What to Buy in Singapore & Where to Shop for Souvenirs
1. Miniature Merlion Souvenirs
The iconic symbol of Singapore, the Merlion, is a bizarre man-made creature, with the upper half representing a lion and the other half the body of a mermaid. While the upper lion head represents Singapore's original name, i.e. Singapura, meaning 'lion city', the lower half depicts the island's origin as a fishing village. Many souvenirs like key chains, refrigerator magnets, can openers, ashtrays, and chocolates with miniature merlions are available to choose from at various tourist attraction areas, including Chinatown.
Cost: Starts from SGD 2 per item
Where to buy: All souvenir shops islandwide
-Changi Airport
2. Orchid Perfumes
Orchids are Singapore's national flower with exquisite aromas, and it would make sense to buy these orchid-infused perfumes in Singapore. With an elegant collection featuring male and female fragrances, captivating names like Aranda, Orchids by the Bay, and One Degree North please everyone, and the fragrance perfectly captures the memories of the trip to keep it alive.
Cost: SGD 28 - SGD 168 (Depends on size)
Where to buy: Marina Bay Cruise Center - 61 Marina Coastal Drive
- Singapore Visitor Center: 216 Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway Emerald
- All major departmental stores and supermarkets
3. Asian Artefacts
Asian artifacts are something you cannot miss and should definitely be brought back home. From unique antique pieces for your home to gorgeous scrolls, these are the most popular items to buy in Singapore for gifting purposes.
Where to buy: Chinatown
- Holland Village
- Tanglin Shopping Centre
4. Bak-Kwa (BBQ Meat)
What's better than an edible gift for your friends and family? Bak-Kwa, also known as BBQ sliced pork/beef, marinated with sugar and grilled over charcoal, is a famous local snack amongst Singaporeans, introduced by early Chinese immigrants. It is widely eaten and traditionally gifted to family and friends during festivities like Chinese New Year when the prices soar high.
Cost: Starts at SGD 45 per kg
Where to buy: Fragrance Foodstuff stores
-Bee Cheng Hiang Stores
-Kim Joo Guan Stores
5. Ya-Kun Kaya Spread (Coconut Jam)
The traditional breakfast of Singaporeans consists of - Kaya Toast and soft-boiled eggs. Due to its immense popularity, every tourist gets to try it and certainly seems impressed with what Kaya spread has for the taste buds. Kaya is a jam made from coconut milk, eggs, sugar, and pandan leaves, and it is even used as a topping for various desserts and cakes due to its incredible taste. It is a popular thing to buy in Singapore as a souvenir.
Cost: From SGD 5 - SGD 10 per jar
Where to buy: Ya Kun Kaya Toast shops (Islandwide)
- Supermarkets (Islandwide)
- Changi Airport souvenir shops
6. Singapore Pressed Pennies
Once it's time to return to your native place and take a lifetime of memories from Singapore, and you are confused about the gifts for your friends or want to take a souvenir for yourself and your family, Pressed pennies are an ideal option. These are elongated coins engraved with iconic designs that make excellent souvenir tokens. Automatic penny flattening machines are placed at various tourist attractions, allowing visitors to make their own pressed penny souvenirs.
Cost: SGD 2 per penny
Where to buy: Universal Studios Singapore
- Gardens By The Bay gift shop
- National Museum of Singapore
- Suntec City Mall
- Resorts World Sentosa
- Singapore Coins and Notes Museum
7. Tiger Balm Products
Originating from the early ancient court of Chinese emperors, Aw Chu Kin, a Chinese herbalist, started the tiger balm business. The business operation was expanded to Singapore from China and eventually, it gained recognition worldwide for its instant healing effect by rubbing the pain away. One can conveniently find tiger balm products at various stores on the Island wide.
Cost: SGD 2 - SGD 10 (Depending upon size)
Where to buy: Drugstores and departmental stores (Nationwide)
8. Laksa Paste
Besides other must-buy edible items, including Bak-Kwa and Kaya Spread, Laksa paste is another edible gift to buy in Singapore. A perfect blend of Malay and Chinese cooking styles, it is a traditional Peranakan noodle soup made of laksa leaves, prawn paste, lemongrass, and coconut milk. To make this mouth-watering edible gift convenient for transportation, the laksa soup base is frozen and sold as a ready-to-cook paste. There are various other ready-to-cook pastes available in Supermarkets, including satay sauces, chicken rice paste, and many more.
Cost: SGD 5 - SGD 10 (Depend on Quantity)
Where to buy: Supermarkets nationwide
-Changi Airport souvenir shops
9. Gold Plated Orchid
The finest luxury gift for your special someone. Gold Plated Orchids are real orchids plated in 24K gold, which is used to make elegant jewelry and formal corporate gifts, like card and pen holders. Being one of the most exquisite and authentic souvenirs, one has to pay a little more, shelling out a little more shopping budget.
Cost: SGD 60 onwards
Where to buy: RISIS stores at:
- Suntec City Mall
-The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
- Gardens by the Bay
- National Orchid Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens
- Tangs Orchard
- Changi Airport, Terminal 3
10. Singapore Sling
Known as the national drink of the city-state, 'Singapore Sling' was created at Raffles Hotel Long Bar by a bartender in the 1930s. This worldwide popular drink originally consisted of ingredients - orange juice, lime juice, pineapple juice, cherry brandy, and gin. Today, many recipes are available for one to choose from with this famous cocktail, making it an amazing gift for your friends and family.
Cost: Starts at SGD 30Where to buy: There are various souvenir stores in Singapore for the same.
- Raffles Hotel souvenir shops
- Raffles Hotel Long Bar
- Changi Airport souvenir shops
- Drink shops and supermarkets (Islandwide)
Save your last day for a shopping spree and have a great time discovering Singapore's popular markets selling crafts, decor art, and cutlery. Do not forget to buy some souvenirs on your way back.
