Taiwan Ichiban Opens at Paya Lebar Square – Filling a Gap Left by 5 Little Bears

Regular visitors to Paya Lebar Square who once queued at 5 Little Bears will find the basement level a familiar sight again. Taiwan Ichiban has moved into the same unit that the popular Taiwanese eatery vacated after years of operation. The signage is bolder, the seating area is more spacios, and the menu, while different in detail, covers much of the same ground.

Taiwan Ichiban at Paya Lebar Square

Taiwan Ichiban began as a modest operation built around night-market snacks. Over time, it expanded into retail and institutional settings across Singapore. The Paya Lebar Square outlet is its latest outpost.

The interior is clean and functional. Warm timber-toned panelling lines the walls, and square wooden tables with low stools fill the dining area. The space is brightly lit. There is a self-service model in place. Diners order at a counter or kiosk and collect their orders when their numbers are called.

The Menu of Taiwan Ichiban

The menu of Taiwan Ichiban at Paya Lebar Square divides into two broad sections. One covers Taiwanese rice sets, labelled “台式便当 Rice Bento,” and the other covers snacks and signature bites under “台湾招牌小吃.” A short list of noodles and soups rounds things out, along with drinks ranging from freshly brewed teas to milk teas. Below are pictures of the menu boards.

Rice sets run between $6.80 and $11.80. Options include Honey Chicken Chop Rice, Salted Crispy Chicken Rice, Teriyaki Chicken Rice, Ma La Chicken Chop Rice, Taiwanese BBQ Pork Rice, and Taiwanese Diced Beef Rice, among others. Noodle dishes such as Braised Beef Noodles and Oyster Mee Sua extend the offering further. Snack items include chicken chops, fish tempura, and crispy sweet potato fries.

What We Ate

Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice (台式卤肉饭) — $6.80

The Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice is perhaps the most recognisable dish on the menu and a personal favourite. Taiwan Ichiban’s version was a bowl of steamed white rice topped with a generous mound of braised pork, diced finely and slow-cooked in a dark soy-based sauce. A braised egg, pickled mustard greens, and a small portion of pickled radish and carrots accompanied the pork. The meat was rich and savoury, and the remaining ingredients worked well together, each contributing without overpowering the others. It was a straightforward, satisfying rice bowl that held its own against versions served at dedicated Taiwanese restaurants elsewhere in Singapore. At $6.80, it was good value for good comfort food.

Taiwanese Sweet and Sour Chicken Rice (台式酸甜鸡饭) — $9.80

The Taiwanese Sweet and Sour Chicken Rice featured boneless pieces of chicken coated in seasoned batter and fried until the exterior formed a firm crust. The interior remained moist. The sweet and sour sauce drizzled over the chicken was well-balanced and not overly tangy.

The plate was substantial. Stir-fried cabbage with scattered egg, long beans, a handful of thick-cut potato fries and halved braised egg were part of the dish. The combination meant there were multiple textures contrasts within a single plate. It was a filling meal at a very reasonable price.

Affordable Taiwanese Street Food

Taiwan Ichiban at Paya Lebar Square offers affordable, well-prepared food drawn from the tradition of Taiwanese street food and bento culture. The dining area is comfortable for a solo lunch or a small group. The restaurant suits patrons looking for a no-frills weekday meal. The range of rice and noodle dishes on the menu makes it a reasonable family option as well.

Ratings:
Food: 3
Service: NA
Value: 4
Atmosphere: 3
Overall Rating: 3 TOPs

Taiwan Ichiban
Paya Lebar Square #B1-09/10
60 Paya Lebar Road
Singapore 409051

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