Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine @ Northpoint City Mall in Yishun [Singapore]

There were so many restaurants serving China cuisine from the Xiang, Chuan and Dongbei branches that I often wonder how they survive in the highly competitive food industry! Having said that, I don't reject trying new eateries.

And this particular one was said to be extremely popular back in its home country, and even the Greatest Kon was singing its praises. Hence, let us step in to Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine, which has a branch right here at Northpoint City Mall in Yishun! 

Steamed Rice - starting with the essential for any meal in China! A steaming bowl of rice and this was visually a perfect one; shiny, white rice, grain by grain! Not as aromatic as jasmine rice and the texture was a tad dry.

Hunan Stir Fried Pork - said to be one of three signatures from Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine and a must-order with 500,000 portions sold annually! 

Using spanish iberico sliced pork, I was informed by the friendly staff member that the original version in China used pork belly instead, and even the green chilli was a species said to be less spicy to cater to the Singapore palate.

Taste wise, it was good although not mind-blowing enough to purposely come back to Xiang Xiang. Seasoning and condiments put in to the dish were also commonly used one for Chinese dishes. I was actually more impressed with the crunchy white fungus, said to be harvested from above 3,000 meters at Yunnan!

Roasted Chilli & Century Egg Smashed Eggplant - reminding me of the stone mortar and pestle my mom had at home, this cold dish required additional work; for you to pound!

This consistency would be a must, regardless of how disgusting it might appear to you. As the name suggested, it shall be a mix of green chilli, century egg and eggplant. 

To me, this was way more memorable than the hunan stir fried pork. Spiciness was manageable and you get an appetising and interesting amalgamation of spicy sourness added with the light yet mistakable flavor from century egg! And it was heavenly having this with plain, white rice! 

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Should the rice craving hit me, I would go back for the rice with the Roasted Chilli & Century Egg Smashed Eggplant! The Greatest Kon also advised having the 18-second Angus beef stir fry next time. I shall make sure to bring someone who can eat beef! 

Address

1 North Point Dr, #01-137/138,

South Wing, Northpoint City Mall,

Singapore 768019

Website

https://xiangxianghunancuisine.com/

Menu

As above.

Pricing

Steamed Rice - S$1.60 a bowl.

Hunan Stir Fried Pork - S$19.90

Roasted Chilli & Century Egg Smashed Eggplant - S$12.90

(Subject to Service Charge and GST)

Walking Trails from Alishan National Forest Recreation Area to Shouzhen Temple

My trip to Alishan in Taiwan, made in late 2023, was so memorable; I was back in early January 2025 and this time, with Alex as I am aware he will fall in love with the nature reserve! 

So shortly after checking in to Dafeng Villa at the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, we ventured out on foot, along the primary walking trail known simply as forest trail. First thing to do; a photo with the main signage of Alishan.

Wearing raincoat as there was a light drizzle!

Coincidentally caught the iconic Alishan railway train from Shenmu Station, also known as the Sacred Tree Station, trudging past us! I took the same train from Shenmu to Alishan station in 2023 although sadly, Alex didn't have the same fortune.

Start of the Forest Trail.

Given the rain, the trail didn't seem to have many people. There could be another reason also; the time was about 3.19pm and with the sunset coming in mere hours; many would not likely start their trail at this time, like us.

Loving this photo!

Looking like a railway bridge.

So relaxing and it was just so mentally refreshing to be in the midst of this greenery, especially in a climate that was soothingly cool, without the heat and humidity we face perpetually in Singapore.

The police station that was strangely out of bound although it could only be the entry that was dangerously built next to a working railway track. There's another path at the back which I presume would be the "main entrance".

This was supposed to be the cherry blossom trail; pity we were two months too early as the weather was too cool for the blossoms. Should I make another trip for Taiwan in March 2026?

Having a soothing bowl of hot aiyu at Zhaoping train station! I didn't even know it had a commercial wing with shops selling souvenirs, snacks and hot food! 

Alishan Gou Hotel (阿里山閣大飯店)! I stayed there for one night in 2023 and had actually planned to stay there in 2025; problem was the hotel rate was insanely expensive! Sometimes, tour packages are better! 

A familiar sight, for me! The Tashan Trail. 

I didn't know its name until now! 

Stepping in, it was like a mystical world for Alex. His eyes went wide open and I can see he was more than impressed with the sight in front of him. To be surrounded by hundreds and maybe thousands of towering trees and totally immersed in the peace and quiet while breathing in the negative air ions.

Rarely do I see him being so motivated to take photos and videos of the surroundings. I guess I did make the perfect decision to bring him to Alishan.

He was as enamored with the dead trees. =_=.

Younger sister pond. 

Which was okay in his opinion.

Elder sister pond; again, just a bypassed attraction.   

Spend your time at other areas unless you walk too much.

More photographs in the midst of giants!

In 2023, I visited the Magnolia Garden, which was bare.

This time round, it was teeming with young blossoms! 

I recognized this and I knew we would be reaching a stopover with toilets and a section with food. This would also be an important juncture to decide if we should continue to the Giant Tree Plank trail.

First - toilet break. Second - having the wasabi sausage said to be the must eat at Alishan! At NT$40, it was an interesting take on the typical Taiwanese sausage, with the flavor of wasabi, yet without its iconic numbing shot to the nostrils! 

Another attraction at this stopover. Shouzhen Temple at its full glory! Back in 2023, the facade was undergoing renovation and it was stunning now! 

Main patron deity - "Xuantian Shangdi, also known as the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven"! Last few photographs as it started pouring again and we decided to cut short our journey. 

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Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)

Dinner at Fenqihu Railway Town - 奮起湖樂樂花園餐飲

Empty street with the sun making its slow descent at about 5.30pm, an early dinner sounded attractive since there's nothing else we could do and I am not going to explore nature in the dark.

I have penciled in an eatery, Fang Mei Tingyuan Restaurant, rated 4.8 on Google Maps but it was closed that day! Hence, given the limited options and convenience, we decided to make do with its next door neighbour, 奮起湖樂樂花園餐飲. 

Welcome by a very friendly auntie, we were told to take out pick from the empty tables! It was alfresco seating; not such a big deal given the cool temperature! 

Overlooking the rolling hills at a vantage point, it was truly beautiful without having to deal with the over tourism as in the case for most tourist destinations. Sometimes, we just need a quiet place to relax, and too many humans spoilt that atmosphere.

Ali Mountain Oolong Tea - a cup of hot beverage would always be nice in such nice weather! What I didn't expect was its utter bitterness that made me feel that I am having a liquid elixir guaranteed to prolong my longevity. 

Tea Leaves Egg - a true egg lover would have eggs if they see it on the menu! While this was said to contain tea leaves, there's no hint of the signature tea flavor, although both Alex and I admitted it was a darn tasty omelette! 

Not overly oil, dense with eggs, with dashes of pepper that elevated the flavour! Interestingly, the taste of tea kicked in only when the omelette cooled! p.s. I prefer it hot! 

Wasabi Chicken Soup - I absolutely wouldn't resist soup when the weather is cold and this proved to be warm and refreshing for the tummy, with a plain yet sweet after flavor that I thought came from cabbage; addictive enough for us to clean up the entire bowl! Chicken meat was tough though, and no, no wasabi discerned from any sip. 

Bitter Tea Oil Chicken - most expensive dish, and also the signature dish for the eatery. Costing about S$20, it was a large plate(only one available size) of chicken that I doubt Alex and I could finish. 

See the above deep fried piece that I was holding? That's deep fried ginger that was so crispy; you can indulge them like chips, without having to waste energy to chew through! Taste wise, ther spiciness was countered with bitterness from the bitter tea oil. 

How would you think the meat fare? It was tough like the chicken soup and didn't seem to have much batter. Meat tasted bitter even though still manageable for someone who dislike bitter stuff, and it helped that the ginger totally overwhelmed the bitterness, and in fact made the meat palatable! 

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Address

No 6077, Fenqihu, 

Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County,

Taiwan

Map

As above.

Menu

As above in Chinese and English

Pricing

Ali Mountain Oolong Tea - NT$60

Tea Leaves Egg - NT$130

Wasabi Chicken Soup - NT$150

Bitter Tea Oil Chicken - NT$500

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)