While a trip to Taipei may sound too far away, you can have a taste of Taiwan with the arrival of Yu Ba Fang 御八方.
The famous chain known for its Pan-Fried Dumplings 锅贴 (Guo Tie) and Steamed Dumplings 水饺 (Shui Jiao), has opened with a kiosk at Raffles City basement.
The original name for the brand is “Bafang Yunji”.
This joins several new Taiwanese concepts in Singapore including Abundance (Lengkok Bahru), , +886 Taiwanese Bistro (Jalan Besar), to Isshin Machi (Selegie).
The menu at Yu Ba Fang is divided into sections of Pan-Fried Dumplings, Dumplings (Shui Jiao), Rice, Noodles, Sncks, Soup and Drinks.
The Pan-Fried Dumpings come with 8 pieces per serving, with choices of YBF Classic Signature ($10.90), Hualien Ji’an Fragrant Chives ($10.90), Golden Sweet Corn Chicken ($10.90), Super QQ Fresh Prawn, and Jeju Island Korean Spicy Flavour Pan-Fried Dumplings.
Note that not all flavours are available yet, though I would recommend a Double Mix Combination of any 2 flavours at the same price.
The wait was around 40 minutes or so (possibly longer after this post gets out.) There is no buzzer system so you have to take note of the order number, and it would be called out when ready.
All the dumplings are made fresh in-store. Accordingly, each dumpling is exactly 28 grams in weight and bursting with flavour.
The fried dumplings are known to achieve the balance of being light and crispy on the outside, whilst remaining deliciously-juicy on the inside.
With that said, I wondered if this would work better in an eatery than kiosk concept. After I got my bag, I immediately rushed home (without shopping around) to eat.
The Pan-Fried Dumplings already lost some of its crispiness; though I could imagine there would be that hot, light crisp when eaten on the spot.
I had the YBF Classic Signature, and while I won’t say it was bursting with juices, it was adequately moist (though not something a good gyoza shop in Singapore cannot offer).
The YBF Special Minced Pork Rice ($7.90, top up $1 for combo with egg and side or drink) is their version of Rou Zao Fan – which looks similar but contains differences to the Lu Rou Fan we are used to.
Rou Zao Fan typically uses ground pork instead of a fattier cut of pork belly, and so you do not totally get the melt-in-mouth sensation.
To be fair, this braised meat was quite tasty and flavourful, though rice was cooked to the mushier side.
The accompanying Alisan Tea Egg ($1.50 ala carte order) was unfortunately not ”ru wei or submerged in the sauce enough, and therefore lacked that tea flavour and dark soy sauce taste. Could be the weakest link.
My favourite item of all was actually the Gourmet Grounded Soymilk ($2.50) with that smoothness and nuttiness that momentarily took me to Taiwan. I was so glad I bought two cups – it has that taste of Taiwan.
Yu Ba Fang 御八方
252 North Bridge Road #B1-54 Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Other Related Entries
10 Taiwanese Cafes In Singapore
Abundance (Lengkok Bahru)
+886 Taiwanese Bistro (Jalan Besar)
Isshin Machi (Selegie)
Eat 3 Bowls 呷三碗車站 (Pasir Panjang)
* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
