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Shenkeng Old Street nestled within the district of New Taipei City is renowned as the heart of stinky tofu culture in Taiwan. With its quaint heritage buildings and tantalizing aromas wafting through the air, this historic street offers visitors a taste of traditional Taiwanese cuisine amidst a backdrop of folklore and charm.

Read more: [TAIWAN TRAVELS] Exploring Shenkeng 深坑區 Old Street- A Stinky Tofu Adventure in Taipei | Taiwan

Shenkeng, aptly named for its once-active coal mines, has evolved into the tofu capital of Taiwan, drawing food enthusiasts from far and wide to indulge in its most infamous delicacy: stinky tofu. Made by fermenting tofu in brine and spices, this aromatic dish elicits a range of reactions, from delight to disdain. However, amidst the diverse opinions, one thing remains clear – stinky tofu holds a special place in Taiwanese culinary heritage.

Shenkeng Street may be shorter than some of Taipei’s other old streets, but it still offers a charming atmosphere worth exploring for 2-4 hours. Consider extending your visit by planning a trip to Maokong, The Tea Haven, conveniently located nearby. Whether you prefer a pre-purchased day tour for hassle-free transportation and travel planning or a more flexible free-and-easy option, the choice depends on your personal preferences.

Tips: Pre-purchase your day tour ticket here. 
Quote "HAZELOFF" to enjoy S$5 off when you book with KLOOK.

How to Get to Shenkeng Old Street

To reach Shenkeng Old Street in Taipei, you have several transportation options:

• MRT: Board the MRT heading towards Muzha Station (Brown Line), then transfer to bus 0 (red 31) at the station exit. Disembark at Shenkeng Old Street Stop.
• Bus: Catch a bus from Taipei City Hall Bus Station or Taipei Zoo Bus Station. Opt for bus numbers 236, 237, 282, 282 Shuttle, 306, 306 Shuttle, 666, or 795, and alight at Shenkeng Old Street Stop.
• Hiring a Taxi: Direct a taxi to Shenkeng Old Street, ensuring you mention “Shenkeng Laojie” (深坑老街) to the driver.
• Driving or Riding a Scooter: If you’re driving, access National Freeway No. 3 or No. 5, then exit at Nangang or Xizhi Interchange. Follow the signage directing you to Shenkeng Old Street.

What Is The Must-Try Food in Shenkeng Old Street?

Stinky Tofu Varieties: Delight in the diverse selection of tofu, including regular tofu, stinky tofu, dessert tofu, fried stinky tofu, BBQ stinky tofu, tofu cheese, tofu cake, sweet tofu drink, dried tofu, and the signature burnt-flavored tofu ice cream. Each variation offers a unique texture and taste, showcasing Shenkeng’s rich tofu tradition.

Tofu Ice Cream: Treat yourself to the unique fusion of creamy tofu and sweet ice cream flavors with tofu ice cream. Its distinctive burnt flavor, emblematic of Shenkeng, offers a refreshing and memorable dessert experience.

Chicken Butt Skewer: Indulge in the savory delight of chicken butt skewers, expertly grilled to perfection and seasoned with a tantalizing blend of spices. This popular street food choice promises a burst of flavor in every bite, making it a must-try snack while exploring Shenkeng Old Street.

Fermented Tofu: Enhance your porridge/ meal experience by bringing home some fermented tofu, a perfect accompaniment available in various flavors such as sweet, sour, and spicy. Packaged in bottles of two different sizes, the store owner will ensure secure packaging for easy transport back to Singapore. Simply check the date on the cap to ferment it before indulging. With a long shelf life of several months, you can enjoy its deliciousness for an extended period.

Whether it’s a full-day excursion or just a few hours of exploration, I found the experience here immensely enjoyable. With fewer tourists around, it’s easier to immerse oneself in the local culture and truly appreciate the surroundings. Additionally, the friendly locals contribute to making the visit even more pleasant.

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Exploring Taiwanese cuisine in Singapore often leads to encounters with familiar street food offerings, but Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine at Leisure Park Kallang stands out by presenting a menu that delves into authentic home-style Taiwanese dishes. Unlike its counterparts, this restaurant takes a departure from the typical street fare, offering a delightful array of home-style Taiwanese dishes that go beyond the usual oyster mee sua and fried chicken cutlet.

Read more: [SG EATS] Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine – Taiwanese Restaurant at Leisure Park Kallang

Song Yue’s menu is a celebration of produce-driven Taiwanese cuisine inspired by the countryside, providing a dining experience rarely found in the city. Noteworthy is their exceptional beverage selection, featuring Taiwanese teas sourced directly from small family tea farms across the island, expertly brewed by an in-house certified tea specialist.

Starting with the Taiwanese-style home-pickled chilled dishes, including Pickled Cherry Tomatoes with Sour Plums and crunchy Pickled Cabbage and Radish. The appetizers were a refreshing introduction to the meal.

The Traditional Ginger Duck ( S$19.90++ | S$36.90++) , a Taiwan-famous dish, showcased uber-tender duck chunks with thick ginger pieces and black sesame oil. Comforting and flavorful experience. So good that I had two bowls of the soup.

Crispy You-Tiao Pineapple Prawns (S$18.90++) showcase prawns coated in a crunchy batter, stir-fried with pineapples, and drizzled with a delicate citrusy mayonnaise dressing. Song Yue’s version elevates the dish by incorporating handmade dough fritters filled with a meticulously blended mixture of squid and prawn paste, providing an extra layer of both texture and flavor.

The Salt and Pepper Pomfret with Crispy Garlic Chips ( S$35.90++) , a twist on the classic salt and pepper chicken. We were impressed with its well-executed crispy batter and delightful seasoning, especially the crunchy garlic chips all over the fish.

A standout on the menu is the Farm Chicken with Spring Onion (S$18.90++| S$33.90++) , featuring tender and flavorful chicken topped with a generous amount of fresh spring onion. I was pleasantly surprised by the tenderness and flavorful taste of the chicken, which uses local kampong chicken. The dish is generously topped with fresh spring onions, enhancing the overall chicken flavor. I recommend ordering this to share for big group gatherings.

Priced at S$18.90, the Slow-Braised Pork Ribs with White Radish stands out with the pronounced presence of the white radish. While the prime ribs offer a flavor profile in line with expectations, it is the white radish that truly absorbs the rich essence of the soy-based sauce, enhanced with a medley of herbs.

For those seeking a more indulgent option, the Cabbage and Hokkaido Scallop Stone Pot Rice (S$19.90++| S$32.90++) presented a flavorful combination of charred rice, sweet cabbage, and plump scallops. This rice dish features Grade 1 short-grained rice harvested in ‘Tai Chung’ and is served in a piping hot stone pot, imparting a delightful smoky flavor to the rice. The seared Hokkaido scallops add a luxurious touch, and portions of the rice being crispy and crusty gives an extra texture.

The Silken Tofu with Pumpkin and Crabmeat ( S$18.90++), featuring sweet golden pumpkin from Taiwan. This dish provides a lighter option, though a bit more crabmeat would have enhanced the dish.

The Crispy Eggs with Black Sesame Oil (S$16.90++), a Taiwanese household favorite, featured four fried sunny-side-ups cooked in a sweet-savory sauce with Taiwan-imported black sesame oil. Delightful combination of runny yolks and crispy sides in a sweet-savory sauce, though some might find the price a bit steep.

Another noteworthy dish is Ah Ma’s Rice Vermicelli and Taro Soup (S$19.90++/ S$32.90++ ). This dish features fine rice vermicelli from Xin Zhu, immersed in a flavorful pork bone broth. The soup is complemented by sliced pork belly, lala, shiitake mushrooms, and sweet taro chunks. To my delight, the rice noodles maintained a pleasing firmness despite being immersed in the piping-hot soup – a welcome surprise for someone who dislikes soggy noodles. The full-bodied broth struck a perfect balance, not overly salty, allowing me to savor every bit of it with a satisfying slurp.

The restaurant’s ambiance accommodates up to 120 diners, with open and spacious seating, including private dining rooms for more intimate gatherings. While the middle seats lack some intimacy, the booth seats on the side provide a cozier atmosphere. Located conveniently at Leisure Park Kallang, a short walk from Stadium MRT Station, Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine offers a homely and well-executed dining experience with reasonable prices – making it a worthy choice for a family meal.

Address: Song Yue Taiwan Cuisine

5 Stadium Walk

#01-38/39 Leisure Park Kallang

Singapore 397693
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 11:30am to 3:30pm | 5:00PM to 9:00PM

Friday-Saturday 11:30AM to 3:30PM | 5:00PM to 9:30PM
Tel: 6988 3322

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