Best 11 Malaysia Souvenirs from a Japanese Perspective
I’ve selected a Malaysia Souvenir Best 11 list. In addition to the Best 11, I’ve also called up 7 “substitutes,” bringing the total to 18 items.
There’s no ranking within the Best 11, but the lower the number, the more “defensive” and safe the souvenir tends to be—reliable, no-surprises choices.
I picked these with different use cases in mind—as a personal keepsake, as a gift, or as a small giveaway souvenir—and aimed for items that are easy to choose and easy to handle overall.
Also, please note that this list doesn’t include everything. Even some “classic” souvenirs like gamat (sea cucumber) soap or batik aren’t on it, so this is not a complete list of all Malaysian souvenirs—just my curated selection.
If it helps even a little, I’ll be happy.
#1 BOH Tea Cameronian Gold Blend
The undisputed king of Malaysian souvenirs.
If you’re not sure what to buy, this is the one — the ultimate classic.
It checks all three essentials for hand-out souvenirs: affordable, lightweight, and compact. It also has a long shelf life.
The lineup is wide, and the flavored teas and the powdered BOH Tea Ice series are also very popular.
#2 Beryl’s Chocolate
Alongside BOH, Beryl’s is one of Malaysia’s signature souvenirs. Although some popular items — like the tiramisu series — have recently become available in Japan, Beryl’s still offers a huge variety that isn’t sold there, so its value as a Malaysia-only souvenir remains strong.
Flavors like durian chocolate are fun and very “Malaysia,” but my personal favorite is the Fruity Chocolate Bar
#3 LOT100 Mango Gummy
LOT100 is a well-known gummy brand in Malaysia and has long been a classic souvenir. They have a nice chewy texture and taste great.
There are several flavors besides mango, but mango is by far the most popular.
The gummies come in four sizes, from large bags to small single packs, and all are individually wrapped, making them easy to use for different gifting situations.
#4 Super Ring
One of Malaysia’s most iconic snacks — a bright orange, cheese-flavoured ring snack loved nationwide. It’s famously known as a favourite of former Prime Minister Najib, and more recently gained attention for being enjoyed by K-pop idols such as BTS and Blackpink members.
It comes in multiple sizes, making it a great option for bulk souvenirs as well.
#5 MAMAMIDAH Dodol
Dodol is a traditional Southeast Asian sweet.
The classic flavour is coconut, but there are also varieties like durian.
It is often served at Malay celebrations and plays a role similar to yokan in Japan.
The taste is easy for Japanese people to enjoy.
It lasts long, is easy to share, and works well as a souvenir.
There is no single nationally dominant brand,
but MAMAMIDAH is relatively well known.
#6 Eureka Popcorn (Salted Egg flavor)
A well-loved popcorn brand in Malaysia.
Popcorn itself isn’t a traditional Malaysian specialty, but Salted Egg is a classic local flavor, which makes this a highly recommended souvenir.
#7 ORIENTAL KOPI White Coffee (No added sugar) + Pineapple Tart
These are original products from the popular kopitium ORIENTAL KOPI.
The classic white coffee is the standard choice, but many Japanese people in prefer coffee that isn’t sweet.
The unsweetened version is also delicious, and when paired with their the pineapple tart — it becomes a perfect souvenir set.
The price is on the higher side, but the quality is unquestionably excellent.
#8 Kantin Lab Potato Chips (Nasi Lemak Flavor)
A potato chip inspired by Malaysia’s soul food, nasi lemak.
Whether it truly captures the authentic nasi lemak flavor is up for debate, but one thing is certain — it’s delicious.
As a snack, it falls on the spicier side, but it’s not crazy hot — more of a savory, pleasant heat.
Even people who aren’t good with spicy food can still enjoy it.
#9 Christy Ng Eco Bag
Christy Ng is a Malaysian brand known for its bags and accessories.
While many of their products are designed for women, they also offer some unisex and men’s items.
Their eco bags, in particular, are highly practical — lightweight, compact, and extremely convenient as souvenirs.
There are also collaboration designs with Japanese companies such as FamilyMart and Nojima.
#10 Durian BB Park Original Merchandise
The undeniable ace of the powerhouse club FC Gishima, proudly wearing the iconic No. 10 jersey. The 2025 MVP
Its character design is truly exceptional—so universally appealing that, much like Pokémon or Anpanman, it resonates across genders and generations.
On my last trip back to Japan, I brought home what I believed was more than enough, yet everything disappeared almost instantly because of its overwhelming popularity.
#11 HIMALAYA SALT
A salt candy you can find virtually anywhere in Malaysia. The salty balance is spot-on, and it’s genuinely delicious. The product itself is extremely well-made, making it one of the strongest choices in the country for bulk souvenirs. Low-cost yet reliably appreciated. Personally, my favorite is the Ginger Lemon flavor, which has a bold kick of ginger.
#12 APOM Original Goods
A brand that sells funny T-shirts and parody-style gifts.
Its designs use local Malaysian jokes and cultural references.
Because the humor is very local, it may not land for those unfamiliar with Malaysia.
But as a personal souvenir, it’s top-tier — the more you know Malaysia, the more it hits, especially for people who live in Malaysia.
#13 Popo Muruku Ikan
One of the most famous snacks in Malaysia. It’s a Chinese-style version of the Indian snack murukku.
People have enjoyed it for 50 years, and it has a nostalgic taste.
The big pack is cheap and has individual packets, so it’s great for sharing.
It’s not super tasty, but it’s not bad.
#14 Starbucks Malaysia Exclusive Goods
Starbucks releases regional-exclusive merchandise around the world, and Malaysia is no exception. The brand offers a wide range of Malaysia-only items.
Especially the Bangsar Village Signing Store is notable because it is the world’s first Starbucks operated by deaf partners.
In addition to its unique background, the store also sells merchandise that is available only at this location.
#15 Mamee MONSTER
A Malaysia-born snack similar to Japan’s Baby Star Ramen. You crush the block of noodles yourself and eat it, giving it a fun DIY style. It has a history of about 50 years and is extremely well-known not only in Malaysia but across Southeast Asia.
It also comes in large packs with individually wrapped pieces, making it great for bulk souvenirs.
#16 Fipper Sandals
A hugely popular beach sandal brand born in Malaysia. They’re affordable, comfortable, and lightweight — which also makes them easy to bring back as souvenirs. As practical Malaysian souvenirs, they’re among the very best.
They’re a true classic, but because of the sizing issue, they’re a bit harder to give as souvenirs. Considering that, I placed them in the Reserve section.
#17 OLDTOWN White Coffee Instant (Less Sugar)
OLDTOWN White Coffee is Malaysia’s iconic coffee chain, known for its classic white coffee.
Since the regular version is quite sweet, I personally prefer the Less Sugar option — it still has a rich flavor without being overly sweet.
For Japanese people, this level of sweetness tends to be more approachable, so I often choose this version when giving it out as a souvenir.
#18 Royal Selangor (School of Hard Knocks / The Foundry)
At the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre workshops — School of Hard Knocks and The Foundry — you can create your own handcrafted pewter item and take it home, either as a small dish or keychains.
Since the Royal Selangor brand is already available in Japan, a workshop-made piece makes for a more unique and meaningful souvenir.
