PUBLISHED July 27th, 2021 06:00 am | UPDATED August 4th, 2021 10:28 am
With July’s recent torrential downpours, digging into a piping hot bowl of bak kut teh sounds just about perfect. Whether you like it peppery or herbal, soup or dry, this is one dish that soothes the stomach and warms the soul. From across the causeway to our friendly neighborhoods, here’s our shortlist for some of best bak kut teh goodness.
Singaporean-style BKT
Teochew-style bak kut teh trumps in Singapore. Commonly inclusive of pork ribs stewed with old garlic and pepper, this style of BKT is identifiable by its distinct lighter broth colour. Its rich peppery broth is usually eaten with a bowl of steamed rice pair with a side of golden dough fritters. Many also enjoy a steaming cup of Chinese tea alongside their meal to cut through the heavy stew.
Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh
Deemed a Heritage Hero by the Michelin Guide, Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh’s signature Teochew-style recipe dates all the way back to the 1950s. Despite its humble beginnings, Ng Ah Sio has expanded to three outlets across Singapore, even opening several restaurants overseas. Besides their Premium Loin Ribs Soup (S$11.80) – high-quality loin ribs stewed in their trademark savoury broth – feast on a table-full of Teochew-style dishes with their braised specialties. The Signature Teochew Braised Pig’s Trotter (S$10.80) is tender, steeped in a salty-sweet sauce till the meat soaks up all that flavour.
Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh has three outlets in Singapore. Order for delivery here.
Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh
If you enjoy a profound peppery kick, Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh boasts an energy-boosting broth chock full of spice to jump-start your day. Since its establishment in 1973, Ya Hua has kept to its promise of remaining a casual gathering spot for BKT lovers. Dip the succulent meat from their Spare Ribs Soup (S$8) into a dish of red chilli and dark soya sauce for that extra spicy punch. For offal fanatics, Ya Hua serves up a popular Pig’s Liver/Kidney Soup (S$8) that has had regulars raving for years. From your usual Put Tee Hiong (不知香) to the rejuvenating 913 King’s Tea, their premium tea selection offers four exquisite Chinese teas to cleanse your palate.
Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh can be found in three outlets across the island. Delivery available Mon-Sat 9am -10pm.
Old World Bak Kut Teh
Amongst the older brands is a newcomer that has been racking up quite the reviews. Old World Bak Kut Teh is a humble hawker who has been making the rounds in the north as of late. Bak kut teh lovers will be keen to try a bowl of their Pork Ribs Soup (S$6) – a garlic-leaning clear broth with chunks of tender fatty meat swimming within. The Sliced Pork Soup (S$3.50) is also a huge hit with its wallet-friendly price and immaculate flavour. Don’t miss their Fried Porridge, which is rumoured to have propelled this small stall to fame. Originating in Penang, this oyster-flavoured porridge combines mixed pig organs, fried beancurd cubes, and a splash of broth.
Old World Bak Kut Teh is located at Hiap Hoe Eating House, 747, Yishun Street 72, Singapore 76074, p. +65 9388 5288. Open Tue-Sun 10.15am – 8.30pm. Closed Mon.
Song Fa Bak Kut Teh
Most stores on this list have a humble origin story behind their success, and Song Fa Bak Kut Teh is no different. Starting in 1969 on Johor Road with its founder serving bowls of broth from a tiny pushcart, Song Fa has come a long way, with four consecutive years (2016-2019) of the Michelin Bib Gourmand award. They now have 13 outlets littered across the island (and more overseas!) so you can have a bite of their famous Pork Ribs Soup (from S$8.10) anywhere you go. Dig into a plate of savoury Braised Pig’s Intestine (S$8.50), the perfect accompaniment to the peppery soup.
Song Fa Bak Kut Teh has 13 outlets island-wide. Click here for island-wide delivery.
Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh
A bak kut teh store with a cause, Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh is a business that offers second chances to ex-convicts, providing jobs to help them rehabilitate into society. A perfect blend of Singapore and Malaysia, their Bak Kut Teh (S$7.60)is more luxurious than most – a clear herby broth filled with pork ribs, golden mushroom, and slices of fried beancurd skin. For a more Hokkien-style rendition, try their Dried Bak Kut Teh (S$8.30), where pork ribs slathered in a thick savory sauce with dried chilies and ladyfingers served in a claypot. Their Ginger Sesame Chicken (S$7.30) with its tender chicken pieces bathed in a fragrant sesame-ginger sauce is another to die for.
Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh has three outlets in Singapore. Order delivery here.
Legendary Bak Kut Teh
Legendary Bak Kut Teh is another one of Rangoon Road’s prized bak kut teh eateries. The secret to their success? Keeping the business family-run. Spanning three generations, the owners work tirelessly to serve up mouth-watering dishes that keep the diners coming back for more. Their Legendary Bak Kut Teh comes in 5 options differentiated by your choice of ribs. Regulars also swear by their award-winning Ngoh Hiang – prime cuts of pork seasoned with five-spice powder and wrapped in deliciously crunchy fried beancurd skin.
Legendary Bak Kut Teh is located at 154 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218431, p. +65 6292 0938. Open weekdays 11am – 11pm, weekends 9am – 11pm. Their second outlet is located at South Bridge Road, Singapore 058679, p. +65 6535 9969. Open weekdays 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 9pm. Closed weekends. Order delivery here.
Joo Siah Bak Kut Teh
With over 30 years spent fine-tuning their family recipe, it’s no wonder Joo Siah Bak Kut Teh has generations of return customers. This famed west-side establishment is located a stone’s throw away from Chinese Garden MRT station in a spacious yet homely neighborhood food court. Besides the signature Pork Ribs Soup (S$6.90) featuring a traditional Teochew-style broth with pork ribs steeped in a peppery-garlic aroma, the Braised Pork Leg (S$6.90) is a heavenly mountain of meat that is braised to perfection, tearing perfectly away from the bone.
Joo Siah Bak Kut Teh is located at 349 Jurong East Avenue 1, #01-1215, Singapore 600349, p. +65 9111 8129. Open from Tue-Sat 8am – 7.15pm, Sun 8am – 3.30pm. Closed Mon. Click here for delivery.
Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh
Translating to “lucky” in Hokkien, Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh’s auspicious namesake parallels their decades of prosperous business. This family-owned business serves up their Pork Rib Soup (S$7++) in traditional claypots. What’s special about Heng Heng is that customers can elevate their meals by adding pieces of abalone to the broth (prices vary). Unlike the usual Teochew variant, their broths are darker in colour and slightly sweeter sweeter. The meats they use are also leaner, so the health-conscious foodie will have less to worry about. The secret star of the show, though, is their spread of steamed fishes like Sliver Pomfret and Red Grouper. They only opened for breakfast and lunch, so head down early.
Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh is located at 107 Owen Road, Singapore 218914, p. +65 6292 3913. Open Wed-Mon 7.30am – 2.30pm. Closed on Tue. Click here for delivery.
Malaysian-style BKT
The Hokkien-style variant is popular in Malaysia. Usually prepared with a variety of herbs, spices, and a mixture of soya sauce, it’s most clearly identifiable by its dark broth. Also raved about is the Dry Bak Kut Teh –a Teochew-style dish originated in Klang with its pork ribs coated in a thick gravy and garnished with dried chilies and ladyfingers.
Hong Ji Claypot Bak Kut Teh
Tucked away in the streets of Ang Mo Kio, we have the family-owned Hong Ji Claypot Bak Kut Teh. This stall is particularly popular due to its low price-point and consistently delicious dishes. At only S$5.70, their original Claypot Bak Kut Teh is filled to the brim with slow-simmered herbal pork rib soup, pork ribs, sliced button mushrooms, and fried tofu puffs. The Claypot Braised Pig’s Trotters (S$4.70) fares well against its more expensive competitors with succulent braised meat that falls right off the bone. Loving the herbal aroma of the soup? Rejuvenate yourself with a bowl of Claypot Bak Kut Yellow Noodles (S$4.70).
Hong Ji Claypot Bak Kut Teh is located at Block 107 Ang Mo Kio, Avenue 4 Street 11 #01-138, Singapore 560107. Open daily 9am – 9pm. Click here for delivery.
Leong Kee Klang Bak Kut Teh
Located in Geylang, Leong Kee Klang Bak Kut Teh serves up a perfectly balanced herbal broth frequented by many Malaysia-style BKT lovers. Even before you dig in, you’ll salivate from the herbaceous whiffs from the aromatic dark broth of their Bak Kut Teh (S$7). The various chunky pork ribs cooked in a dark sweet-savory sauce make the Dry Bak Kut Teh (S$10.50) a true value-for-money dish. Buy a plate of Har Cheong Gai (S$6.50) to pass around the table for another well-seasoned dish, this time with a prawn paste kick.
Leong Kee Klang Bak Kut Teh is located at 251 Geyland Road, Singapore 389309. Open daily 11.30am – 11.30pm. Click here for delivery.
Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh
Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh proves that you don’t need to cross the ocean to snag a taste of authentic Malaysian-style BKT. With over 40 years of history, every serving of their Herbal Claypot Bak Kut Teh (S$14.98) is cooked to perfection – with meat from a pigs’ ribs, belly, and even their tail, you’re looking at a dark herbal broth gloriously enriched by fatty chunks of meat making the broth even more fragrant. For an alternative to spare ribs, you can look to their White Pepper Pig’s Maw Soup (S$14.98). Regulars also love the Muar Mackerel Otah (S$12.58).
Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh has two locations in Singapore. Island-wide delivery is available here.
Jia Bin Klang Bak Kut Teh
Established in Seremban, Malaysia, Jia Bin Klang Bak Kut Teh allows you to enjoy your favourite bak kut teh dishes in cooling comfort. Off the bat, their signature dry Jia Bin Bak Kut Teh (S$8.80 for one) has an intense savoury aroma that pulls you in only to keep you hooked on the tender meat and chili spice kick. Don’t miss out on their Signature Pig’s Leg (S$10) – steeped in a dark sauce worth drooling over. A good veggie side dish to go with your slew of meaty mains is the Choy Sim with Oyster Sauce (S$5).
Jia Bin Klang Bak Kut Teh is located at 62 Rangoon Road, Singapore +65 6900 7708. Open weekdays 10am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm. Open weekend 10am – 10pm. Closed Tue. Click here to order online for self-pickup.
Top image: Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh