Zi char restaurants are loved by Singaporeans for their accessibility, affordability, and variety of family-style dishes that make them easy for sharing. One of the newer additions to the plethora of zi char eateries in Singapore is Tai One Wei, a Taiwanese restaurant that’s located along North Bridge Road. It is a seven-minute walk from Lavender and Bugis MRT Stations.
Image credit: @tai_one_wei
The shophouse restaurant gives off a humble vibe, with a minimalist interior that’ll make you feel as though you’ve stepped into a homey eatery in Taiwan. The space also sees simple wooden tables and chairs, as well as posters of Taiwan plastered all over its walls.
Image credit: Yeo Kim Song
If you’re looking to fill your tummy on a budget, get the Signature Braised Pork Rice, AKA lu rou fan, a no-frills dish priced at just $3. According to customers, the dish features tender braised pork with a savoury gravy that isn’t overly oily.
The menu is divided into categories of $5, $10, $15, and $18, with zi char-esque options such as cereal prawns and sambal kangkong.
There are four dishes in the $5 department: Squid Salad, Braised Pork Intestines, Taiwan Preserved Vegetables, and Dried Bamboo Shoots. The $10 items include more interesting choices such as Deep-Fried Pork Intestine, Deep-Fried Taro Balls, and Crispy Egg Tofu With Pork.
One popular pick in this category is the Taiwan Sausage, which is the restaurant’s take on the classic Taiwanese street snack. The sausage is sliced into chunky, bite-sized pieces, and is served alongside generous amounts of sliced garlic.
The Black Pepper Beef ($15) is another customer favourite, comprising tender beef strips coated in a thick black pepper-flavoured sauce.
Food you can find in the $18 section include Three Cups Squid, Salted Crispy Squid, and Stir-fried Clams With Basil. A highly-recommended dish is the Crispy Fried Oyster, comprising plump oysters encased in crispy batter. If you aren’t a fan of the briny taste that oysters are known for, you may prefer the ones at Tai One Wei as they’re relatively fresher-tasting.
Those visiting the restaurant over the weekend can also look out for imported Taiwanese vegetables with the likes of Stir-fried Water Lotus and Stir-Fried Fern With Cordia Dichotoma. The prices of these dishes vary according to demand and supply, and are said to sell out fast due to limited stock so order them while you can!
If you’re looking for good dim sum instead, check out our best dim sum places food guide. Those looking for more Taiwanese cafe food can also read our Simple Cafe review.
Address: 751 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198719
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm
Website
Tai One Wei is not a halal-certified eatery.
Feature image adapted from Raine Chye, @tai_one_wei, and Yeo Kim Song
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