There's something about Taiwan's night markets that stays with you.

Maybe it's the noise β€” the sizzle of deep fryers, the chatter of crowds weaving between stalls. Maybe it's the smell β€” basil, five spice, caramelised sweet potato. Or maybe it's just the feeling of holding something hot and crispy in your hands at midnight, completely satisfied.

For Singaporeans who've been to Shilin, Raohe, or Fengjia, that memory is vivid. And for those who haven't β€” I Love Taimei is the closest you'll get without boarding a flight.

What Makes Taiwan Night Market Food Special?

Taiwan's night markets aren't just about food. They're about a particular kind of abundance β€” dozens of stalls packed into a street, each one doing one or two things exceptionally well. There's no menu padding. No fine dining pretension. Just honest, flavour-forward street food perfected over decades.

The greatest hits that most Singaporeans know:

I Love Taimei focuses on the portable, craveable core: fried chicken and tea. And they've been doing it since 2009.

β†’ I Love Taimei Singapore FAQ β€” answers to all your common questions about the brand, dietary info, and store locations.

I Love Taimei: Born from the Night Markets

When I Love Taimei was founded, the brief was simple: bring the spirit of Taiwan's street food culture to Singapore. Not a fusion version. Not a sanitised mall adaptation. The real flavours β€” bold seasoning, proper frying technique, genuine Taiwanese tea culture.

The brand is proudly women-owned, built from a single stall into 14 outlets island-wide. Their official brand description highlights a critical commitment: NO PORK, NO LARD β€” making every dish accessible to everyone. (Yes, this means the brand is Muslim-friendly, though not Halal-certified β€” here's the full breakdown.) That growth didn't happen by accident. It happened because the food is genuinely good, and because the people behind it care deeply about getting it right.

The Menu, Explained

Taiwan Popcorn Chicken (ιΉ½ι…₯ι›ž)

This is the centrepiece. Bite-sized pieces of chicken, marinated, coated in a light batter, fried until golden, then tossed with crispy basil leaves. The basil is non-negotiable β€” it's what separates authentic ιΉ½ι…₯ι›ž from everything else.

What makes I Love Taimei's version stand out is the seasoning balance. It's savoury without being salty, fragrant without being overpowering. The kind of thing you keep reaching into the bag for.

XXL Taiwan Fried Chicken

If you're hungry, this is the one. Full-thigh pieces (θšζ¨‚ι›ž) fried to a shattering crisp β€” bigger than you expect, spiced exactly right. The thigh meat keeps it juicy inside even with that maximum crunch. Different from the popcorn chicken but equally good for when you really need your chicken fix. Curious about thigh vs. breast meat? We compared both head-to-head.

Golden Sweet Potato Fries

A staple of Taiwanese street food. These aren't your standard fast food fries β€” the sweetness of the potato comes through properly, with a light crisp on the outside and a soft, starchy centre.

1988 Milk Tea

The year in the name is a nod to classic Taiwanese tea culture. This is a proper milk tea β€” not overly sweet, not watery, with a real tea flavour that holds its own against the milk. Served hot or iced.

Golden Chrysanthemum Series

New this year: a wellness-inspired range that's been a hit with health-conscious tea drinkers. The Golden Chrysanthemum Series blends chrysanthemum, moringa, and brown sugar QQ jelly into refreshing drinks that taste as good as they make you feel. Read our full guide to Singapore's first wellness bubble tea series. It's the kind of wellness-infused bubble tea that doesn't ask you to choose between indulgence and feeling good about your choice.

Brown Sugar QQ Jelly Drinks

The signature brown sugar pearls with chewy, chewy jelly. Rich, caramel-like sweetness with that satisfying chew that makes bubble tea an experience rather than just a drink. Served with fresh milk for the full effect.

Moringa-Infused Beverages

Moringa is making waves in the Singapore wellness scene, and I Love Taimei has jumped in head-first. Their moringa drinks blend the earthy goodness of moringa leaf with the creaminess of milk tea β€” unique, nutritious, and genuinely enjoyable.

Golden Chrysanthemum Promotion: 30% Off for Members

I Love Taimei is running a special promotion on their Golden Chrysanthemum Series right now. Members get 30% off all drinks in this wellness-infused range, which includes the Golden Chrysanthemum, Moringa, and Brown Sugar QQ Jelly blends.

If you've been curious about wellness-focused bubble tea, this is the best time to try it β€” and the best price to get it.

Where to Find I Love Taimei in Singapore

With 14 outlets across Singapore, you're never far from I Love Taimei. Here are the malls where you'll find them:

β†’ Find all outlets on our store locator

I Love Good Deals: Membership Benefits

If you haven't signed up for I Love Taimei's I Love Good Deals membership yet, you're leaving free stuff on the table. Members get exclusive discounts (including the current 30% off the Golden Chrysanthemum Series), early access to new menu items, and seasonal promotions that actual non-members don't see.

It's free to join and takes about 30 seconds. Sign up here: https://ilovetaimei.com/membership/

Order Online or Walk In

Can't make it in person? Order for pickup or delivery:

β†’ Order at go.momos.com/ilovetaimei

The Bottom Line

You don't need to fly to Taipei to get a taste of Taiwan's night markets. I Love Taimei has spent 17 years refining the formula β€” and with 14 outlets across Singapore, it's genuinely easier to satisfy that craving than you might think.

The popcorn chicken. The XXL fried chicken. The milk tea. The new Golden Chrysanthemum Series. It's all there.