour, and fragrant with the smell of ripe fruit. The cake has a very well-rounded taste, not too sweet, not too greasy, making anyone who tries it want to eat another piece.

[Klook Exclusive] Kele Pineapple Tart Souvenir in Singapore

This is a traditional cake often used during Lunar New Year holidays, symbolizing luck and abundance, but today it is sold all year round at large specialty chains. The cake is often beautifully boxed, suitable as a gift for family, bosses or the elderly. A big plus is that the cake is quite light, easy to pack in a suitcase and does not need to be refrigerated, very convenient when traveling.

Where to buy: Bengawan Solo (many branches), Takashimaya Food Hall (Orchard), Changi Airport

Kaya Jam to Eat with Bread for a Standard Singaporean Breakfast

If you have ever tried a Singaporean breakfast with toast, salted butter and sparkling green coconut jam, you will surely not forget the taste of Kaya. This jam is cooked from coconut milk, sugar, eggs and pandan leaves, creating a smooth, rich, sweet but not too strong texture. Kaya is often used with bread, biscuits or mixed into milk tea.

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The interesting thing is that this jam is almost only popular in Singapore and Malaysia, so if you give it to someone who has never tasted it, it will create a very unique and interesting feeling. Many brands like Ya Kun Kaya Toast also have small pre-packaged jars that are just enough to try, do not weigh down the suitcase and have beautiful packaging.

Where to buy: Ya Kun Kaya Toast (many branches), FairPrice supermarket.

Premium TWG Tea With Unique Flavor

TWG tea is a symbol of luxury in Singapore’s culinary culture. With hundreds of hand-blended teas, from vanilla black tea, berry green tea to light floral teas, this brand conquers even the most connoisseurs. TWG tea boxes have a sophisticated design: metallic tin, embossed logo, elegant colors, very suitable for high-end gifts.

In terms of flavor, TWG tea stands out with its elegant aroma, smooth aftertaste and less bitterness. If you are looking for a gift that is both beautiful, culturally flavored, easy to preserve and highly applicable, TWG tea will be an indispensable choice in your suitcase when returning home.

Where to buy: TWG Tea Salons (ION Orchard, Marina Bay Sands), Changi Airport

Coffee & Milk Tea Packages (Kopi & Teh Tarik)

No need to go to the shop, you can still bring the taste of Singaporean coffee and milk tea home with just a pre-mixed package. Kopi – black coffee with condensed milk, and Teh Tarik or the famous “pulled” milk tea, are both conveniently packaged, just pour hot water and enjoy immediately. The coffee flavor is strong, rich, mixed with a bit of creaminess from condensed milk; while the milk tea is fragrant, smooth and not too sweet.

Jewel Changi Airport Attraction Ticket in Singapore

This is a simple but very practical gift, everyone can use it, from friends, colleagues to the elderly. Reasonable price, easy to divide into many parts, light and easy to pack, very suitable if you need to buy many gifts at once but still want to bring a bit of local flavor.

Where to buy: FairPrice Supermarket, Mustafa Centre (Little India)

Best things to buy in Singapore: Souvenirs That Mark Singapore Strongly

Sometimes, just a small item that bears the mark of the place you have been to is enough to make the recipient smile. In Singapore, souvenirs are not just keychains or fridge magnets. If you want to bring a little bit of Singapore home without taking up too much luggage space, souvenirs are the choice you should not ignore.

Merlion Souvenirs

Surely you have seen many check-in photos with Merlion statues spraying water by tourists when coming here, which helps them show off to friends and relatives that they have been to Singapore. The symbol of the Merlion is so popular that visitors can easily find it in many souvenirs such as lighters, key chains, T-shirts, hats, etc.

Singapore City Tour + Optional Gardens by the Bay / Singapore Flyer

Where to buy: If you want to find a souvenir in the shape of a sea lion, visit Chinatown, this will be the ideal place for you to choose those souvenirs.

Clothing & Fashion Accessories

Considered a shopping paradise, a gathering place of many famous brands around the world. You can choose quality, branded items in large shopping malls. Or you can also go to night markets in Singapore to buy cheap fashion items, depending on your needs and preferences.

Where to buy: If you want to shop for branded items, you can go to the area on Orchard Road. This place gathers many different fashion brands, with a variety of items for you to choose from. If you want to buy cheap things, you can go to markets such as: Chinatown Night Market, Lucky Plaza Night Market, Bugis Night Market, Little India,…

Singapore Handicraft Decorations

Singapore NETS FlashPay Travel Card

The next suggestion when traveling to Singapore is small, pretty decorative items. You can go to Arab Street, near Bugis. This is a place that specializes in selling very cute decorative items and handmade items such as: LED lights, hand-woven baskets, carpets,… You can buy these items to use in your own home, or as gifts when traveling to Singapore, which is also very meaningful.

Singapore Traditional Art Products

Am I Addicted Pottery Workshop in Singapore

Walking around Chinatown, you will easily come across stalls selling many handicrafts, which are very delicately made, with unique and eye-catching shapes. Therefore, you can buy them as gifts, which is also very meaningful. Some suggestions for you to choose: Jade carvings, bronze carvings, wood carvings,…

Singapore Batik Silk Clothing

It would be a mistake if you come to Singapore and miss the Toko Aljunied store, especially when this store is one of the rare stores in Singapore that still sells Batik fabric. This is a long-standing store owned by an Indian family, and you will find it right in the Arab neighborhood. In addition to Batik fabric, this is also a place that sells many traditional Peranakan and Indonesian costume designs; there are even cheap perfumes. The sellers here are also extremely enthusiastic and open.

Big Bus Singapore Night City Tour

Buy Cosmetics From Singapore As Gifts – Why Not?

Not too “famous” in the cosmetics world, but this is also an ideal suggestion for those who do not know what to buy as gifts when traveling to Singapore. Cute, practical items such as: Lipstick, makeup remover, skin care, masks,… are all “true love” items for women.

Dry Shampoo – A Must-Have for Women in the Summer

Dry shampoo is an indispensable “lifesaver” cosmetic product on busy days, or when traveling for a long time and not having the time to wash your hair regularly. This product helps clean hair quickly, absorbs oil and creates natural volume after just a few sprays.

Some lines such as Percy & Reed, Batiste or Klorane are highly appreciated because they do not leave white streaks, have a light fragrance, and are suitable for dyed hair. With a hot and humid climate like Singapore, this is also an item that many locals use every day. Because of its small, light, and convenient packaging, dry shampoo is very suitable as a gift for people who travel frequently or are busy at work.

Where to buy: Sephora (Ion Orchard, Ngee Ann City), Changi Airport

Tinted Lip Balm

If you are looking for a small, pretty gift that suits many people and is suitable for all skin tones – tinted lip balm is a very worthy choice. Unlike traditional lipsticks, tinted lip balms give a natural look, helping to soften lips while creating a light pink or orange tint.

Lines like Fresh Sugar, Laneige or Burt’s Bees often have a mild fruity scent, soft lipstick texture and are not shiny. In particular, many brands also design mini or small gift boxes, which are very suitable for giving to friends or as group gifts.

Where to buy: Sephora, TANGS, Watsons, Changi Airport

Facial Masks

Singapore Changi Airport Lounge Service by Plaza Premium Lounge

Paper masks are always on the list of cosmetics that are easy to buy, easy to use and easy to give as gifts when going abroad. With Singapore – where there are enough masks from Japan, Korea and domestic for you to choose from moisturizing, brightening to anti-aging lines.

Dr. Jart+, Lululun, My Beauty Diary or Saborino are popular and highly rated names at chains like Don Don Donki and Watsons. Each mask weighs only a few grams, is easy to fold, easy to divide, very convenient if you need to give to many people at the same time while still ensuring a useful gift.

Where to buy: Don Don Donki (Orchard Central), Watsons, Tokyu Hands

Mini Perfume

Mini perfume is a very sophisticated gift choice, especially for those who like compactness but still luxurious. High-end perfume lines like Atelier Cologne, Jo Malone, Chanel often have bottles with a capacity of 10 – 30ml, enough for a few weeks and easy to carry with you. The rich fragrance, from cool sour fruit to sweet floral, helps you easily choose according to the recipient’s personality.

Where to buy: Sephora, DFS Galleria, Changi Airport (duty-free)

Mini Mineral Spray & Skin Care

Mini mineral sprays and skin care products are a practical choice for those who like to travel or need gentle daily skin care. Lines such as Bio-Essence, Avene, La Roche-Posay are often favored because they soothe the skin instantly, are alcohol-free and safe for sensitive skin. In particular, the 30-50ml mini versions are very compact, can be put in a handbag or backpack, and used anytime the skin feels dry or tired. A set of mineral spray + mini cream will be a delicate care gift, suitable for both men and women.

Where to buy: Watsons, Guardian, FairPrice, Changi Airport

Frequently Asked Questions About Gifts When Traveling to Singapore

What should I buy as a gift when traveling to Singapore?

Singapore is famous for its exquisite and easy-to-carry gifts such as candies (Merlion chocolate, Kaya jam, pineapple cake), domestic cosmetics and Merlion souvenirs. If you want a more “luxurious” gift, you can choose TWG tea or health care products such as Tiger Balm, Eagle Brand green balm.

Where to buy gifts that are both cheap and reputable?

If you like to hunt for good prices, visit Bugis Street, Chinatown, or Mustafa Centre (Little India) – where all kinds of specialties and souvenirs are sold at low prices. If you want branded goods or beautiful packaging, you should buy them at Changi Airport, ION Orchard, or Jewel Changi.

Are there any gifts that are unique to Singapore?

Yes! Kaya jam (coconut egg jam), Golden Bake pineapple cake, TWG coffee and tea, or Merlion items are all symbols associated with the “lion island”.

Can I bring food back to Vietnam?

Yes, as long as the product is pre-packaged, clearly labeled, and not on the list of prohibited imports. Avoid bringing fresh seafood or unsealed items to avoid being detained at the airport.

Is it cheaper to buy cosmetics and branded goods in Singapore than in Vietnam?
It depends on the item. Some brands like Sephora, Innisfree, or Charles & Keith often have domestic promotions or tax reductions when buying at Changi Airport, so it is still worth shopping.

Do you need a tax refund when buying gifts?

If you spend more than 100 SGD at the same store on the day, you will be refunded 8–9% of the GST when you leave the country. Remember to keep the receipt and scan the code at the kiosks in Changi Airport before going through security.

What gifts to buy for each group of people?

• Older family: balm oil, herbal tea, Tiger Balm.
• Friends: pineapple cake, coffee, Merlion chocolate.
• Kids: marshmallows, sea lion souvenirs.
• Colleagues: small boxes of TWG tea or fancy Merlion keychains.

Do you know what to buy in Singapore? Let’s pack and go!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Singapore you can refer to

• Sentosa FUN Pass
• [Klook Exclusive] Universal Studios Singapore™ 1 Day Ticket
• Gardens by the Bay Ticket Singapore
• S.E.A. Aquarium™ One-Day Ticket
• ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands Ticket
• Singapore Cable Car Sky Pass
• Jewel Changi Airport Attraction Tickets in Singapore
• Singapore Flyer Tickets
• Skyline Luge Singapore: Skyline Luge & Skyride
• Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck or Sampan Ride
• Adventure Cove Waterpark™ One-Day Ticket
• Science Centre Singapore, Butterflies Up-Close, Omni Theatre
• Singapore River Cruise
• Madame Tussauds Singapore Ticket
• Wings of Time Show Ticket in Singapore
• Klook Pass Singapore
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (Changi Airport Pick Up) for Singapore
• 4G WiFi (SG Airport Pick Up) for Singapore

Are you finding more top things to do in Singapore: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: The ultimate Singapore travel guide.