A Salty-Sweet Treat All About the Singapore Bak Kwa
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A Salty-Sweet Treat: All About the Singapore Bak Kwa 

Singapore has its fair share of unique delicacies—for instance, these amazing local desserts such as ang ku kueh and chendol. If you’re more of a salty or savory kind of person, then the bak kwa might be the perfect treat for you.

Not sure what bak kwa is? Don’t worry. Here, you’ll learn what it is, what it tastes like, and where the best bak kwa shops are!

What is bak kwa in Singapore?

— From: choisegourmet

Bak kwa, also known as rougan, is a dried meat product that originated in China. It’s noted for its hardness, similar to jerky, but nowadays, it’s possible to have a bak kwa with a softer texture. 

Chinese immigrants brought this treat over to Singapore way back when. It has then become a tradition to consume bak kwa during Chinese New Year in Singapore.

What meat is used for bak kwa?

— From: eatbooksg 

Bak kwa is traditionally made of pork, beef, or mutton, but it’s okay to use other types of meat as well. Other good options for bak kwa include chicken and duck. 

Some adventurous and daring people even use exotic meats, such as crocodile, emu, prawn, ostrich, and lobster. 

How is bak kwa prepared?

(From: The Singapore Women’s Weekly )

Traditionally speaking, bak kwa is prepared by seasoning your meat of choice with spices, sugar, salt, and soy sauce. Then, the meat is left to dry on racks at roughly 50–60ºC until it reaches a final water activity that’s between 0.60 and 0.69. 

In Singapore, the preparations have slight variations from the traditional method. Instead of air-drying the meat, it’s grilled over charcoal so that it has a smokier flavor. 

Some makers in Singapore also prefer to add more sugar to the meat’s seasoning. 

What does bak kwa taste like?

— From: qingxiangsqx

Simply put, bak kwa tastes savory with a hint of sweetness. Depending on the shop, bak kwa can also taste a lot sweeter than the traditional one, and for people who can handle a little heat, spicy bak kwa is available too.  

There are even some variations of bak kwa that are infused with additional ingredients like fruits, seaweed, and herbs.

How much is bak kwa in Singapore?

— From: fragrance_bak_Kwa

Bak kwa in Singapore is actually kind of expensive. It costs about S$39 per 500 grams, and if you prefer to buy a one-kilogram pack, you’ll have to pay around S$62. 

The prices can rack up even more during the Chinese New Year because this delicacy is in demand during this event. 

How do I eat bak kwa?

Munching on bak kwa as a snack is definitely the preferred way of eating it, but you can also try other methods if you want.

Here are a few ways that I personally use to eat bak kwa, and I highly suggest you try them too. 

With Rice

— From: longomania2021

I’m of the belief that anything tastes good with rice, so it comes as no surprise that I love using bak kwa as toppings for my rice dishes. 

Usually, bak kwa serves as a second viand for my rice meal, and when I’m feeling motivated, I’ll even cook fried rice with bak kwa, egg, and a few diced vegetables. 

In Soups

— From: danser77

Soups are great to eat during cold weather, but do you know what makes them even better? It’s when you put a few slices of bak kwa into the mix. 

Bak kwa in soup is great because it adds a lot of flavor and a chewy texture. Slurping a spoonful of soup and biting into the salty-sweet meat of the bak kwa always fills me with satisfaction. 

In Sandwiches

— From: mfoodology

If you’re tired of making the same old sandwich every snack time, one way to improve it is by adding a layer of bak kwa. Many of my friends prefer this method of eating bak kwa because sometimes the bak kwa they purchase is too salty to eat on its own. 

My go-to sandwich is a simple scrambled egg, a few lettuce leaves, a slice of bak kwa, and a spoonful of mayonnaise and other condiments in between two slices of white bread. It’s so easy to make, but it’s so filling. 

In Salads

— From: fatbearcation 

Do you want to eat a healthier meal but still crave bak kwa? Fortunately, there’s a way to combine the two by making a salad with bak kwa!

Since bak kwa is made of meat (or a plant-based meat alternative like tempeh), it can serve as your protein source for your salad. On top of that, it also adds extra texture and flavor, so you can expect that every forkful of your salad is delicious. 

In Desserts

— From: sucre.du.jour

Yes, you read that right. Bak kwa can be used in sweet recipes. I was also skeptical at first, but when I tried it, I was surprised by how much I ended up liking it. 

Personally, I think bak kwa works great as an ingredient for a simple cookie, and if you want to get creative, you can make bak kwa bread pudding. 

The saltiness of the bak kwa actually adds a savory kick to the dessert, which surprisingly elevates the dish. Try it for yourself—you might end up really liking this as well.

Where can I get the best bak kwa in Singapore?

Kim Hock Guan

Address: 180 Bencoolen St, #01-25, Singapore 189646

Contact Number: +6568357118

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10:30 am to 8:30 pm

Website

If there’s only one bak kwa shop you can visit during your time in Singapore, let it be Kim Hock Guan. This is the oldest bak kwa shop on the island—it’s been operating since 1905—so for it to stand the test of time, you know their offerings are excellent.

The great thing about this shop is that it uses century-old bak kwa production methods, so you can get an idea of how this delicacy tasted way back when. 

Additionally, they only use lean meat (they avoid using minced meat), so your bak kwa will be chewier and richer in flavor.

Fragrance

— From: nicolejyq and fragrance_bak_kwa

Address: 205-207 New Bridge Rd, Singapore 059430

Contact Number: +6563271961

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 10 pm

Website

Fragrance is another popular bak kwa shop in Singapore. It has multiple locations on the island, including two in Chinatown and several others in well-known malls like Changi City Point, Plaza Singapura, VivoCity, and City Square Mall.

Aside from the multiple locations, Fragrance offers many bak kwa variants. There’s the traditional sliced bak kwa that’s freshly grilled, but you can also try chili bak kwa if you like spicy stuff or honey bak kwa if you prefer something sweet. 

If you have money to spare, you might be interested in purchasing any of the premium bak kwa here. I personally love the premium truffle bak kwa!

Golden Gourmet

Address: 8A Admiralty St, #05-31 Food Xchange @ Admiralty, Singapore 757437 

Contact Number: +6569691531

Operating Hours

  • Monday to Friday—9 am to 5:30 pm
  • Saturday—8:45 am to 2:30 pm
  • Closed on Sunday

Website

What makes Golden Gourmet special is that its bak kwa recipe is a family recipe that the owners have preserved for 40 years. Additionally, all their products are made fresh every day using handmade techniques, so there’s a lot of care put into them.

The menu here is also quite extensive. My favorite has to be the organic chicken bak kwa (it’s made with lacto-chicken meat, which means it’s full of probiotics, so it’s good for gut health), but I also really like the gold coin bak kwa and chili bak kwa. 

If you want to try their other products, I suggest buying the roast duck and xiao long bao. 

Lim Chee Guan

— From: serenetan.sg and whyqsg

Address: 203 New Bridge Rd, Singapore 059429

Contact Number: +6569337230

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday — 9 am to 10 pm

Website

Lim Chee Guan is another local favorite—so much so that it generates such long queues during Chinese New Year. Luckily, there are multiple locations for this shop, so you don’t have to struggle too much. 

The bak kwa here is much more on the savory side, so if you’re a big fan of the sweet rendition, you’re better off checking other shops. My go-to orders here are the signature sliced pork and BBQ chili pork. 

If you prefer seafood, you can try the BBQ prawn or the BBQ fish instead.

Chai Ho Satay & Dried Pork

— From: vampuke

Address: 448 Clementi Ave 3, #01-10, Singapore 120448

Operating Hours

  • Wednesday to Saturday—1 to 8 pm
  • Closed from Sunday to Tuesday

Chai Ho Satay & Dried Pork is located within a hawker center, and though satay is its bestselling product, the bak kwa is pretty great too. There are three types available—minced, sliced, and chili—and if you can afford it, be sure to try them all. 

The only downside is the fact that queues can get really long here—on Chinese New Year. The lines are so long you can’t even see the stall anymore, so, you might have to wait some time.

Peng Guan

— From: noshtine

Address: 335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex Food Centre 02-036, Singapore 050335

Contact Number: +6596848386

Operating Hours

  • Tuesday to Sunday—10 am to 3:45 pm
  • Closed on Monday

Website

Peng Guan is relatively new—it was only established in 2014—but it’s become so popular that it now has multiple locations all over Singapore. That said, the one in Chinatown is still my favorite place to go to. 

One critique I’ve always heard about Peng Guan is that it lacks variety. But personally, I don’t mind that because what they do offer is of great quality. 

The bak kwa is made from the freshest meat, and it’s also grilled to smoky perfection!

Hock Wong

— From: sgfoodlifestyle

Address: 64 Pagoda St, Singapore 059223

Contact Number: +6591469879

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 8 pm

Website

Hock Wong really caught my attention with its iconic packaging. I like how it features an image of Caishen, the God of Wealth, wishing me good luck.

I’ve been coming back to this shop because I’ve come to really like their bak kwa. It’s made from the finest pork, and the secret marinade just enhances the meat’s flavor profile.

There are also options for vegetarians! And if you’d like to try other things, I recommend their mooncakes and other sweets.

Wu Chin Leong

Address: 431 Clementi Ave 3, #01-352, Singapore 120431

Contact Number: +6567765966

Operating Hours

  • Monday to Friday—11 am to 8 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 6 pm

Website

Wu Chin Leong is a hidden gem on Clementi Avenue, and it’s one you shouldn’t miss out on. It’s a family-owned business that’s been selling bak kwa for more than 40 years, and the bak kwa here is simply tender and packed with so much flavor.

If you’re coming here, you should try their signature sliced tender bak kwa and the chili bak kwa. The beef bak kwa is also just as good. 

Kim Joo Guan

— From: gregoryleow

Address: 257 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058806

Contact Number: +6562255257

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9:30 am to 7:30 pm

Website

The family of Kim Joo Guan’s owners originated from Fujian, China, and so the recipe being used here is one that stays close to tradition. That said, this shop offers a few modern twists, such as using pork belly or premium Iberico as the main meat. 

My favorite item here is the gourmet traditional bak kwa, but the premium Iberico bak kwa also hits the spot. The pork floss offerings are also quite addictive, so I highly suggest you try it.

New Peng Hiang

Address: Blk 15 Woodlands Loop, #03-35/36, 15 Woodlands Loop, #03-35/36, Singapore 738322

Contact Number: +6567537707

Operating Hours

  • Monday to Saturday—9 am to 6 pm
  • Closed on Sunday

Website

You can trust New Peng Hiang to deliver high-quality bak kwa. They only make use of premium meat, and they don’t add any preservatives, MSG, and artificial flavoring. 

Another thing that stands out about this shop is the way they prepare the bak kwa. They handcraft every slice over bamboo sieves, then smoke it over charcoal to get that perfect char that adds a lot of smoky flavor to the meat. 

Plus, they also sell bak kwa bites! Instead of buying 500 g packs, you can purchase these, which are a lot cheaper and a lot more portable.

Bee Cheng Hiang

— From: wensdelight

Address: 239 Victoria St, Bugis Village, Singapore 188029

Contact Number: +6563343958

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 10 pm

Website

Bee Cheng Hiang is a bak kwa shop that’s very much beloved—so much so that it has multiple locations within Singapore and outside of Singapore. Here on the island, my personal favorite is the one on Victoria Street, so that’s what I’m recommending. 

This store had its humble beginnings way back in 1933. The business continued to flourish, and now it sells bak kwa that’s made from 100% natural ingredients and has no extra preservatives like artificial coloring and flavoring.

The best part about Bee Cheng Hiang is that you don’t even have to go to a physical store to buy their stuff. You can just download their app or shop online.

Century Bakkwa

— From: thatgreedypig

Address: 30 Dunlop St, Singapore 209358

Operating Hours

  • Tuesday to Sunday—10 am to 6 pm
  • Closed on Monday

Website

Century Bakkwa primarily uses Spanish pork for their bak kwa, which is why when you try their offerings here, you might notice they taste sweet and slightly citrusy. A citrusy flavor for bak kwa sounds surprising, but it actually tastes good. 

My favorite thing to order from Century Bakkwa has to be the Century croffle bak kwa. A “croffle” is essentially a fusion of croissant and waffle.

Century croffle bak kwa is made up of two croffles with a slice of bak kwa in between. It’s such a great salty-sweet combination with a bit of crunch! 

Fyre Singapore

— From: danielfooddiary and fyre.sg

Contact Number: +6584887455

Website

Simply put, the bak kwa produced and sold in Fyre Singapore is incredibly fire (is this how kids these days use this slang? Did I say it right?). 

Jokes aside, the products here are so good. The meat used is a combination of pork loin and pork jowl, so it’s incredibly tender, juicy, and succulent. 

Additionally, their grilling method features lychee wood and applewood, infusing even more flavors to the meat.

My favorite out of all the products they offer is the Mala Xiang Guo Bak Kwa, which is equally spicy, savory, and sweet. 

The Lycheewood Pineapple 1945 is also worth tasting. The pineapple taste really shines through and complements well with the meat.

Sang Hock Guan

— From: cruzteng

Address: HDB Ang Mo Kio #01-446, 163 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 (S)560163, 163 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, Singapore 560163

Contact Number: +6564587374

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9:30 am to 9:30 pm

If you’re a big fan of old-school bak kwa, Sang Hock Guan is the place to be. This is a quaint little shop in Ang Mo Kio, but don’t let its unassuming appearance fool you—the bak kwa here is seriously addicting. 

In fact, the bak kwa is so good that it sells out pretty fast every day. Whenever the craving for their bak kwa hits, I have to go here as early as possible so that I can purchase a pack for myself. 

Kim Tee

Address: 22 Maju Ave, Singapore 556695

Contact Number: +6566556665

Operating Hours: Monday to Friday—10 am to 8 pm

Website

Operating since the 1970s, Kim Tee is popular among the older generation, but the younger crowd can definitely enjoy their products as well. The signature bak kwa is undoubtedly the bestseller here, so you might want to go for that when you visit.

If you want to try various other flavors, I suggest purchasing their bak kwa lucky bag. Inside, there’s an assortment of bak kwa types, including the signature and mala-flavored ones; you can also easily share the bag with someone else.

Angie’s Tempeh

— From: tofuandvanilla 

Contact Number: +6588012468

Website

Vegetarians and vegans, this one’s for you. Angie’s Tempeh specializes in tempeh bak kwa, a meat bak kwa alternative that tastes and feels just like the traditional ones!

If you want extra indulgence in your tempeh bak kwa, you should buy the one with truffle flavor. It’s so good and worth it, in my opinion.

Xi Shi Bak Kwa

— From: justwomommies

Address: Woodlands Loop, #02-37 15, Singapore 738322

Contact Number: +6567566696

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Friday—10 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday—10 am to 1 pm
  • Closed on Sunday

Website

Xi Shi Bak Kwa has been in the business since 1985, and it’s still just as beloved right now. When making the bak kwa, the owners use traditional methods instead of relying on modern machinery, so their products have a personal touch to them. 

Chicken and gold coin pork are my go-to types of bak kwa here, and if you like unique flavor combinations, you should try the bak kwa with a seaweed sesame flavor. The mushroom-minced pork bak kwa is also worth trying.

Kim Hua Guan

— From: mandameus 

Address: 127 Lor 1 Toa Payoh, #02-40, Singapore 310127

Operating Hours:

  • Tuesday to Sunday—10 am to 8 pm
  • Closed on Monday

Website

Kim Hua Guan may not be a big hitter like Kim Hock Guan, Fragrance, and Bee Cheng Hiang, but this shop has its own loyal following. And it’s understandable why: its thinly sliced nibbles are tender and delicious, so it’s easy to munch on. 

Personally, what I like about this store is that the makers don’t skimp on the marinade. You can see it in the way the bak kwa has that perfect glaze, and of course, it’s also charred and crunchy, which makes it even more flavorful.