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Best Souvenir Shops In Malaysia
Hit up these shops for the best Malaysian products to gift friends and family – or keep them for yourself!
by Karin Chan / Published: 28 Nov 2017
A proud supporter of local craftsmanship and small producers, KitaKita carries many unique Malaysian products and even offers gift consultation and personalisation services. The traditional Malay kebaya is a central feature on many of their creations, appearing on mini plates, notebooks and postcards. They also have batik clothing, pouches and more in a variety of designs.
KitaKita also stocks many other brands such as Lizza Creations’ hand drawn batik pieces, premium wooden accessories like shirt buttons and pins by Kayan, Bingka KL’s quirky tea towels with a local twist, FERN’s stunning batik prints, adorable cat postcards by Kat Draws Cats (so cute!) and more.
Stop by their store in Bukit Damansara from 11am-7pm on Mondays to Saturdays and browse around, or enjoy some local delicacies and drinks at the Siti Li Food Studio as you wait for your gift to be wrapped. We hear the Cekodok Pisang (banana fritters) and Laksa Johor are amazing!
Open Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm
G 1.10, 1 Jalan Medan Setia,
Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2096 1323
ARCH is a well-known name in the local gift and crafts industry. They’re most famous for their 3D laser-cut wood veneer models of Malaysian landmarks, but they also use that technology to create breathtakingly detailed jewellery charms, framed artwork, magnets and even journal covers.
I’ve personally taken many friends into the ARCH shop at Central Market and almost all of them have left with something, whether it’s a framed 2D artpiece of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, an intricate wooden bookmark or a chain bracelet with dainty wooden charms.
Tip: While the selection at Central Market’s outpost is extensive enough, head to their headquarters in the KL City Gallery for a truly impressive range of choice. You even get RM5 off your RM10 entrance fee to use in the shop or café.
Open every day, 9am-6.30pm
Kuala Lumpur City Gallery
27, Jalan Raja, Dataran Merdeka,
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2698 3333
You can’t talk Malaysian gifts and not mention Royal Selangor, renowned locally and internationally for quality pewter goods. They have shops in upscale malls around town and a Visitor Centre-slash-museum in Setapak, where you can even make your own pewter bowls at the School of Hard Knocks – how apt – for a truly personalised gift.
Whether you’re after practical and beautiful tableware and drinkware, or simply something exquisitely pretty to wear or display around the home, Royal Selangor pieces are a work of art. Candlesticks, cufflinks, decanters, jewellery, plaques, pens, vases – you name it, they’ve made it.
It doesn’t stop at photo frames and card holders either – Royal Selangor’s craftsmen are best known for their creative collections. We once spent half an hour in the Central Market shop just admiring their 'Lord of the Rings' chess set and marvelling over the intricate figurine of Guan Yu, God of War. As you might expect, however, quality craftsmanship doesn’t come cheap so be prepared.
Open daily, 9am-5pm
Royal Selangor Visitor Centre
4 Jalan Usahawan 6, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-4145 6000
This recent discovery of ours has actually been around since 2015. Their adorable puzzles, magnet badges, books and prints all highlight the local landscape and elements of Malaysia – think durian, nasi lemak, local shopfronts, tailor shops and more.
The art style is cute and colourful; we’re particularly enamoured with their pop up postcards, which make an amazing souvenir to send to loved ones. You could have a pop up postcard of the stunning architecture in the Pinang Peranakan Mansion or the quirky colours of a saree and barbershop. How about an old book store or a mechanic shop? At just RM18 for a set of two, it’s a steal.
For something a bit more conventional, they also have 3D greeting cards with famous Malaysian landmarks, notebooks decorated with renditions of Malaysian life, canvas prints of suburbs like Kajang and Little India, mini puzzles with Peranakan tile patterns and framed prints of regular and fantastical reimaginings of Malaysian scenery. Definitely worth a look.
Open daily, 10am-10pm
Central Market Kuala Lumpur
CK-09, Ground Floor,
Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-8081 2611 (Subang Business Centre gallery)
Headquartered in the Craft Complex on Jalan Conlay, Karyaneka’s tagline is ‘Malaysian craft at its best’ and it collects all the famous types of Malaysian handicrafts in one place. From batik to songket, wood carvings to ceramics, you’ll find it all in one place at Karyaneka.
Everything here is made by skilled Malaysian craftsmen and women, so there’s no fear of fake products as the brand is supported by Kraftangan Malaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.
Colourful batik sarongs, mengkuang-weave bags, ceramic animal figurines, rattan trays, gold-plated hibiscus with casing – whatever your taste, you’re bound to find something here as a truly unique piece of Malaysia. Prices are generally reasonable as well.
Tip: If you’re headed to the Craft Complex, do yourself a favour and stop by the artist village to do some batik painting. It’s a ton of fun at less than RM20 per person and you get your very own batik painting to take home!
Open daily, 9am-7pm
Bangunan Seri Anjung, Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex
Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2164 9907
After visiting the famed ILHAM Gallery for its art exhibitions, don’t skip the gallery shop – you won’t regret it. This hidden gem is on the fifth floor of the ILHAM Tower and is a little treasure trove of carefully curated gifts and products from local artisans.
How about wood-cut prints from Sabah art collective Pangrok Sulap? Beautiful postcards of Penang food and stationery from Stickerrific? Vibrant bags and clothing from Nala Designs? Beautiful journals from Mossery? Seed kits from Eats, Shoots and Roots? All of the above? (Tip: If you’re looking for a new card game to try, pick up a box of Politiko – it’s hilarious.)
We spent a good hour just browsing through all the offerings at the gift shop and we’re sure you’ll have a blast too – you can even stop for coffee, cake and ice gem biscuits if you want to soak in the atmosphere. All shop profits go towards supporting ILHAM’s public and educational programmes.
Open from Tues-Sat (10.30am-7pm) and Sun (10.30am-5pm) Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Level 5, Menara Ilham 8, Persiaran KLCC,
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2181 5128
Peter Hoe
We’re not sure whether it’s a deliberate attempt to keep his shop a hidden gem, or whether he simply shuns the Internet, but Peter Hoe doesn’t have a website. Not that he needs it, by any means. The Malaysian designer is a household name for his vibrant home furnishings and gifts, and his loyal fans have followed him from his Chinatown stronghold to his new digs at The Row.
Step inside the shop and it’s a veritable Aladdin’s cave of jewellery, home décor, gifts and more in a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns – all with a twist of local flavour. It might be overwhelming to the senses at first, but how colourfully so! Table runners, tea towels, notebooks, pouches, robes, ornaments, lamps, cushions…you could outfit your entire home in all things Peter Hoe.
Peter Hoe is a must-visit for every gift shopper and he’s even opened a café next door, connected by a small footbridge. His nephew runs it and they serve fresh quiches, cheesecakes, pasta, naan with curry and other delicious treats. Stop by after you’re worn yourself out in a shopping frenzy!
Open daily, 11am-6pm
56-1 The Row KL,
Jalan Doraisamy, Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 012-334 7123
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