On a weekday afternoon, I dropped by Kopitiam located on the 3rd level of Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ), just a short walk from Paya Lebar MRT station. This area is especially convenient, with three shopping malls sitting side by side — Paya Lebar Quarter, SingPost Centre, and Paya Lebar Square — making it a popular lunch hub for office workers and shoppers alike.
Despite being a weekday, the crowd was already quite packed when we arrived, a clear sign that this Kopitiam is a regular choice for many working in the area. The atmosphere was lively but still comfortable enough for a relaxed lunch.
We started with the Taiwanese Braised Meat Rice ($6.90). The portion was surprisingly generous, with rice fully covered in braised pork, pickled vegetables, and a whole braised egg. The taste leaned towards the authentic Taiwanese style, where the braising sauce is slightly sweet, compared to the more salty local versions commonly found in Singapore. The meal also came with a bowl of light vegetable soup, which helped balance out the richness of the dish nicely.
Next was the Spaghetti with Half Spring Chicken ($8.90). The spaghetti portion was sufficient for an adult, served in a creamy white sauce. While the texture was smooth and milky, the sauce lacked a stronger fragrant aroma that would have elevated the dish further. That said, the spring chicken was well done, with a homely, comforting taste, and pleasantly crispy on the outside — a nice surprise for a kopitiam-style Western dish.
We also tried the Veggie U-Mian Soup ($7.00) from Xuan Miao Veggie Food, a stall that is clearly popular among vegetarians. The noodles came in a large bowl with plenty of vegetables, along with two pieces of veggie seafood tofu and veggie fish maw. The chilli provided blended very well with the soup, adding depth without overpowering it. Overall, the dish was filling and satisfying, even for non-vegetarians.
A useful tip: FairPrice App users can enjoy a 10% discount when making payment through the app, which helps save a little on your meal.
Overall, this was a comfortable and convenient weekday lunch, offering a good mix of flavours, decent portions, and value — ideal for anyone working or shopping around the Paya Lebar area.
