This story was originally published in May 2021 and updated on November 1, 2021.
What started out as a fun lockdown Decoupage art activity by Papercup Studio's founder and her daughters in law turned into a collection of beautifully decorated tiffin carriers, sealed with 15 layers of high quality decoupage. Papercup Studio's Decoupage tiffin carriers make practical and pretty gifts, usable for food takeaways and as eye-catching ornaments around the house.
RM75 and above
What was once utilised by the working classes to keep their food free of flies is now a fashion accessory—models have strutted down the runway toting The Tiffin Company's collection. Striking a pleasing balance between form and function, these tiffins were hand-painted by local artisans, and informed by traditional Baba-Nyonya prints.
RM49 – RM199
When former Apple executive Vashist Vasanthakumar quit the tech world, he turned his full attention to modernising the humble lunchbox. Thermally-insulated tiffin carriers, which maintain your food's temperature hours later, are Vaya Life's signature product, although we're also fans of the BagMat—trendy enough to turn heads, the invention unfolds into a table mat for minimising mess.
RM111 – RM236
Considered a non-essentials store, the legendary Yat Hang Trading is a popular Chinatown haunt that is worth a visit for vintage kitchenware, tableware and charming tiffin carriers that also make splendid souvenirs.
Fun fact: Rather than have trophies made, the annual Fay Khoo Award presents their winners with tiffin carriers from this century-old store. The ones depicted above were a plain buttercup yellow before Lisette Scheers of Nala Designs gave them some artistic flourish.
Around RM88
169, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, Kuala Lumpur | 03-2072 5907
"If you're reluctant to splurge on tiffin carriers with Nyonya designs, go for the basic silver ones," advises Mark Ng, co-founder of Simply Enak. "Anything from the Thai-Malaysian brand Zebra is reliable. The bottom tier should have thicker walls for saucy dishes or soup, whereas the top two tiers are traditionally for dry dishes."
RM59.90 and above
See also: Support Your Local Hawker Stalls By Ordering Takeaway From Them
