Bougie vs. Budget: Mahjong Essentials

Mahjong can be as simple or as fancy as you want it to be, but it should always feel accessible. When you’re just getting started, the cost of mats, racks, tiles, and even the National Mahjong League card can feel like a big hurdle. That’s why we’ve rounded up two options: budget-friendly picks to help you start playing right away, and splurge-worthy favorites if you’re ready to dive in with style.

Splurges from a Fave: We won’t lie, we’re big fans of Oh My Mahjong (OMM). Their quality is unmatched, and every detail feels thoughtful. No matter which design you choose, their tiles, mats, racks, and bags all work beautifully together to elevate any table.

For this roundup, we’re featuring the Preppy Soiree Mat, Birdie Tiles, Clear Racks & Pushers, and Light Blue Bamboo Tile Bag. Of course, OMM has plenty of styles to suit your style, so you can create a set that’s completely your own. A full setup from OMM will run about $600, and while it’s a splurge, we promise it feels worth every penny. Use our code MOCKINGBIRD10 because we know every little bit helps!

Finds to get you started: We know that a $600 setup can feel out of reach, but at Mockingbird & Magnolia we believe in bougie on a budget. There are plenty of options on sites like Amazon that are both affordable and elevated. While we haven’t purchased all of these ourselves, the strong reviews give us confidence they’re great starter picks.

For this look, we chose the Blue Mahjong Learning Mat, Blue Back Tiles, Light Purple Racks & Pushers, and a Light Blue Tile Bag. Of course, there are tons of options to browse, including sets from Blossom Mahjong Co. (an OMM sister brand). They’re a little pricier than the basics pictured, but still a wonderful option if you want to elevate your table without splurging on a full luxe setup.