Travel Tips

What to buy in Singapore: Souvenirs and snacks

Find out what to buy in Singapore with a complete guide of the best items to purchase. From food to clothing, learn about your best options to get there.

If you’re planning what to buy in Singapore during your trip, this list will help you choose among the best souvenirs, snacks, and electronics.

You can find exclusive items from local brands, designer boutiques, or handcrafted souvenirs that should be on your ‘what to buy in Singapore’ list. Plus, we’ll tell you how using a travel eSIM can help you move around and find the ideal places to buy during your Singapore shopping adventure.

In this article

Singapore snacks to bring home from your trip

Singapore is home to some truly delicious snacks, offering a refreshing way to enjoy your favorites, such as potato chips with local flavors.

But you can also find local favorites, like salted egg yolk chips, so let’s see some of the best snacks for shopping in Singapore.

IRVINS salted egg yolk chips

For many, IRVINS is one of the best Singaporean snacks. These undergo a 5-step preparation process, which makes them truly unique in terms of flavor and aroma.

While there are many flavors to choose from, such as salted seaweed or popcorn, one of the favorites is the salted egg yolk fish skin flavor. It comes in different sizes, but you can also buy it in unique gift boxes, making it a great gift from Singapore.

These salted egg snacks are crispy, salty, and offer a multi-layered flavor profile, so make sure to add them to your Singapore shopping list.

F.EAST potato chips

If you love potato chips or know someone who does, F.EAST is an easy choice for a purchase.

Launched in 2017, F.EAST rapidly became a signature Singaporean brand and a unique experience for enjoying potato chips, as it draws inspiration from local dishes for its flavors.

These include, but aren’t limited to, Hainanese chicken rice, roti fish curry, and laksa. Plus, packing is a huge bonus for buyers, as you can easily save these as souvenirs from Singapore!

Aroma Truffle & Co

If you love the taste of black truffle, you’ll fall in love with Aroma Truffle & Co products. Their most iconic snack is the Black Truffle Potato Chips, but you can also try other mouthwatering options that are just as delicious as their potato chips.

By far, this is one of the most unique gifts from Singapore, as it’s a mix of 100% naturally grown black truffles with a modern, black-themed packaging that makes you feel like it’s a luxury product, but it has a reasonable price.

And if you’re looking for more than potato chips, they also sell condiments, which foodies will love to use when cooking!

Fruit King Durian Chips

Thinking about one of the most unique things to buy in Singapore? Durian chips are a popular snack that you should try.

Durian is called the “king of fruits” due to its unique flavor, taste, and intense aroma, but it cannot be carried on airplanes. That’s where durian chips come in.

Fruit King Durian chips keep the rich aroma and natural sweetness from the fruit, and after one try, you’ll surely want to take more than one back home.

Awfully Chocolate

Launched in 1998, Awfully Chocolate quickly became a popular Singaporean chocolate brand, offering a wide range of products, from cakes to gift boxes.

Awfully Chocolate products feature rich flavors, such as smoked salt or roasted soba, and are available in varieties made with white chocolate or containing up to 70% dark chocolate. Choose based on your taste buds!

Plus, this is easily one of the best souvenirs from Singapore thanks to its premium packaging and flavors, especially with exclusive seasonal products.

Local food specialities you can’t miss in Singapore

If you want to dive into local food items, there’s plenty to choose from, and these are pretty hard to find in other countries.

You can get these at traditional markets, supermarkets, or malls around Singapore, so let’s see what options you’ve got.

BENGAWAN SOLO Pandan Chiffon Cake

Pandan chiffon cake is considered the national dessert in Singapore. It’s a light, fluffy cake made with pandan leaves, featuring a delicate aroma found in local delicacies.

You can find this cake in many places, like street vendors or supermarkets, but if you want to take it back home with you, BENGAWAN SOLO is the most popular option.

You can buy one at the Changi Airport, so you don’t need to carry a cake with you during your trip.

TWG TEA

Often mistaken for a British brand, TWG Tea is actually a high-quality tea brand from Singapore.

TWG focuses on using top-tier tea leaves that are carefully selected from plantations and currently offers over 800 tea varieties, making it a perfect gift to buy in Singapore.

Similar to other Singaporean products, TWG packaging also offers a luxurious feel, with elegant gold tins and vibrant gift boxes, each one carefully crafted to achieve that luxurious style people love back to their home country.

Bacha Coffee and Ah Fatt White Coffee

Although Bacha Coffee and Ah Fatt White Coffee originated in two different countries, Morocco and Malaysia, they are easily among the must-buy products in Singapore supermarkets and official stores.

These brands offer iconic drinks, such as the Singapore Morning Coffee from Bacha Coffee, which can be found at the flagship store in Changi Airport. Alternatively, you can opt for a delicious, full-flavored homemade Ah Fatt White Coffee.

Both work well as something to take back home and prepare on mornings for an energy boost or as a gift to a coffee lover, as the flavors, aromas, and packaging will make it really worth it!

Kaya Jam

Famous in Singapore and Malaysia, Kaya Jam (Coconut jam) is a traditional sauce made from natural coconut milk, fruit juice, and sugar.

This jam is typically eaten during breakfast with locally named kaya toast and coffee, but it can be used for other purposes thanks to its delicious taste.

If you want to try it locally, Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Toastbox are perfect places to visit and give Kaya Jam a try. Or you can visit traditional markets to find these for a lower price.

You can also purchase a jar and take it back home for yourself or as a delicious gift!

Bak Kut Teh Spice Packets

Bak Kut Teh is a classic Singaporean dish that leans more towards the Teochew style, characterized by a strong, peppery flavor and a slight spicy kick.

If you love Singaporean food and its unique taste, companies like Song Fa Bak Kut Teh or Ah Siew Bak Kut Teh offer ready-to-eat packets and spice packets, allowing you to take the full Singaporean flavor back home or share it with someone who’s a diehard fan.

Bak Kwa

Bak Kwa is a local, dried pork meat product made using traditional Singaporean methods, delivering a rich, savory aroma and smoky flavor.

Travelers can try this at local stores, like Lim Chee Guan, one of the most popular places in Singapore, buy these as gifts, or travel snacks, to enjoy that delicious flavor back at home!

Fashionable items to buy in Singapore

Local specialities and snacks are essential things to buy in Singapore, but those aren’t the only things you can buy during your trip.

If you’re a fashionista, you can definitely give local brands a go; you’ll be surprised by what you can find in places like the Funan Mall or at the Marina Bay Sands.

Beyond the Vines

Founded in 2015, this Singaporean fashion brand focuses on streetwear style with dopamine-inspired color palettes.

They started as an online store but quickly became one of the most prominent brands in Singapore, with bags being one of the most sought-after products they sell, thanks to their stylish and colorfully coordinated designs.

Aside from bags, clothing and accessories are also available, so keep Beyond the Vines as a store to visit.

Love, Bonito

Another Singaporean clothing brand that focuses on affordable, fashionable, and high-quality products.

Love, Bonito focuses on women’s clothing, especially on Asian bodies. But don’t worry, they offer many styles, meaning you’ll surely find something that fits you well, or maybe a perfect, fashionable gift for your loved one.

Charles and Keith

Charles and Keith mainly focuses on women’s and kids’ fashion, and while it’s considered a luxury brand, their prices are still affordable for their high-quality products.

Stores are available in many places around Singapore, as the brand was born in the country. Still, for travelers, the best shopping spot is in the Changi Airport, as the store is tax-free and new arrivals are always available!

Miscellaneous souvenirs to buy in Singapore

One last thing to add to your ‘what to buy in Singapore’ list includes miscellaneous souvenirs, which easily range from Tiger Balm to textiles.

Here are some not-to-miss options:

Merlion souvenirs: The official “mascot” of Singapore is one of the best souvenirs you can get there. You’ll find various items, such as small statues, t-shirts, keychains, and more, with a design inspired by the statue of the Merlion Park.
Peranakan items: The Peranakan culture is an integral part of Singapore’s history, and today you can find a variety of items, including textiles, porcelain, sarongs, bracelets, and more.
Tiger balm: A classic Singaporean remedy for soothing mosquito bites and relieving symptoms like muscle pain, headaches, nasal congestion, and falutulences. You can find it basically everywhere around Singapore!
Electronic gadgets: Thanks to its status as a major tech hub, electronics are among the best things to buy in Singapore. Competitive prices, like the ones found in the SIM cards for Singapore, tax-free shopping, and retail stores make these affordable to get while traveling.

Find the best items to buy in Singapore using Holafly

If you’re done planning your shopping list, there’s one thing you can’t miss: an eSIM to get mobile internet in Singapore.

With the Holafly eSIM for Singapore, you get unlimited data for up to 90 days, meaning you can use Google Maps to move around malls, check your bank account, or ask your loved ones what gift they’d prefer.

Plus, you get up to 500 MB of daily hotspot data, 5G data speeds, 24/7 customer support, and your plan gets cheaper the longer you stay, meaning you can pay as little as $1.55 daily for your plan.

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Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

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