秋柳酒店

Sur- moved to Central district in 2023 and now occupies the third floor of a quaint building. The minimalist room dotted with wooden furniture and vintage couches sports dark colours. The owner-chef elevates everyday Taiwanese ingredients to haute cuisine using traditional techniques like tempering, charbroiling and smoking in the tasting menu that changes every season. The wine and zero-proof pairings are highly recommended.

Stained glass windows and wooden shelving contrast beautifully against the cement walls of this noodle shop. The owner used to run a private kitchen specialising in Jiangzhe cooking. The menu thus revolves around noodles from Jiangzhe area, along with some Sichuanese options. The side dishes she makes every morning are also a reason to visit – try the bitter melon simmered with rock sugar if available. Open 3 days a week. Check social media before visiting.

One of the most famous spots in town for braised pork trotters, this shop keeps the liquid gold – made with soy, rock sugar, chillis and shallots – on a gentle simmer all day, hence the comforting aroma. While trotters are prized for their gelatinous texture, upper leg cuts strike a fine balance between fat, skin and meat. Drizzle the steamed rice with a spoon of marinade. A dab of the house-made bird’s eye chilli sauce cuts through the richness.

This unpretentious joint, tucked away in a residential alley, feels homely and relaxing. Each guest is expected to order at least one set menu with a main, rice, and either soup or drinks. The Taichungese rice works well with Taiwanese, Southeast Asian and Japanese dishes. Popular mains include Kung Pao chicken with cashew nuts or golden curry omelette. Everything is sourced and certified from small local farms.

This late-night supper venue is perfect for night owls, and the later it gets, the busier it becomes. Unsurprisingly, braised pork rice is the bestseller – freshly slaughtered pork is stewed in soy, sugar, wine and shallot until gelatinous and bouncy. Top with pickles or spicy dried radish to cut through the richness. Served in bento boxes, the rice comes with sides like shredded bamboo shoot, braised napa cabbage and fried tofu.

In 2018, Shan Shin opened this spinoff serving healthy Taiwanese cooking in a cosy, sun-drenched space in a detached villa. Quality local ingredients such as Guanshan rice from Taitung and family pork from Changhua are crafted into novel Taiwanese dishes available in individual portions. The crossover between coffee and local food culture is interesting – try the coffee vinaigrette in the set menu and sip a fresh brew at the end of your meal.

(The restaurant is temporarily closed.) JL is Jimmy Lim, a Singaporean chef who honed his skills in world-famous kitchens. His single evening set menu pays tribute to his heritage and experience with original creations that strike a fine balance of flavours. The dishes are complex, sophisticated and understated with an element of surprise. Singaporean staples like satay and chilli crab are re-imagined in ingenious forms and textures that playfully subvert expectations.