10 Must Visit Taiwan Souvenir Stops (Besides Pineapple Cakes)

I’ll be honest – Taiwan totally got under my skin in the best way. It’s one of those places where you come for the famous night markets and bubble tea, but stay for all the tiny, weird, unexpectedly heartfelt moments you didn’t see coming.

And while everyone’s lining up for Taipei 101 (don’t get me wrong, it’s iconic), I found myself more obsessed with the little indie shops tucked between alleyways, or the old uncle who hand-paints clay figurines in Tainan with a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

Before you wander off into all those side streets, make sure your phone’s sorted – a Taiwan eSIM is the easiest way to keep your maps and translations running without queueing at the airport or fiddling with a physical SIM.

If you’re into the kind of travel that makes you feel like a local, even just for a day – these under-the-radar Taiwan souvenir stops are for you. They’re perfect for pairing with your list of cool unusual things to do in Taiwan.

Oh, and if you’re the type who plans your day around snacks (like me), don’t miss my Taipei food guide – because you’ll need fuel for all this exploring.

Let’s actually go beyond postcards and pineapple cakes (okay, maybe some pineapple cakes) and find souvenirs that actually tell a Taiwan story we all love.

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10 Best Taiwan Souvenir Places You Have To Visit

1. Mama Handmade (媽媽手作) – Xinyi, Taipei

I found this spot while wandering aimlessly after a rainy-day brunch in Xinyi. Tucked in a quiet corner away from the flashy malls, Mama Handmade feels like you’re stepping into someone’s living room.

Everything here – from embroidered tote bags to hand-crocheted dumpling pouches – is made by Taiwanese grandmas. It’s not just adorable, it’s meaningful.

I picked up a hand-stitched coin pouch that always gets compliments, and every purchase supports elderly women who still want to create. Honestly, this is the kind of souvenir that gives back twice.

How to get there: Take the MRT to Taipei 101/World Trade Centre Station, Exit 2. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk past Songshou Road. Look for the pastel signs near the residential flats – it’s easy to miss, but worth the detour.

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2. Lai Hao (來好) – Zhongzheng, Taipei

 

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I wasn’t even planning to shop – I was just hunting for a good pour-over near Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall when this vibrant little shop caught my eye. Lai Hao is full of nostalgia wrapped in slick design.

You’ll spot bubble tea enamel pins, sardine-can-shaped notebooks, and socks covered in retro Taiwanese prints that scream personality.

I picked up a set of “Good Morning” ceramic cups printed with old-school diner fonts, and they’ve basically become my go-to gift for friends back home.

If you’re already checking off your list of things to do in Taipei, Taiwan, this one fits right in.

How to get there: Take the MRT to NTU Hospital Station (Red Line), Exit 1. Lai Hao is about a 3-minute walk from there, along a quiet stretch of Nanyang Street.

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3. Art Yard Studio (日日田野選物) – Taichung

I found this hidden gem while chasing tea stories in Taichung’s West District—and I swear it felt like walking into a forest-themed Pinterest board. Art Yard Studio isn’t just a shop—it’s a slow living vibe.

They stock handwoven baskets, ceramic teacups, linen clothing, and naturally dyed accessories. I bought a tiny moss-green ceramic cup that fits perfectly in my hand, and it’s now part of my morning tea ritual. Everything here feels like it has a story.

How to get there: From Taichung Railway Station, take a taxi or a 10-minute Uber to West District, near Meicun Road Section 1. It’s tucked just off a quiet alley—look for the wooden signage and lush greenery at the entrance.

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4. Original Soy Sauce Culture Center (丸莊醬油文化館) – Yunlin

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I honestly didn’t think soy sauce would move me emotionally, but this place proved me wrong.

The old wooden building smells faintly sweet, and you get to bottle your own soy sauce – labelling it with a personalised sticker, choosing how aged you want it, and even writing a note on the packaging.

I made one for my dad with a note that said “For Your Legendary Noodles.” He loved it. It’s old-school Taiwanese culture bottled up, literally.

How to get there: Take the HSR to Chiayi Station, then a taxi or local train to Xiluo Township in Yunlin. The centre is walkable from Xiluo Old Street and easy to pair with a day trip.

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5. Wu Pao Chun Bakery (吳寶春麥方店) – Kaohsiung

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So here’s the thing – this bread is famous for a reason. Wu Pao Chun is a local legend, and their red wine longan bread? Life-changing.

I tried a slice at the Kaohsiung store and immediately bought 3 vacuum-sealed loaves for the trip home. The crust is chewy, the inside is fragrant and sweet, and it pairs beautifully with strong tea or soft cheese.

How to get there: Take the MRT to Sanduo Shopping District Station (Red Line), Exit 4. The bakery is a 5-minute walk away on Linsen 2nd Road.

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6. Dihua Street Indie Shops – Dadaocheng, Taipei

Dihua Street is full of beautiful chaos—herbal shops, tea houses, and lantern-lit alleys—but don’t skip the indie design spots tucked into the back lanes.

I once stumbled into a tiny studio selling slippers dyed with locally foraged indigo and ended up sipping herbal tea with the shop owner’s mum.

There’s something magical about slow shopping here. I also picked up a set of hand-bound notebooks made from recycled temple paper. Each one felt one-of-a-kind.

How to get there: MRT to Beimen Station (Green Line), Exit 3. Walk towards Dadaocheng/Dihua Street—it’s about 10 minutes. Look for signs pointing toward “creative shops” or “design alleys.”

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7. Tainan Clay Figures (台南泥人) – Tainan

These clay figures aren’t just souvenirs—they’re tiny pieces of storytelling. Each one is hand-moulded and painted with such emotion. There’s humour, nostalgia, even satire in their expressions.

I found the stall while walking near the Confucius Temple, and the artisan (probably in his 70s) showed me how he uses a toothpick to shape the tiniest details. I brought home a grumpy little god of fortune and a sleepy cat in a bowl—both now sit on my bookshelf like mini guardians.

How to get there: Walkable from Tainan Station—about 20 minutes—or take a quick taxi to the Tainan Confucius Temple. The stall is usually set up along Nanmen Road in the afternoons.

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8. Yu Jan Shin Creative Pineapple Cakes (裕珍馨 創意鳳梨酥) – Taoyuan Airport & Dajia

I know, I know – pineapple cakes are everywhere. But Yu Jan Shin does it differently. Their matcha mochi flavour is a soft, gooey dream, and the lava yolk ones melt like runny egg tarts inside buttery pastry.

I grabbed a limited-edition gift box at the airport before a red-eye flight, and everyone at home asked where I got them. The box itself was so gorgeous, I didn’t even wrap it. It’s not your average airport buy—it’s a flex.

How to get there: If you’re at Taoyuan Airport, head to Terminal 2’s departure hall. The Yu Jan Shin kiosk is near the souvenir shops. For the original store, head to Dajia in Taichung via local train and walk to Zhongshan Road – just look for the giant cake mural!

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9. The Can – Taipei Design Museum Shop (罐頭台灣設計選物店)

This is one of those spots you discover by accident and then wish you’d known about earlier.

Located inside the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, The Can is packed with clever, design-y takes on Taiwanese culture.

My favourite find? A puzzle that builds Taipei’s skyline, with hidden illustrations of night market scenes on each piece. They also sell recycled chopstick holders, street-sign notebooks, and prints from local illustrators.

How to get there: Take the MRT to Yuanshan Station (Red Line), Exit 1. The Taipei Fine Arts Museum is about a 5-minute walk – just follow the signs toward the park.

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10. Ching-Tien Tang Incense Store (青田香堂) – Da’an, Taipei

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The moment you step inside this incense shop, it’s like being wrapped in calm. The scents are subtle, nothing overpowering—think ginger lily, bamboo, roasted oolong. The owner offered me tea while explaining how they blend their incense using traditional methods passed down through generations.

I left with a set of incense cones and a tiny wooden holder carved from driftwood. Now, every time I light one back home, I feel like I’ve opened a window into Taiwan.

How to get there: Take the MRT to Dongmen Station (Red/Orange Line), Exit 5. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to Qingtian Street—just keep an eye out for the simple wooden sign tucked between 2 low-rise buildings.

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If you’re the kind of traveller who loves bringing home more than just keychains and airport snacks, Taiwan’s indie makers and hidden boutiques are where the real magic is. These aren’t just souvenirs – they’re stories you can hold in your hand.

From hand-thrown ceramics to embroidered pouches crafted by grandmas, every piece supports a slice of local life.

You’ll often stumble upon these small workshops when you’re wandering the same backstreets where people queue at the night markets or where locals duck into tiny stalls for their favourite bubble tea.

Don’t be afraid to wander beyond the guidebook – whether you’re browsing after a stroll through Daan Park or killing time between café hopping in Xinyi, there’s always something quietly brilliant waiting around the corner.