One of the things Hong Kong is famous for is undoubtedly its reputation as a shopping paradise. With its plethora of malls and street markets, the city that I call home is a proper bucket list destination for shopaholics.
But what exactly should you buy in Hong Kong? Well, don’t sweat because I’m here to share, from a local’s point of view, what the best souvenirs from Hong Kong actually are. So ready your wallets, it’s time to go shopping!
Table of Contents
Unique souvenirs from Hong Kong
1. Cantopop merchandise
With Hong Kong being the birthplace of Cantopop, it’s fairly logical to say that some of the best Hong Kong souvenirs are Cantopop merchandise — think albums, vintage vinyls, memorabilia, and more!
My personal favorite place to shop for Cantopop (and Mandopop) merch is at the Sino Centre on Nathan Road. There are two to three shops there that stock the latest album releases for popular local and international artists. Before you buy, you can always compare the prices between the shops for better deals.
2. Quirky fashion apparel and souvenirs
Take it from me, a proper local — arguably the best Hong Kong souvenirs, the ones that truly exemplify the uniqueness of Hong Kong, are the quirky tee shirts and decorative accessories you find at the night markets!
Just take a stroll along the Temple Street Night Market or the Ladies Market in Mong Kok, and you’ll see plenty of eye-catching tee-shirts and fashion apparel, bearing funny slogans or pictures on them.
You’ll even find amusing decorative items like sign boards or placards with intentionally mistranslated phrases that are common in the city!
3. Dim sum bamboo baskets
Hong Kong is famous for its delicious dim sum, not just in taste, but for the way it is served — usually in aesthetic bamboo baskets.
Well, while you can’t really sneak a siumai onto the plane back home without getting some weird looks, you can certainly buy yourself some of the iconic dim sum bamboo steamer baskets!
You can find these lovely Hong Kong souvenirs around the local crafts shops in the Yau Ma Tei area or at some of the aforementioned night markets. Just remember to give it a wash with water before using it for the first time!
4. Po Sum On healing balm
I will admit, I was quite surprised, amusingly so, when I found out that Po Sum On healing balm was considered by many as one of the most sought-after souvenirs from Hong Kong. For the uninitiated, this popular balm is like a miracle balm that soothes headaches, muscle pains, and bug bites.
From what I know, many visitors buy these healing balms for their aging family members back home. It’s been around since 1907, so surely whatever is in the recipe works!
5. Tin toys
If you’re looking for gifts from Hong Kong for children, consider buying these Hong Kong crafts instead of commercial action figures or dolls.
Wind-up tin toys were once the most common toys for locals in Hong Kong half a century ago. The toys came in a multitude of designs, from robots to cars and even waddling penguins.
While simple in nature, they offer a sense of nostalgia for locals and a showcase of Hong Kong craftsmanship. Head to Chung King Yong Yau in Wan Chai for some of the best-designed tin toys in Hong Kong.
6. Attraction-themed merchandise
Personally, I dislike the idea of getting fridge magnets, postcards, or toy replicas as souvenirs, but when it comes to unique Hong Kong attraction merchandise, I think there’s a case for it.
In Hong Kong, skip the typical “place name on an iconic landmark” souvenir and get some that truly capture the unique attractions of Hong Kong, such as replicas of Hong Kong’s iconic ting ting trams or the Star Ferry that transports visitors between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. If you head to The Peak, you can also buy merchandise that features the postcard-worthy Peak tram.
Hong Kong souvenirs with cultural nuance
7. Jade ornaments and jewelry
When it comes to souvenirs from Hong Kong with cultural nuance, nothing beats the elegance of a beautifully crafted piece of jade.
The Chinese community believe shi precious stone brings good health and fortune, hence why there are so many jade ornaments and accessories in Hong Kong.
My personal favorites are the ones that are crafted after the Chinese zodiac signs, so you can get one after your own sign or for your loved ones. It certainly adds a personal touch to these gifts from Hong Kong.
8. Cypress wood engravings
Personally, I think cypress wood carvings are Hong Kong souvenirs that can really elevate the elegance of one’s home.
Often sold as decorative pieces, these unique Hong Kong crafts are basically Buddhist prayers carved onto the trunk of a cypress tree. Sometimes, they feature intricate carvings of a Buddha or Bodhisattva.
My one tip when trying to buy one of these elegant decorative keepsakes is to bring a local along with you. It’s not so you can get a special local discount, but because many of the artisans of this traditional craft don’t speak much English!
9. Chopsticks
Chopsticks are pretty much synonymous with Chinese and Cantonese cuisine, so when in Hong Kong, there’s no better gift to get your loved ones than an exquisite pair of chopsticks! If you want to make it an extra special gift, you can seek out the ceramic or porcelain chopsticks that come in separate boxes.
If you’re looking specifically for chopsticks that you can use for cooking, like my mom does, opt for the longer bamboo chopsticks.
10. Lacework or embroidery
One of the most elegant souvenirs from Hong Kong that I personally like giving to my friends is a delicate piece of white-on-white embroidery. Those of you who are interested in Chinese history will know that Hong Kong was once a textile trader’s heaven, where linen cloth silk could be found abundantly.
These days, you’ll find linen embroidery, often featuring vibrant and colorful pictures at Stanley Market. If a lacey bed cover isn’t what you’re looking for, then opt for something small and compact like an embroidered bag.
11. Chinese silk dresses and traditional clothing
Personally, one of the best gifts from Hong Kong I can think of is traditional clothing. Made famous in the 1900s, traditional Chinese clothing was once common fashion on the streets of Hong Kong.
These days, they are usually only worn on special occasions and the art of making them is slowly dying out. Thankfully, if you want to get your hands on one of these Hong Kong souvenirs, I know just the place — Linva Tailor, where cheongsams are made from scratch the traditional way.
If you’re not looking for new threads, I recommend getting a traditional silk fan instead!
Also read: 45 Top Hong Kong Fashion Brands You Should Know About
12. Chinese paintings
To spice up your room with some souvenirs from Hong Kong, head to Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium on Nathan Road and get yourself a classy traditional Chinese painting.
What sets Chinese paintings apart is the art style. Using vibrant yet soft colors, Chinese artists create whimsical pieces using masterful and delicate brush strokes.
Chinese paintings are easy to store in your luggage as well, as most of these are drawn on paper scrolls that you can roll up and place in your bag.
13. Fortune cats
With this iconic souvenir from Hong Kong, you’ll be returning home with plenty of luck to go along with your memories. Yes, the famous Fortune Cat — a lucky charm in Asian culture, is one of the most popular things to buy in Hong Kong.
In fact, you’ll see these cat statues waving at you at almost every store you enter! But not all cats bring the same type of fortune. Calico cats, the most common variety, bring wealth, while green Fortune Cats bring health!
14. Chinese antiques
Those of you who love collecting antiques will definitely be shopping for Hong Kong souvenirs at Upper Lascar Row (also known as Cat Street). After all, this is where you will find a large cluster of shops selling Chinese antiques!
While most of them are replicas or recreations of famous pieces, some of the shops actually house authentic pieces of history, oriental trinkets that can be traced back to China’s distant past! And yes, these mementos, the “real” ones, cost way more than the replicas, which are quality gifts in their own right, mind.
15. Mahjong set
I’m willing to bet that if you’ve seen a Hong Kong drama or movie before, then you’ve definitely heard about mahjong.
It’s essentially a table-top game that’s played as both a form of entertainment and, sometimes, gambling. In fact, the game was also featured in an iconic scene in Crazy Rich Asians!
In Hong Kong, you can buy a mahjong set featuring traditionally hand-carved mahjong tiles (most commercially produced ones around the world use laser engraving). At Biu Kee Mahjong on Jordan Road, you can even make your own mahjong tiles by signing up for a hands-on workshop!
Edible souvenirs from Hong Kong
16. Instant noodles
There is no shortage of unique Hong Kong products when it comes to snacks that you can bring home. However, the snack that my friends always ask me to buy is Hong Kong instant noodles. That’s when I realized Hong Kong has a LOT of different instant noodle flavors!
Nissin Ramen is the most popular brand of instant noodles here, but there are flavors that I’ve only ever seen in Hong Kong, such as imitation shark fin soup and lobster bisque. There are even Japanese or Korean flavors that I’m pretty sure are local inventions!
17. Uniquely-flavored Pretz
Similarly, I never noticed it until my friends pointed it out but Hong Kong has some pretty quirky Pretz biscuit sticks that make for unique Hong Kong souvenirs too!
Apart from the usual flavors, there’s also shark’s fin and oyster sauce-flavored Pretz. These can actually be found in almost any convenience store. The tricky bit is recognizing them because most of the packaging features only Chinese wording!
Apart from Pretz, you’ll also find uniquely-flavored Doritos and other popular snacks!
18. Egg rolls
Before you start wondering how you can bring egg rolls home as a souvenir, these are not the stuffed, fried egg rolls you get at restaurants. Instead, these are crispy, paper-thin snacks that come in colorful boxes or tins which you can find in many local bakeries.
Duck Shing Ho in North Point is arguably THE place to go for delicious egg rolls. Just be careful not to squish them. Because of how thin they are, you could easily get home and realize your egg rolls had turned into crumbled pieces of crisps!
19. Sachima
Another traditional Hong Kong souvenir that I recommend getting is Sachima, a traditional Chinese snack that’s best described as a localized version of a rice krispie. It’s basically fluffy strands of batter that are glued together by a subtly sweet sugar syrup. It has a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet taste.
I can confirm, this is one of the most addictive Hong Kong snacks you can buy. Trust me, you’ll want to get this gift from Hong Kong, if not for your friends, then for yourself!
20. Wife Biscuits and almond cookies
Not every traditional Hong Kong snack is crispy. Take, for example, traditional pastries like Wife Biscuits (lou por peng) and almond cookies.
The former is a flaky pastry with a sweet winter melon paste, while the latter is a crumbly, bite-sized cookie made with ground mung beans (fun fact: Chinese almond cookies don’t actually contain almonds!). Both of these are must-try pastries in my book and are definite Hong Kong souvenirs to gift your loved ones back home.
Note: If you’re visiting Hong Kong during the mid-autumn season (usually in August or September), you can also buy traditional mooncakes. Left in their original packaging, they can last around three weeks or more.
21. Dragon’s beard candy
I’m sure you’ve seen these before on TikTok or Instagram. It’s basically Chinese cotton candy — light, fluffy, and filled with sweetened peanuts. What’s unique about dragon’s beard candy is the preparation. It involves stretching gooey maltose in sugary dough and twisting it until it starts separating into ultra-thin strands.
While dragon’s beard candy tastes much better when eaten fresh, the packaged dragon’s beard candy sold in many Hong Kong confectioneries is pretty decent as well, especially the ones from Wing Wah.
22. Cookies from Jenny Bakery
First, I’d just like to acknowledge that apart from Jenny Bakery, there are also other artisanal bakeries that sell cookies. However, I can’t deny that this made-in-Hong-Kong brand is the most popular when it comes to buying indulgent butter cookies.
These delicious Hong Kong souvenirs are so good that Jenny Bakery now has branches in Japan and South Korea (proud Hong Kongite moment!). I suppose it’s no surprise though, given how aromatic the airy cookies are! Plus, they come in colorful tin boxes, perfect for gifting!
23. Instant milk tea
Something else that my friends always ask me to buy from Hong Kong is instant milk tea.
To be clear, I’m referring to instant Hong Kong-style milk tea, not the popular boba tea. The difference is that Hong Kong-style milk tea is creamier and richer in flavor, and it definitely doesn’t contain tapioca pearls.
There are plenty of different flavors which you can find at supermarkets. There are bottled versions but I recommend just getting the original in pre-mixed sachets. If my friends are anything to go by, they’re one of the most popular souvenirs from Hong Kong.
24. Chinese tea leaves
For a drinkable Hong Kong souvenir that’s healthier and lighter on the palette, try getting your hands on some high-quality Chinese tea leaves.
You’ll find these sachets at traditional Chinese tea houses or tea shops. My tip is to look for shops that have more Chinese-sounding names if you’re after proper Chinese tea. If you’re up for slightly more modern teas (with fruit infusions), then look for tea houses with English names.
25. Chinese medicinal herbs
While “medicinal herbs” don’t sound like something you would eat, Chinese medicinal herbs, often sold in traditional Chinese medicine shops, are often used in cooking home-style dishes. What’s more, some medicinal herb packets are brewed in water to produce a refreshing tonic.
While unconventional, Chinese herbs are actually seen as thoughtful souvenirs from Hong Kong, not only for health-conscious individuals but also for those who love to cook!
26. Dried seafood
Speaking of budding home cooks, one particular ingredient in Hong Kong that makes a great gift is dried seafood.
In Hong Kong, the practice of drying seafood has been an age-old tradition to preserve food. Be it oysters, squid, or even sea cucumbers, you can find plenty of dried ingredients in many markets in Hong Kong.
You can even take a trip to a fishing village like Tai O (highly recommended for sunset views) to buy some truly high-quality dried seafood. My personal recommendation is to get dried scallops and use them in soups or as ingredients in your congee.
27. XO Sauce
Continuing on from seafood in Hong Kong, another unique thing to buy is XO Sauce, a spicy, savory seafood sauce that is a mainstay in Cantonese cooking. It’s usually made from dried scallops, shrimp, chili peppers, and garlic.
To describe the taste, imagine oyster sauce but with a richer umami flavor and a little spicy kick at the end of it. Use it to season your meat dishes or as a dressing for your noodles.
Gifts from Hong Kong that are easy to find
28. Precious jewelry
While it’s true that you can pretty much find jewelry in any place on Earth, I would still say that precious jewelry, especially gold, is one of the most common things to buy in Hong Kong. This is mainly because of the plethora of local and international jewelry brands that can be found in the city.
If you’re looking for local jewelry brands or pieces made in Hong Kong, look out for a Chow Tai Fook outlet that can be found in many areas of Hong Kong, especially along Nathan Road in Mong Kok.
For unique artisanal pieces, check out Karma Links which specializes in chic gold accessories, and Vivaz Jewelry, known for their pristine diamond rings.
29. Sneakers
Much like gold and precious stones, sneakers aren’t really Hong Kong-specific souvenirs.
That said, given how Hong Kong is such a walkable city — or in my opinion anyway, it’s not surprising that sneakers are some of the most common items to buy when shopping in Hong Kong, even as gifts for yourself or loved ones back home.
If you wanna buy new kicks in Hong Kong, head to Fa Yuen Street, known as Sneaker Street. You’ll find plenty of outlets selling sneakers there, and since they’re all bunched up together, you’re guaranteed a fair price, whether they be the newest Jordans or everyday running shoes.
30. Electronics
One of the amusing things about one of my friends from Singapore is that every time he visits Hong Kong, he will surely make time for a trip to Sham Shui Po. It’s basically the tech mecca of the city, where one can find the latest gadgets and electronics for an affordable price.
Whether it be the latest smartphone, a cutting-edge gaming console or laptop, or just a quirky USB device (if you still them), you can probably find what the perfect electronic souvenir at Sham Shui Po. Just, a word of caution: stay away from dodgy vendors that try to sell you stuff on the street.
31. Chinese porcelain tea sets
Finally, if you’re looking for a gift that suits your friends or family who love drinking tea, then one of the best souvenirs from Hong Kong to get for them is a Chinese porcelain tea set. While you can find these elegant tea sets almost in any Chinatown around the world, I would say (with bias) that Hong Kong does it best.
If you want affordable Chinese porcelain tea sets, head to the night markets (like Temple Street or Ladies Night Market) where you can probably find a few proper bargains.
If you’re looking for some of the more high-end tea sets, head to Hollywood Road where you can find exquisite sets with hand-painted designs.
Where to buy souvenirs from Hong Kong
Now that you have this super-list of things to buy in Hong Kong (complete with a local’s stamp of approval), the next question is WHERE to buy gifts from Hong Kong.
Well, I’ve already given you a few examples but it depends on what you want to buy.
For the best jade trinkets, visit the Jade Street Market in Yau Ma Tei. Meanwhile, the popular night markets (Temple Street and Ladies Market in Mong Kok) are where you’ll find quirky apparel, keepsakes, and many of Hong Kong’s unique crafts and artisanal products.
If you’re looking to buy some edible Hong Kong souvenirs, I recommend visiting traditional bakeries like Kwan Hong Bakery or Bat Sin Cake Shop (“cake” here means pastries).
If you’re STILL struggling to decide what to buy, check out Goods of Desire (G.O.D.), a famous lifestyle brand in Hong Kong that’s basically your all-in-one Hong Kong gift shop. It sells a wide variety of items, including decorative accessories, fashion apparel, quirky stationery, and more.
Conclusion
There you have it, 31 souvenirs from Hong Kong to bring home with you or for your friends and family!
Of course, there may also be things that you consider worth buying that I haven’t thought about, and that’s perfectly fine! After all, they wouldn’t call Hong Kong a shopping paradise if it weren’t because of how many options it offers!
If you’re in the mood for more shopping, check out the best souvenirs to get from Denmark and Switzerland too!
