I Love Taimei is not halal-certified. That’s the honest, direct answer. But here’s what matters just as much: all food at I Love Taimei is prepared with no pork and no lard โ and no beef products are served either. If you’re Muslim, dietary-conscious, or simply checking before you head out, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Not Halal Certified โ But No Pork and No Lard
This distinction matters, and we want to be clear about it.
I Love Taimei has not applied for or received halal certification from MUIS (the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura, Singapore’s Islamic religious council) or any other certifying body. If halal certification is a hard requirement for you, then ILTM cannot be confirmed as halal-certified. For reference on what halal certification in Singapore involves, you can read about MUIS’s halal certification programme.
What the brand does commit to is this: every item on the menu is made with no pork, no lard. That phrase comes directly from I Love Taimei’s official brand description โ it’s not a marketing tagline, it’s a kitchen policy. Pork and lard simply aren’t used in the preparation of any food here. No beef either.
The menu is built around chicken, tofu, mushrooms, sweet potato, and Taiwan-style drinks โ so you get a clear picture of what you’re eating before you order. The brand describes itself as “made for everyone to enjoy,” and the no-pork, no-lard kitchen policy is central to that. It’s a meaningful middle ground: not a halal-certified restaurant, but a genuinely pork-free and lard-free one.
Read the story behind why ILTM chose this kitchen policy โ it goes back to 2009 and the decision to make Taiwanese street food accessible across Singapore’s multi-faith community.
What Dietary Options Are Available?
I Love Taimei’s menu has more options for dietary-conscious visitors than most Taiwan street food spots. Here’s a practical breakdown.
Vegetarian-friendly items: – Tofu Fries โ probably the most-loved item on the menu that most people overlook. Fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside. – Sweet Potato Fries โ served with Sour Plum powder, which gives them a sweet-sour kick that works really well. – Golden Enoki Mushrooms โ lightly seasoned, another crowd favourite among non-meat eaters.
These three items contain no meat and are prepared in a no-pork, no-lard kitchen. They pair well together as a shareable spread, and you can customise the seasoning powders on any of them. Worth knowing if you’re visiting with friends who eat meat โ the vegetarian options here hold their own.
No beef: You won’t find any beef products on the menu. At all. This is relevant for diners who avoid beef for religious reasons โ whether that’s Hindu dietary practice or personal preference.
Chicken is the main protein. The star of the show is the XXL Taiwan Fried Chicken โ a massive, crispy cutlet that’s been marinating in ILTM’s signature blend before it hits the fryer. No pork batter. No lard in the oil.
Customisation powders: You can season most items with Mala (numbing spice), Seaweed, Cheese, Garlic Seafood, or Sour Plum. Spice levels run from non-spicy all the way to extra hot โ you’re fully in control.
Drinks: The Brown Sugar Bubble Tea is the signature drink. No pork, no lard, and no beef in anything you’re sipping. For a full run-down of what’s on the menu, check the complete ILTM menu guide.
Which ILTM Items Are Safe for Different Dietary Needs?
Here’s a quick reference guide depending on your situation:
If you avoid pork and lard: All items on the menu qualify โ the entire kitchen operates on a no-pork, no-lard policy.
If you’re looking for vegetarian options: Stick to Tofu Fries, Sweet Potato Fries with Sour Plum, and Golden Enoki Mushrooms. Pair them with the Brown Sugar Bubble Tea or any of the flavoured teas.
If you need halal certification: I Love Taimei is not halal-certified. You’ll need to make that call based on your own personal or religious standard. The kitchen is pork-free and lard-free, but certification from MUIS is not in place.
If you avoid beef: No beef is served at I Love Taimei. You’re good across the entire menu.
If you have other allergens to check: The safest step is to ask the crew at any outlet directly before ordering. They’re used to the question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is I Love Taimei halal-certified by MUIS? No. I Love Taimei has not applied for or received halal certification from MUIS or any other certifying body. The brand is explicitly not halal-certified.
Can Muslims eat at I Love Taimei? That depends on your personal standard. ILTM’s kitchen uses no pork, no lard, and no beef โ so the ingredients themselves don’t conflict with halal dietary rules. However, the brand lacks formal halal certification from MUIS, which some Muslim diners require. The decision is yours to make based on what matters to you.
What does “no pork, no lard” actually mean? It means zero pork products โ no bacon, no ham, no pork belly, no lard in the cooking oil โ anywhere on the menu or in the kitchen. This isn’t a seasonal promotion or a limited-time offer; it’s a permanent kitchen policy that has been in place since ILTM opened in 2009. Every single item, from the fried chicken to the bubble tea, is prepared without pork or lard.
Why hasn’t I Love Taimei pursued halal certification?
[FACT-CHECK NEEDED: official reason ILTM hasn't pursued MUIS halal certification] The brand has not publicly explained this decision. Common factors in the F&B industry include supply chain requirements (not all vendors carry MUIS-eligible certifications), the cost and operational changes certification requires, and strategic preference for the “made for everyone” framing over religion-specific marketing. If you need halal-certified Taiwanese fried chicken in Singapore, Fried Chicken Master is a Taiwan-origin brand that carries halal certification.
Is I Love Taimei suitable for Hari Raya or Ramadan gatherings? The no-pork, no-lard kitchen policy makes ILTM a practical choice for multi-faith gatherings during Hari Raya, Ramadan, or Vesak Day โ everyone at the table can eat from the same tray. Read more about ILTM for Vesak Day family meals. That said, whether it meets your personal halal standard is a decision only you can make.
Are the seasoning powders halal? The seasoning powders (Mala, Seaweed, Cheese, Garlic Seafood, Sour Plum) contain no pork or lard ingredients. However, because ILTM is not halal-certified, we cannot make a halal claim about any individual ingredient or powder.
Does I Love Taimei use cross-contamination controls? Since the entire kitchen operates without pork or lard, there is no risk of pork cross-contamination. All items share the same cooking environment โ which is itself free of pork and lard.
Where to Find I Love Taimei
I Love Taimei has 14 outlets across Singapore โ so there’s likely one near you.
Bugis Junction 230 Victoria St, #B1-K11 to 11A, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188024 Open daily: 11:00 AM โ 10:00 PM
Junction 8 (Bishan) 9 Bishan Place, #B1-22, Singapore 579837 Open daily: 11:00 AM โ 9:30 PM
Northpoint City (Yishun) 1 Northpoint Drive, #B2-115, South Wing of Northpoint City, Singapore 768019 Open daily: 11:00 AM โ 10:00 PM
For the full list of all 14 outlets with updated hours, use the store finder: https://ilovetaimei.com/places/
If you visit regularly, the I Love Taimei membership is worth checking out โ it gives you points, perks, and early access to new items across all outlets.
Ready to check the full I Love Taimei menu and see everything that’s on offer? Or order online right now: https://go.momos.com/ilovetaimei
Related Reading
- I Love Taimei FAQ โ more common questions about menu, outlets, and dietary
- Vesak Day No-Pork Taiwan Food in Singapore โ multi-faith family meals at ILTM
- The Story Behind I Love Taimei โ Phoebe and Yadah’s 2009 origin + the “no pork, no lard” decision
- What is I Love Taimei? The Singapore Brand Explained โ full brand overview
- Fried Chicken Master Singapore โ halal-certified Taiwan-origin fried chicken alternative
- Taiwan Night Market Food in Singapore โ the street food inspiration behind ILTM’s menu
Sources cited: – I Love Taimei Official FAQ Page – I Love Taimei Store Finder – MUIS Halal Certification Programme
Taste it for yourself โ 14 outlets island-wide. No pork, no lard.
