Taiwan Village has launched its second Melbourne location on Spencer Street, serving authentic Taiwanese cuisine near Southern Cross Station.
The West Melbourne eatery specialises in dishes inspired by Taiwan’s bustling night markets, with founder and head chef Jay Yi-Ming Huang bringing over 10 years of culinary experience from Kaohsiung in Southern Taiwan. Taiwan Village first opened as a 15-seat takeaway on King Street in 2023 before relocating to a larger Carlton space on Lygon Street earlier this year. The Spencer Street venue marks the restaurant’s expansion into West Melbourne’s dining scene.
The menu centres on Taiwanese staples including bento boxes, rice bowls, soups and hotpot-style dishes. Standout options include the braised pork rice, golden crispy chicken, corn soup and the Cheezy Pork Floss Pancake. Taiwan Village offers customisable noodle and hotpot-style soups where diners select their preferred noodle type and pair it with rich bases. All meals come with unlimited traditional Taiwanese iced tea.
Taiwan Village
- 362 Spencer Street, West Melbourne
- 116 Lygon Street, Carlton
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The braised pork rice arrives as a comfort-forward bowl where tender, slow-cooked pork sits atop steamed rice, while the golden crispy chicken delivers a crunchy exterior with juicy meat inside. The oyster ramen combines fresh oysters with noodles in a flavourful broth, representing Taiwan’s coastal cuisine traditions. The Cheezy Pork Floss Pancake offers a sweet-savoury combination that’s popular as an all-day snack in Taiwan, featuring fluffy pancake layers with melted cheese and delicate pork floss. The corn soup provides a creamy, subtly sweet option that’s a staple in Taiwanese dining, often served alongside main dishes to complete the meal in traditional bento culture style.
Jay Yi-Ming Huang also operates Jymmanuel Eatery in Ripponlea, having entered Melbourne’s hospitality scene in 2020 when Taiwanese cuisine was relatively uncommon in the city. His cooking draws from the flavours of night markets and home-style meals from his upbringing in Southern Taiwan. The menu reflects Taiwan’s food culture where dishes are enjoyed throughout the day, including the tradition of late-night suppers featuring light noodles, rice bowls and warming soups.
Most menu items sit under $19, with bento boxes offering balanced meals of rice, protein and vegetables served with soup. Rice bowl options include variations with oysters and pork floss alongside the signature braised pork. Classic soups range from corn soup to traditional meatball soup, while the fried chicken selection features multiple styles including the golden crispy chicken preparation.
For more information, head here.
