Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine is a cosy, family-style restaurant that dishes up comfort Taiwanese fare

Family-style restaurants in Singapore may be a dime a dozen, but the recently launched Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine has ramped home-style cuisine up a notch with its thoughtfully curated menu of authentic Taiwanese dishes. 

The Taiwanese F&B eatery opened its doors on Jan 12, not long before the Lunar New Year. And with good timing, too — it saw a steady stream of customers hoping to get a reservation during the festive period. 

Since its launch, Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine has welcomed plenty of repeat diners. 

We can see why it’s so popular — it sets itself apart from the ubiquitous Taiwanese street food that we’re accustomed to and takes pride in a produce-driven menu of comfort fare. 

At the heart of Song Yue’s culinary philosophy is fresh seasonal produce, weaved into its dishes to bring out hearty flavours that nourish the body and soul. It also presents a variety of family-style — akin to zi char-style items — communal plates, ranging from meat and seafood numbers, to robust herbal broths and homemade desserts.

A tranquil oasis

Song Yue is tucked away in a quiet corner of Leisure Park Kallang shopping mall, where it’s situated away from the usual bustling crowds. Diners can enjoy a soothing reprieve from the activity, bask in the moment and enjoy a moment of peace over good food. 

Besides its main dining hall, Song Yue also has private dining rooms for those who prefer a more intimate and exclusive dining experience. There are also special tea rooms that will host tea appreciation sessions.

If you’re a tea aficionado, you’ll be pleased to know that the restaurant boasts an exquisite, handpicked selection of premium Taiwanese tea, too.

These leaves are sourced directly from various family tea farms in Taiwan and then meticulously brewed by an in-house tea specialist.

A rich tapestry of Taiwanese flavours

Menu-wise, Song Yue takes diners on a culinary adventure across the rich flavours of Taiwanese cuisine. Though simple and straightforward, the dishes are familiar family favourites with nostalgic flavours that remind us of Grandmother’s cooking. 

One item in particular is the fragrant pineapple prawns with crispy you tiao (S$18.90). Unlike the usual cereal-covered prawns, this dish sees crispy battered prawns wok-tossed with pineapples for an aromatic citrus zing. 

It’s then further lifted with a velvety layer of mayonnaise dressing that is tinged with light citrusy notes, presumably from the mixture of pineapples. The result? Fresh prawns evenly coated in a creamy, yet slightly tangy sauce that whets our appetite for more — so much so that it has us going for a second helping.

The slow-braised pork ribs with white radish (S$18.90) is Song Yue’s take on a classic pork ribs stew. Juicy prime ribs and sweet white radish are simmered over low heat in a soy-based sauce, which is infused with a variety of herbs for extra oomph and flavour.

We aren’t typically a fan of pork ribs, as most restaurants tend to overcook the protein. However, Song Yue’s slow simmering method has tenderised the prime ribs enough that the meat is not just succulent, but also fall-off-the-bone tender. 

Here’s a pro-tip: Get a bowl of white rice to go with the dish, so that all the fluffy grains will absorb all the savoury zhap (sauce) from the stew. Together, it’s a winning, umami-loaded combination.

No family dinner is complete without a seafood dish and the salt and pepper pomfret with crispy garlic chips (S$35.90) is a fantastic choice. 

Song Yue’s version features a fleshy pomfret that has been expertly deboned and sliced into meaty chunks. It’s then lightly coated in a batter before being deep-fried to a crispy, golden-brown decadence. The crunchy slices crackle with every bite, revealing luscious flesh underneath. 

Throw on some salt, pepper and crackly garlic chips and the dish is ready to be savoured. 

We’ve had a deep-fried seafood fish dish before, but not one as palatable as this. Song Yue’s version is much more fuss-free than most zi char-style fish dishes, for it’s diced into bite-sized chunks that are easier to munch on and divvy up among your friends.

The traditional ginger duck (S$19.90 for regular, S$36.90 for medium) is a rich, comforting broth that is sure to pick you up on cold, rainy days. The soup comprises succulent pieces of duck meat that are stewed with thick slices of ginger and black sesame oil. 

We really enjoyed this — every ingredient came together to create a robust, all-rounded broth. It’s laced with gentle notes of spice from the ginger and a nutty fragrance from the black sesame oil. 

It’s not your run-of-the-mill herbal soup and is a great alternative for those who enjoy one with a little more kick to it.

The dishes pair well with not just rice, but noodles too. There is the signature Ah Ma’s rice vermicelli and taro soup (S$19.90 for regular, S$32.90 for medium), which can also serve as a complete meal all on its own. 

This dish is a nod to homemade rice noodle soup — a staple in Taiwanese cuisine. It sees rice vermicelli in a herbaceous pork broth that is brimming with a myriad of ingredients — pork slices, dried shrimp, lala clams, shiitake mushrooms, and chunks of fragrant taro. 

Every mouthful bursts with hearty flavour and it’s meant to take you back to good ‘ol days of slurping down this bowl of comfort in your grandmother’s kitchen. 

End the meal on a sweet note with Song Yue’s traditional homemade desserts. Our favourite is the chilled oolong ai-yu jelly with green lemon (S$6.90), in which a plant-based ai-yu jelly is the star. 

This is a popular dessert that is widely enjoyed in Taiwan and we see local renditions of it sold at neighbourhood hawkers and coffee shops. We do prefer Song Yue’s version, though, as it’s not too sweet and you can taste the gentle aroma of the oolong tea. 

Not a fan of chilled treats? Try the hot delights, which include the double-boiled apple and pear in white fungus soup (S$7.90) and sweet potato in ginger soup (S$6.90).

This was a hosted tasting.

For the latest eats, check out FairPrice Finest Clarke Quay’s in-store cocktail bar and dining hall, or read about 7-Eleven’s new K-Delight ready-to-eat items. Alternatively, catch up on the newest openings in town. 

Book a ride to savour authentic Taiwanese cuisine at Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine.

Do explore the GrabFood Dine-in service for awesome deals.