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Among the favourite destinations for most Indians, Malaysia has always been special because of its cultural familiarity. There are places in Malaysia that feel like home for Indians, such as Brickfields (Little India), Batu Caves and more Hindu temples that Indians like to visit.
While people travel to Malaysia for its attractions, shopping in a foreign country is always an exciting part of the trip. Moreover, Malaysia offers a variety of things to buy in one place. Some products are useful, some are edible souvenirs, and some are unique Malaysian items that are difficult to find anywhere.
With this guide, get the list of famous things to buy in Malaysia, including information on approximate prices, top brands, and where to buy them.
Essential Information to Know Before Bringing Items Back to India
- Alcohol: You are allowed to bring a maximum of 2 litres of alcoholic beverages duty-free.
- Tobacco: 100 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 125 grams of tobacco are allowed.
- Fresh Food and Meats: You cannot bring fresh Malaysian durian, fruits, vegetables or meat (like sausages). However, packaged snacks and chocolates, and processed foods are acceptable.
- Fake Branded Products: Counterfeit handbags and watches sold in some street markets can be confiscated by customs. So, it is important to check labels and spellings.
- Baggage Charges: If the value of the goods in your baggage exceeds 75,000 INR, you will pay a customs duty.
Top 20 Things to Buy in Malaysia
When travelling to any country, shopping is the most exciting activity for all age groups, which means everyone ends up buying more. It’s important to know what is worth buying in Malaysia without overspending. So, in this section, get the list of the best 20 things and the right places to buy them.
1. Malaysian Chocolates
Malaysia is popular for buying imported chocolates because the duty-free shopping makes them cheaper than in India. It is especially known for flavoured chocolates such as durian, tiramisu, almond, green tea, and coconut fillings.
Beryl’s is the most famous Malaysian chocolate brand and is sold across Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, and airports.
- Approximate Cost: 10 – 30 MYR (242 – 728 INR).
- Top Brands: Beryl’s, Vochelle, Cadbury, Ferrero Rocher, Lindt, Durian Chocolates.
- Duty-Free Places to Buy: Haji Ismail Group (Kuah Town), Coco Valley, Ole Ole Duty Free Chocolate, Choco Planet, and Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall.
2. White Coffee
Unlike regular instant coffee, Malaysian white coffee uses roasted beans mixed with condensed milk powder. This gives a smoother and sweeter taste. Ipoh City is the birthplace of white coffee during the 19th-century tin-mining boom.
People who worked as chefs for British mining companies or operated kopitiams (coffee shops) found the traditional Western-style black coffee too bitter and acidic. So, they replaced cold milk or cream with sweetened condensed milk.
- Approximate cost: 15 – 25 MYR per pack. (364 – 607 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Old Town White Coffee outlets, supermarkets, and convenience stores.
- Top Brands: OldTown White Coffee, Aik Cheong, and Ah Huat.
3. Batik Clothing and Fabric
Batik is one of the most traditional things to buy in Malaysia. The fabric uses wax-resist dyeing techniques to create floral and geometric patterns. Malaysian batik usually has softer colours and nature-inspired prints compared to Indonesian batik.
You can buy batik shirts, dresses, scarves, handbags, table runners, and fabric pieces. This won’t be just a souvenir from Malaysia, as the batik clothing is lightweight and suitable for tropical weather; you can wear it regularly after returning home.
Basic products like fashionable scarves, shawls, bags and purses cost 20 – 70 MYR, and a full traditional attire costs more than 150 MYR.
- Approximate Cost: 30 – 200 MYR (728 – 4,856 INR).
- Places to Buy: Central Market Kuala Lumpur, Kota Bharu, Penang craft shops and Langkawi.
4. Pewter Products
Malaysia is globally known for pewter craftsmanship because of Royal Selangor, the country’s most famous pewter manufacturer. Pewter is a metal alloy commonly used to make mugs, plates, tea sets, photo frames, and decorative souvenirs. Royal Selangor products are popular because of their detailed designs and polished finish.
- Approximate Cost: Small souvenirs are 40 MYR & larger decorative items are around 200 MYR. (971 – 4,856 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Royal Selangor Visitor Centre & Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall.
- Top Brand: Royal Selangor.
5. Dodol
Dodol is a traditional Malaysian sweet made using coconut milk, palm sugar, and sticky rice flour. The mixture is cooked slowly for several hours until it becomes thick and chewy. It is commonly eaten during Hari Raya celebrations.
The sweet has a caramel-like texture and is sold in small wrapped cubes. Each region in Malaysia has different flavours, such as durian, pandan, and gula melaka versions.
- Approximate Cost: 8 – 25 MYR (194 – 607 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Ana Dodol, Tan Kim Hock Product, Oleh-Oleh – Penang Snacks and Souvenir Shop.
6. Durian Products
Durian is called the “King of Fruits” in Malaysia. Many avoid carrying the actual fruit due to its strong smell. That’s why there are so many Durian products like chocolates, candies, chips, biscuits, mooncakes, and durian-flavoured coffee.
Musang King (one of the durian varieties) products are the most expensive because this durian is considered premium in Malaysia.
- Approximate Cost: 10 – 25 MYR (242 – 607 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Kuala Lumpur supermarkets, Penang food shops, and souvenir stores.
7. Sabah and Sarawak Pearls
East Malaysia, especially Sabah, is known for pearl farming. Sabah pearls are available in white, cream, pink, and black shades. They are usually cheaper than pearls sold in India because they come directly from local pearl farms.
Pearls are an affordable yet elegant item to buy from Malaysia to gift to someone. You can get them in the form of necklaces, earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Also, the freshwater pearls are more affordable, while South Sea pearls cost significantly more because of their larger size and shine.
- Approximate Cost: A single loose pearl usually costs between 20 and 50 MYR (485 – 1,214 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Suria Sabah Mall, Borneo Pearls Suria KLCC, Borneo Pearls Central Market.
8. Nutmeg Products from Penang
Penang is famous for nutmeg plantations, and nutmeg-based products are among the most unique things to buy in Malaysia. It is not a nut but an aromatic spice derived from the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree.
This island has grown nutmeg since colonial times. Now there are nutmeg candies, oils, balms, juices, jam, and pickles commonly sold in Penang markets. The candy has a sweet-spicy flavour, while nutmeg oil is often used locally for headaches and body pain.
- Approximate Cost: 10 – 40 MYR (242 – 971 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Penang markets and any general store.
9. Songket Products
Songket is a hand-woven fabric decorated with gold or silver threads. It is traditionally worn during weddings and cultural ceremonies in Malaysia.
The weaving process is slow and very detailed, which makes authentic songket expensive. You can buy scarves, shawls, cushion covers, handbags, and ceremonial clothing. Handmade versions that are from the Terengganu and Kelantan regions are considered the best quality.
- Approximate Cost: 50 – 200 MYR, depending on the length of the fabric. (1,214 – 4,856 INR)
- Best Places to Buy: Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, Central Market (KL), Langkawi Craft Complex.
10. Instant Noodles and Malaysian Snacks
Snacks are definitely one of the cheapest things to buy from Malaysia and gift to friends and family back home. Moreover, unique-flavoured snacks are the favourites to buy among Indians, such as instant noodles, seaweed, shrimp crackers, and spicy chips.
For example, Maggi Malaysia tastes different from Indian Maggi because of local seasoning flavours such as curry laksa and tom yum. Mamee Monster snacks are especially popular with Indians because they are cheap and easy to carry.
- Approximate Cost: 5 – 25 MYR (121 – 607 INR).
- Places to Buy: Supermarkets & 7-Eleven across Malaysia.
- Things to Buy: MyKuali Penang White Curry Instant Noodles, Maggi, Sambal Ikan Bilis Chips, Mamee, Pandan Kaya and Ping Pong Soda Crackers.
11. BOH Tea
BOH Tea is the most famous tea brand in Malaysia and comes from the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, a hill station about 1,500 metres above sea level. The company started in 1929 during the British colonial period and is now one of the country’s largest tea producers.
The tea is known for its lighter taste compared to strong Indian chai, and there are many flavours such as jasmine, passion fruit, mango, lemon, chamomile, and Earl Grey. Apart from tea bags, you can also buy loose-leaf tea, instant milk tea sachets, and tea-flavoured chocolates.
- Approximate Cost: 10 – 30 MYR, depending on flavour and box size (242 – 728 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Supermarkets.
12. Malaysian Biscuits and Cookies
Malaysia is known for local biscuits and traditional baked snacks that combine Malay, Chinese, and Peranakan influences. Pineapple tarts are the most famous because of their buttery layer and sweet pineapple filling, especially during festive seasons.
Penang is particularly famous for tambun biscuits, which have a flaky pastry shell filled with malt sugar and onions. Some of the commonly available things across the country are coconut cookies, pandan rolls, sesame crackers, and egg rolls, which are also sold in bakeries.
- Approximate Cost: 10 – 25 MYR, depending on packaging and the brand (242 – 607 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Bakeries and supermarkets.
- To Buy: Chipsmore, Durian Cookies, Julie’s Peanut Butter Sandwich, Munchy’s Lexus Sandwich.
13. Cosmetics and Skincare
International cosmetics and skincare brands are cheaper in Malaysia than in India. Most malls in Kuala Lumpur have multi-floor beauty stores featuring Korean, Japanese, Western, and local brands.
Commonly purchased products are sunscreens, sheet masks, lip tints, lip gloss, moisturisers and cleansers. Japanese skincare brands are especially popular because Malaysia imports them in large quantities, which often results in lower prices than on Indian online platforms.
- Approximate Cost: 15 – 250 MYR, depending on the brand (364 – 6,070 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Watsons, Guardian, Sephora, Pavilion KL, Mid Valley Megamall, Suria KLCC, Kaya Palazzo Duty Free Shop, World of Perfumes, Cote De Perfume.
- Top Brands: Innisfree, Hada Labo, Laneige, MAC, Maybelline, COSRX, SK-II.
14. Electronics
Malaysia is a popular shopping destination for electronics because gadgets are priced lower than in India during sales, especially in Kuala Lumpur. Plaza Low Yat in Kuala Lumpur is the most famous electronics mall in Malaysia, with hundreds of shops across floors.
You can compare prices between stores for the same product, but it is important to buy only from authorised retailers to avoid refurbished items.
- Approximate Cost: Depends on the product and model; prices vary. Starts at 150 and goes above 2000 MYR (3,642 – 48,561 INR)
- Best Places to Buy: Plaza Low Yat, Pavilion KL, Suria KLCC, Mid Valley Megamall, official brand outlets.
- Top Brands: Apple, Samsung, Sony, Asus, Logitech, Canon and DJI.
15. Perfumes and Duty-Free Fragrances
Malaysia is well known for duty-free shopping, especially for perfumes and luxury fragrances. International brands are often cheaper than in Indian retail. Mainly in Langkawi, though it has many attractions, people usually come for shopping as the island is duty-free.
Apart from premium luxury perfumes, there are also affordable Arabic perfume oils, travel-size fragrance kits, and local perfume brands that are less common in India.
- Approximate Cost: MYR 150 – 900 depending on the brand, bottle size, and gift set (3,642 – 21,852 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Langkawi duty-free outlets, Sephora, Pavilion KL, Suria KLCC.
- Top Brands: Dior, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Versace, Gucci, YSL, Jo Malone.
16. Handbags and Wallets
From luxury international brands to handmade local products, the handbags and wallets here have unique designs. Most malls hold seasonal sales where branded handbags are sold at lower prices than in India, especially during year-end and mega shopping festivals.
Locally made batik handbags and woven rattan bags are some of the best Malaysian souvenirs to take home. These products often use traditional Malaysian fabrics and weaving techniques that are not commonly available in Indian stores.
- Approximate Cost: 15 – 2,000 MYR, depending on whether you buy handmade products or luxury brands. (364 – 48,561 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Pavilion KL, Central Market, Bukit Bintang, Jonker Street, Suria KLCC.
- Top Brands: Charles & Keith, Bonia, Gucci, Prada, Coach, Braun Büffel, Carlo Rino and local Batik and Mengkuang bags.
17. Traditional Malay Crafts
Malay crafts are among the best cultural souvenirs to buy in Malaysia because many of these items are handmade using techniques passed down through generations.
Some of the most commonly purchased things are wooden carvings, woven baskets, songket fabric items, wau kites, and keris.
The states of Terengganu and Kelantan are especially known for intricate woodcarving and handwoven products. Many craftsmen still make these items manually, which is why each piece looks different and unique.
- Approximate Cost: 20 – 300 MYR depending on size, material, and handwork involved (485 – 7,284 INR)
- Best Places to Buy: Central Market, Kraftangan Malaysia outlets, handicraft centres, Jonker Street.
18. Local Sauces and Spice Pastes
Malaysian food uses spice pastes and sauces in almost every major dish, which is why many travellers buy them before returning home. Ready-made laksa paste, satay sauce, sambal chilli paste, rendang paste, and nasi goreng seasoning are the most famous food products.
These pastes are popular because they help recreate Malaysian dishes at home without needing many separate ingredients.
Along with the paste and sauces, buy instant white coffee sachets, coconut jam (kaya spread), and satay marinades, because these products are difficult to find in Indian supermarkets.
- Approximate Cost: 5 – 20 MYR, depending on the product (121 – 485 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Any supermarket.
- Top Brands: Adabi, Brahim’s, A1, Baba’s, Prima Taste.
19. Watches
Malaysia has many authorised watch retailers, and prices can sometimes be lower than in India during shopping festivals.
Japanese brands such as Casio, Seiko, and Citizen are especially popular because they offer durable watches at reasonable prices. G-Shock collections of certain limited-edition models are easier to find in Malaysia.
Make sure you always buy watches from authorised dealers to ensure you receive an international warranty card and genuine product packaging.
- Approximate Cost: MYR 150 – 5,000 depending on the brand and model (3,642 – 1,21,404 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Suria KLCC, Mid Valley Megamall, Pavilion KL, authorised dealers and airport duty-free shops.
- Top Brands: Casio, Seiko, Citizen, Tissot, G-Shock, Fossil.
20. Refrigerator Magnets and Small Souvenirs
Keychains, refrigerator magnets, mini Petronas Towers, and small Malaysia-themed gifts are the easiest souvenirs to take back from Malaysia. This is the easiest thing to find across Malaysia and the cheapest.
Many magnets feature famous landmarks such as the Petronas Towers, Langkawi Eagle Square, Batu Caves, or the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Some shops also sell wooden magnets and hand-painted keychains that are more unique.
- Approximate Cost: 5 – 20 MYR depending on the design and material (121 – 485 INR).
- Best Places to Buy: Central Market, Chinatown, Jonker Street, airport souvenir shops and Langkawi duty-free stores.
- Top Brands: Local souvenir vendors and handicraft sellers.
Conclusion
In any place you visit in Malaysia, there are local markets, souvenir stalls by the beach, supermarkets and malls everywhere. However, Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi are the best places if shopping is your main focus.
Kuala Lumpur is best for electronics, branded fashion, cosmetics, and malls, while Langkawi is better for chocolates, perfumes, and duty-free products. If you want cultural souvenirs, focus on batik, songket, handmade crafts, and local food products from Penang or Malacca.
So, whether you are travelling to Malaysia for sightseeing or for shopping, contact Dimaak Tours. We will guide with the right markets to visit, must try activities, and help you with flight and accommodation.
FAQs on Things to Buy in Malaysia
1. What is famous in Malaysia to buy?
Malaysia is famous for chocolates, white coffee, batik clothing, pewter products, snacks, and duty-free perfumes.
2. Is shopping cheap in Malaysia for Indians?
Chocolates, snacks, cosmetics, and local products are generally cheaper than in India. Electronics and luxury brands are cheaper to buy during a sale.
3. Which city is best for shopping in Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur is the best for overall shopping because it has malls, markets, luxury stores, and electronics stores. Langkawi is best for duty-free shopping.
4. Can you bring Malaysian food items to India?
You can bring items only if they are packaged snacks, chocolates, coffee, biscuits, and sauces. Fresh fruits or raw food products are not allowed.
