When it comes to Kaohsiung souvenirs, many people instinctively think of pineapple cakes or Cijin cake—but this city built by the sea actually holds more down-to-earth seafood memories. Rather than the prettily packaged tourist gifts, those who really know good food go to the traditional market areas around Yancheng and Gushan, searching for snacks and dried goods left over from the shipping era. These souvenirs may not be flashy, but they carry the harbor city's salty rain and north wind—it's a taste of Kaohsiung you can't find anywhere else.
Kaohsiung's seafood souvenirs can be divided into three factions: First, the seafood processed products near the Gushan and Cijin ferry terminals—dried squid strips, small squid slices, and tilapia drying are traditional snacks; Second, the Northern and Southern specialties around the Yancheng Public Market, including mullet roe, snail meat canned food, and preserved radish; Third, the rising designer brands that turn harbor elements into stylish gift-worthy lifestyle items. Price ranges vary greatly, from NT$50 for bulk snacks to NT$2000 for精致gift boxes, depending on who you're giving it to.
【Store #1: Cijin Yongshun Seafood】
This shop on Cijin Road's old street has been around for over sixty years—not a souvenir shop for tourists, but a hidden gem where old Kaohsiung locals buy their seafood. The owner's father-in-law was a crew member who worked along China's coastal routes back in the day, and after returning, he opened this seafood store specializing in dried goods brought back from Guangdong and Fujian. Their signature items are hand-made squid strips and charcoal-grilled small squid slices—no preservatives added—and opening the bag instantly fills your nose with the salty scent of sea wind.
Their tilapia drying is a must-have ingredient for many old Kaohsiung families during Lunar New Year, especially perfect for making "ginger葱scallion fish." A pack costs about NT$120-150, packaged in traditional red-and-white plastic bags—very "local auntie" style but solid quality. In recent years, they've also started offering gift box options, perfect for friends working in the north. There's also a hidden gem recommendation—the "Gold Medal Squid Sauce," a homemade squid XO sauce made from fresh small squid that goes great with anything, about NT$280 per jar.
【Store #2: Yancheng Public Market Ah Xia's Seafood】
In the corner of the second floor at Yancheng Public Market, this nameless stall is called "Ah Xia" by regular customers. She sets up her stall at 5 AM every morning, selling her own marinated snail meat, marlin floss, and sun-dried anchovy dried goods. No fancy packaging—just保鲜盒or newspaper—but the taste carries a nostalgia you can't find elsewhere.
Her most popular item is the marlin floss—made with real marlin meat, not like those "creative foods" on the market loaded with flour. You can clearly taste the fish fiber and freshness, NT$80 per box. Her marinated snail meat uses Ah Xia's own recipe, with a sweet Taiwanese flair—perfect paired with rice porridge or as下酒菜, about NT$150 per jar. The advantage of these traditional market goodies is the "real ingredients," but the downside is plain packaging—you may need to repack them for gifting.
【Store #3: Gushan Hamasen Design Studio】
If traditional seafood isn't your style, this design studio located in the alleys of Hamasen (around the old鹽水train station) offers another possibility for Kaohsiung souvenirs. The owner is a local designer who turned Kaohsiung's port imagery into lifestyle items—canvas bags with ferry prints, Kaohsiung-themed beer openers, and embroidered patches featuring Cijin's waves.
Their "Harbor City Series" is the most effortlessly stylish Kaohsiung imagery I've seen. No overly touristy slogan feel—just简约design that captures the city's atmosphere. Canvas tote bags cost about NT$350, beer opener sets are NT$250, and patches start at NT$50 for lighthearted gifts. Perfect for friends living in the city, giving them something to remember Kaohsiung by.
The shop also accepts corporate orders and has made commemorative gift boxes for company events. If your budget allows, consider their custom options. Business hours are 2 PM to 8 PM, closed on Tuesdays—don't扑空.
【Store #4: Qianzen Caoya Hongda Shipyard附属Workshop】
This one isn't on the usual tourist route—it's in the industrial zone of Qianzen Caoya—that's right, in the area that once supported Taiwan's old fishing industry with its customs offices. The old factory turned into a复合space, with people still repairing boats upstairs and selling harbor-themed lighting fixtures made from fishing ropes, buoys, and LEDs downstairs.
The most unique item is the "Fishing Buoy Lamp"—turning discarded buoys into small night lights that make wonderful home decor, about NT$800-1200 each. There are also storage baskets woven from ship ropes—粗犷lines but warm to the touch, about NT$600 each. The owner is an old master craftsman from the shipyard who switched to design and revitalized this place. If you're heading to the Qianzen加工zone or Linhai Industrial Zone factories, this makes a nice side trip.
【Store #5: Lingya Night Market Champion Sausage】
Strictly speaking, this last one isn't a "souvenir" shop, but it's definitely on every local's recommendation list. Though they call it "sausage," what they really sell is Kaohsiung's unique "dice beef jerky" and pork jerky. Their dice beef uses local beef, specially marinated with a secret Chinese herbal formula and then dried—the bite is juicy yet not tough, the kind of snack that keeps you coming back for more.
About NT$180 per pack, can be stored at room temperature for about two weeks—perfect for bringing back to share with colleagues. The downside is the long lines—他们also offer冷冻services if you need to travel farther. Advance ordering by phone is recommended. This shop absolutely ranks on the list of flavors Kaohsiung locals miss most after working away from home.
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【Practical Information】
Kaohsiung's seafood souvenirs are mainly concentrated in four areas: Around Gushan Ferry Terminal, Yancheng Public Market, Hamasen sidewalks, and Qianzen Caoya Industrial Zone. Overall consumption level is moderate—bulk seafood snacks cost about NT$50-200, design items cost about NT$250-1200, and holiday gift boxes cost about NT$400-2000.
Recommended transportation: Take the MRT to "Sizihwan Station" to reach Gushan and Yancheng; for Qianzen, take the Red Line to "Qianzhen High School" station and transfer to a taxi (about 15 minutes). Yancheng Public Market is open from about 5 AM to noon, with afternoon hours mostly for deliveries—，建议morning visits.
Kaohsiung is suitable for souvenir shopping year-round, but watch out for moisture—sealed海味products are most sensitive to humidity, so seal them tightly in bags before packing. If visiting during summer (May-September), avoid shopping during the hottest afternoon hours.
【Travel Tips】
One characteristic of Kaohsiung's seafood souvenirs—the less "noticeable" the shop, often the more authentic the goods. Those shops on Cijin Old Street and Xinbu Road that look like杂货店might hide decades of great flavors. Don't be shy about asking—just say "我要帶回家的("I want to bring home),") and the owner will usually recommend the right products.
Another tip—some shops allow "mixed purchasing." For example, Yongshun can combine different items into a gift-worthy quantity, and Ah Xia can also divide things into smaller packages. If it's for personal use rather than gifting, bulk prices are more friendly—pop them in保鲜盒and they're just as tasty.
Finally, a reminder—many of Kaohsiung's seafood shops are morning operations (especially Yancheng Public Market), so plan your shopping for the morning and visit other places after noon. If you want a deeper dive into Kaohsiung's flavors, these masters' private recommendations definitely deserve a spot on your shopping list.
