Taiwanese Restaurants in Singapore

Taiwanese restaurants in Singapore: what to know

Taiwanese restaurants in Singapore serve comfort food that locals and visitors love. Think soup dumplings, noodle soups, fried chicken and sweet drinks. Many Taiwanese dishes have roots in the cooking of Fujian province in southern China. Many Chinese Singaporeans also have family roots in Fujian. So Taiwanese flavours often feel familiar here: savoury, a little sweet and rarely too spicy.

Taiwanese dishes to try

Xiao long bao

Xiao long bao are small steamed dumplings filled with pork and hot soup. The soup forms when a jelly made from meat stock melts during steaming. These dumplings first came from the Shanghai area. Taiwanese dumpling houses helped make them famous around the world.

Noodles and rice

• Beef noodle soup: chewy wheat noodles in a rich beef broth, with soft braised beef.
• Braised pork rice: called lu rou fan, this is minced pork braised in soy sauce and spooned over rice.
• Fried rice: often served with a crisp, fried pork chop on the side.

Snacks and street food

Taiwan is famous for its night markets, where people graze on small snacks. Look for these in Singapore:

• Taiwanese fried chicken: crisp, peppery chicken, sometimes as one large flat cutlet.
• Gua bao: a soft, folded steamed bun filled with braised pork belly, pickled greens and peanut powder.
• Scallion pancake: a flaky, pan-fried flatbread with spring onions.
• Oyster omelette: eggs fried with small oysters and a starchy batter. Singapore has its own version, listed on our Oyster Omelette page.

Drinks and desserts

Bubble tea, a milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls, comes from Taiwan. You will find bubble tea shops in most Singapore malls. For dessert, try shaved ice with fruit or sweet toppings. Pineapple cakes, small buttery pastries with a pineapple filling, make good gifts to take home.

Where to eat Taiwanese food in Singapore

Din Tai Fung (Paragon) is in the Orchard and River Valley area. Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese restaurant chain best known for its xiao long bao. This branch is in Paragon, a shopping mall on Orchard Road, so it is easy to fit in between shops.

Nearby and similar

For another Chinese option in the same area, try Paradise Dynasty (ION). For food from Fujian, the province where many Taiwanese dishes have their roots, visit Putien (Kitchener Road). See the Fujian page for more. Browse Restaurants in Orchard & River Valley for other meals near the shops.

Tips for eating Taiwanese food in Singapore

How to eat xiao long bao

1. Lift the dumpling gently by its top knot and place it on a spoon.
2. Bite a small hole in the skin and let the hot soup cool for a moment.
3. Sip the soup, then eat the dumpling with a few strands of ginger dipped in black vinegar.

Other tips

• Expect a queue at peak times. Popular mall restaurants get busy at lunch, at dinner and at weekends. Go early or late to wait less.
• Use the order sheet. Some dumpling houses give you a paper order form. Tick the dishes and quantities, then hand it to staff.
• Check for pork. Pork is common in Taiwanese food. If you need halal food, look for the MUIS halal certificate. MUIS is the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
• Plan your budget. A dumpling meal in a mall is usually mid-range. Prices change, so check the menu first.

Shopping on Orchard? Our guide Cheap Eats on Orchard Road: Mall Basements and Food Courts has more ideas for a quick meal.

FAQs about Taiwanese restaurants in Singapore

What is Din Tai Fung known for?

It is best known for xiao long bao, small steamed dumplings with soup inside. The menu also has noodles, fried rice and steamed buns.

How do you eat xiao long bao without burning your mouth?

Place the dumpling on a spoon and bite a small hole first. Let the soup cool, sip it, then eat the rest.

Is bubble tea from Taiwan?

Yes. Bubble tea, also called pearl milk tea, started in Taiwan. It is now sold all over Singapore.

Is Taiwanese food spicy?

Most Taiwanese dishes are mild and savoury. Chilli oil or chilli sauce is often on the table if you want more heat.