Top 5 Must-Visit Souvenir Spots in Kaohsiung, Taiwan: From Local Delicacies to Supermarkets

Discover Unique ‘Gourmet Souvenirs’ Only Found in Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s Port City!

Kaohsiung, the largest city in southern Taiwan. It’s a charming city known for its laid-back, tropical ambiance, distinct from Taipei, and a rich culinary culture unique to a port city. Many travelers visiting Kaohsiung often wonder, ‘What unique souvenirs should I buy in Kaohsiung?’ While classic pineapple cakes are good, Kaohsiung actually offers a plethora of attractive local items, such as regional confections rarely found in Taipei, and dried seafood made from fresh local produce.

In this article, we’ll introduce a carefully selected list of souvenir spots in Kaohsiung that you absolutely must visit, ranging from long-loved traditional confectionery shops to vibrant dried goods markets and large supermarkets that are a traveler’s best friend. We’ll also provide detailed insights into pricing, shopping tips, and the local vibe for each spot, so be sure to use it as your guide!

Mali Food Shop (瑪莉食品行)

📍 Address: No. 25號, Wufu 4th Rd, Shadi Village, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 803

For those who want to give sweets ‘other than the classic pineapple cake!’ we highly recommend Mali Food Shop (瑪莉食品行), a long-established confectionery located near the Love River. This shop produces specialty confections officially recognized by the Kaohsiung City Government and is so famous that virtually no local is unfamiliar with it. Upon entering, a sweet, fragrant aroma fills the air, and showcases are lined with a diverse array of Taiwanese sweets.

The must-buy signature products are the three types of specialty confections the shop calls ‘Mali San Bao.’ These include ‘Qigu Bing’ (旗鼓餅), a simple cake with sweet potato or taro filling; ‘Mùmián Sū’ (木棉酥), a cookie resembling Kaohsiung’s city flower, the Kapok, filled with plum or cranberry fruit paste; and ‘Love River Chestnut Cake’ (愛河栗子焼), which wraps a generous chestnut filling in a cocoa-flavored dough. The Chestnut Cake, in particular, has a nostalgic, Western-style flavor that pairs perfectly with Japanese tastes, making it an excellent accompaniment to tea or coffee.

The biggest appeal of this shop is, without a doubt, their ‘generous sampling policy.’ The staff actively offers samples of recommended flavors, allowing you to carefully taste and confirm your preferences before purchasing. Products are also sold individually, making it perfect for buying various flavors as a snack for yourself. Of course, beautifully boxed ‘Assorted Gift Sets’ (綜合禮盒) are also available, making them an excellent choice for formal souvenirs for colleagues or friends.

Qihou Tourist Market (旗后観光市場)

📍 Address: No. 1050號, Qijin 3rd Rd, Ci’ai Village, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 805

Located on the popular tourist destination ‘Cijin Island,’ accessible by ferry, is the ‘Qihou Tourist Market,’ where mountains of dried seafood are piled high. Inside the building, which has a unique, colorful exterior designed to resemble fish bones, over 100 dried seafood shops are crammed on both sides of the aisle, truly exuding the vibrant energy and deep local atmosphere of Asia.

As you step into the market, enthusiastic vendors offer samples from every stall. You’ll find a rich selection of Taiwanese specialties like dried mullet roe (烏魚子), as well as dried squid, dried scallops, sakura shrimp, and various seafood snacks (like seafood crackers) perfect for eating on the go. Dried mullet roe and scallops, in particular, can often be purchased at more reasonable prices than in Japan, making this market a treasure trove for cooking enthusiasts.

A key point to note when shopping here is that many products are ‘sold by weight,’ and price tags can be unclear, with stalls near the entrance sometimes having slightly higher prices. It’s smart to first walk the entire market without rushing, trying samples and checking prices at several stalls to get a feel for the market value before making a purchase. In the evening, street food stalls begin to appear around the market, transforming it into a lively night market atmosphere, so a visit in the late afternoon is also recommended.

Jiu Zhen Nan Pastry Shop, Zhongzheng Flagship Store (舊振南餅店 中正旗艦店)

📍 Address: No. 84, Zhongzheng 4th Rd, Changxing Village, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 801

If you’re seeking ‘premium, high-quality Taiwanese sweets’ for a gift to a superior or as a treat for yourself, be sure to visit ‘Jiu Zhen Nan Pastry Shop,’ a venerable establishment founded in 1890. This brand, with its main store in Kaohsiung, is highly valued even by locals in Taiwan for wedding favors and important gifts. The Zhongzheng Flagship Store offers a sophisticated and beautiful space, much like a luxury boutique, making you feel special the moment you step inside.

Their representative product, the pineapple cake (鳳梨酥), boasts a perfect balance of moist pastry and an elegant, subtly sweet filling, making it unforgettable once tasted. Also highly popular are the almond cakes, with their irresistible nutty aroma, the mung bean cakes (綠豆糕) that melt in your mouth, and assorted mooncake sets offering a variety of flavors.

Another distinguishing feature is the exceptionally high level of customer service. You can enjoy elegant tastings while receiving detailed product explanations. Multilingual guide boards are available, and staff who can speak Japanese are often present, allowing you to shop with peace of mind without worrying about language barriers. Combined with the gorgeous and beautiful packaging design, this esteemed shop ensures you’ll choose a souvenir that won’t disappoint.

Dagou Bing Pu (打狗餅舗)

📍 Address: No. 135號, Zhongzheng 1st Rd, Yongkang Village, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 802

Dagou Bing Pu is a confectionery store brimming with local love, named after ‘Dagou’ (打狗), Kaohsiung’s old name. Their signature product, ‘Dagou Bing,’ is an original pastry featuring a moist cookie dough filled with rich fruit paste, characteristic of Taiwan, the ‘Kingdom of Fruits.’

The flavor variations are incredibly rich, including classic pineapple, banana, cranberry, kumquat, longan, and even chocolate and nuts – a lineup that will make it hard to choose! Especially the banana and kumquat flavors, rarely seen in other shops, are sure to be appreciated as unique souvenirs. Also, their dog-shaped ‘Big Dog Chew Biscuits,’ with a addictive salty taste from maltose and fish powder, are a hidden favorite as a gift for those who don’t prefer sweets.

The shop has a very homely atmosphere, and the staff, typically the ‘obachan’ (auntie), generously offers samples. There’s absolutely no pressure to buy, and you can thoroughly taste before making a choice, leading to high satisfaction after purchase. While they have small stalls at major Kaohsiung stations, for the fullest range of products and warm service, we highly recommend visiting their main store.

Carrefour Kaohsiung Chenggong Store (家樂福 高雄成功店)

📍 Address: No. 1111號, Zhonghua 5th Rd, Zhongchun Village, Cianjhen District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 806

If you want to efficiently and cheaply buy bulk souvenirs for your workplace or daily local seasonings, ‘Carrefour’ (家樂福), Taiwan’s quintessential supermarket, is your go-to. The ‘Kaohsiung Chenggong Store’ in particular is a hypermarket, a super-large store boasting an overwhelming selection of everything from daily necessities to fresh groceries.

Inside, there’s a dedicated ‘Taiwan Souvenir Corner’ showcasing over a dozen types of pineapple cakes from different price ranges and manufacturers. If you tell the staff your preferences, they might recommend affordable and delicious options. It’s pure bliss to fill your cart with local items unique to supermarkets, such as Taiwanese tea bags, dried mangoes, regional instant noodles, and small local snacks, feeling like you’re on a treasure hunt.

The first floor also features a food court with Japanese restaurant chains, and a giant IKEA is located next door, so you’ll have no trouble finding places for breaks or meals during your shopping. A point to note is that Carrefour has a slightly unusual layout, with the selling area on the second floor and cashiers on the third. Be aware of the escalator locations for smooth movement with your cart. This store is truly the ultimate refuge and shopping spot for comfortable shopping on rainy days or when escaping the intense daytime heat.

Local Tips for Smart Souvenir Shopping in Kaohsiung

Finally, here are some practical tips to maximize your shopping experience in Kaohsiung.

【1. Enjoy the ‘Sampling Culture’ without Hesitation】
Taiwan’s confectionery shops and markets embrace a ‘please try it!’ culture. At Mali Food Shop, Dagou Bing Pu, and Qihou Tourist Market, they’ll offer an astonishing amount of samples. This isn’t pushy selling; it’s a spirit of hospitality, meaning ‘we’re confident in our taste, so we want you to be satisfied with your purchase.’ Don’t hesitate to accept with a smile, and if you like it, say ‘Hǎo chī’ (好吃 = delicious).

【2. Always Carry a Reusable Bag】
In Taiwan, to reduce plastic waste, plastic bags at supermarkets and retail stores are chargeable. If you plan to buy a large quantity of souvenirs at Carrefour or elsewhere, always bring a large, sturdy reusable bag.

【3. Communication in Dried Goods Markets】
At weighted-sale shops like those in Cijin Market, it’s smoother to negotiate and confirm prices using a calculator or smartphone screen. In many cases, you can specify an amount, like ‘I only want 100 NTD worth,’ and have them pack it for you. Enjoy the local interaction with gestures!