Seafood Bak Kut Teh @ Old Street Bak Kut Teh

3 Jurong Gateway #B1-25 Westgate Building, Singapore 068532

Tel: 6438 8866

Website: https://www.oldstreetbakkutteh.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OldStreetBakKutTeh

Old Street Bak Kut Teh has many stores in Singapore (as well as Malaysia and Indonesia), and I usually passed them by, thinking that it was enough that I had my own favourite Bak Kut Teh stalls that I would frequent.

Well, to share a little about them- a local Singaporean brand that started in 2010,  with an interesting concept of serving Bak Kut Teh (a traditional pork ribs soup), You Tiao (fried doughstick) and Soy Milk. Besides the traditional soupy Bak Kut Teh, they also serve Dry Bak Kut Teh, Seafood Vermicelli, Seafood Porridge egg.

What caught my attention these days were the Claypot Frog Leg Bak Kut Teh ("tian ji") and Seafood Bak Kut Teh. I decided to pop in to try the latter.

The staff crew members were very warm and friendly at this outlet, especially this particular lady in her 50s (I think), who was very hospitable and cheerful. She seated me, pulled out the electronic tablet menu from a drawer under the table, and showed me how to place my order.

When my Seafood Bak Kut Teh (SGD$14.00 for small) came, it was in a squarish pot which the friendly service crew set on the electronic stove on my table. She pulled open another drawer under the other side of my table and got utensils for me - super modern concept for such traditional cuisine; I was impressed.

I dug into the peppery soup when it boiled, enjoying the blend of pork ribs and sweetness of fresh seafood in generous servings - crab parts, fresh succulent prawns, clams and a piece of pork rib of course.

The stove kept my soup piping hot throughout the meal, optimising my enjoyment. Peppery flavour was strong enough but not overpowering. Best of all, Seafood was fresh, albeit being a little hard to eat without using hands).

I was glad I stepped into Old Street Bak Kut Teh and had a good meal in vintage settings, and I can't wait to be back to try the Frog Leg Bak Kut Teh and perhaps their soy milk.


OTHER  BAK KUT TEH REVIEWS:
(i) Founder Bak Kut Teh
(ii)  Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh
(iii) Lian Peng Bak Kut Teh

Traditional Klang Claypot Bak Kut Teh @ Rail Mall

444 Upper Bukit Timah Road, The Rail Mall, Singapore 678066

Tel: 6465 8688

Website: None supplied

We decided to explore Rail Mall for a simple dinner, and chanced upon Traditional Klang Claypot Bak Kut Teh restaurant, by the E.A.T. group.

Being a cool rainy day, the idea of piping hot soup appealed to us. Furthermore, the restaurant serves dry bak kut teh as well, a favorite of mine. Part of me was also hoping it might be the resurrection of my favorite herbal Klang BKT stall along Beach Road (defunct now).

Anyway, The Beau ordered for the 2 of us in the air-conditioned restaurant. Ordering is done at the counter by the way.

We had some simple side dishes such as You Mai Vegetables with garlic (SGD$3.80), Doughstick aka You Tiao (SGD$1.60) and my favorite Braised Egg (SGD$0.80).

Bak Kut Teh (SGD$6.60) was served very shortly after ordering; portion was notably small. The soup version comprised pork ribs, inards and beancurd skin (tau kee). We dug into the steaming soup eagerly only to watch each other's face fall. The soup was bland, totally devoid of any taste at all, let alone herbal aroma.

My Dry Bak Kut Teh (SGD$6.80) arrived next, the serving so paltry they might as well have served it on a plate. The saving grace was that the meat was tender, and there were lady's fingers in the tasty mixture tinged with spiciness.

Good service would be wistful thinking at this place, sadly, such that even refill of (tasteless) soup warranted repeated requests and half a mug-ful only. Needless to say, we both concurred that there are better avenues to satiate future BKT cravings.


For Reviews on Other Bak Kut Teh stalls visited:-

1) Founder Bak Kut Teh @ Balestier
2) Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh @ Rangoon Road
3) Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh @ Rangoon Road
4) Lian Peng Bak Kut Teh @ IMM
5) Song Fa Bak Kut Teh @ Chinatown Point

Lunch at Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (松發肉骨茶) @ Chinatown Point

133 New Bridge Road #01-04 Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413

Tel: 6443 1033

Website: http://www.songfa.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/songfabkt

I am sure that Song Fa Bak Kut Teh needs no introductions, with its flagship stall opposite The Central (Clarke Quay) garnering long queues throughout the day. Now they have 7 outlets spanning the island - Centrepoint, Chinatown Point, 11 New Bridge Road, 17 New Bridge Road, UE Bizhub, Seletar Mall and Jurong JEM.

We decided to have lunch at the Chinatown Point branch after a work appointment, and since it was a cold, rainy kind of day.

There are 2 entrances to this Bak Kut Teh restaurant here - the front and the back, both clogged by snakes of diners waiting to go in. Service was efficient and pretty thoughtful in fact, with the service crew bringing clean "Song Fa" labelled cloths to cover our bags when we were seated, and bringing plastic bags for our umbrellas without being asked.  Needless, the same level of initiative continued throughout the meal, with our soup being refilled very efficiently.

Their menus comprise of a good variety of soups - pork ribs, pork loins, premium loins, pork liver, pork kidney, fish slice soup etc. Unlike some of the other stalls that offer the option of a "mixed innards soup", one may mix and match items based on their own preferences instead (price difference of SGD $0.50 to SGD $1.00, depending on your choice of ribs and innards).

The Beau had a Pork Loins Soup (SGD$9.00), which he commented was a little rough, and contained too much fats at one part.

I chose the Pork Liver Soup (SGD $6.00)  which came with many pieces of tender pork liver and a piece of lettuce.

We both found that while their soup is pretty tasty, it lacked a certain distinctiveness to it - wasn't peppery like some stalls, nor herbal as well. Just.... tasty pork bone soup, maybe that's its distinctiveness

Together with the meal, we had White Rice, Dough Fritters (you tiao), Xiao Bai Cai vegetables (SGD $4.00), Chinese Tea and Lemon Barley drink. We spent around SGD$28.00 in total, feeling full and warm on this rainy day.


For Reviews on Other Bak Kut Teh stalls visited:-

1) Founder Bak Kut Teh @ Balestier
2) Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh @ Rangoon Road
3) Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh @ Rangoon Road
4) Lian Peng Bak Kut Teh @ IMM

Lunch at (兴兴肉骨茶) Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh @ Rangoon area

107 Owen Road, Road, Singapore 218914

Tel: 6292 4913

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heng-Heng-Bak-Kut-Teh-Owen-Road/195927143764451

Opening Hours:  Daily 7.30am - 9pm and 11.30am - 2.30pm

Deciding to hunt for good herbal bak kut teh, *Camelia, *Julian and I decided to head for Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh at Rangoon area, since it was recommended to be good - and an authentic old brand's name, situated in a coffee shop settings.

We started with a pot of Hot Tea (SGD$3.50) that was served in an adorable tea pot and tiny cups. So we had to pour the tea leaves into the pot and douse hot water - totally self service - the art of tea brewing. It was very fragrant though, these tiny cups of Chinese tea.

For starters, there were Salted Vegetables (SGD$2.00), Fried Doughstick aka Youtiao (SGD$2.00) and the staple bowl of White Rice (SGD$0.50).

The Herbal Kut Teh (SGD$6.00) with pork ribs was at the top of their recommendation, and served in small claypots. It had a clear broth that was rather greasy, nothing like the darker, more murky herbal bak kut teh I have eaten at other places. Flavour was light, tinged with herbal aroma; the pork ribs were tender and had a very clean, pale look.

We shared some sides as well, such as Cai Xin Vegetables (SGD$6.00), also served in a mini claypot - crunchy and fresh, balancing the meaty meal well.

Finally, the bowl of Mixed Innards (SGD$7.00) - consisting of pork liver and kidney in a pot of their herbal soup and mini claypot. This was succulent and tasty, infused with the delicious flavour of the herbal soup it was cooked in.

Since most bak kut teh around the Rangoon / Balestier area are peppery-based, and Leong Kee (Klung) Bak Kut Teh along Beach Road is closed, Heng Heng might be your next alternative in the central for good claypot herbal bak kut teh. Service is efficient and ambience is nothing so speak of - good enough for sustenance and delicious quick meals.

[Media Invite] Dinner at Lian Peng Bak Kut Teh @ IMM

2 Jurong East Street 21, IMM Building #02-38, Singapore 809081

Tel: 6425 5208

Website: http://www.imm.sg/en/tenants/dining/restaurant/lian-peng-bak-kut-teh

Lian Peng Bak Kut Teh is the new kid on the block at IMM, serving traditional Teochew-style bak kut teh (pork ribs soup) with a clear, peppery soup, as well as other Teochew delicacies, helmed by Chef Lian Peng himself.

The eatery is furnished in a vintage, traditional olden-days coffeeshop, complete with white marble-topped tables and wooden chairs. One may choose to sit inside or outside, at the vast air-conditioned space of IMM Mall.

Service here was impeccable. The moment any guests walked over, the friendly "aunties" would smile warmly and ask "table for how many" in Mandarin. Throughout the meals, they would circulate the tables to clear plates or refill soups using kettles! (should have grabbed a photo of that).

This was a media invite attended by representatives from Hungrygowhere and hosted by Ronald.  We took our seats and pondered over the menu, asking for recommendations from Ronald - rather extensive menu. Please note that food served was in tasting portions and does not depict the more generous portions when eaten on a normal basis.

They started us with some appetisers - may also be eaten as sides to the mains.  There were Salted Vegetahles (SGD$2.50 small / SGD$3.50 large) which thankfully were not too salty, Peanuts (SGD$2.50 small / SGD$3.50 large) and Beancurd Sheets (SGD$5.00), which may be known more commonly as "tau gee".

A special mention would be the Spicy Sambal Dried Shrimps (SGD$6.00), more commonly known as "hae bee ham".  An appetite-whetting condiment-type dish that rings deliciously of the shrimp's luscious flavour combined with spicy notes of the sambal chilli. We finished the entire plate between 5 of us.

We were each served a bowl of their signature Loin Ribs Soup (SGD$9.50) - tender and lean fresh flesh cooked in a delicious peppery broth with garlic. It was not too peppery or spicy, just the right note of flavour - perfect for all members of the family, I would think.

We also tried the Pig's Kidney Soup (SGD$6.00), loving the chewy, crunchy texture of the pig's kidney absolutely.

The Pig's Stomach Soup (SGD$6.00) was another favorite of the group, comprising of a soft but springy texture to it.

My personal favorite was also the Pig's Liver Soup (SGD$6.00), containing pieces of coarse-textured, saccharine and succulent pieces of liver. We noticed that the soup was darker, and tasted of hints of Chinese wine in this as well, boosting the taste up another notch.

While some of us paired the steaming, sumptuous soup with Rice (SGD$0.50 small / SGD$0.80 large), we also had the You Tiao (SGD$2.00) - pieces of fried doughstick as well as Vermicelli Soup (SGD$3.00). The latter was very fine and smooth.

Besides Bak Kut Teh, there's also an array of other delicacies here at Lian Peng that we tasted.  The Braised Duck (SGD$15.00 quarter / SGD$28.00 half) was an excellent and tasty dish with tender meat flavoured by a thick dark sauce that was slightly sweetish in nature.

Then, the Braised Pig's Trotter (SGD$8.00 small / SGD$15.00 medium) was very, very tender and soft in flesh. Many people disregard the skin - but the bouncy, collagenic skin is the amazing part of eating trotters IMHO.  The thick gravy was a little sweet for my liking though.

Next, this platter of Braised Pig's Big Intestines (SGD$6.00 small / SGD$8.00 big) was a delicacy too. Drenched deliciously in a dark sauce that also contains sweet notes, these intestines were springy, chewy and crispy (some of them were fried before braised). It is an exotic dish that not everyone eats, but if you do eat innards, the beauty of this dish is certainly not lost on you.

Finally, allow yourself to indulge in their homdmade Barley (SGD$1.50) - warm or cold, wafting strongly with barley's natural maltish flavour and the drink is concorded to the right amount of sweetness.

Thank you Lian Peng and Ronald for hosting us and the brilliant recommendations; and thank you Hungrygowhere for the invite!