A friendly guide to the best Taiwanese gifts and keepsakes
Taiwan is packed with wonderful souvenirs — delicious, beautiful, and often surprisingly affordable. Whether you’re shopping for family, friends, or just for yourself, this guide will help you pick thoughtful and memorable gifts across different categories. Some items are seasonal, some are regional, and some are pure Taiwanese creativity!
🍍 1. Food & Snacks
🥮 Pineapple Cakes (鳳梨酥 fèng lí sū)
Sweet, buttery pastries filled with pineapple jam. Taiwan’s signature souvenir — soft, crumbly, and perfect with tea.
Where to Buy:
- Chia Te Bakery (佳德糕餅) – Taipei, super famous and high demand.
- SunnyHills (微熱山丘) – Premium natural ingredients, great gift boxes.
- Vigor Kobo (維格餅家) – Multiple locations including airports.
Approximate Price: 300–800 NTD per box (6–12 pieces)
🌞 Sun Cakes (太陽餅 tài yáng bǐng)
A flaky pastry filled with sweet maltose syrup, originally from Taichung. Light and slightly chewy.
Where to Buy:
- Li Yi Cake Shop (李儀餅店) – Famous Taichung original.
- Chia Chia Sun Cake (佳佳太陽餅) – Authentic flavor.
Approximate Price: 250–500 NTD per box
🍬 Nougat Candy (牛軋糖 niú gá táng)
Chewy, creamy candies often mixed with almonds or peanuts. Great snack gift.
Where to Buy:
- Sugar & Spice (糖村) – Popular for French-style nougat.
- Royal Family (皇族食品) – Widely available in shops and duty-free.
Approximate Price: 200–400 NTD per bag
🍍 Dried Fruits (水果乾)
Flavor-packed, lightweight snacks — mango, guava, pineapple, and more.
Where to Buy:
- Fruit shops in Dihua Street (迪化街) – Old Taipei’s dried goods paradise.
- Taiwan Gift Shop at airports – Good pre-packed options.
Approximate Price: 150–300 NTD per bag
🍵 Taiwanese Tea (台灣茶 tái wān chá)
High-mountain oolong, black tea, or green tea — a taste of Taiwan’s natural beauty.
Where to Buy:
- Lin Hua Tai Tea Company (林華泰茶行) – Taipei’s historic tea shop.
- Wang De Chuan (王德傳茶莊) – Elegant tea sets and gift boxes.
- Eslite Tea Room (誠品茶館) – Inside major bookstores.
Approximate Price: 400–1200 NTD per 100g (varies by grade)
🍜 Instant Noodles
Taiwan’s instant noodles are flavorful and famous — especially beef noodle soup flavors.
Where to Buy:
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart)
- Supermarkets (Carrefour, PX Mart)
Approximate Price: 40–80 NTD per pack
✈️ Reminder: Instant noodles containing real beef or meat may not be allowed in many countries — check your destination’s customs regulations!
🎨 2. Traditional Crafts
☂️ Paper Umbrellas & Fans
Hand-painted oil-paper umbrellas and traditional folding fans, beautiful souvenirs from Meinong (美濃).
Where to Buy:
- Meinong Folk Village (美濃民俗村) – Kaohsiung area specialty.
Approximate Price: 600–1500 NTD for umbrellas; 200–400 NTD for fans
🏺 Yingge Ceramics (鶯歌陶瓷)
You can create your own ceramics!
Taiwan’s pottery capital — beautiful cups, plates, and teapots.
Where to Buy:
- Yingge Old Street (鶯歌老街) – New Taipei City.
Approximate Price: 200–800 NTD per item
✒️ Calligraphy Sets
Brushes, ink stones, and elegant writing sets, perfect for art lovers.
Where to Buy:
- Dihua Street (迪化街) – Stationery and art supply shops.
Approximate Price: 300–600 NTD per set
🧺 Indigenous Woven Crafts
Handmade bags, hats, and accessories by Taiwan’s indigenous tribes.
Where to Buy:
- Indigenous cultural centers or markets in Hualien, Taitung.
Approximate Price: 400–1000 NTD
✉️ Taiwan-Themed Stationery
Cute, creative designs with Taiwanese cultural elements.
Where to Buy:
- Eslite Bookstore (誠品書店)
- LoFt or stationery sections in department stores
Approximate Price: 100–300 NTD
🍵 3. Beverages & Specialty Drinks
🧋 DIY Bubble Tea Kits
Make your own Taiwanese boba at home! Includes tapioca pearls, tea, and syrup.
Where to Buy:
- Supermarkets or online (Shopee Taiwan)
Approximate Price: 400–600 NTD per set
☕ Taiwanese Coffee Beans
Taiwan-grown coffee from Gukeng, Alishan, and Yunlin — smooth and aromatic.
Where to Buy:
- Specialty cafes or Alishan souvenir shops
Approximate Price: 400–800 NTD per 200g
💄 4. Beauty Products
🧖 Sheet Masks
Hydrating and brightening — Taiwan’s skincare secret.
Where to Buy:
- Watsons, Cosmed, Sasa beauty shops
Approximate Price: 200–400 NTD per box (8–10 pieces)
🌿 Herbal Balms & Lotions
Traditional remedies for travel fatigue and headaches.
Where to Buy:
- Pharmacies, 7-Eleven
Approximate Price: 80–200 NTD
🎉 5. Fun & Pop Culture Items
Taiwan has a lighthearted, creative spirit — and it shows in the souvenirs you can find across the island. From collectible toys and designer figures to nostalgic blue-and-white flip-flops, Taiwan-themed socks, and even indie board games, there’s no shortage of charming, quirky gifts that will make you (and your suitcase) smile. Perfect for adding a bit of fun and color to your travel memories!
🎀 POP MART & Designer Toys
Cute collectible figurines, including Taiwan exclusives.
Where to Buy:
- POP MART stores, department stores
Approximate Price: 250–500 NTD per figure
🎒 Eco-Friendly Reusable Bags
Creative designs, foldable and light — very Taiwan style.
Where to Buy:
- Night markets, design boutiques
Approximate Price: 150–300 NTD
🩴 Blue-and-White Flip-Flops (藍白拖 lán bái tuō)
A true Taiwanese classic! Affordable, durable, and super nostalgic — often called “the soul of the island.”
Where to Buy:
- Traditional markets, convenience stores, tourist shops
Approximate Price: 80–150 NTD per pair
🍪 Taiwan-Themed Socks and Small Accessories
Playful socks featuring bubble tea, Formosan bears, pineapples, and other Taiwan icons — cheap and lightweight gifts.
Where to Buy:
- Night markets (Shilin, Raohe) or shops in Ximending
Approximate Price: 100–250 NTD per pair
🎲 Taiwan Board Games or Card Games
Creative board games designed by Taiwanese developers — often featuring local history, food culture, or humor!
Where to Buy:
- Board game cafes, Eslite bookstore
Approximate Price: 400–800 NTD
🏮 6. Festival, Seasonal, and Regional Gifts
🌕 Mooncakes (Mid-Autumn Festival)
Luxurious gift boxes available only around September–October.
Where to Buy:
- Hotel bakeries, SunnyHills, Chia Te
Approximate Price: 500–1500 NTD per set
🛶 Zongzi (Rice Dumplings, Dragon Boat Festival)
Delicious sticky rice dumplings — check for frozen or gift-packed versions.
Where to Buy:
- Specialty food stores, supermarkets during May–June
Approximate Price: 80–200 NTD each
🧧 Temple Charms (平安符)
Blessings for safety, health, and good fortune.
Where to Buy:
- Longshan Temple (龍山寺), Ciyou Temple (慈祐宮)
Approximate Price: 50–150 NTD
🎈 Lantern Keychains (Pingxi Sky Lantern)
Mini lantern-shaped keychains — cute souvenirs from Pingxi.
Where to Buy:
- Pingxi Old Street (平溪老街)
Approximate Price: 100–200 NTD
📦 Best Places for Convenient Souvenir Shopping
- Night Markets: Like Shilin (Taipei), Liuhe (Kaohsiung) — perfect for snacks and small gifts.
- Department Stores: Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Breeze Center, SOGO — great variety and nice packaging.
- Eslite Bookstore: Combines souvenirs, books, stationery, tea, and crafts — beautifully curated.
- Airport Duty-Free Shops: Ideal for last-minute shopping before your flight (slightly higher prices).
🛫 Important Reminders for Flights
- Instant noodles containing real meat (especially beef/pork) are often forbidden by customs in countries like USA, Australia, New Zealand.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables cannot be brought into most countries.
- Vacuum-packed teas, dried snacks, candies are usually allowed — double-check your destination’s rules!
Souvenirs from Taiwan aren’t just things — they’re stories and memories you can carry home.
Whether it’s the rich aroma of Alishan tea, the sweet crumb of a pineapple cake, or a tiny lantern keychain reminding you of a night sky full of wishes, Taiwan offers something truly special for every traveler.
Happy shopping — and leave extra space in your suitcase! 🎒✨