Every month, it feels like there is a new must-have trend taking over our social media feeds whether that’s a viral recipe, a new kitchen gadget, or an aesthetic accessory. Lately, plush keychains have been the latest obsession, taking over TikTok, gift shops, and toy stores alike. Similar to your emotional support water bottle or staple tote bag, they are tiny and soft friends that tag along with you wherever you go. Popular brands like Jelly Cats, Sanrio, Lulu The Piggy, and Labubus are constantly releasing new collections.
If you already have too many full-sized stuffed animals like me, these mini keychains are a great way to stay cute without the clutter. What really drives the craze for these cute plushies is the blind-box packaging. With multiple themed series, all of the plush keychains come in a sealed mystery box, so you don’t know which character you’ll get until you open it. This surprise is what makes collecting these plushies exciting and addictive. Many TikTok users have capitalized on this fact by creating viral “blind box reveals,” which can get thousands, if not millions, of views.
One of the most sought-after brands right now is Labubu, tiny monsters with pointy ears and serrated teeth that are dressed according to the brand’s unique “series,” like yoga, camping, and food. The food-themed ones are especially popular, but are constantly sold out. There is no need to worry. With plenty of other food-themed plush keychains on the market, you are bound to find one that is just as collectible, cute, and potentially more affordable.
Jelly Cats’ Hard Boiled Egg Keychain, $28
The London-based brand has a multitude of food inspired plush toys, especially keychains. Think of any food item and they probably have a keychain for it. This hard boiled egg version will make your day sunny-side up.
Nommi’s Taro Pastry Plush $20
These have a similar look to Labubus, except they’re not monsters and cute (IMO). Not a keychain, but Nommi still offers blind boxes with series inspired by fruit and sweet treats.
MR.PA’s Radish Plush, $16
If you’re on a health kick and simply just not a fan of fruit (weird), MR.PA offers a vegetable plush series and a Grand Hotel magnet series that includes the pandas as boba tea, a dumpling, and Sichuan Noodles. Additionally, these blind magnets have three options for each food that’s a different angle. Ensuring the unlikeliness of getting a duplicate.
Finding Unicorn x RiCO’s Pineapple Plush, $18
Finding Unicorn is a site that offers multiple types of plushies from collaborations with different brands. RiCO offers two fruit series or take a gamble with their picnic series, which have some food themed items.
Sanrio’s Keroppi Fountain Drink Keychain, $13
We couldn’t leave Hello Kitty’s gang out. Sanrio offers a fast food series that includes a Hello Kitty ice cream cup and a My Melody chicken sandwich.
Liila’s White Peach Jam Donut Plush, $17
This brand of mini kitties offers a chef series that is based on pastry goodies like a white peach jam donut or a hazelnut cream puff.
Lovely Emma’s Banana Duck Ice Cream Plush, $12
For the ride or die ice cream fans, this series is for you. Solely dedicated to ice cream scoops, you’re guaranteed to get your favorite dessert rather than another sweet treat in other brands’ blind series.
Lulu The Piggy’s Hamburger Keychain, $10
Lulu The Piggy is based in Hong Kong and expands beyond typical fruit and vegetable series. You can find Lulu The Piggy in a hamburger series and a chef series, which isn’t exactly food but still in the realm of eating.
Anirolls’ Spam Puppiroll Plush Keychain, $10
Anirolls offers a large assortment of affordable food-themed plush keychains, like a puppy wrapped in a Spam musubi. With the price ranging from $7 for individuals to $22 for sets, the keychains consist of well known brands such as Top Ramen, Cup of Noodles, Jolly Ranchers, and Hershey’s Chocolate. Specifically, the Hershey’s Chocolate ones have the animals hugging the chocolate bar, who doesn’t want something as adorable as that?
Labubus’ Coca-Cola Monster Keychain, $47
If this list hasn’t convinced you of alternatives, Labubus does have a few food series. There is a Coca-Cola collaboration, food market items, fruits, and candy series. Again, almost everything on the site is sold out and most likely in stores as well. So, if you’re dead set on a monster plush, you’ll have to play the waiting game.