Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine – Excellent Taiwanese Fare That Will Keep You Coming Back for More

I always miss traveling to Taiwan for its rich food culture, heritage, and the welcoming and friendly people. My recent trip to Tainan, with its homey family restaurants, left an indelible mark on me, and I’ve longed for a taste of that experience closer to home.

So, when Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine opened at Leisure Park Kallang, I was really excited, and planned a trip instantly! The restaurant focuses on produce-driven dishes inspired by different parts of Taiwan, offering a unique dining experience compared to the usual Taiwanese street food Singaporeans are familiar with.

We all know that Taiwan is known for its fresh produce, and Song Yue’s menu showcases perfectly the local ingredients which are at the core of Taiwanese cuisine. From delicate chilled appetizers and rich herbal soups, to quality fresh seafood and comforting rice and noodle classics, Song Yue dazzles with palate-pleasing dishes that guests will relish.
Since its opening in January, I’ve become a regular visitor, and here are some of my favourite dishes:

Traditional Ginger Duck (传统姜母鸭)

When dining at Song Yue, the Traditional Ginger Duck is an absolute must-order. This dish, a beloved winter staple in Taiwan, is my go-to whenever I visit. Song Yue’s unique recipe and meticulous cooking method result in a perfectly-balanced rendition that can be enjoyed year-round, even in Singapore’s humid climate. The duck, stewed until the meat falls off the bone, is infused with thick slices of ginger and black sesame oil, imparting distinctively warm, earthy, and nutty notes. The flavor is rich without being overpowering, with invigorating hints of ginger and rice wine that elevate the dish to a whole new level.

Farm Chicken with Spring Onion (农家葱油鸡)

This dish features tender local kampong chicken, lightly poached in a superior broth to highlight its natural flavors. It’s paired with an aromatic homemade spring onion and ginger dipping sauce, enhancing the chicken beautifully.

Salt and Pepper Pomfret with Crispy Garlic Chips (椒盐蒜香鲳鱼)

A pristine pomfret is expertly deboned, cut into generous pieces, and coated in a light batter before being deep-fried to golden perfection. Seasoned with just salt and pepper, the fried fish is topped with crunchy deep-fried garlic chips.

Pumpkin Silken Tofu with Prawn and Crabmeat (金瓜豆腐)

Taiwan’s abundant locally-grown vegetables are celebrated in a variety of tofu, egg, and vegetable dishes at Song Yue. A standout is the Pumpkin Silken Tofu with Prawn and Crabmeat (金瓜豆腐), which is an ode to the humble pumpkin. This dish is a delightful blend of silken white tofu, sweet golden pumpkin, and umami-rich crabmeat, creating a harmonious flavor profile. My son particularly loves it for its subtle sweetness, which pairs perfectly with rice.

Crispy Eggs with Black Sesame Oil (香葱黑麻油蛋)

Another dish that goes beautifully with rice is the Crispy Eggs with Black Sesame Oil (香葱黑麻油蛋). Beloved by Taiwanese across generations, this classic dish is masterfully executed at Song Yue. Each plate features four perfectly fried eggs with crisp edges and soft oozy centers, lightly simmered in a sweet-and-savory sauce made with fragrant local black sesame oil. People enjoy it in different ways, much like the various methods of eating kaya toast and egg. For me, I love to place an egg on my white rice, drizzle it with the fragrant black sauce, break the yolk, and savor it all together. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Simple, but so good!

Ah Ma’s Rice Vermicelli and Taro Soup (阿嫲芋头米粉汤)

Another highlight of Song Yue’s menu is undoubtedly the comforting Ah Ma’s Rice Vermicelli and Taro Soup (阿嫲芋头米粉汤), a nostalgic homage to traditional Taiwanese 米粉汤. This dish sees the finest rice vermicelli from 新竹 (Xin Zhu) served in a rich and aromatic pork bone broth, complemented by sliced pork, dried shrimp, clams, shiitake mushrooms, and fragrant taro. Every sip of this soup, with its delightful yam fragrance, evokes memories of my grandma’s cooking. It’s a heartwarming dish reminiscent of the comforting flavours of home.

Cabbage and Hokkaido Scallop Stone Pot Rice (高丽菜带子石锅饭)

For rice lovers like me, the Cabbage and Hokkaido Scallop Stone Pot Rice (高丽菜带子石锅饭) at Song Yue is a must-try. Only Premium Grade 1 short-grain rice from 台中 (Tai Chung), known for its sweetness and firm, slightly chewy texture, is used. Served in a piping hot stone pot, which gives a delightful smoky flavor, the cabbage rice is topped with perfectly-seared Hokkaido scallops, which add a rich buttery taste and contrast in texture. The crispy layer that forms at the bottom lends a satisfying crunch to every bite.

Pineapple Prawns with Crispy You-Tiao (凤梨油条虾球)

The crisp house-made dough fritters here are stuffed with hand-beaten squid and prawn paste. They are interestingly paired with pineapple, which is one of the most famous produce in Taiwan. This sweet and savory combination will be a huge hit with both the young and old.

Pineapple Festival – till 14 July 2024

Speaking of pineapple, Song Yue has launched a pineapple festival with an array of new dishes made with Taiwan PingTung imported jinzuan pineapples which are known for their high sweetness, fiber-free pulp, low bromelain content, and smoothness.

Some of the new dishes featuring jinzuan pineapple include the Deep Fried Red Grouper in Sweet and Sour Pineapple Sauce, and Chicken Fillet with Pineapple Sweet and Sour Sauce.

One of my favorites is the Sizzling Beef Hotplate with Caramelized Pineapple! The bright, tangy pineapple sauce drizzled over the sizzling beef really brings out the flavor of the beef.

Another intriguing dish I tried was the Pineapple Braised Pork Belly with Pig Stomach. Typically, I only enjoy peppery pig stomach soup, but this dish surprised me with its delightful combination of chewy pig stomach slices and tender pork belly. The inclusion of mustard vegetables and pineapple slices gave the dish a harmonious blend of sweetness and tanginess.

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a meal with a family, or have a craving for authentic Taiwanese cuisine, go to Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine! It is an excellent choice that will not disappoint. Each visit promises flavors that transport you straight to Taiwan. Having dined there multiple times, I’m still enthralled and I’m already planning my next visit, eager to explore more of their delicious offerings!

This post is brought to you in conjunction with Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine.