Remember the last souvenir you received? Chances are, it’s hidden deep in your closet or collecting dust somewhere. So the next time you’re souvenir hunting, forget the fridge magnets, keychains, t-shirts and little trinkets that your friends won’t know what to do with. Here are some unconventional souvenir ideas to bring back from Malaysia that your friends will love.
1. Textiles – Batik Songket
Batik and songket are traditional Malaysian textiles, each with its own unique designs. Malaysian batik is renowned for its vibrant colours and bold prints. The songket on the other hand, is a brocade of woven silk or cotton interwoven with either silver or golden threads. The intricate designs on the textile make great decorations around the home as tablecloths, pillow cases or even as a statement art piece.
Where to buy:
Central Market or Kraftangan Malaysia
2. Durian Chocolate
Whether you’re a fan of durian or not, durian chocolate is a great gift to introduce friends to the king of fruits. Love it or hate it, it’s sure to bring a great reaction out of them!
P/S: Get to know more about durian with our beginner’s guide to the king of fruits
Price:
Approximately MYR 20-25 for a box of chocolate
Where to buy:
Supermarkets, Airport Duty Free
3. Instant White Coffee
The coffee culture in Malaysia began in the olden kopitiam (coffee shop) days. It was a common sight to have the young and old enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee while reading the newspaper or chatting with one another. While kopitiams have evolved, Malaysian coffee has remained a favourite among the locals. Thanks to a special roasting technique involving margarine, Malaysian white coffee has a unique flavour and aroma that is loved by many. Creamy and rich in taste, the instant packs offer a convenience for the perfect cup of coffee at any time. Some of the more popular brands are OLDTOWN, Ah Huat and Aik Cheong.
Price:
Approximately MYR 12-15 for a pack of 15
Where to buy:
Supermarkets, OLDTOWN coffee shops
4. Curry Paste, Spices Sauces
Share a taste of Malaysia with those at home. From curry pastes to satay sauces, there are many different types of ready-to-cook sauces for you to bring home. Look out for Brahim’s or Baba’s for the most authentic flavours.
Price:
Approximately MYR 4-7 for a pack
Where to buy:
Supermarkets
5. MyKuali Penang White Curry Instant Noodles
Ranked seventh in The Ramen Rater’s list of spiciest instant noodles of all time, the MyKuali Penang White Curry instant noodles is as authentic as it gets for instant noodles. What sets this instant noodles apart is the chilli paste and non-dairy creamer that gives the soup a rich and creamy texture. When it was first launched, these noodles were so elusive that people were going into a frenzy trying to get their hands on them. Some would even buy them in bulk from the factory in Penang, to share them with friends back home. Thankfully, they are now easily available at most supermarkets.
Price:
Approximately MYR 6.90 for a pack of 4
Where to buy:
Supermarkets
6. Gamat Products
A species of sea cucumber, gamat is rich in protein and has medicinal healing values. Processed gamat is available in a pure liquid type, also known as “air gamat” (gamat water) that can be consumed, and a mixed type, known as “minyak gamat” (gamat oil) that is used for external application. It is useful in healing cuts, burns, injuries and even toothaches.
Where to buy:
Gamat products can be found in pharmacies and supermarkets, but the best products can be found in Langkawi, home of the gamat industry in Malaysia.
7. Nutmeg Oil
Nutmeg oil is traditionally used to relieve muscular pains, sprains, cramps, headaches and stomachaches. It is made from the extract of the nutmeg seed. Just apply the oil on affected areas, and you’ll find relief. A popular brand of nutmeg oil is Cheong Kim Chuan which has a shop in Penang where you can find other nutmeg products too.
Where to buy:
Penang is the largest nutmeg producer in Malaysia, but nutmeg oil/balm can also be found in pharmacies nationwide.
8. Boh Tea
You might have seen the spectacle of teh tarik —Malaysia’s local tea—at mamaks, but the British also brought their love for English-styled tea when they colonised Malaysia. Founded in 1929 by J. A. Russell, BOH Plantations is the largest tea producer in Malaysia with tea gardens along the slopes of Cameron Highlands. Besides black tea, they also produce unique flavoured teas such as passion fruit, lime and ginger, mango, earl grey with tangerine and lemon mandarin.
Price:
Approximately MYR 5 for 25 teabags
Where to buy:
Supermarkets or Boh Tea plantation in Cameron Highlands
9. Half-Boiled Egg Cooker
Half-boiled eggs remain a breakfast favourite across generations in Malaysia. This useful, nifty gadget makes it easy to make the perfect half-boiled eggs – soft egg whites, with runny yolks. Just put your eggs in, pour hot water up to the indicator line, and wait for the water to slowly drip into the bottom container. No fiddling with timers and stoves early in the morning!
Price: Approximately MYR 10
Where to buy: Supermarkets
10. Adopt a Turtle
Want to give a gift that makes a difference? Adopt a turtle in your friend’s name and help save the turtles in Terengganu. By adopting a turtle, you will be helping WWF in their efforts to protect this national icon to ensure that they are around for generations to come. You’ll receive a cute turtle plush toy, an info card and a certificate that you can give to your friend.
Price:
Donations start from MYR 38 monthly
Where to buy:
WWF Malaysia – Adopt A Turtle (www.pandashop.my/adoptaturtle)
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All geared up for shopping? Get more bargains at the 1Malaysia Year End Sale from 15th November 2014 to 4th January 2015.
For more information about Malaysia and what to see and do, visit www.tourism.gov.my
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not represent Tourism Malaysia. Products, brands and items mentioned are not endorsed by Tourism Malaysia.
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Tagged With: batik, coffee, durian, gamat, gifts, nutmeg, presents, shopping, songket, souvenir, turtle, white curry noodles
