Tired of the same old junk you’ve been feeding your belly? It’s time to take your tastebuds on a trip! Pop by Chinatown for some perusing at Kunhai’s newest grocery import — there’s Salted Egg Instant Noodles, Roasted Fish Flavoured Chips, Cha Pai Peach Oolong Tea, Wang Lao Ji Beer and more!
Home to some of the earth’s most breathtaking landscapes like Yunnan’s Tiger Leaping Gorge and the Four Sisters Mountain, China also happens to be the birthplace of giant pandas and, of course, one of its greatest exports — Taobao. It’s no secret that you can get anything and everything you need and more at this mega e-commerce platform (if you need a full rundown, here’s our ultimate guide), but did you know that Taobao has finally transcended the web? Yes, you read that right! Taking up a brick-and-mortar form in the heart of Chinatown, the Taobao supermarket is now open for business at People’s Park Complex.
You can expect all of your favourite Chinese snacks (hotpot soup bases included) and drinks stocked on the aisles here, with new additions being shelved weekly. So, whether you’re homesick for Chinese delicacies or just aching for an oriental adventure, you’re in for a treat!
11 Must-tries From Taobao Supermarket:
1. Genki Forest White Peach Sparkling Water
2. Cha Pai Peach Oolong Tea
3. Xiang Piao Piao Black Tea Milk Tea
4. Wang Lao Ji Beer
5. HONlife Chia Seed Cereal Strawberry and Cranberry Fruit Granola
6. Spicy Fish Balls
7. Jin Zai Dried Ikan Bilis
8. Devil Chips
9. Lay’s: Roasted Fish & Garlic Oyster Flavours
10. Salted Egg Instant Noodles
11. Braised Pork Ribs Instant Noodles
1. Genki Forest White Peach Sparkling Water
Zero fat, zero sugar and zero calories? Yes, please! This bubbly beverage is a godsend, especially in this humid always-summer Singaporean heat. In case peach isn’t your thing, there’s also a citrusy calamondin flavour that we loved, a yoghurt one, a refreshing cucumber option, as well as plum juice.
They come in a bottle too. Best served cold!
Price: S$1.50
Find it on Taobao here for 12 bottles for ¥72 (~S$15.10).
2. Cha Pai Peach Oolong Tea
Image credits: China Global Mall
You might recognise this bottled drink from bulk listings on Carousell and Shopee. Promptly rising to fame after an endorsement by BIGBANG and even G-Dragon, this Chinese tea concoction by Nongfu Spring has achieved celebrity status thereafter.
Think light and fruity yet somehow creamy, Cha Pai’s tea comes in a myriad of other flavours as well such as Grapefruit Jasmine and Lemon Tea.
Price: S$1.15
Find it on Taobao here for 15 bottles for ¥64.9 (~S$13.60).
3. Xiang Piao Piao Black Tea Milk Tea
Simply peel off that foil and pretend you’re huddled under one of those drink stands in the dead of winter on a street in Shanghai. If you’re wondering about its flavour profile: it’s sweet and roasty, pretty reminiscent of a Nescafe coffee beverage.
Price: S$2.50
Find it on Taobao here for 8 cups for ¥55 (~S$11.50).
4. Wang Lao Ji Beer
Known for their herbal teas, Wang Lao Ji has now expanded their range into the beer arena. This one’s a lager with an impressive list of notes — there was orange peel on the nose, with a hint of honeysuckle and liquorice. We didn’t quite get the coriander but weren’t at all surprised at the presence of chrysanthemum. With an ABV of just 3.2, we say it’s a refreshing drink perfect for a hot day!
Price: From S$2.80
Find it on Taobao here for 12 cans for ¥144 (~S$30.20).
5. HONlife Chia Seed Cereal Strawberry and Cranberry Fruit Granola
Colourful, yummy and nutritious — this cereal pack from the supermarket was definitely a surprise favourite for the team. We loved the not-too-sweet chia cereal granola combi that contained oatmeal, japonica rice, coconut flakes, almond chips, pumpkin seeds, raisins, and cranberries. Not to mention, the generous portion of freeze-dried ingredients added in there: strawberry slices, purple potato, banana and apple! Just pour in some milk of your choice and dig in.
Price: S$7.20
Find it on Taobao here for ¥49.90 (~S$10.50).
6. Spicy Fish Balls
Remember those curry fish balls from the night market that you’ll find skewered up and over a coal grill? Now you can get them, individually packed and ready for consumption! Sealed up in all that glorious juice, it actually tasted better than we anticipated. I would, however, suggest heating them up in the microwave for a better gastronomical experience!
Price: S$2.50
Find it on Taobao here for ¥15.80 (~S$3.30).
7. Jin Zai Dried Ikan Bilis
You know the side of anchovies that you get at Korean restaurants? Yep, this was exactly like that! Perfect for moments when you’re feeling a little peckish and craving something fishy — no need to go through the trouble of digging out your can opener. This one’s an ease to open and eat in all its processed glory.
Price: S$1.30
Find it on Taobao here for ¥9.60 (~S$2).
8. Devil Chips
Actually excellent when paired with the above packeted ikan bilis, these Devil chips provide a numbing sensation that balances out the saltiness from the fish thanks to its generous use of peppercorn. Unlike what you’d expect, these chips aren’t at all spicy. Rather, it was crunchy and a little sweet, with a lick of tang at the end.
Price: S$2.20
Find it on Taobao here for ¥8.80 (~S$1.90).
9. Lay’s: Roasted Fish & Garlic Oyster Flavours
If you could effectively snack your way around the world, Lay’s would probably be your best bet. As part of its summer collection, Lay’s China has pushed out a bunch of unique flavours for the market to try. While there were a bunch of intriguing flavours, like beer, cucumber and mutton skewers, we opted for the weirdest ones: Roasted Fish and Garlic Oyster.
And hey! They weren’t bad at all. Fans of garlic would adore the latter, whilst those feeling apprehensive about any strong fish smells can go ahead and try the former. Strong flavours from the Roasted Fish-flavoured chips seem to be reminiscent of mala hotpot. Whew.
Price: From S$1.65
Find it on Taobao here for 16 packs for ¥49.90 (~S$10.50).
10. Salted Egg Instant Noodles
Designed to be eaten dry, these noodles come packed neatly in a separate bag for ease of setting it aside whilst you get all the other ingredients mixed and ready. Once you’ve cooked the noodles in boiling water, strain it dry before dumping it back in with the sauces for a filling and tasty hot meal on-the-go.
Price: S$1.50
Find it on Taobao here for a pack of 10 for ¥52.90 (~S$11.10).
11. Braised Pork Ribs Instant Noodles
Of the two instant noodles, this one was my personal favourite. Not only did it have actual bits of braised pork in there, but the soup was also surprisingly full-bodied and flavourful. We recommend this for cold days in the office when you’re craving something comforting and umami-licious.
Price: S$1.40
Find it on Taobao here for a pack of 12 for ¥41.90 (~S$8.80).
Taobao To Singapore, Please
Kunhai Flagship Store @ Taobao
Address: People’s Park Complex, 1 Park Road #01-83, Singapore 059108
Opening Hours: 9:30AM – 10:30PM daily
Grab a basket and fill it up with more fantastic Chinese snacks and beverages to share with your loved ones at home or at work, the next time you’re in the neighbourhood.
When you shop at the Taobao Supermarket or on Taobao, don’t forget to check out with your YouTrip Card. If you still haven’t gotten your free YouTrip card, use our special promo code <TAOBAO5> to sign up and receive a free S$5 in your account!
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*All currency conversion rates are accurate to nearest 10 cents on 17 August 2021 SGT 16:42 PM. Bank card prices are calculated based on 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee.
