Get Kong Bak Bao And Lu Rou Fan From $3.80 At This New Chinatown Stall

Zhu Zhu Zai has cheap Taiwanese food in Chinatown

Taiwanese food places are a dime a dozen in Singapore, but cheap Taiwanese fare is a different story. It’s almost impossible to find a bowl of lu rou fan AKA braised pork rice under $5 in this economy, but Zhu Zhu Zai proves otherwise with their cheap and delicious offerings. Though it was only recently that they opened a physical stall in Chinatown Complex, they were formerly a popular home-based business!

Image credit: MONDAYBLUES

Let’s start with the must-have Braised Pork Rice ($3.80): you get a warm bed of Taiwanese pearl rice topped with braised pork belly cubes and pickled cucumber. These ingredients alone make for a substantial meal, but there’s also the choice of adding more toppings, such as Seasoned Molten Egg ($1.50) and Braised King Mushrooms ($1.50).

Image credit: Tan Danny C K

Here’s a pro tip: get their Kong Bak Bao ($3.50), an off-menu item that features a thick slab of pork belly, cucumber, carrot, and coriander sandwiched between a soft bun. This is a great alternative to lu rou fan if you’re always on the go!

Image credit: Tan Danny C K

You’d be remiss not to go for their Braised Pork Trotters ($6.80), which gets you a gelatinous layer of skin, and tender fat. They take pork-based dishes very seriously here: you have the choice of Braised Pork Jowl ($6) or Braised Pork Knuckle ($7.80) too, so you can choose whichever part you fancy. Accompany this signature dish with a bowl of Taiwan Pearl Rice ($1), and you’ve got yourself a filling meal. 

For more food places to check out in the area, read our Cafe Monochrome review, where we tried their tonkatsu sando, Biscoff frappe and more. Else, read our Kohaku Sabo review for affordable uni mentaiko udon, and sweet potato creme brulee.

Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-066, Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am to 4pm
Website
Zhu Zhu Zai is not a halal-certified eatery. 

Feature image adapted from MONDAYBLUES and Tan Danny C K