We all know that one of the best things about travelling is eating, and I think its safe to say that trips to Taiwan are always characterised by feasting on street food! Craving Taiwanese food while here in Singapore? 饗好吃 Xiang Dessert and Food has got your back. Rebranded in 2015 by the owner of 甜品之家 , this cosy cafe now served up both sweet and savoury Taiwanese treats for all to enjoy.
Tucked in a quiet corner along Thomson Road, it is easy to miss Xiang Dessert and Food. While not all the dishes here are remarkable, there are certainly some that deserve special mention and are worth making a trip down to try!
The Spicy Wantons ($5.80) or Fried Dumplings ($5.80) would be pretty decent choices for appetisers. I found the wrappers to be a tad too thick, but the generous stuffing made up for that. Dip liberally in the vividly red chilli and dried shrimp paste for some kick! The Fried Shaky Mushrooms ($5.80) were served in a paper bag for us to shake up with some seasoning. The diced oyster mushrooms were fried to a pleasant golden crispy, pity that they were too lightly flavored.
The Intestine Mee Sua ($5.80) is a traditional Taiwanese delicacy, with ingredients slow cooked in a bonito broth. Smooth and starchy,, you won't be able to stop at a single slurp. An enjoyable, comforting dish to warm your tummy!
Another go-to Taiwanese favourite would be the Braised Pork Rice ($6.80). The three pieces of pork belly were decidedly aromatic and tender, but the rice could use a little more minced pork, and the woefully pale egg should definitely spend more time simmering away in dark soy sauce.
We also give the Deep Fried Chicken Cutlet with Tainan-style Noodles ($7.80) a shot. The fried chicken thigh wasn't anything to shout about, but I found the noodles pretty deletable! The knife cut noodles have unique ruffled sides and good chewy texture. In fact, to ensure that patrons fully enjoy the noodles, sauce is drizzled on the side of caution.. to point that the noodles got clump and dry. My say: a little more sauce never hurt anybody and it would be a real shame if these noodles got passed over for the lack of it.
There were hits and misses with the savoury food, but the sweet mainstays of Xiang Dessert and Food were absolutely wonderful. The not-so-secret secret behind this is that all the dessert ingredients are sourced and imported directly from top quality Taiwan suppliers. It's all natural and 100% fresh her, folks!
To start off, we got the Strawberry Signature Snow Ice ($6.80). Fluffy and with a light finish, yet creamy and rich, there's nothing quite like Taiwanese Snow Ice. Made using real strawberries, the authenticity of taste really hit the spot. The small dish of milk pudding served alongside was silky smooth and totally palate-pleasing.
The Mango Pomelo Sago ($7.80) may be a little pricey compared to what you would pay at normal dessert stalls, but Xiang Dessert and Food is not just an everyday dessert stall. Here, you're paying for a fantastic amalgamation of vanilla ice cream, freshly blended mango puree, diced mango, sago and pomelo in a young coconut, plus an extra glass of coconut juice on the side. Crushed ice is left out of the equation, so you are left with a high quality, thick and concentrated dessert.
Saving the best for last, we were treated to some Lava Mochi with Red Bean ($3.80), Oh my goodness, these were so good. The glutinous rice balls are filled with flowy peanut sugar paste and coasted in more peanut-sugar mix; a warm, soft and sweet creation. I couldn't help myself but order a second round of these dreamy parcels all for myself. If you're a fan of fragrant roasted peanut and doughy delights, you will undoubtedly want more of these, and by the dozens!
Overall, Xiang Dessert and Food has made a brave entry into the world of savoury dishes. It sure isn't a bad start, but changes have to be made where they are due before they can truly assert themselves as legitimate players in the Taiwanese food field. As for the sweet desserts, all I can say is to keep up the excellent work!
Xiang Dessert and Food
224 Upper Thomson Road
#01-224
S(574356)
t: +65 2234 8000
Operating Hours:
Sun - Thurs: 4pm -12am
Fri: 3pm - 1am
Sat: Closed
Written and Photographer by Jordan Ong. Jordan finds happiness in the simple: to eat and drink and find satisfaction in all her toil. Besides a deep love for artisan bread, she also has a taste for adventure, activism and anything alternative.
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