Singaporeans are very proud of our country, and we have every right to be. This Little Red Dot has accomplished so much in such a short amount of time, and we’ve built ourselves up to be the nation we are today. However, sometimes we’re so immersed in the technology of today that we forget our roots. Here are a few novelty items that remind us of our history.
Now&Then
Peranakan Tiles Rubik’s Cube
Inspired by our diverse local heritage, this puzzle showcases colourful patterns reminiscent of traditional shophouse tiles. Also displaying some of Singapore’s distinct architecture, anyone can now own a little piece that serves as a reminder of our local history.
The Peranakan Tiles Rubik’s Cube ($12) is available at Naiise.
HDB & Playground Mug
Perfect to sip your morning kopi with, this mug reminds us of the old days where you’d spend hours at the local playground until the sun set. There was no social media, nor did we have smartphones to check on what time we could play with our friends — we just trusted that they would be there.
The HDB & Playground Mug ($18.60) is available at Naiise.
Peranakan Tiles Memento Display
Accompanied by a wooden display stand, this plate certainly isn’t for eating with. Paying homage to traditional Peranakan tiles and ceramic tableware, patterned blue tiles circle the plate, while a bite-sized piece of history can be found on the base.
The Peranakan Tiles Memento Display ($27) is available at Naiise.
Uncle Ahn T x Wet Tee Shirt
Prata Kosong T-Shirt
At a glance, this may seem like any old luxury knock-off, but any prata lover would be able to appreciate this Prada parody. Unlike typical novelty fashion, this tee is clean, minimalist and extremely wearable — its tongue-in-cheek motif is sure to be a conversation starter.
The Prata Kosong T-Shirt ($35) is available at Naiise.
Red Republic
Kopibag Mug
Anyone who’s ever ordered a drink from their local kopitiam has been faced with this question — plastic cup or plastic bag? Drinking kopi peng out of a plastic bag always makes me feel nostalgic, but the constant issue always arises: where do I hang my bag?
The Kopibag Mug answers that question. Clearly inspired by the familiar white and green coffee cups we all know and love, the lightweight mug will definitely come in handy once we get back to the office — its odd shape is just the perfect holder for our fragile bagged drinks.
The Kopibag Mug ($20) is available at Naiise.
Chicken Rice Recipe Plate
I’ve never met a single Singaporean who wasn’t a fan of Chicken Rice. A staple in most of our diets, most of us are used to just ordering the dish, rather than making it at home, but why? With the help of this Recipe Plate, we get a simple, 3-step guide on how to make the beloved dish — the illustrations are adorable too! Impress your family members with homemade Chicken Rice served up on this plate — they’ll want to eat everything up to get to the recipe below!
The Chicken Rice Recipe Plate ($16.90) is available at Naiise.
Meykrs
Ice Cream Cushion
Ahh, the beloved ice cream sandwich. What’s your favourite flavour — Mint Chocolate Chip? Raspberry Ripple? Regardless, for something that’s less than $2, there’s satisfaction with every bite. Whether you grew up waiting for your neighbourhood ice cream uncle to cycle over to your school, or you frequent one of the many umbrella stalls along Orchard Road, these rectangular delights are certainly a local favourite of many.
The Ice Cream Cushion ($24) is available at Naiise.
Supermama
The Merlion Set
The Merlion is one of Singapore’s most iconic monuments, and there’s always a crowd around it during tourist season. The mythical creature represents Singapore’s beginnings as a fishing village, before building itself up into the Lion City that it is today. This simple porcelain set bears signature Merlion emblems in classic blue glaze, a great addition to any dining table.
The Merlion Set ($48, U.P. $60) is available at supermamastore.com.
Nanyang Porcelain
The Singapore Map
It can be a little difficult to explain what Singapore is like to someone who’s never been here. We have giant glass domes filled with flowers, a river that flows through the city and a variety of architecture across the island. While it can be tough to picture the country as it is, this plate says it all. Bearing detailed illustrations of landmarks and significant aspects of our history, this is a piece of art that is a great way to introduce our beloved country to others, and will always remind us of home.
The Singapore Map ($72) is available at supermamastore.com.
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