Taiwanese food has always held a special place in my heart, and nothing quite hits the spot like a hearty bowl of lu rou fan or a comforting serving of oyster mee sua. With three outlets islandwide, 8 Degrees has become a go-to place for wallet-friendly and legit Taiwanese dishes.
Named after Jay Chou’s album, “八度空间” (bā dù kōng jiān), 8 Degrees was founded in 2011 and has been serving legit Taiwanese dishes to Singaporeans ever since.
At 8 Degrees, you’ll find a spread of common Taiwanese food: from the beloved lu rou fan to the iconic oyster mee sua. Let’s not forget milk tea, a drink that almost everyone loves!
We had to start with their signature Pork Belly Rice ($6++), AKA the time-honoured lu rou fan. The dish came loaded with braised pork belly and a braised whole egg, as well as pickled radish and spring onions.
While I wished the pork belly chunks were larger, I appreciated that they still had a distinct and consistent flavour that remained present throughout! I also liked that the rice-to-sauce ratio was well-balanced, and it was not overly savoury.
Our next dish was the Oyster Mee Sua ($6++), packed with fresh oyster, and topped with fried garlic and coriander.
The starchy broth had just the right amount of vinegar which wasn’t overpowering, but I think it could have been more flavourful.
The plump and fresh oysters were generously sized, and not fishy at all. Each bite had a satisfying contrast to the soft flour vermicelli noodles that’s specially imported from Taiwan.
As a big fan of sesame sauce, I was excited to try their Sesame Cold Noodles ($7++). The noodles were tossed in a velvety sesame sauce, then topped with fresh shredded cucumber and crushed peanuts.
This was a refreshing dish, great for a hot day! The cold wheat noodles had a nice QQ texture which complemented the creamy and nutty sesame sauce well.
Snack-wise, get their Scallion Pancake ($5.20++) that’s pan-fried to golden perfection and topped with more spring onions.
The pancake was so crispy that the crunch was audible as we picked it up. I also liked that it wasn’t too crumbly and had maintained its structural integrity. The accompanying sauce leaned tangy, so if you’re not a fan of sour flavours, go easy when you dip it in!
Of course we had to get their Milk Tea with Pearls ($3.90++/$5.90++) which is available both hot and cold. The milk tea was decent, although I would have liked it better if it had a more prominent tea flavour. Those who like the golden pearls from Koi would enjoy the smaller pearls in this milk tea.
Conveniently situated a three-minute walk away from Kovan MRT Station, 8 Degrees is a neighbourhood gem. The bistro has a simple wooden interior with lots of natural light, and is accompanied by a good Mandopop playlist. Visit early to beat the lunchtime crowd, as it does get packed during peak hours.
Overall, 8 Degrees has decent and value-for-money Taiwanese fare. I would definitely give it another visit on days that I’m craving Taiwanese food. They also have two other outlets located within walking distance of MRT stations, making it even more accessible.
If you’re looking for more Taiwanese eats, visit Lai Lai Taiwan Casual Dining which serves legit beef noodles. Otherwise, for more food in Kovan, check out Tam Chiak Kopitiam co-owned by local food writer Maureen Ow, which houses 10 famous hawker stalls.
Address: Lowland Road, #29, Singapore 547421
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Tel: 8699 8171
Website | Full list of outlets
8 Degrees is not a halal-certified eatery.
Photos taken by Ke-ian J Leong.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg
Summary
Pros
– Offers all the mainstream Taiwanese dishes you’d expect from a Taiwanese diner
– Affordable mains
Cons
– Nothing mindblowing
Recommended dishes: Oyster Mee Sua ($6++), Sesame Cold Noodles ($7++)
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Address: Lowland Road, #29, Singapore 547421