Taiwan is easily one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. After all, Taiwan is famous for many things that rouse the wanderlust of travelers: mouthwatering street food, bustling night markets, and warm hospitality.
But what sort of souvenirs from Taiwan should you get for your loved ones back home? If your answer to that was either “fridge magnet” or “keychain”, I beg you to dispel those thoughts! As someone who’s traveled to Taiwan more times than I could count, I assure you there are way more meaningful things to buy in Taiwan than those!
So, here’s a list of 30 best souvenirs from Taiwan to take home with you that will thoroughly impress your friends and family!
Unique souvenirs from Taiwan
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1. Taipei 101 merchandise
Unsurprisingly, one of the best souvenirs from Taiwan is a piece of merchandise from the island’s most iconic landmark — Taipei 101.
For those not in the know, Taipei 101 is a massive, postcard-worthy skyscraper in central Taipei that doubles up as a shopping mall, commercial space, and, on New Year’s Eve, the sight of one of the world’s most alluring fireworks show.
Visitors can head up to the outdoor observation deck on the 88th floor for spectacular views of the city and to pick up some unique gifts from Taiwan. There, you’ll find plenty of merchandise featuring the iconic tower, including unique 3D DIY models of the tower and Taipei 101-shaped bottles.
2. Meat-shaped stone
If you like collecting trinkets to remember your trips by, then this is arguably one of the best Taiwan souvenirs you can buy! Not only is it cute and uniquely Taiwanese, but it also has a fascinating history behind it!
The meat-shaped stone (肉形石), a quirky ornament that resembles a piece of dong po rou (a popular braised pork belly dish), is a piece of carved jasper that dates back to the Qing Dynasty.
It’s on display at the Taipei National Palace Museum where you can buy a set of magnetic trinkets that resemble the stone. It comes with a replica of the Jadeite Cabbage, another interesting piece on display at the museum, a piece of jadeite carved to resemble Chinese bok choy!
3. Taiwanese glove puppets
Perhaps one of the best Taiwan gifts for culture vultures is a pair of Taiwanese Glove Puppets (布袋戲), which are props for a traditional form of performance art that’s becoming increasingly rare these days.
Taiwanese glove puppets are a traditional form of storytelling in Taiwan. Puppeteers would use intricately designed glove puppets to tell popular folk stories and legends in what were called puppet opera performances.
The glove puppets feature some truly striking designs, some of which resemble Chinese deities or historical figures. Whether you fancy yourself an expert puppeteer or not, the glove puppets certainly make for memorably unique souvenirs from Taiwan!
4. Ri Xing typography character molds
Another Taiwanese souvenir that exudes cultural ambiance is a traditional Ri Xing typography mold. This unique gift is only found at the Ri Xing Type Foundry, a former factory and museum in Taipei, where the fading art of traditional block printing is kept alive via interesting exhibits and workshops.
Here, you’ll find a full collection of traditional Chinese character molds, some dating as far back as the 11th century! Apart from learning about the history of the industry, you can also buy character-printing blocks that you can use as a stamp or as a decorative ornament.
5. Mini sky lanterns
This is arguably one of my favorite things to buy in Taiwan because of how elegant, cute, and meaningful it is.
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is one of the most popular cultural events in Taiwan. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve probably seen pictures — it’s where people write their wishes on a sky lantern (called kongming deng) and release them into the night sky.
If you ever find yourself in the Pingxi district area, you can buy some mini sky lanterns with well wishes and blessings written on them in Chinese. While these mini lanterns won’t fly (most of them are decorative items), they certainly make for meaningful one-of-a-kind souvenirs from Taiwan.
6. Boba trinkets
It’s safe to say that, these days, there’s at least one boba tea outlet in most major cities in the world. Well, for the uninitiated, Taiwan is where it all began, the birthplace of boba!
Surely, that means that, while you’re there, you order a cup or two of this addictively tasty drink. More importantly, you’ll find plenty of boba-themed items in Taiwan, be it t-shirts with cute boba designs or keychains to squishy boba plushies and phone cases.
So, if you have a loved one back home who’s a certified boba lover, these would make the perfect gifts from Taiwan!
7. Oil paper umbrellas
If you have friends who’ve recently married or are trying for a baby, getting them oil paper umbrellas from your trip to Taiwan is probably the most thoughtful thing you can do for them.
That’s because these beautiful souvenirs from Taiwan, considered traditional wedding gifts on the island, are made with oil paper (油紙), which sounds a lot like the Chinese phrase “have sons” (有子), while the character for umbrella (傘) contains the character for “person” (人) five times. So, gifting someone an oil paper umbrella is akin to blessing them with many children.
Beyond cultural nuance, oil paper umbrellas are fantastic gifts from Taiwan in their own right because of how pretty they look! Many of the umbrellas feature elegant designs, some of which are hand-drawn stroke by stroke!
8. Artisanal souvenirs made by Taiwan’s indigenous tribes
While you’ll find plenty of unique things to buy in Taiwan almost everywhere you go, one particular category of souvenirs you should look out for is artisanal wares made by Taiwan’s indigenous tribes.
Be they jewelry, trinkets, or bags and traditional fashion accessories, these unique items bear a distinct style and ambiance that separate them from things you usually find in airport souvenir shops. Plus, you’ll be supporting local artisans in their craft!
Taiwan souvenirs you can eat
9. Pineapple Cake (Feng Li Su)
When it comes to iconic Taiwan souvenirs, perhaps none are as beloved (and delicious!) as Taiwan’s signature pineapple cakes (鳳梨酥)!
Light and flaky on the outside and filled with sweet pineapple jam and buttercream on the inside, this delectably sweet treat, is arguably one of the most popular things to buy in Taiwan. Some traditional bakeries even use real pineapple puree instead of jam for added flavor!
The best thing about pineapple cakes is that they’re so popular that you can find them almost anywhere in Taiwan, even at the airport! Last-minute souvenirs from Taiwan, anyone?
10. Sun Cake (Taiyang Bing)
Another popular snack that’s made in Taiwan that you can buy is sun cakes (太陽餅) a yummy traditional pastry that’s made by combining sweet syrup, lard, and flour. The result is a flaky, bite-sized pastry with a shiny golden crust, hence the name.
When you sink your teeth into these must-buy souvenirs from Taiwan, you’ll usually find a sweet, soft center (made with maltose syrup) that blends well with the savory outer crust. Much like pineapple cakes, sun cakes can be found in most bakeries and gift shops in Taiwan, especially in Taipei.
11. Peanut Nougat
If you’re not into traditional pastries (a shame, but alas), then peanut nougats (牛轧糖) are your next best bet when it comes to edible souvenirs from Taiwan.
These sinfully sweet treats, an iconic soft and chewy candy in Taiwan, are made with honey, egg whites, and nuts — three simple ingredients that, when combined, burst with plenty of flavor. Over time, these Taiwanese products have expanded to include unique flavors too, such as green tea, and ginger sugar.
Most of the nougats come in nicely-packaged packs so they make for ideal gifts from Taiwan for your loved ones back home. Alternatively, you can also get peanut candy（花生糖), which is a traditional treat where different nuts are “glued” together using a sweet syrup.
12. Dried exotic fruits
When it comes to edible gifts from Taiwan, my favorite, or rather what I love to buy most are dried exotic fruits, mainly because it highlights the island’s reputation for being one of the top fruit producers in the region.
Be it persimmon, pineapple, guava, or even exotic fruits like dragon fruit, you’ll find plenty of made-in-Taiwan dried fruits as you explore the island. My favorite? Dried wax apple, a unique local produce in Taiwan that is like a cross between a pear and an apple!
13. Fruit jelly
If you’re looking for sweet treats that offer a different texture, try Taiwanese fruit jelly (果凍), a jello-like treat that’s infused with various fruit flavorings to give it an extra sweet and fragrant kick. Some fruit jellies even contain real pieces of fruit!
What’s great about these Taiwan souvenirs is the packaging. Each bite-sized piece is packed into its own individual wrapper and stored in a box, making them perfect for gifting!
14. Mochi balls
Another must-buy product in Taiwan is mochi balls (麻糬球), soft chewy mochi shaped into balls filled with a variety of flavors. With mochi being a Taiwanese specialty, mochi balls are some of the best gifts from Taiwan to share the flavors of the island with your loved ones back home.
You’ll find mochi balls in many specialty snack shops in Taiwan, packaged into a variety of colorful boxes. My recommendation is to either get a set with different flavors or to get the peanut and matcha-flavored ones.
15. Dried squid
Not all Taiwanese treats are sweet! This gift from Taiwan is actually quite the opposite and some may even find it a little too salty or fishy. However, if you love seafood, dried squid is probably going to be your favorite Taiwanese snack.
Often eaten as a snack or an appetizer with alcohol, dried squid is one of the oldest Taiwanese snack foods you can find. The squid is salted and dried before being cooked over hot coals, resulting in a smoky, savory aroma and a chewy texture.
Just don’t open it in enclosed spaces because the smell can be quite strong!
16. Kuai Kuai corn snacks
For something a little less polarizing, try seeking out these yummy snacks in Taiwan. I’ll be honest, this is one Taiwan souvenir that stirs up plenty of nostalgia. I used to love these when I was a kid and would always look for them in Hong Kong (unsurprisingly, they’re much cheaper in Taiwan!).
As the name suggests, these are essentially Taiwan’s version of Cheetos and they come in a multitude of flavors, such as soy sauce, seaweed, and more. They’re also pretty cheap so you can bring home a bagful as souvenirs! Trust me, the kids will love these!
17. Taiwanese scallion soda crackers
One of my favorite street foods from Taiwan is scallion pancakes. When I can’t eat scallion pancakes, I go for the next best thing — scallion soda crackers!
These crunchy tidbits, packed in individual wrappers are basically just thin saltines with thinly sliced scallions. The scallions really add plenty of fragrance to this Taiwanese product, making them a truly addictive snack.
The last time I was in Taiwan, I bought about half a luggage bag’s worth of them. Trust me, if you like green onion flavor, you’ll love these too!
18. A-Po iron eggs
These unique-looking eggs are perhaps some of the most unique things to buy in Taiwan, let alone to bring home for friends in family. A unique delicacy in the town of Tamsui, A-Po iron eggs (鐵蛋) boast a sweet-salty flavor and a chewy texture.
They’re called iron eggs because of their dark brown color, a result of being stewed repeatedly in a broth loaded with spices and then air-dried. They are sold in vacuum-sealed packets and are extremely tasty when compared to normal boiled or stewed eggs.
19. Alishan tea leaves
Like many other East Asian destinations, tea is an inseparable part of daily life in Taiwan. In fact, it’s an integral element of the local culture, and justifiably so, given the quality of tea that’s produced on the island.
If you’d like to buy some tea as a gift from Taiwan for someone back home, I recommend making the trip to Alishan (Ali Mountain), which is home to some of the best tea fields in the region.
The high-mountain Oolong tea (高山烏龍茶) there, is especially fragrant and light. It’s pricier than most other teas, yes, but it certainly makes for an impressive and thoughtful souvenir from Taiwan!
20. Plum wine
For those who like a different kind of drink, I recommend getting yourself some plum wine in Taiwan. Made with premium plums sourced from local farms, Taiwanese plum wine often boasts a subtle sweetness with fruity tones.
What I like most about plum wine is how they are packaged — neatly filled into cute little bottles that double up as decorations for your house! However, do take note that some of the plum wines can be quite strong, and it’s also a good idea to check how many bottles you can legally carry back home.
21. Kavalan whisky
Speaking of strong, alcoholic drinks, did you know that the world-famous Kavalan whisky is actually brewed and bottled in Taiwan?
Made from tropical fruits in Taiwan, these bottles of malt whiskey are some of the best things to buy in Taiwan because they are infinitely cheaper here. Kavalan whisky is hard to find outside of Taiwan, and even if you do, it costs quite a lot of money.
In Taiwan however, you can find this award-winning drink sold in supermarkets and even convenience stores! Some of them even have special gift packs that feature smaller bottles!
Other things to buy in Taiwan
22. Traditional Chinese trinkets
While you can find plenty of Chinese trinkets in places like Mainland China or Hong Kong, Taiwan is another place where you can find plenty of high-quality “Chinese souvenirs” at reasonable prices.
Whether you’re looking for traditional jewelry, calligraphy tools, or even traditional clothing, you can find a multitude of things to buy in Taiwan, especially when you visit the night markets.
Some of my recommended Taiwan souvenirs? Good luck charms that double up as fashionable jewelry, embroidered clothing, hand-painted fans, personalized traditional Chinese name stamps (like the sort emperors used), and carved inkstones.
23. Lucky cat
Without a doubt, these things are some of the most sought-after souvenirs from Taiwan, not just for their “Asian-ness” but because of how they’re believed to bring fortune to whoever owns them.
While the Lucky Cat (or Maneki Neko) was originally from Japan, locals in Taiwan very quickly adopted this symbolic icon that is now found at the front desk of many businesses. Such is the cultural similarity between Japan and Taiwan.
You can buy plenty of these Lucky Cat dolls of all shapes and sizes throughout Taiwan, usually in souvenir shops. The most common one to get is the calico cat with a raised paw, but you can also find other varieties that are said to bring different kinds of prosperity and fortune.
24. Jade
Another tasteful souvenir from Taiwan is jade, a precious stone that is valued by Chinese culture for its bedazzling beauty and for its association with health and longevity.
In Taiwan, you’ll find plenty of skillful artisans who craft a plethora of jewelry and decorative jade pieces at markets like the Jianguo Jade Market. Bracelets, necklaces, miniature sculptures, the lot of them.
A tip from me before going shopping in Taiwan for jade — learn how to differentiate between good quality jade and imitations.
25. Taiwanese pottery
Much like Mainland China, Taiwan is quite famous for its pottery. Be it earthenware pots, ceramic plates, or pristine teapots, pottery products in Taiwan are usually of high quality and make for impressive souvenirs.
In fact, if you want to shop for these Taiwan crafts, you only need to head to Yingge Old Street, about 30 minutes from Taipei Main Station by train. Known by locals as Yingge Ceramics Street, this is where you can find the best pottery in Taiwan to bring home for friends and family.
My personal recommendation is to buy a lovely tea-making set, which includes a pot and several cups.
26. Cosmetics
Sometimes, a souvenir doesn’t need to be locally-made to be worth picking up. While there aren’t that many made-in-Taiwan cosmetics brands (my friend does recommend Naruko though), you’ll find plenty of beauty stores on the island, especially in Taipei.
Many of the cosmetics products sold in these beauty stores usually come with an affordable price tag, even if they’re branded products from other cosmetic hubs in Asia. So, whether you’re looking for mascara, body lotion, or makeup products, you’ll probably be able to find what you need in Taiwan.
27. Computer and electronic peripherals
Much like cosmetics, Taiwan is a good place to buy the latest gadgets and gizmos, mostly because of how readily available they are.
This is especially the case when you’re in Taipei — you’ll find plenty of electronics chain stores, especially in areas like Ximending and Guanghua Digital Mall, known as the electronics mecca of the city.
What’s more, apart from the usual electronics like smartphones and laptops, you’ll be able to buy plenty of computer gaming peripherals like keyboards, controllers, and headphones, some of which feature unique designs only available in Taiwan. If you have a gamer friend, they’ll definitely appreciate these gifts from Taiwan!
28. Fancy stationery and books
If you’re shopping in Taiwan for fancy stationery (think quirky pens featuring funny designs), head to Eslite, Taiwan’s popular bookstore chain, which stocks plenty of books, stationery, and other accessories.
In fact, it gives you an excuse to visit Eslite Xinyi, the largest bookstore in all of Taiwan! However, I have to say that most of the books that Eslite sells are Chinese books. There are some English-language novels, but the selection is quite limited.
29. Anime and manga merchandise
Remember how I said Taiwanese and Japanese culture is pretty similar? Well, you need only venture to the Taipei Underground Mall, a mile-long underground shopping complex located beneath Taipei Main Station, to see just what I mean.
Here, you’ll find a multitude of shops selling video games and Japanese anime and manga merchandise. From figurines and cosplay props to original manga, Otakus have plenty to look forward to when shopping for souvenirs from Taiwan here.
In fact, if memory serves me right, there are also a couple of maid cafes that can be found here, though I’m not quite sure if they’re still open!
30. Mandopop merchandise
And, of course, what’s a trip to Taiwan without immersing yourself in the rich Mandopop culture there? After all, the birthplace of megastars like Jay Chou and Jolin Tsai is the perfect location to shop for albums, vinyls, and other merch related to your favorite Mandopop stars.
In addition, thanks to celebrities like Tzuyu of Twice and Shuhua of (G)I-DLE, both of whom are Taiwanese K-Pop idols, you’ll also find plenty of Korean pop culture merch to add to your things to buy in Taiwan!
Where to buy souvenirs from Taiwan
Simply put, the best places to shop for souvenirs in Taiwan are Huashan 1914 Creative Park and the Taipei Underground Mall. The former is where you can find plenty of artisanal Taiwan crafts and enjoy soaking up Taiwan’s cafe culture vibes while the latter sells a wide range of trinkets ranging from mini sky lanterns to quirky apparel and generic gifts from Taiwan.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for traditional souvenirs, apart from the locations I’ve mentioned earlier, such as Yingge Old Street, you can check out the various night markets in Taiwan, or any of the old town districts, such as Tamsui.
For food souvenirs, nothing beats Chia Te, which stocks most of the popular Taiwanese snacks I’ve just mentioned. You can also check out Salico Foods, a beloved brand that sells Taiwan’s best nougats and other snacks; or head to any supermarket or convenience store to pick up snacks for cheap.
Final thoughts
And there you have it — 30 of the best souvenirs from Taiwan to take home with you for your loved ones. I’m not gonna lie, writing this brought back plenty of memories for me and made me want to book another trip to Taiwan! (Here’s an itinerary to copy or get inspiration from.)
If you’re looking for even more gift ideas for your upcoming trip, check out these souvenirs from Switzerland and Denmark too!
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