The best Taiwanese restaurants and cafes in Singapore

Previously known as Five Ten on South Bridge Road, they have since rebranded themselves and shifted to a double storey shophouse location at Circular Road. Categorized according to the price points ($5, $10, $15 and $25), The Salted Plum has also expanded their zi-char styled menu with new offerings like Atka mackerel with salted plum powder ($15) and slipper lobster ($25). Of course, they still continue to serve up comfort Taiwan-inspired dishes such as braised pork belly ($10), salted pork ($5), smashed baby potatoes with plum powder ($5) and oyster steamed egg ($10).

CBD lunch folks would be happy to know that they have $10 lunch bowls available with options like Lu Rou Fan, Steak Rice, Seared Salmon Bowl, and Vegetarian Bowl.

Filled with minimalistic earth-toned furniture and flooring, the quaint and peaceful atmosphere of ShanCha really makes you feel like you’ve been transported to Taiwan. The Taiwanese café–sake bar serves light meals alongside an extensive menu of tea, coffee, and even Japanese sake and craft beers as well. Besides classic Taiwanese tea options like Oolong Mountain Tea ($4.80), No.8 Black Tea ($4.50) and No.18 Ruby Red Black Tea, ShanCha also offers Ice Fruit Teas ($4.50 – $5.50) that come in a range of flavours such as Summer Peach, and Rose Apple, as well as the quintessential ice Taiwanese milk tea ($7.80).

If you’re looking for heavier grub, the signature Taiwanese minced rice ($8.50 – $15.50) will do just the trick, or perhaps try something different with their popular mini sweet potato waffles with ice cream ($8.80). Shan Cha also organizes DIY workshops where you can make your own coffee drip bags ($35), or tea bags ($25).

Conveniently located in Plaza Singapura, Typhoon Taiwanese café promises to bring the taste of Taiwan right here to satisfy your every craving without you ever needing to leave the country. The extensive menu offers an array of dishes like the iconic classic Taiwan lu rou fan ($14.90), oyster omelette ($10.90) , and typhoon momofuku bun ($12.90), as well as the must-have Taiwanese cold milk tea with a choice of topping ($6.90) and signature fruit teas like tropical passion fruit (hot/cold – $8.50) and typhoon floral (hot – $8.50). A crowd favourite you can’t miss out on has to be the Typhoon Board Set series ($12.90 – $19.90), which features a variety of more than 20 Chinese meal sets with a small side, soup of the day, and a main course. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, high tea, or a casual dinner spot to chill with family or friends, Typhoon Café is the place to go.

Known for their mouth-watering mee sua and perfected Lu Rou Fan, Eat 3 bowls will really make you feel like grabbing another two bowls after gobbling up the first. The humble stall that was once located at Seah Im Food Centre, has since relocated to a larger space at Crawford Lane with an adorable 90s Taiwan-style classroom theme. Indulge in their delicious signature main dishes such as braised pork rice ($4.50, Set – $8), Taiwanese chicken rice ($4.50, Set – $8), and oyster intestine mee sua ($6.5). You could even get all three together in a set ($12) with drinks ($15). Add in a side of tofu with century egg ($3.20) and complete your meal with some fresh milk with brown sugar pearls (3.80).

Monki Café is a quaint, cheery, brightly coloured space located in Holland Village, serving up Taiwanese and Western fusion dishes alongside its icy snow flake desserts. Some of their offerings include the homemade curry chicken set ($9), miso salmon rice ($14.80), Taiwan Dry Spicy Noodle ($8.80), and Taiwan traditional rice set with pork rib soup ($11.80). Of course it wouldn’t be Taiwanese without the iconic comforting Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice ($9). 

From the moment you enter the bistro, the laid-back and casual atmosphere filled with pop-theme culture decoration transports you away to a completely different realm. 8 Degrees offers an extensive menu of dishes from the must-have Taiwanese dishes like oyster mee sua ($5.80), stewed pork belly rice ($3.80) and salted crispy chicken ($6.80), to fusion dishes like the 8º pork belly pasta ($8.80) and 8º sakura shrimp and prawn xo sauce pasta ($13.80). Sip on some 8º bubble tea ($3.80), sour plum ai-yu green tea ($4.80), and 8 degrees Taiwanese coffee style Yuan Yang ($3.80 – $4.80) to end off the scrumptious meal.

Tung Lok’s Andrew Tjioe has always had an uncanny knack for second-guessing the appetite of Singaporeans. His latest venture – a stylish riff on Taiwanese congee – hits all the right notes. Studded with sweet potato chunks and hints of orange, the congee is the ideal foil for the crisply charred oyster omelette streaked with scallion, and snake beans sautéed with minced mushroom and pork. But the standout – a tumble of sliced pork, its crackling coating of fermented bean paste yielding to a sweet, meaty centre.

Taiwan's Dazzling Cafe, known for its honey toasts ($15-$22), will launch its flagship store opposite Raffles City in April 2015. Popular items on the menu include the Shibuya-style honey toast that comes with your selection of Haagen Dazs ice cream, chocolate or caramel sauce, pistachios and macaron, mochi "QQ" waffle – served with six different flavours of mochi, and mentaiko pasta in cream sauce topped with shredded seaweed and mentaiko roe.