Cover From local kueh to Peranakan tile coasters, here are 20 unique souvenirs from Singapore (Photo: Wheniwasfour)

Pandan chiffon cakes are not the only way to remember Singapore by. Here are some of the trendiest and most memorable souvenirs to find in Singapore

Gone are the days when you’d go on vacation and return with keychains and tacky T-shirts that are regaled to the back of our closets, only to be discovered years later and dumped in the to-donate pile. 

Souvenirs have evolved into practical and meaningful gifts that are no less beautiful. No matter if you are looking for a gift for a friend leaving Singapore or looking for a unique trinket after a holiday here, there is bound to be something special that you can find on this tropical, modern island. 

To help you along, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite local brands and uniquely Singaporean souvenirs and food to recommend to friends and family or gift to a loved one.

Don’t miss: The most luxurious staycation rooms in Singapore for the long weekend

1. Bynd Artisan’s personalised gifts

Tatler Asia
Above Bynd Artisan's personalised accessories (Photo: Bynd Artisan)

There’s no better place to create your own personal souvenirs than at Bynd Artisan. Find an array of unique creations from heart-shaped up-cycled leather charms to leather jewellery boxes. These luxurious leather accessories are available for customisation—personalise your handpicked gifts by adding a name or initials. Get to choose your own foil colour and font type too.

2. Furball Collective’s curry fish head bed set

Bring home a souvenir for your fur kids with Furball Collective’s adorable toy collection. Choose from a selection of local food-inspired toys including and ku keh, gem biscuit and pineapple tart. Pamper your pooch and go all out with its curry fish head bed set, featuring a claypot-themed pet bed, curry fish head cushion, two tomato chew toys and two lady’s finger chew toys.

3. Independent Market’s nostalgic Good Morning mug

Visit Independent Market for local-inspired creations ranging from Singapore prints to Peranakan tile magnets. Remind yourself of the little red dot by having a brew from its Good Morning mug, which pays homage to the nostalgic towel that comes printed with “good morning” in red lettering. Or elevate your outfit with the Treasures of Singapore ear studs, they depict classic Singaporean icons such as ice cream sandwich, kaya toast and shophouses.

4. Wheniwasfour’s locally inspired creations

This Singapore-based design studio creates local-flavoured lifestyle products that are sure to remind you and your loved ones of the island. A wide selection of creations await, including white rabbit sweet plush toy, biscuit tin pen holders and more. Look out for its Mooncake Kraft Sling Bag that pays tribute to traditional mooncake paper bags. It’s complete with a pair of mooncake plushies.

5. Pins from The Little Drom Store

Declare your love for Singapore delights with a quirky pin or two from The Little Dorm Store. Here, pins are splashed with local flavours—think HDB mosaic tables, kopitiam coffee cup and Bishan otters. Some of these pins are also available as earrings too.

6. Twomorrow’s diamond collection

The best souvenirs are the ones you can wear, right? At this local jeweller, find unconventional yet stunning pieces. Creations are made from natural diamonds in uncommon shapes, cuts and looks. Visit the brand’s cosy atelier and take your pick from its range of jewellery from its signature ear studs to pepper diamond rings.

7. The Social Space’s tea towel

This multi-concept space features a cafe, a fair trade retail area and a nail salon—all of which promote greater awareness for sustainability and conscious living. If that isn’t enough, the brand is also a platform for differently-abled people to acquire skills, empowering them to put their talents to a greater cause. At the retail area, look out for various local-inspired creations like the ‘My Singapore, My Home’ tea towel that sees beautiful illustrations by homegrown artist Yenidraws imprinted on tea towels. Her illustrations are also available as postcard prints. While you’re here, check out other products by local creators, such as fabric-bound journals, cotton muslin hooded towels, beeswax wrap kits and more.

8. Tanglin Gin’s Orchid Gin

Remind yourself of Singapore with a bottle of Tanglin Gin. Singapore’s first gin distillery, Tanglin Gin’s expressions are brewed on the island and feature a local twist. Can’t decide which to get? Go for the Orchid Gin, a classic expression that comprises a blend of local botanicals, amchoor (mango powder), orange and vanilla bean. On the palate, the expression is smooth and creamy with hints of earthy notes.

9. Sunday Bedding’s Bamboo Sheet Set

Sunday Bedding’s luxurious sheets will allow you to rest comfortably at home while reminding you of Singapore. Its Build Your Own Bamboo Sheet set allows you to customise your sheets to your liking. Each set comes with a pair of bamboo pillowcases, a bamboo fitted sheet and a bamboo duvet cover. The bamboo set is made from 100 per cent bamboo rayon, a soft and pliable fabric, perfect for those who heat up easily through the night.

10. Jeya Spices’s spice powders and snacks

Take home some aromatic spices from Jeya Spices. A selection of spice powders are available to choose from, including Saffron, Garam Masala and chicken curry powder. While you’re here, check out its delicious array of Indian snacks too, such as the crunchy Murukku, prawn crackers and pappadam. 

11. Art Tree’s Tiffin Boxes

Tiffin boxes are functional and sustainable ways to carry food around or even buy takeaway food at our local hawker centres. The three tiers help to keep your meal components neatly separated. It is also an extremely Singaporean container with Indian roots. Typically, in India, people bring their lunches to work in stainless steel tiffin boxes. 

However, you don’t need to settle for the traditionally plain, stainless steel ones. Local brand Art Tree offers a range of beautiful Peranakan and geometric designs on their tiffin boxes that are vibrant and fun to have.

12. Yeomama’s Batik Outfits

Batik print is commonly found in Southeast Asia and most prominently on the uniforms of our Singapore Airlines flight service crew. 

Yeomama is a homegrown mother-and-daughter duo that uses authentic handmade batik to create clothing for the modern wearer. Some of our favourite items include their batik activewear line which includes sports bras, high-waisted leggings and more. 

13. Supermama’s Singapore Blue Plates

Blue and white porcelain is a massive part of Singapore’s history and has been for hundreds of years, tracing back to when we were a trading settlement between the East and West.

For a souvenir that is truly Singaporean and one that you will likely keep and display for many years to come, opt for homegrown design store Supermama’s Singapore Blue porcelain plates.  

The plate collection includes everyday motifs and icons; personal narratives and experiences, as well as collaborations with international artists. 

For something truly special and unique, opt for the One Singapore 2022 Edition plate which highlights iconic imagery in Singapore.

Fun fact: back in 2020, in collaboration with Supermama, the Tatler Homes Singapore team designed a plate that pays homage to the historic shophouses seen in Singapore as part of the Singapore Blue collection.

14. Chalk Farm’s Kueh Salat

Kueh Salat is a popular local Malay dessert that features two layers; it is comprised of glutinous rice steamed with coconut milk at the bottom and a jelly-like custard top layer made with eggs and coconut milk.

Homegrown bakery Chalk Farm’s version of the well-loved kueh has gained a reputation among both locals and tourists, quickly becoming a cult favourite over the years. A whole cake of this steamed delicacy makes the perfect gift or it can even be a dinner centrepiece at parties.

15. Singapore Airlines’ Check In Counter Set

Tatler Asia
Photo: Kris Shop
Above Photo: Kris Shop

The Singapore Airlines experience starts right from when you check in at their counters. If you have a child (or if you are one at heart), you will love this Lego check-in counter playset that will make the perfect souvenir for a wonderful trip.   

The exclusive playset comes complete with five figurines, hand-carry bags and luggage.

16. Rich & Good Cake Shop’s Swiss Rolls

Rich & Good Cake Shop has been a Singaporean staple since 1997. Famous for its pillow-soft swiss rolls, Singaporeans have loved its variety of delicious flavours such as kaya, red velvet chocolate, coffee and strawberry over the years. 

If you would just like one dessert to take home from Singapore, let it be one of these knockout rolls.

17. Raffles Hotel’s Peranakan Tile Coasters

Tatler Asia
Photo: Raffles Boutique
Above Photo: Raffles Boutique

European-inspired and Peranakan designed, these handpainted and glazed ceramic tile coasters are vibrant and will add life to any table setting. 

Each piece is unique so no two pieces are alike. You can get them in four different colour combinations. 

18. Cat Socrates’ Peranakan Tile Yoga Mat

Talk about useful holiday souvenirs. If you are a yoga enthusiast, you will love this vegan suede and non-slip yoga mat that is beautifully designed to replicate Peranakan-styled tiles.

Choose from a variety of outstanding and vibrant colours and you are all set to be the star of your next yoga class. And no, it won't be because of your flexibility. 

19. Scent By Six’s Diffusers

Here in Singapore, we value our homegrown brands and are always proud of what each has to offer.

Scent By Six is a local fragrance company that offers decadent reed diffusers, candles, perfumes and more. 

If you are looking to get some from them, try the Care To Sleep Better Reed Diffuser set which includes bergamot, pineapple essence, lemon peel, sandalwood and more in its fragrance to craft a soothing and calming scent designed to prepare you for a good sleep.

20. TWG’s Singapore Breakfast Tea

Forget English Breakfast Tea, no trip to Singapore is complete without taking home TWG Tea’s localised breakfast blend, Singapore Breakfast Tea.

The blend is a sophisticated combination of green tea, black tea, rich vanilla and rare spices, a complex flavour profile that is uniquely Singaporean.

21. Ollella’s Kueh Lapis Sagu

Malay kueh plays a rather prominent role in many Singaporeans’ lives and you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone here who doesn’t remember carefully peeling layer after layer of a classic rainbow kueh lapis. 

Ollella’s chewy and Instagramable Kueh Lapis Sagu is a must-buy in our books. Chomp into it or do it just like us: peel off each layer, one at a time, and enjoy it like a true Singaporean.

22. Ji Xiang Ang Ku Kueh's Ang Ku Kueh

Ang Ku Kueh, which directly translates to “Red Turtle Cake”, is a delectable Chinese pastry that symbolises prosperity, longevity and wealth.

It typically has a sticky glutinous rice flour layer on the outside that is wrapped around a sweet filling. At Ji Xiang Ang Ku Kueh, you can find these chewy pastries in a variety of fillings such as peanut, sweet bean, yam and coconut.  

23. Ya Kun Coffee Powder

Take a little bit of Singapore home with you with Ya Kun’s signature coffee powder for a simple yet rich caffeinated beverage no matter where you are in the world.

24. Sinpopo’s Pulat Hitam Cake

Pulat Hitam is an Indonesian dessert made from black glutinous rice porridge and served with coconut milk and palm sugar. While it may be Indonesian in origin, the dessert is still very much Singaporean and enjoyed by many around the country. 

Here, Sinpopo has taken the classic dish and turned it into a cake. The Pulat Hitam cake features fluffy black rice layered with smooth coconut cream and black rice bits. It is served up with desiccated coconut and honestly, you can’t go wrong here.

25. Dearborn Granola

If you enjoy a healthy bowl of granola, you'll want to get in on this locally made edition that was born over the pandemic. 

We personally are obsessed with its double chocolate and orange flavour which features an organic oat base infused with maple and orange and topped with milk and dark chocolate. 

Don't miss: Design Orchard retail showcase reopens with a reimagined concept space

26. Yenidraws’ Tea Towels

We may have a slight obsession with Yenidraws’ adorable tea towels and we think you should too. 

Yenidraws is a local illustrator who creates inspired works of intricate art on her tea towels. From cakes and tea to reinterpretations of the botanical gardens, there’s something for every style preference here.

27. Ratu Lemper’s Kuehs

Ratu Lemper is a local kueh maker who specialises in halal heritage delicacies that are both delicious and authentic. 

Some of their more popular options include traditional Malay desserts such as Putri Salat, a two-layer kueh that has glutenous rice at the bottom and a custard layer on top. You can opt to get a whole tray of its kueh if you, like us, can’t stop eating them. And of course, bring a platter with you if you are visiting a friend in a neighbouring country—because you need to eat these goodies fresh, of course.

Topics