Xiao Bar Wang (OUB Centre)

After my first trip to Taiwan last year, I have been missing their mouthwatering street snacks. Of course, we can’t get possibly get the exact flavors in Singapore, but Xiao Bar Wang definitely has some Taiwanese snacks that can curb my cravings.

Former MediaCorp actor Jeff Wang (王建復) first opened Xiao Bar Wang (小霸王，it means little tyrant) at Tampines 1 in 2009, and has now expanded to 4 outlets, with the latest outlet at One Raffles Place (Former OUB Centre). Jeff’s family opens food stalls in Taiwan so he is definitely not a new comer in the F&B industry. His relative Serena Wang takes care of the food in all the outlets and ensure that they are consistent. Serena makes everything on premises as they don’t have a central kitchen.

 Oyster Mee Sua (O-Ah-Mi-Sua) is a famous must-try Taiwanese snack from the Shilin night market. I am a fan of mee sua but not oysters. Thankfully, Xiao Bar Wang replaces the oyster with meat balls（肉羹面线，$3.40）. Its soup is made from pork bones, cooked to a layer of thick starchy broth. Topped with garlic and parsley leaves, this dish is best eaten piping hot.

In Taiwan, Braised pork with rice (古早味卤肉饭，$4.10) can be minced pork or pork cubes depending on which area of Taiwan you have this. In Xiao Bar Wang, their pork cubes are said to braise for 2 days. However, I felt it lacks of flavor and is too dry. Perhaps it is better to use pork with a bit of fat like belly or shoulder.

Not long ago, I had the Japanese Style cold noodles (Hiyashi Chuka Soba) from Shin Sapporo. Now, I tasted the taiwanese version of cold noodles 祖传凉面（$3.10）here. Two types of cold noodles from two different countries, different kind of flavours but I love them both.

When you think of Taiwan, the first thing that you think of is probably their fried chicken. The Mega Crispy Chicken（超霸鸡排，$5.30）is really huge – 2 big slices of chicken. Their crispy chicken has a spicy and aromatic crust, the meat is tender on the inside, and crispy on the outside.

Unfortunately, when I was there for dinner that day, their mushroom & pork porridge（香菇肉粥, $3.10）had sold out. I heard it is a popular Taiwanese breakfast and one of the must-trys here.

The One Raffles Place branch is the largest outlet so far. With a seating capacity up to 40 pax, you can enjoy authentic taiwanese snacks which is not available in other branches.

What touches me is that, Xiao Bar Wang and a team of volunteers went to Cambodia in May to do charity work in a village. Working with Operation Hope Foundation, they distributed food and build houses. And they sold tissue packs as a way to raise funds to for this cause. If there is such mission next year, I would definitely love to help!