If you love mutton, this is one dish you’d wanna slurp up. Get ready for a messy feast!
What local dish is red in colour, tastes sweet and spicy, and can get messy when eaten? Nope, it’s not chilli crab. We’re talking about sup tulang merah (mutton bone stewed in a red sauce made of mutton stock, tomatoes, sambal, and spices), a favourite among the Malay and Indian communities here. No one knows its exact origin, though it’s said to have been created in the 1950s at a stall along Jalan Sultan. Today, sup tulang merah is universally known as a uniquely Singaporean dish, and people from all over the world come here just to taste it.
What’s the best way to eat tulang merah? There are a few recommended techniques. The easiest is to use a straw and suck up all the gelatinous bone marrow. No mess, no stress. The second common method is by knocking the bone against the plate; fingers crossed that the meat falls out from the hard hitting. Finally, you can curl one hand into a fist, and with the other hand holding onto the mutton bone for dear life, knock your wrist against the fist. Yes, it’s a workout, but it’s guaranteed to dislodge any meat stuck within.
Are you ready to get your hands dirty? Let’s dig into the best sup tulang merah in Singapore.
Where to get the best sup tulang merah in Singapore
1. Haji Kadir Food Chains
Credit should be given when it’s due, so we must thank this stalwart for coming up with this beloved local dish. Even the late, great Anthony Bourdain sang praises about this eatery after trying it on his show, No Reservations. Heed our advice: avoid wearing anything white and put on a pair of gloves for good measure. Remember to dip the bread into the gravy to soak up all the flavours before popping it into your mouth. Its Tampines and Lavender outlets are open around the clock, so you can have this anytime – yes, even for supper.
Haji Kadir Food Chains, multiple locations including Beach Road and Tampines
2. Al Mahboob Rojak
Those living in eastern Singapore don’t have to venture far to satiate their sup tulang merah craving. Situated opposite Our Tampines Hub, this humble Indian restaurant offers the iconic dish as part of its extensive menu. The mutton flavour may be stronger, but it’s perfectly balanced with the sweet and spicy gravy.
Al Mahboob Rojak, #01-02, NTUC Income@Tampines Junction, 300 Tampines Avenue 5, Singapore 529653
3. Deen Tulang Specialist
Golden Mile Food Centre is teeming with stalls selling this iconic dish. If you find yourself here, be sure to drop by this “tulang specialist”. Its signboard claims it’s “the original” and “one of the tastiest” in Singapore. Of course, it takes more than that to convince us. So order a plate and get ready to get your hands messy. The only gripe we have is that everything’s served on styrofoam plates. That’s a no bueno for eco-conscious eaters.
Deen Tulang Specialist, #B1-17, Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road, Singapore 199583
4. Deen Tiga Rasa
Here’s another establishment worth checking out at Golden Mile Food Centre. “Tiga rasa” holds a double meaning: it stands for three flavours in Malay as well as the three generations that run the business. The stall claims to be the king of sup tulang, all thanks to its broth. Mutton shanks from Australia, ginger, garlic, salt, secret soup spices, and pandan leaves come together in Deen’s take on this local delight. Take your time slurping everything up and see if you can pick out the three flavours.
Deen Tiga Rasa, #B1-16, Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road, Singapore 199583
5. M.A. Deen Biasa
We’ve talked about how this mamak restaurant serves a heartwarming bowl of mutton soup. But its star offering, undoubtedly, is sup tulang merah. In fact, the stall has outrightly declared itself to be the king of sup tulang. Are we allowed to have more than one person on the throne? If it’s your first time trying, we recommend getting the extra small plate, which comes with four mutton bones. You can always pack it for someone who loves the dish if you decide you’re not into it. A win-win situation.
M.A. Deen Biasa, 95/97 Jalan Sultan, Singapore 198998
6. Al Tasneem Restaurant
When you think of tulang merah, this place isn’t the first option that comes to mind. That said, don’t be quick to write off this eatery. Al Tasneem’s rendition is spicy (a fair warning to those who can’t take the heat) and contains eggs for texture. What about the meat? We’re happy to report that it’s tender and falls off the bones easily. You can even pick it apart using a fork. Delicious.
Al Tasneem Restaurant, 709 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198681
7. Jaan West Coast
Everyone knows Little India’s Tekka Centre is a foodie paradise. But if you’re bored of the typical pratas and mee goreng, we say take a chance and settle down with a hearty plate of tulang merah. Spot the queue for this stall? Go ahead and join the line; before you know it, you’ll understand why Jaan’s version is highly raved about. After wrangling all the meat from the bone, place it atop a bread slice and pour some gravy over it before devouring. Comfort food at its finest, we say.
Jaan West Coast, #01-249, Tekka Centre, 665 Buffalo Road, Singapore 210665
8. Lepak at Sultan
Ah, Bugis. It’s so easy to find halal food options in this hip ‘hood. Head to this restaurant near Sultan Mosque, which is all about authentic Malay and Arabic cuisine. One of the standouts is its tulang merah set, which is slow-cooked to perfection and served with fried rice in egg or French loaf. You have to pay through your nose here compared to the rest in this list, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying it at least once. End your meal on a sweet note with kunafe (a Turkish dessert comprising shredded pastry, butter, and cheese) and ice cream.
Lepak at Sultan, 62 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199478
9. Tash Tish Tosh
Founded in 2013, this food joint was named after the head chef’s daughter. Flip through the menu and you’ll notice the dishes are levelled up renditions of familiar fares. You can enjoy the red bone “toolang” as is, or go for the signature battleship, which combines “tashooka” (beef chunks), toolang, and pizza dough with a sprinkling of feta cheese on top. Local chef Bob has given the battleship his stamp of approval; the restaurant also counts famed Malaysian singer Siti Nurhaliza as one of its biggest fans.
Tash Tish Tosh, multiple locations including Kandahar Street and Marine Cove
Keep calm and sink your teeth into the best sup tulang merah in Singapore now.