We've all seen the insane queues, but whose bak kwa is worth the devotion? We round-up the best shops in Singapore to get your hands on some tasty Chinese pork jerky – from traditional to unique flavours!
It’s not really Chinese New Year without pigging out on copious amounts of heart-burning festive snacks, the most popular of which is undoubtedly bak kwa – sweet, smoky pork jerky. And it’s gotta have those charred edges. There’s no shortage of stores hawking this savoury delight, with each of them being ardently defended by its munching advocates. To make it easier for you to navigate the wonderful world of bak kwa, we’ve come up with our own list of favourite purveyors of this scrumptious snack.
Bee Cheng Hiang
Home-grown favourite Bee Cheng Hiang is definitely one of the most popular choices and is practically a household name when it comes to bak kwa. If the ridiculously long queues during CNY are any indication, Bee Cheng Hiang is a pretty safe bet if you’re looking for the classic sliced pork bak kwa ($33.00 for 600g).
Bee Cheng Hiang. Full location list here.
Kim Joo Guan
Using a traditional recipe handed down for four generations; the Ong family is well in touch with their craft. All its bak kwa offerings are made with grain-fed Australian pork and char-grilled for a subtle smoky flavour. Fans of the classic bak kwa should try the traditional pork slices ($50 for 1kg) while those looking for a spicy kick will love the chilli pork slices ($52 for 1kg) instead. Psst…There’s also a collaboration between SuperNature and Kim Joo Guan, check it out for some free-range bak kwa.
Kim Joo Guan, 257 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058806. p. 6225 5257.
Ryan’s Grocery
Update: sold out!
For a side of feel-good factor with your bak kwa, we rate the premium bak kwa at Ryan’s Grocery ($48.80 for 500g). The Honeycombers team spent a good afternoon munching on their take on this CNY treat, which is made with hormone- and antibiotic-free, free-range Borrowdale pork from Queensland, uses 50 per cent less salt and sugar than most, and is free from additives, preservatives and food colouring. Quite the mouthful. This butcher and gourmet grocery is one of the best sources of gluten-free and specialty goodies alongside ethically sourced meat – for more CNY goodness, check out the free-range shabu shabu sets, to a nutritious organic rainbow yu sheng.
Ryan’s Grocery, 29 Binjai Park, Singapore 589831
Kim Hock Guan
Another stalwart that has stood the test of time is the venerable Kim Hock Guan. With a history that dates back to 1906, Kim Hock Guan remains a family-owned and operated business with a loyal following. The brand utilises century-old production methods to dish out their traditional BBQ sliced pork and spicy sliced pork bak kwa. Kim Hock Guan avoids minced meat, so this one will be a favourite if you like the chewier and more richly-flavoured variety of bak kwa.
Kim Hock Guan, various locations.
Peng Guan Bak Kwa
While Peng Guan lacks in variety, it more than makes up for in quality. Every order of bak kwa is handmade from scratch, and made only to order so you know you’re getting the absolute freshest. Choose between traditional bak kwa for the purists, and chilli bak kwa for you spice fiends (from $22.50).
Peng Guan Bak Kwa, #02-36, Block 335, Smith Street, Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335.
Lim Chee Guan
Another local favourite, Lim Chee Guan also manages to attract insanely long queues during the CNY period. If you’re not too fond of sweeter bak kwas like at Bee Cheng Hiang and Fragrance, you should definitely give Lim Chee Guan a shot for their tender slices.
Lim Chee Guan, 203 New Bridge Road, Singapore 059429. p. 6933 7230.
Kim Hwa Guan
While not as big a player in the bak kwa game as the aforementioned stores, Kim Hwa Guan has its own loyal following who favour its tender, thinly sliced bak kwa. The bak kwa here comes in sealed bags as well, perfect for preserving that glazed crunchy surface (they don’t skimp on the marinade!).
Kim Hwa Guan, #01-1022 People’s Park Complex Cooked Food Centre, 32 New Market Road, Singapore 050032.
Fragrance
You’re really spoilt for choice here. In addition to regular and spicy bak kwas, Fragrance offers bacon, red yeast, honey, Kurobuta and, if you’re still in a Christmas-y mood, turkey bak kwa. Fragrance also takes the cake for having the single strangest offering: crocodile bak kwa.
Fragrance Bak Kwa, 205 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530205. p. 6257 8608.
Friendly Vegetarian
While meat-lovers may scoff at the idea of vegetarian bak kwa, Friendly Vegetarian’s offerings make sure your vegetarian mates aren’t left out of this CNY tradition.
Friendly Vegetarian, 421 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-1165, Singapore 560421. p. 6456 6607.
Goodwood Park Hotel
Marinated in the hotel’s special blend of spices, the bak kwa is tender, not too dry, and practically melts in your mouth. The bak kwa is also pre-cut into small slices which makes it so easy to just gorge ourselves endlessly on this fabulously delicious treat!
Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221. p. 6737 7411.
Hu Zhen Long
They’ve been around since 1948 and the current shopfront still evokes a sense of nostalgia with its traditional decor and wooden displays. Besides their traditional bak kwa, other unique flavours include crocodile meat bak kwa and BBQ lobster meat bak kwa.
Hu Zhen Long, 14 Sago Street, Singapore 059015. Open 10am to 8pm daily. p.6324 5825.
Kim Peng Hiang
Fancy a bit more luck and prosperity for CNY? Check out the Pineapple Bak Kwa here at Kim Peng Hiang, a unique combination of savoury and sweet. Another interesting flavour is the Fa Choy BBQ Chicken that offers a non-pork option for the delicacy. But if you’re keen to stick to the traditional tastes, their sliced royal pork Bak Kwa is tender and juicy, and comes in bright red packaging suitable for gifting.
Kim Peng Hiang, 465 Changi Road, Singapore 419886. p.6742 6953
Xi Shi Bak Kwa
Established since 1985, the bak kwa here is still made using traditional methods instead of modern machinery and traditional Chinese herbs are part of the recipe. As such, you get innovative choices including Monascus Bak Kwa (home made Monascus rice wine is used to marinate the pork), Chicken Seaweed Sesame Bak Kwa, and Duck Bak Kwa which is made from hand-sliced duck breast.
Xi Shi Bak Kwa
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