So, let’s be honest here – you know you want to get one of these for yourselves.
Kaypoh Singaporeans that we are, we’ve probably all seen those bright Ang Ku Kueh plushies or the Xiao Ming T-shirts that read “一个风和日丽的一天” (a cliché phrase commonly seen in school compositions) and wondered where people are getting all that nostalgic stuff.
So, let’s be honest here – you know you want to get one of these for yourselves.
We’ve rounded up 6 quirky places around the island where iconic Singaporean merch are sold. It’s time to make all your Xiao Ming and Xiao Li dreams come true!
1. Naiise
With six stores located across Singapore, Naiise is probably the most popular retailer of sibei Singaporean products. Featuring tee shirts, music, grooming essentials, literature, and even food created by local creatives, Naiise is a popular haunt for fans of Singaporean designers, makers and crafters.
Aside from the shirts, plates and pins, Naiise offers the most unusual products, such as ETTE Tea’s collection of brews inspired by Singapore’s street food like Nasi Lemak and Chicken Rice. A full meal in the form of hot tea? A perfect gift for those leaving our little red dot for a bit.
2. Supermama
Supermama is a gallery shop that works closely with many Singapore designers and Japanese craft facilities to provide a platform for their creative works.
They feature a gorgeous range of porcelain pieces that are designed after icons of Singapore, such as our HDBs, the Merlion, and even the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew himself!
On a more nostalgic note, Supermama also features local creative pieces such as a series of handcrafted photography- and typography-based collages on home.
The “Talk Cock Sing Song Play Ping Pong” tea towel by Dawn Ng pays homage to the familiar “Good Morning” tea towel used by nearly everyone in the past (and even present).
Find out more about Supermama through their official website here, or place your orders directly on their online store.
Address: 265 Beach Road, Singapore 199544
Contact Number: 6291 1946
3. The Little Drom Store
The Little Drom Store is home to the cutest and most random Singapore-inspired knick-knacks.
Aside from the decorative items, some of the more practical pieces that they sell include these sprightly notebooks inspired by Singaporean lingo. Back-to-school shopping can’t get more stylo milo than this!
Hop on the nostalgia train and get yourself one of their colourful bips and bops that are just bursting with childhood memories – like this plate designed after the iconic dragon playground in Toa Payoh!
Address: 310 Orchard Rd, Tangs Mall, Singapore 238864
Contact Number: 6737 5500
4. Megafash
With 5 outlets dotted across our sunny island, Megafash is the second largest retailer for all things related to the Singaporean identity.
Local clothing and apparel brands take centre stage here – Megafash features items from names such as Statement, the creators of breezy, fun tee shirts and tote bags that would be great conversation starters. Just look at their “Barang Barang” tote bag that’s literally for your barang barang. Just take my money!
A personal favourite is this reusable shopping bag – fashioned after the white plastic bags you normally get from wet markets. Looks like the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra drilled into our heads during lessons are being put to good use while we save the earth in style – plastic bag style.
Main Outlet Address: 3 Temasek Blvd, 488/490 Suntec City, Singapore 038983
Contact Number: 8501 3659
5. The Farm Store
The Farm Store is purely dedicated collaborating with a network of local designers, institutions and manufacturers. Most of their products are sold at their online store, but they now have a showroom for all their goods at down at Waterloo Street.
In collaboration with local designers such as Miniature Asian Chef and When I Was Four, The Farm Store boasts a collection of adorable accessories like this pair of Ang Ku Kueh earrings. Because who needs bling when you can have prosperity hanging down your ears?
If you’ve always had a love/hate relationship with durian, The Farm Store brings you one step closer to this divisive fruit with this adorable Durian Cushion by Meykrs. Bet you never thought you would ever be hugging this spikey smelly thing to sleep.
Address: 261 Waterloo St, #04-20, 180261
Contact Number: 6336 0609
6. The Damn Good Shop
Although The Damn Good Shop doesn’t have a physical store, they’ve still got plenty of pretty damn good stuff on their online shop.
It features the first collection of Uncle Ahn T., local-inspired parody tee shirts of high-end brands like their Prata T-Shirt. Because why have Prada when you can have prata?
Remember these irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth, chewy and creamy sweets wrapped up in that iconic blue, red and white? Eating White Rabbit milk candy probably gave you that memorable first encounter with edible rice paper. Keep one with you (minus the calories) at all times with this delectable White Rabbit Necklace.
Shop right now on www.thedamngoodshop.com!
