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With how popular Chinese and Taiwanese food have become in Singapore, it’s hard to believe any of these eateries would shutter out of nowhere. And yet, +886 Bistro, a well-known Taiwanese cafe at Jalan Besar, is set to close after 31 Oct.
Opened somewhat recently in 2021, the cafe is on a stretch of shophouses with a number of other cafes and eateries.
The name +886 Bistro is an obvious reference to Taiwan’s country code, but some may not know the number was chosen for its significance to Tony, the cafe’s founder, who is half-Taiwanese. Tony’s grandmother owned an eatery in Shuanglian, Taiwan and he fondly recalls dialling the country code ‘886’ to call her.
With just a little under a month left, lovers of Taiwanese fare may want to mark their calendars. +886 Bistro has a few unique signatures that could be of interest to more adventurous foodies.
The Truffle Scallion Udon (S$9.80) puts a spin on traditional scallion chicken rice with the use of shredded chicken and replacing rice with bouncy udon noodles, with truffle oil in the mix.
Ah Bao Braised Pork Fries (S$11.80) is a plate of shoestring fries topped with braised minced pork, mayonnaise and 3 types of cheese. Well-marinated and tender, the fine meat makes this dish a step above the regular make of cheese fries and is definitely worth a try.
Of course, you can’t miss out on the affordable Ah Bao Braised Pork Rice (S$5.80), which is +886 Bistro’s rendition of the classic Taiwanese dish. Complete those meals with big slabs of Honey Glazed Crispy Chicken (S$8.80) or Imperial Pork Chop (S$8.80 for two pieces) for an authentic street food experience.
Our colleague Celest, is a big fan of the eatery and was crestfallen upon hearing the news. No reasons were provided for +886 Bistro’s impending closure but let’s hope they’ve got plans in the works.
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