At first glance, Mi-O Gifts looks like any other neighbourhood essentials shop in Bendemeer Shopping Mall — chair covers, cushions, cables, the usual household rotation. But buried in the middle of the store is a stack of racks absolutely loaded with squishies, and prices start at just two dollars.

The shop sits a two-minute walk from Boon Keng MRT Station Exit B, along the sheltered walkway of stores. Easy to miss if you're not looking, which is exactly why word of mouth is doing the heavy lifting here.

The range goes well beyond the basics. Bread-shaped squishies go for $2, with mega-sized versions in different bread varieties at $12.90 for anyone who wants their squishy extra chunky. Chocolate bar designs inspired by the likes of Twix cost $3.90. There are also NeeDoh dupes ($3.90) and soap bar squishies ($5.90) in three colours — worth noting these are bead-filled rather than wax-shelled, so they give a different (arguably more satisfying) squeeze than the viral versions online. Food-themed picks include the viral crunchy peanut ($5.90 and a jumbo version at $8.90), butter ($5.90), durian ($5.90), corn ($5.90) and a peach at $2.90. The priciest item spotted was a jumbo unicorn at $18.90, so even the top end stays under twenty bucks.

Part of the charm is the setting. The store's core customers are more likely to be uncles and aunties buying household bits than teenagers hunting squishy hauls, yet whoever curates the toy racks clearly knows what's trending. That contrast — a retro neighbourhood shop stocking designs you've seen in unboxing videos — is what makes a visit worth the trip.

A bonus for locals: the shop accepts CDC Vouchers, so restocking your collection costs even less out of pocket.

For travellers, this is a slice of everyday Singapore that doesn't feature on any tourist map. Bendemeer is a genuine heartland neighbourhood, and pairing a squishy haul with a wander around the mall's hawker stalls and shops makes for a cheap, characterful half-day. Given every purchase here starts at pocket change, there's little risk in grabbing a few — and squishies make oddly great, lightweight souvenirs that won't get confiscated at the airport.

If you're already exploring the Kallang area or riding the Downtown Line, it's an easy detour: hop off at Boon Keng, take Exit B, walk the sheltered strip and look right. Just budget extra time — with this many racks to sift through at these prices, you won't leave with just one.