If you’re searching for Taiwan food near Bugis MRT, I Love Taimei at Bugis Junction is your closest and most satisfying option. Located on Basement 1 of Bugis Junction mall, just two minutes from Exit C of Bugis MRT, the outlet serves handcrafted Taiwanese street food — the famous XXL Taiwan Fried Chicken, Braised Chicken Rice (Lu Rou Fan), and Brown Sugar Bubble Tea. Open daily from 11am to 10pm, it’s a convenient stop for lunch, after-work supper, or a post-shopping snack in one of Singapore’s busiest city-centre neighbourhoods.
What is Taiwan food, anyway?
Taiwan food is not a single dish — it’s a whole vibe. Think night markets stretching from Taipei to Tainan, where you walk past stall after stall of sizzling satay, steaming rice bowls, and bubbling pots of sweet drinks. The culture revolves around small plates, shared snacks, and the kind of food you eat standing up with a friend while people-watching.
In Singapore, that usually translates to a few categories: fried chicken, braised rice bowls, tempura-style snacks, and bubble tea. Explore a full guide to Taiwanese food in Singapore here. The beauty of it is that you don’t need a full sit-down meal to get your fix — a single order of popcorn chicken and a milk tea is already a proper Taiwanese meal. Read more about how I Love Taimei brings Taiwan’s night market spirit to Singapore.
Why Bugis is a great place for Taiwan food
Bugis MRT is an interchange station on both the East-West Line and Downtown Line, which means it catches commuters from all over the island — Orchard, Marina Bay, Little India, Tampines, even Jurong if you’re feeling ambitious. The foot traffic is genuinely massive, and Bugis Junction mall sits right on top of the station.
The area has always been a food destination. Before the MRT even existed, Bugis was known for its hawker stalls and budget eateries. Today, it’s a mix of mall food courts, independent cafes, and yes — I Love Taimei on the basement level. What makes Bugis special for Taiwan food specifically is its position: you’re close enough to the city centre for tourists exploring Haji Lane and Arab Street, but it’s also a genuine commuter hub where office workers from Victoria Street and Raffles Place actually eat during the day.
What to order at I Love Taimei Bugis Junction
The outlet carries the full I Love Taimei menu, same as all 14 locations island-wide. Here’s what’s worth your money:
XXL Taiwan Fried Chicken — This is the headliner. A whole slab of chicken, lightly battered and fried till crispy. It’s big enough to share with a friend or small enough to eat by yourself if you’re feeling brave. The 24-hour marination process is what separates it from regular fried chicken — the flavour goes deep into the meat, not just sitting on the crust. If you’re curious about what makes Taiwan fried chicken different from what you’ve had before, our guide to thigh vs. breast cuts in Taiwan fried chicken breaks down exactly why the cut matters.
Braised Chicken Rice (Lu Rou Fan) — If you want something more substantial, this is it. Slow-braised chicken in a rich soy-based sauce over steamed rice. It’s the kind of comfort food that hits different after a long day at work — warm, savoury, and deeply satisfying. A proper bowl of lu rou fan is the sort of meal that turns a rough afternoon around.
Brown Sugar Bubble Tea — The drink that everyone photographs and nobody admits is actually this good. Brown sugar caramel swirls through fresh milk with chewy tapioca pearls. It’s sweet but not cloying, and the pearls have that perfect bounce. Good as a standalone treat or the perfect finish to fried chicken.
Taiwan Popcorn Chicken — Bite-sized, crispy, and seasoned the night market way. These are made to order and arrive hot — best eaten standing at the counter while you scroll through your phone. Perfect for when you’re hungry but not quite ready for a full meal.
All of these are prepared with no pork and no lard, which makes I Love Taimei a genuinely inclusive option for groups with different dietary preferences. The brand is not halal-certified, but the no-pork-no-lard commitment covers a lot of ground.
Getting there and opening hours
I Love Taimei Bugis Junction 230 Victoria St, #B1-K11 to 11A, Bugis Junction Singapore 188024
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00am – 10:00pm
From Bugis MRT (EWL or DTL), take Exit C toward Bugis Junction. Walk straight into the mall and head down to Basement 1. The outlet is right there in the food area — you can’t really miss it if you follow the smell of fried chicken.
If you’re coming from Orchard or Dhoby Ghaut, it’s just one stop on the EWL. From Rochor or Little India, that’s two stops on the DTL. Bugis is also well-connected by bus, with stops along Victoria Street and Queen Street.
The 10pm closing time covers lunch, dinner, and a late snack run. If you want to skip the counter queue entirely, order online for pickup or delivery.
Taste it for yourself — 14 outlets island-wide. No pork, no lard.
