Step aboard 886 Taiwan Ye Shi for Shifen-inspired interiors and plenty of dishes to satisfy your next Taiwan craving.
Missing Taiwan lately but can’t afford the airfare? We found the next best thing: 886 Taiwan Ye Shi at Changi Airport Terminal 3. True to its name, this new restaurant in Singapore is all about Taiwanese food, which should plug that little hole in your heart that yearns for the island’s comforting flavours. Plus, you won’t need to pack your bags or clear immigration! But can this dining spot really transport you somewhere you’d rather be?
886 Taiwan Ye Shi review: Details at a glance
Best for: Taiwanese comfort eats without the flight prices
Must-try items: Signature XO fried rice; deep fried xiao long bao; signature soy pudding
How much: Signature trio bowl set at $15.90; noodles from $13.90; sides from $5.90; desserts from $6.90; drinks from $4.90
Opening hours: Daily, 10.30am to 10.30pm
Address: 886 Taiwan Ye Shi, B2-40/40A, Changi Airport Terminal 3 (Public Area), 65 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819663
All aboard for Taiwan
886 Taiwan Ye Shi is designed as a full-size replica of a vintage Taiwanese train cabin, with railway tracks running through the space and glowing sky lanterns overhead. If you squint hard enough, you can just imagine yourself back at Shifen Old Street, except you can’t release the lanterns here. (But you can do that digitally at the entrance if you want to complete the experience.)
I appreciate the little quirks – it feels like the restaurant is going for a fun, “inspired by” vibe as opposed to “you’ll really feel like you’ve landed in Taiwan”. My colleague, who tagged along for lunch, begged to differ. “Oh, I thought the place would look like a Taiwanese night market,” she said. You can’t please everybody, I suppose.
The restaurant is just a stone’s throw from the MRT exit, so getting here is easy breezy. If you’re heading by bus, it’s just a quick walk from the Terminal 3 basement bus bay.
One-way ticket to comfort food
The menu is a sprawling tour of Taiwanese street food, rice bowls, and familiar sides. I suggest kicking off your meal with the assorted deep fried xiao long baos (from $5.90). The skin was delightfully crispy and the chicken filling was moreish and generous, but if you’re up for a good kick, the mala baos pack a punch.
You can also enjoy a selection of liang ban (cold dishes, from $1.80), available near the entrance. Most are your standard sides, though I particularly enjoyed the jellyfish. It had a soft, slightly chewy texture and just enough spice to perk things up.
Still couldn’t decide what to get by this point? The signature trio bowl set ($15.90) is a safe pick. You get to tuck into beef lu rou fan (Taiwanese braised beef rice), oyster mee sua, and scallion oil chicken rice, all for the price of one. Out of the three, I liked the mee sua the most. The full-flavoured soup, paired with juicy oysters, made for a delightful bowl to slurp up.
For mains, my colleague and I ordered the jiang mu ji la mian (ginger chicken noodles, $13.90) and signature XO fried rice ($16.90). We couldn’t decide which one we coveted more, though eventually, the rice won, thanks to its strong XO flavours and juicy prawns.
Time to sweeten the deal
Taiwan is famous for its bubble teas and milk teas, so obviously we couldn’t dine here without ordering them. 886 Taiwan Ye Shi’s signature bubble milk tea ($5.50) is made with red and jasmine tea. There’s no clear winner this time ‘round – both are equally good. The jasmine lends a floral touch, while the red tea makes the drink fuller-bodied.
Sweeten your dining experience further by having the signature soy pudding ($6.90). This dessert bowl is brimming with goodies like silky beancurd, chewy taro balls, brown sugar pearls, red bean, and grass jelly.
Before you leave, be sure to check out the shelf near the entrance for more Taiwanese goodies. You can grab the classic pineapple cakes ($16.80), snowflake cakes ($15.80), lava egg rolls ($16.80), and more. Or just skip the sweets and get your hands on the adorable mini lanterns (from $3.90) for a lovely reminder of Taiwan in your home.
Is 886 Taiwan Ye Shi worth visiting?
There aren’t a lot of Taiwanese food options in Singapore, so 886 Taiwan Ye Shi’s entry into our food scene is very much welcome. I appreciate that there’s no pork or lard on the menu, and the restaurant tells us it’s currently in the process of obtaining halal certification. Yes, another halal food spot in Singapore is incoming!
Overall, I’d say it was a pleasant dining experience. Taiwan isn’t high on my list of preferred travel destinations, but after spending some time at 886 Taiwan Ye Shi, I’m actually considering a trip there. Funny what a good meal can do to your travel plans, eh?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the name 886?
It refers to Taiwan’s international calling code, +886. It also has a playful connection to the Taiwanese internet slang “bye bye”, which is particularly apt for a restaurant located in an airport.
Do I need to be flying to eat at 886 Taiwan Ye Shi?
No. The restaurant is located in the public area of Changi Airport Terminal 3, so you can visit even if you’re not catching a flight.
What should I order at 886 Taiwan Ye Shi?
Start with the jiang mu ji la mian, signature XO fried rice, or signature trio bowl set. For something sweet, the signature soy pudding comes loaded with toppings including taro balls, brown sugar pearls, grass jelly and red beans.
How much does 886 Taiwan Ye Shi cost?
Prices are relatively wallet-friendly for an airport restaurant, with mains starting from around $8.90. The trio bowl set is $15.90, noodles start from $13.90, and desserts from $6.90.
Is 886 Taiwan Ye Shi halal-certified?
The restaurant was reported to be in the process of obtaining halal certification, so it’s best to check with the restaurant directly for the latest certification status before visiting. The menu is strictly pork-free and lard-free.
Does 886 Taiwan Ye Shi accept reservations?
The restaurant is currently listed as walk-in only, with no reservations being accepted.
