If you’re stepping off the train at Bishan MRT and your stomach is already making decisions for you, Junction 8 is right there. I Love Taimei is in the basement — B1-22 — and they’re open until 9:30pm every single night. That’s enough time to grab Taiwan Popcorn Chicken, a bubble tea, and still make it home before the couch calls. No pork, no lard, and no planning required.
What’s worth stopping for near Bishan MRT
Junction 8 is one of those malls that earns its foot traffic. The basement food hall covers everything from Korean to Japanese to local favourites, and it stays busy on weekday evenings for a reason — working folks in Bishan, Sin Ming, and the surrounding heartlands have figured out it’s the most painless stop between the MRT and home.
The sweet spot for after-work eating is anything that’s fast, satisfying, and doesn’t leave you feeling heavy at 9pm. Fried chicken hits that mark. Bubble tea seals the deal. You don’t need a reservation, there’s no minimum spend, and you can be in and out in ten minutes if you’re in a rush — or you can take your time if you want a breather after the commute.
The other thing about Junction 8 after work: it’s not as frantic as Orchard or Bugis Junction. The queues move. The vibe is more neighbourhood than tourist trap.
I Love Taimei at Junction 8 — what to order
I Love Taimei has been serving Taiwanese street food in Singapore since 2009, now at 14 outlets island-wide. The Junction 8 outlet is one of the later-closing ones — 9:30pm means it stays open when some of the other basement stalls have already started stacking chairs.
The headliner here is the Taiwan popcorn chicken. These are bite-sized pieces, seasoned the Taiwanese night market way — crispy shell, juicy inside, finished with basil. It’s the kind of thing you eat standing up at a market stall in Shilin, except you’re in a Bishan basement and your office bag is still on your shoulder. Order it and eat it fresh — it doesn’t travel well, which is actually a good sign.
Beyond the popcorn chicken, the menu runs through:
- XXL Taiwan fried chicken — the full slab, lightly battered, available in a few different seasonings
- Braised Chicken Rice (lu rou fan) — proper comfort food if you want something more substantial
- Taiwan Tempura — good as a side or a snack while you wait
- Brown sugar bubble tea — the obvious pairing, and it works
Everything on the menu is prepared with no pork and no lard, which makes it a solid option for friends and colleagues with dietary preferences across the board. Note: I Love Taimei is not halal-certified.
The after-work order (recommended combo)
Here’s what the regulars tend to land on: Taiwan Popcorn Chicken plus a Brown Sugar Bubble Tea. It’s not complicated. The chicken is snackable enough that it doesn’t feel like a full sit-down meal, but substantial enough that you won’t be hungry again by the time you get home.
If you’re properly hungry — long day, skipped lunch energy — add the Braised Chicken Rice. The lu rou fan is slow-cooked, and the sauce soaks into the rice in the way that only makes sense after a draining commute.
One practical note: the popcorn chicken is made to order and arrives hot. If you’re getting bubble tea too, order both at the counter at the same time. They’ll usually be ready together.
Opening hours and getting there
I Love Taimei — Junction 8 9 Bishan Place, #B1-22, Singapore 579837 Open daily: 11:00am – 9:30pm
From Bishan MRT (North-South Line / Circle Line), Junction 8 is directly connected via covered walkway — you won’t need to step outside. Take the underground link from the station and follow signs to Junction 8. The outlet is in the basement food area.
If you’re driving, Junction 8 has multi-storey parking and the basement level is accessible from the carpark lifts.
Phone (all outlets): +65 6570 3878
The 9:30pm closing time is earlier than most of the other 13 ILTM locations around Singapore, so if you’re heading over on a weeknight, don’t cut it too close. Aim to arrive by 9pm to be comfortable.
Want to check if there’s an outlet closer to you? I Love Taimei has 14 locations island-wide from Tampines to Woodleigh to West Mall. Find your nearest one at ilovetaimei.com/places.
Or if you’d rather order ahead for delivery or pickup: go.momos.com/ilovetaimei.
Taste it for yourself — 14 outlets island-wide. No pork, no lard.
