Missing Taiwan?
There are more and more Taiwanese restaurants and kiosks in Singapore, from Typhoon Café (Plaza Singapura), Supreme Pork Chop Rice 一品排骨饭 (Beach Road), Jiak by Jin Feng 金峰 (Ang Mo Kio), Woo Ricebox (Orchard), Lee’s Taiwanese (Faber Hills), Lai Lai Taiwan Casual Dining (City Square Mall), Feng Food (Northpoint), 爺 YEAH Taiwanese Street Food (Timbre+), Eat At Taipei (Kallang Wave Mall), Taste of Taiwan (Oasis Terraces), Nan Tai Eating House (Kim Keat), and Lu Ding Ji (Clarke Quay Central).
The following guide focuses more on the Taiwanese-style sit-down cafes you can find in Singapore, serving favourites such as Lu Rou Fan, Mee Sua and Fried Chicken. 一起吃吧！
Eat 3 Bowls 呷三碗車站
103 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118531
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Wed – Mon), Closed Tue
Taiwanese Cafe With Train Theme Serving Night Market Food
Fans of Eat 3 Bowls at Crawford Lane will be thrilled to know that they have opened a second outlet in the West at Pasir Panjang near to MapleTree Business City.
The popular Taiwanese cafe first started off from a humble stall at Seah Im Food Centre and has quickly gained a permanent space and fanbase at Crawford Lane.
Their speciality is in authentic Taiwanese food and with famed 3 bowls (thus the name): Braised Pork Rice, Chicken Rice and Oyster Intestine Mee Sua.
Instead of the classroom theme at Crawford Lane, their 40-seater space here at Pasir Panjang features the theme of a train station, bringing diners on a gastronomical ride around Taiwan.
The number of menu items seem to have increased over here, with outlet exclusive items such as Sautéed Beef Cubes with Garlic 蒜香骰子牛 ($19.90), Tomato Omelette 台式番茄炒蛋 ($6), Sliced Pork Belly With Garlic Sauce 蒜泥白肉 ($7.20), Night market snacks such as Salted Crispy Chicken 酥炸盐酥鸡 ($7.80)，Fried Fish Fillet 东港炸鱼块 ($7.80)，Bitter-gourd Pork Rib Soup 苦瓜白骨汤 ($5.50).
There are also refreshing drinks such as Passion Fruit QQ 百香果QQ绿茶 ($4.80), Lemon Wintermelon Tea 冬瓜柠檬茶 ($4.30) and Black Tea Latte with Pearls & Red Beans 相思豆珍珠奶茶 ($4.80). Eat 3 Bowls 呷三碗車站 (Pasir Panjang Road)
Isshin Machi 一心一町
224 East Coast Road, Singapore 428921
Opening Hours: 11am – 9.30pm (Mon – Sun)
Taiwanese Eatery With Braised Beef Noodles At East Coast Road
Isshin Machi 一心一町 is the newest addition to the East Coast Plan.
Isshin Machi 一心一町 might sound like the name of a Japanese izakaya at a glance, but in fact, this is a Taiwanese eatery which has strong Taiwan vibes.
The 70-seater space is considered cosy, beautifully decked with wooden furniture pieces and mural art painted in white and blue, depicting the various iconic places in Taiwan such as the Jiemei (Sister) Lakes (姊妹潭) in Alishan, Taiwan.
I decided to go with their signature bowl of Hakka-style Braised Meat Rice ($9) aka Lu Rou Fan, the must-have iconic dish when in Taiwan.
The bowl came with both fatty and lean strips of braised pork, pickled vegetables, sliced cucumber and a whole braised egg.
Compared to the Lu Rou Fan in Taiwan, the Hakka-style Braised Meat Rice here comes with a more generous amount of braised meat and sauce, drizzled onto the soft and fluffy white pearl rice.
A meal is not complete with another iconic dish, the Taiwanese Braised Beef Noodles ($12) with an option to change the usual La Mian to Tainan Guan Miao Noodles which has a similar texture as our Ban Mian. Isshin Machi 一心一町 (East Coast Road)
Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號
Paya Lebar Quarter Mall, 10 Paya Lebar Rd, #B2-04, Singapore 409057
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 8am – 9pm (Sat – Sun)
Tasty Taiwanese Toast Cafe From Shilin Market
Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號 is a Taiwanese Toast Cafe which originated from Taipei’s Shilin Night Market 士林夜市.
The savoury toasts include their bestsellers: TW Special Pork Patty ($6.30), Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30), Spicy Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30), Pork Floss Egg & Cheese ($6.50), Potato Special ($5.80).
Complete the meal with a choice of cup of coffee (additional $1), Cane-flavoured Black Tea (additional $2.60) or Signature Milk Tea (additional $3.30).
My favourite was the TW Special Pork Patty ($6.30) that came with a thick cut of minced pork patty with a sweeter profile.
The patty was soft and refined in its texture.
The milk loaves are specially created in their own central kitchen using New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra’s premium NZMP butter, sent over to the shop then toasted over charcoal fire before serving. Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號 (Paya Lebar Quarter)
Monga Singapore – Paya Lebar
10 Eunos Rd 8, SingPost Centre #01-131, Singapore 408600
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm
Popular Taiwanese Fried Chicken Shop
The Taiwanese fried chicken chain which is co-owned by Taiwanese TV host Nono, got its name from the Wanhua district of Taiwan – which is traditionally known as “Monga”.
The outlet at Paya Lebar SingPost Centre is the only one with small seating area within.
The chicken cutlets are said to be prepared the way they do over Taiwan, sliced into a thick piece with a minimum of 2cm.
The shop also uses honey instead of granulated sugar to marinate the chicken meat, which is supposed to help tenderise the meat and elevate the taste.
Three different flavours are launched in Singapore: The King ($6.90) dusted with original salt and pepper seasoning; Hot Chick ($6.90) with chilli paprika powder hand-made from Anaheim peppers; and The Taiker ($6.90), with Japanese sauce and seaweed powder imported from Okinawa.
Monga also offers drinks such as Orange Green Tea ($4.50), Grapefruit Green Tea ($4.50) and Osmanthus Oolong ($3.30). Monga
8 Degrees Taiwanese Bistro 8度空間 – 人文茶館
37 Teck Chye Terrace, Singapore 545734
Opening Hours: 11am – 2:30pm, 5pm – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 9pm (Sat – Sun)
Taiwanese Café Named After Jay Chou’s Song Near Serangoon
8 Degrees Taiwanese Bistro located near Serangoon, is named after a Jay Chou song and known for its authentic tasting Taiwanese dishes.
They have quite an extensive menu.
What you can expect include 8 Degrees Pork Belly Rice ($5.80), Oyster Mee Sua ($5.80), Mee Sua ($3.80), Braised Beef Noodles soup ($10.80 – mildly spicy), Salted Chicken ($7.80), Scallion Pancakes ($4.80), Fried Chicken Cutlet ($7.80) and Eggroll with Porkfloss ($4.80),
Drinks offered include 8 Degrees Bubble Milk Tea ($4.80), Hot Bubble Milk Tea ($), Rose Milk Tea ($5.80), Ginger Milk Tea ($4.80), Bubble Green Tea ($4.00) and Honey Green Tea ($4.80).
What I liked was the wide variety of items available. They can get pretty packed during meal-times, so come slightly off-peak to enjoy the laid-back charm and Taiwanese vibes.
Monki Cafe
43 Holland Drive, #01-41, Singapore 270043
Tel: +65 6258 8112
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Humble Taiwanese Café At Holland
Monki Café is located at Holland Drive, serving up Taiwanese-Western savoury meals and icy snow flake desserts. Quite under-the-radar.
Its mains served include Stewed Beef Brisket ($12.80), 3 Amigos Sausage ($13.80), Taiwanese Egg Roll with Sausage and Cheese ($7.60), Taiwan Dry Spicy Noodles ($8.80), Shredded Chicken Mee Sua ($7.80), to even Red Glutinous Wine Mushroom Chicken Soup with Rice ($11.80).
The Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice ($9.00) was served by a Taiwanese lady who was also the cashier and the cook (one-woman operation), the rice was fragrant and fluffy, topped with savoury pieces of braised pork which must have been stewed for a while.
It reminded me of the pork fillings of a bak chang (rice dumpling).
This tasted like what a Taiwanese mum would cook at home for her children – I meant it in a good way. Warm and comforting. Monki Café (Holland Drive)
Xiang Xiang Traditional Taiwanese Cuisine 香香百年台湾味
799 New Upper Changi Rd, #01-04 Bedok Point, Singapore 467351
Tel: +65 8128 3331
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sun), Closed Wed
Who would have known that there is an authentic Taiwanese cuisine eatery at the back of Bedok Point? (Unless you frequent that mall.)
While the owners have no prior F&B experience, their hope was to carry on with the legacy and recipe of the friend of their father.
Therefore, they also insist of using many Taiwanese ingredients, with no additional MSG.
Their main highlights include Braised Minced Pork Rice ($7.80), Crispy Chicken Strip Mee Sua ($6.80), Braised Minced Pork Noodles ($7.80), Pork Cutlet Rice ($8.80), and Boneless Chicken Leg Rice ($8.80).
Xiang Xiang’s Braised Minced Pork Rice ($7.80) may be on the slightly expensive side, but its portion and quality make this worthwhile.
Their braised pork belly did remind me of those in Taiwan, with slight saltiness (I wished the flavours would be fuller.) Do not miss out on the spicy chilli, which does add a fragrant kick to the mix.
And yes, you also get to experience the Taiwanese warmth and hospitality here.
Tie Fun Wan
50 Hougang Ave 1 #01-00, JForte Sportainment Centre, Singapore 538885
Tel: +65 9738 6648
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Tues – Thurs, Sun), 11am – 11pm (Fri – Sat), Closed Mon
89 Rangoon Rd, #01-03 Urban Lofts, Singapore 218375
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon – Thurs)
Taiwanese Cafe With Lu Rou Fan And Mala Minced Pork Fries
Tie Fun Wan known to serve fusion Rice Rowls and have a few notable rice dishes such as 72-Hours Slow Cooked Beef Rice Bowl ($15.50), Mala Pork Collar Rice Bowl ($11.50) and Meat Ball Pao Fan ($10.50).
All served in a “metal rice bowl” like the name suggests.
Their signature bowl goes to the Lu Rou Fan aka Braised Pork Rice Bowl ($9.90) that came with traditionally prepared key ingredients such as braised pork belly slices, peanuts and beancurd skin.
This outlet offers a range of deep-fried menu which offers local-inspired delights such as Crispy Nang Yu Pork Collar ($4) and Chilli Crab Fries ($9.80) and Har Cheong Chicken Wings ($4).
Being a Mala fan, I was particularly drawn to the Mala Minced Pork Fries ($9.80) which has spicy mala minced pork topped onto crispy fries, served with a dollop of sour cream. Tie Fun Wan (Hougang)
Hei Lun Shi Tang 黑轮食堂
Queensway Shopping Centre, 1 Queensway #02-47 Singapore 149053
Tel: +65 9817 4793
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
Homely Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan & Bento Boxes
Not many would actually know that there is a Taiwanese bento cafe on Level 2 of Queensway Shopping Centre. After all, this is a place known for sports apparels.
Hei Lun Shi Tang 黑轮食堂 serves up Taiwanese fare in customised metal bento box, accompanied with japonica rice (the grains are long, narrow and slightly flattened in shape) and they pride themselves in maintain how the locals do it in Taipei.
Food offerings include Signature Braised Pork Bento, Stewed Pork Belly Bento, Pork Cutlet Bento, Fried Chicken Bento, Braised Chicken Bento, and more.
Each box is priced at $5 or $6.
There are also other items such as Curry Lu Rou Rice ($7, $8) and Meatballs “Gong Wan” Soup ($5.50).
In order to get a similar taste to Taiwanese, the owners insist on using top grade Duroc pork belly meat, superior soy sauce and Taiwan-made rice wine stewed through a slow and meticulous cooking process of 4 hours.
The outcome is a savoury, and not too oily pork with sauce that coats onto the grains of Japanese rice. Hei Lun Shi Tang 黑轮食堂 (Queensway)
5 Little Bears
Paya Lebar Square #B1-09, 60 Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 409051
Tel: +65 6702 1098
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Reasonably-Priced Taiwanese Meals and Snacks
The genesis of this cuddly named shop is a Taiwanese immigrant who relocated to Singapore with his family.
Back then, while the family did find Taiwanese food in Singapore, they still missed the authentic taste of their home. The “Big Bear”, the head of the family with 5 children, began to set up 5 Little Bears to bring authentic Taiwanese street food to Singapore.
Recommended item is the Braised Pork Rice aka Lu Rou Fan ($5.00), made with pork belly cubes simmered in Taiwanese soy sauce and spices.
The pork has a well-balanced ratio of fat and lean meat making this traditional Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan full of flavour but not oily.
Another pork dish to try is the Pork Chop Bento ($7.50), a deep-fried battered boneless pork chop that’s crisp on the edges yet still juicy inside.
Those who prefer chicken meat is in for a treat. They have the extra-large Chicken Chop ($4.80) to soothe your huge crunchy chicken cravings.
5 Little Bears not only offers deep-fried items but also soupy ones to slurp on the side. Try their Taiwanese-style Beef Noodle ($8.50) or the Oyster Mee Sua ($4.50) which comes with fresh, plump pieces of oysters to contrast with crunchy fried items.
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* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary, Nicholas Tan @stormscape and Lewis Tan @juicyfingers. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.