(Closed) Shin Yeh Restaurant (欣叶餐厅) – Nostalgic Taiwanese Cuisine in Liang Court

Maureen
Maureen
December 05, 2018

When someone mentions Taiwan, the first thing that comes to my mind is food. The plethora of street food at the sprawling night markets caused me to put on a few kilograms in just a few days. From 滷肉饭 (braised pork rice) and steamed buns, to beef noodles and fried chicken, the night markets have something for everyone. I think about the night markets and the delicious food more than I should, but flying to Taiwan just because of a craving is obviously out of the question. Just imagine how happy I was when I discovered Shin Yeh — a place that has all my favourite Taiwanese food.

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Established in 2008, Shin Yeh (欣叶) is a restaurant in Liang Court that offers Taiwanese cuisine. A collaboration between TungLok Group and the well-known Shin Yeh Group in Taiwan, the brand was founded in 1977 with the aim of offering simple Taiwanese home-cooked dishes. Over the years, Shin Yeh has expanded to China, Japan, and of course, Singapore!

Here are some of the dishes that you should try at Shin Yeh!

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I’m glad I had the chance to witness how the Pan-fried Turnip Cake ($14++) is made. The turnip cake was made from the simplest ingredients, which were allowed to shine in the hands of the skilful chef. The chef added a huge spoonful of preserved turnip into a bowl of eggs, before carefully pouring the mixture into a ferociously heated wok. His excellent swirling and flipping techniques yielded an even and round turnip cake. The fluffy omelette and crunchy preserved turnip is great on its own, but a quick dip in the accompanying chilli sauce sure does no harm.

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The Pan-fried Pomfret with Garlic ($48++) is one of Shin Yeh’s signature dishes. It was my favourite item of the lot. It looked enticing and tasted even better. The fragrance of the fried garlic chips perfumed the pomfret, and the slightly sour seasoning that was sprinkled over the pomfret made the perfectly-executed fish extraordinarily addictive! I couldn’t get enough of it, and I don’t think I’ve encountered a pomfret this delicious!

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I love prawns, so the Sautéed Prawns with Pineapple ($26++) was, naturally, a winner for me. If you think the dish looks amazing, you’ll be really pleased because it tasted even better than it looks. The pineapple chunks impart a refreshing tartness to the buttery, sweet, and succulent prawns, and it’s hard not to fall in love with this seemingly simple creation. The combination of crunchy golden prawns in a lightly crisp golden jacket, and house-made mayonnaise, was a stunning one that will steal the hearts of both the young and old.

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It’s not everyday that you see a crab this good looking. Can we just take a moment to admire how glorious the Steamed Crab with Glutinous Rice Cake ($35++) is? Resting on a bed of fragrant glutinous rice is a sizeable crab that will delight your senses with its freshness, sweetness, and abundant roe. Waste no time, get your fingers dirty, and dig in!

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The Wok-Seared Pig’s Liver with Coriander ($16++), which was cooked to the right doneness, is doused with a sweet and savoury dark sauce that’s been concocted specially to complement the distinct taste of iron that the liver naturally carries. If you love pig’s liver, you definitely shouldn’t miss this.

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The Braised Chicken with Garlic and Basil Leaves Served in Claypot ($18++)’s long name gives you an idea of how aromatic it can potentially be. Packed with garlic and basil leaves, the claypot dish was armed with a captivating aroma that will make you look up from your phone and ask “What smells so good?” The meaty chunks of chicken were tender and flavourful, but what stole the spotlight was the luscious gravy which was both familiar and comforting. Sure, this might seem like a common dish, but not everyone does it well like Shin Yeh.

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The Pan-fried Fresh Oysters with Scrambled Eggs ($16++) had a slightly charred exterior, and a moist and fluffy interior. Shin Yeh is generous with the amount of eggs, and it’s hard to say no to a second serving. Don’t forget to pair each bite with the tangy and spicy chilli sauce on the side.

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Do you love stews? If you do, the Braised Chinese Cabbage with Soya Pork served in Casserole ($18++) is right up your alley. Best savoured with a bowl of fluffy white rice, the piping hot bowl of goodness is chock full of braised Chinese cabbage, soya pork, and mushrooms. The nostalgia-evoking dish offers a taste of home, and might just be the dish for all who are looking for some good comfort food after a long and hard day at work.

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If you have trouble deciding which braised item you want, and wish to try a little of everything, go for the Braised Assorted Soya Meat Platter ($28++). Of the four braised items, my favourite was the lean pork in soya sauce. It had just a thin layer of fat, which made me feel less guilty about eating all five pieces. The tender pork knuckles were really lovely too. I’m glad that the pig’s intestines were cleaned properly and odourless.

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Don’t miss the sweet potato porridge which is great with just about every dish on the menu.

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A meal isn’t complete without dessert, right? Beat the heat with Shin Yeh’s Taiwan-style Mango and Milk over Shaved Ice ($8++) which is a refreshing option. Shin Yeh’s variety of hot and cold desserts will leave you spoiled for choice!

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Shin Yeh’s nostalgia-evoking dishes are excellently executed, and the ambience of the restaurant is lovely. At their Singapore outlet, there are private rooms with karaoke facilities, overlooking the Singapore River. How cool! Shin Yeh definitely does not compromise on quality, and the service here is quite impeccable. If you’re looking for awesome Taiwanese food, Shin Yeh is, no doubt, the place for you.

Shin Yeh Restaurant (欣叶餐厅)

Address: 177 River Valley Road, Liang Court Shopping Centre #02-19, Singapore 179030

Phone: +65 6338 7337

Website: http://www.shinyeh.com.sg/

Opening Hours: Lunch starts from 11:30 - 3:00PM on Mondays – Saturdays; 11:00 - 3:00PM on Sundays & Public Holidays. Dinner starts from 6:00 - 10:30PM daily.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TungLokGroup

This post is brought to you by Shin Yeh Restaurant.