Rich and spicy Southeast Asian flavors: Authentic Singaporean "Laksa" now available at Taipei Main Station

Text and photos by /Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey

The rich and spicy broth of 328 Katong Laksa has always haunted my dreams. This, my favorite authentic Singaporean dish, has finally made its way to Taiwan, settling on the second-floor plaza of Taipei Main Station’s Breeze Center. Now, you no longer have to fly all the way to Singapore to enjoy this delicious laksa—you can savor this distinctive Southeast Asian flavor right here in Taipei.

328 Katong Laksa is a well-known Singaporean street food, with several branches across Singapore. I was quite surprised when a friend shared the news, so I headed there the very next day for a feast. Just a heads-up: the shop is currently in a soft-launch phase, with full operations beginning after November 9. Also, during the trial period, only a limited selection of dishes is available. When I visited, although the menu seemed varied, there were only five items. Hopefully, the full lineup will be restored after the official opening.

The interior decor features bright, colorful windows, giving off an unmistakably Singaporean vibe. In Singapore, even older buildings—though aged—often have their doors and windows painted in these hues. The design truly made me feel like I was in Singapore.

The murals on the other side showcase lively Southeast Asian flair and are quite unique. However, perhaps due to the soft-launch phase, the staff seemed to still be getting into the swing of things. During my visit, I noticed several issues: menus were forgotten, water wasn’t served, and chopsticks and spoons were sometimes missing even after the laksa was served. This happened multiple times, and I hope service improves once fully operational—especially since a service charge is applied.

The paper menu for Katong Laksa is exquisitely designed, featuring a style as vibrant and Southeast Asian as the wall art.

Since launching in Taiwan, 328 Katong Laksa has expanded its offerings beyond laksa. You can now also find Vietnamese pho, curry laksa (辣死你妈), bak kut teh, and Hainanese chicken rice—essentially a Southeast Asian food carnival. In fact, the flagship store in Singapore doesn’t offer nearly as many options. To cater to Taiwanese tastes for novelty, the laksa alone comes in original, pork, chicken, and beef varieties—a huge win for me, since I don’t eat shrimp. The original version contains shrimp, which is great news for shrimp-avoiders like me. Just note that, due to the trial phase, only five items were available during my visit. The full selection should return after the November 9 official launch.

328 Pork Laksa Set Meal (NT$260): Though called a set meal, it’s really just the laksa paired with a drink. Both the meal and drink incur a 10% service charge. When I saw the price of the Katong Laksa, I was genuinely shocked. Back in July, I had it during a layover in Singapore, where it cost 5.5 SGD (about NT$120). But here in Taiwan, the price is more than double. Of course, the Singaporean version is served at a hawker stall, while Taiwan offers a proper restaurant experience—so they’re not directly comparable. It turns out the Katong Laksa I’ve loved for so long is actually a Michelin one-star recommended eatery—I had no idea until now.

The laksa broth looks just as unassuming as I remember XD. But the moment it touches your tongue—wow—the intense spiciness and creamy coconut aroma instantly bring back that nostalgic Singaporean flavor. The base is primarily made from coconut milk and fresh shrimp, offering layers of umami, heat, and a hint of sweetness. It’s absolutely delicious, and I love it. The taste is about 80–90% authentic. The slight difference? In Singapore, the broth includes other seafood, whereas the Taiwanese version seems to use only shrimp, so the umami is a bit milder. But achieving 80–90% of the original flavor without losing its essence is already impressive.

The portion of ingredients in the laksa is also a bit smaller, including only rice noodles, fish cake, golden fish balls, and pork slices. The fish balls and tofu have a delightful springy texture that pairs well with the laksa. The pork is rich and flavorful, and the thick rice noodles have a satisfying bite that soaks up the broth beautifully, enhancing the overall taste. It’s truly a unique flavor.

Side drink – Kumquat Lemonade. The set meal offers two drink choices: kumquat lemonade or black tea. I went with the kumquat lemonade, though it’s not particularly standout. Actually, the flagship 328 Katong Laksa isn’t located in a bustling tourist area, but I’ve made special trips there twice just to enjoy it—there’s just something about the original location. When I heard it opened on the second floor of Breeze Center on the 6th, I rushed over on the 7th. That’s how much I love it. The flavor is very close to the Singaporean original, hitting about 80–90%. My first laksa experience was with 328, and after that, I realized how hard it is to find good laksa in Taiwan. So whenever I crave it, I’ll definitely come here for that authentic Southeast Asian taste.

328 Katong Laksa (328Katong Laksa)

Address: 2F, No. 3, Beiping West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 105, Taiwan (2F, Breeze Center, Taipei Main Station)
Phone: (02)2311-2089
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey
Every journey, every trip is a quest—even if I’m not entirely sure what I’m searching for. But in the end, what I gain often exceeds my expectations. And so, my wandering journey will continue endlessly.