Bak Kwa or 肉干 is a type of dried meat that originated in China. A well-liked snack in Singapore, particularly in the course of the Chinese New Year season, the manufacturing of bak kwa entails preservation and the infusion of substances akin to salt, sugar, sauces and spices thrown into the combo. In newer years, bak kwa producers have change into extra inventive as nicely, infusing herbs, honey, chili and even minerals into the bak kwa to distinguish themselves from different manufacturers. There has additionally been elevated choice for extra genuine trying bak kwa – which implies much less on the redness and the sugar.
Bak Kwa is extraordinarily in style in Singapore, with some manufacturers even ingrained internationally as being iconic of the Lion City. As such, it may be mentioned that Singapore is on the forefront of innovation as nicely in relation to this snack. Bak Kwa can be generally used as an ingredient in some on a regular basis dishes akin to fried rice, claypot rice, and so forth; thus permitting it to a stand as a yr spherical merchandise even outdoors of Lunar New Year.
Some of the widespread kinds of bak kwa embody:
- Sliced pork / beef / rooster / duck / lamb
- Chili sliced pork / beef / rooster / duck / lamb
- Coin-shaped slices utilizing pork / beef/ rooster / duck / lamb
- Pork stomach (suppose: just like bacon however present process the identical preservation and cooking approach as the same old bak kwa)
- Flavored bak kwa – might be infused with fruits, extra herbs, seaweed, minerals, and so forth
If you might be questioning which is one of the best bak kwa to purchase as an on a regular basis snack or throughout Chinese New Year, I’ve tried to sum it up right here on your comfort. You will discover right here essentially the most complete listing of bak kwa in Singapore! Do be aware this listing isn’t organized so as. Most of those bak kwa manufacturers additionally promote on-line and even ship, giving an added comfort. For subsequent Lunar New Year, you gained’t have to waste a substantial period of time queuing!
Lim Chee Guan (林志源)
lim chee guan bak kwa (supply: lim chee guan)
Lim Chee Guan originates from 1938 and has been a staple in lots of Singaporeans’ houses particularly throughout Chinese New Year. With their flagship retailer in New Bridge Road, Lim Chee Guan at present has 4 shops in Singapore, together with Jewel Changi Airport, Ion Orchard and People’s Park Complex.
The model prides itself in its exacting requirements – from attaining the proper consistency of meat to mixing the spiced sauce and likewise barbecuing the bak kwa for simply the appropriate size of time.
Despite their comparatively well-known model identify, Lim Chee Guan solely has just a few bodily shops which implies that lengthy queues are anticipated each Chinese New Year interval.
Top Seller: The Signature Bak Kwa is their undoubted finest vendor. Each slice has a smoky aroma, and is sufficiently tender with every chunk. Consistency could drop a bit when the workers members are extraordinarily busy, akin to in the course of the festive season however general every slice isn’t too fats and has a pleasant mixture of candy and savory.
Prices: From S$ 45.80 for 500 grams of sliced pork bak kwa – worth inclusive of supply
Order right here (free supply)
Peng Guan (传统)
peng guan bak kwa (supply: peng guan)
*Top Pick* Peng Guan is taken into account as a relative newcomer within the bak kwa manufacturing scene, particularly when you think about different manufacturers which have been round for so long as 70+ years. Peng Guan began in 2014. The enterprise began as a passion, with the founders solely making bak kwa throughout Chinese New Year whereas creating their recipes within the course of. The model has rapidly risen as one of many extra distinguished bak kwa producers as their merchandise are all handmade to this present day. They have 2 bodily shops – in Bugis and Chinatown – they usually additionally promote bak kwa on-line.
Top Seller: The Traditional Bak Kwa and Sliced Bak Kwa are amongst their best-sellers. A product distinctive to Peng Guan is the Bak Kwa Pau – a standard bun on the surface with bak kwa filling on the within.
Prices: Peng Guan’s Bak Kwa are uniformly priced at S$26 per 500g for all variants.
Order right here (free supply)
Kim Tee (新东方金池)
kim tee bak kwa (supply: kim tee)
Kim Tee traces its roots to the early Nineteen Seventies when its founder, Teo Kim Tee, began promoting bak kwa in Adam Road. The store later moved to Serangoon Gardens in 1976 and nonetheless stands immediately as Kim Tee’s flagship retailer. Kim Tee now has 5 bodily shops in Singapore and likewise sells bak kwa on-line.
While different bak kwa manufacturers have moved to mechanize the manufacturing course of, Kim Tee nonetheless makes their bak kwa by hand utilizing the normal methodology of barbecuing by charcoal grill from begin to finish. Special effort is made to trim extra fat in an effort to preserve the meat lean. They additionally don’t use tenderizers of preservatives. Coupled with Mr. Teo’s authentic marinade, Kim Tee creates a uniquely skinny and tender slice of jerky that’s the good mix of smoky, candy and porky taste in each single chunk.
Top Seller: Kim Tee’s prime vendor is the Signature Bak Kwa, made utilizing minced pork and is exclusive to different manufacturers due to its markedly skinny and tender texture – not too laborious to chunk on and good even for the aged and younger kids.
Other than their signature bak kwa, Kim Tee additionally has Chili Bak Kwa which is seasoned with contemporary chili padi – with the seeds clearly seen on the bak kwa! For one thing thicker, in addition they have the Sliced Bak Kwa.
Taste Profile: Personally one in all my prime picks, I attempted their Signature Bak Kwa which was delightfully skinny and tender. I liked the sweet-savory marinade – very addictive!
Prices: From S$27 for 500 grams of signature bak kwa
Order right here (free supply for orders of S$45 or extra)
Golden Gourmet (金质)
golden connoisseur bak kwa (supply: golden connoisseur)
Golden Gourmet is a promising and comparatively new bak kwa producer within the native scene. Co-founded by siblings Josephine and Sky, the duo has had intensive expertise in bak kwa manufacturing method earlier than that with their household having offered bak kwa from as early because the Eighties out of a small tent within the east facet of Singapore. Golden Gourmet has clearly considered the youthful crowd as one in all their key markets with some distinctive choices akin to a probiotic bak kwa that possesses intestine well being advantages. Their merchandise are all freshly made day by day and grilled over charcoal on a bamboo plate to deliver out the flavour and perfume.
Top Seller: A product distinctive to Golden Gourmet is the Lacto Chicken Bak Kwa which possesses probiotic advantages not too dissimilar from Yakult. Aside from that, their conventional sliced pork slices additionally promote briskly.
Prices: From S$16.80 for 300 grams of sliced pork bak kwa / S$20.40 for 300 grams of lacto rooster bak kwa
Taste Profile: Golden Gourmet’s bak kwa is notably easy in texture and they’re fairly beneficiant within the sauce as nicely. Each slice is randomly peppered with charred bits – not overly so which is ample to provide it a barely smoky taste.
Order right here (free bak kwa supply for orders above S$50)
New Peng Hiang (新品香)
new peng hiang bak kwa (supply: new peng hiang)
New Peng Hiang was based in 1984 by a sure Mr. Khoo. Although this model principally sells its merchandise in supermarkets reasonably than by their very own shops, New Peng Hiang has efficiently expanded abroad, the place it exports to a couple neighboring nations. The model additionally has a minimum of 7 bodily shops in Indonesia.
Top Seller: Those who fancy bak kwa as an on a regular basis snack can take a look at their Bak Kwa Bites that are straightforward to hold. You can munch on them anyplace, even within the comforts of your workplace.
Prices: From S$30 for 500 grams of tender pork bak kwa
Order right here (free bak kwa supply for orders above S$45)
Fragrance（香味）
perfume bak kwa (supply: perfume)
*Kurobuta Pork* Fragrance is among the profitable bak kwa manufacturers in Singapore and has achieved mass-market chain standing with its myriad of shops round Singapore and even in different nations. Although Fragrance began as a bak kwa maker again in 1969, the model has since expanded to different gadgets akin to pork floss, sausages and even mooncakes. Altogether, Fragrance has a staggering 39 branches round Singapore – nearly rivaling Bee Cheng Hiang’s 47 places.
Top Seller: Products distinctive to Fragrance embody the US Berkshire Pork Kurobuta Bak Kwa and the Heart-shaped Red Yeast Bak Kwa, alongside the normal bak kwa variants.
Prices: From S$31 for 500 grams of sliced bak kwa
Order right here (free islandwide bak kwa supply with minimal S$45 spend)
Hup Chong (哈中）
hup chong bak kwa (supply: hup chong)
Hup Chong is a meals producer that began by promoting bak kwa again within the Nineteen Seventies. Today, the corporate has diversified and aside from making barbecued meat, in addition they manufacture pork floss and even different non-related merchandise like ramen and quite a lot of desserts.
Top Seller: Their BBQ Pork Bak Kwa is their undoubted prime vendor however regulars additionally go for his or her BBQ Beef Bak Kwa.
Prices: From S$30 for 500 grams sliced pork bak kwa
Order right here (free bak kwa supply for orders above S$45)
Kim Joo Guan (金裕源)
kim joo guan golden coin bak kwa (supply: kim joo guan)
Kim Joo Guan’s bak kwa are marketed as being extra premium than the opposite manufacturers on this listing, primarily attributable to their pork being grain-fed from Australia and their resolve to NOT use machines of their manufacturing. The result’s a premium and candy tasting bak kwa that may be a bit rougher than others, as a result of pure manufacturing course of. Their costs are additionally a tad greater than others.
Top Seller: Kim Joo Guan has a reasonably lean assortment of merchandise – with simply 4 varieties. The Traditional Pork Slice, Chili Pork Slice, Golden Coin and Premium Pork Belly all promote reasonably briskly particularly throughout Chinese New Year.
Prices: S$39 for 500 grams of the Traditional Pork Slice
Order right here (free supply with minimal S$45 spenmd)
Kim Peng Hiang (金品香)
kim peng hiang bak kwa (supply: kim peng hiang)
Known for its snaking queues throughout Chinese New Year, Kim Peng Hiang stays to be a 1-outlet institution regardless of their reputation. The model originated in 1943 when Kim Peng Hiang opened its first retailer in Pearl’s Hill Road. They subsequently transferred to North Bridge Road in 1956 and eventually to Changi Road in 1972 the place they continue to be to this present day. You won’t be able to order Kim Peng Hiang bak kwa on-line. You nonetheless have to queue in-person to purchase their merchandise.
Top Seller: The undoubted prime vendor at Kim Peng Hiang is its Pineapple BBQ Pork. Having tried it inside the shop throughout off-peak season, the flavour is marvelously candy with a touch of smokiness. It’s additionally fairly tender to the chunk. Kim Peng Hiang’s bak kwa is one of the best one in my e-book.
Prices: From S$24 for 500 grams of Sliced Royal Pork / S$26 for Pineapple BBQ Pork
Order: 465 Changi Road, Singapore 419886 (Tel: +65 6742 6853)
Hock Wong (福王）
hock wong bak kwa (supply: hock wong)
The model began in Kuala Lumpur over a decade in the past earlier than increasing into Singapore by opening their manufacturing facility right here in 2015. One of Hock Wong’s key promoting factors is the utilization of honeysuckle of their roasting course of.
Top Seller: Those in search of a fiery deal with ought to try their Mala Spicy Bak Kwa. Each slice is infused with Chengdu peppercorns, promising a numbing expertise with each chunk. Along with this, Hock Wong additionally has their basic honey-roasted Classic Minced Pork Bak Kwa.
Prices: From S$34 for 500grams of sliced pork bak kwa
Order right here (free bak kwa supply for orders above S$45)
Xi Shi (西施）
xi shi bak kwa (supply: xi shi)
Xi Shi was began by Mr. Koh Hock Bin who used to work in a dimsum retailer. Having a bak kwa retailer as its neighbor, Mr. Koh finally obtained to be taught the ropes of the bak kwa commerce till he realized all the things together with the recipes of his neighbor. He finally arrange his personal bak kwa enterprise in 1985. From then on, Xi Shi is understood for nonetheless making ready their bak kwa inside a charcoal smoke home reasonably by the utilization of machines.
Top Seller: While gross sales of their Handmade Sliced Bak Kwa transfer briskly, these in search of one thing totally different ought to try their Duck Bak Kwa – made utilizing duck breast and marinated with chosen herbs – or their Monascus Bak Kwa which is marinated with aromatic monascus rice wine. Xi Shi was additionally the primary producer in Singapore to make the Chicken Seaweed Bak Kwa which has a Japanese tinge within the style as a result of combination of seaweed and sesame seeds.
Prices: From S$27 for 500 grams of authentic bak kwa
Order right here (free supply for orders above S$15)
Bee Cheng Hiang (美珍香)
bee cheng hiang bak kwa (supply: bee cheng hiang)
The most recognizable bak kwa model in Singapore, Bee Cheng Hiang originates from 1933 when it was based by Mr Teo Swee Ee. These days, Bee Cheng Hiang sells a lot greater than bak kwa however the dried pork nonetheless types the majority of their enterprise. The model is understood for its reliability and accessibility, with retailers in nearly each nook of Singapore and even in different nations that are simply recognized by the intense yellow/purple striped indicators. For these wishing to reward bak kwa to pals and associates abroad, Bee Cheng Hiang is often the popular model as they promote vacuum-sealed bak kwa with an extended shelf life.
Top Seller: Among the bak kwa manufacturers listed right here, Bee Cheng Hiang is tops by way of selection. Not solely have they got the basic Sliced Pork however in addition they have rooster and beef bak kwa in addition to a bacon-like Gourmet Bak Kwa. For those that can’t make up their minds on which portion of the pork to strive, the Gourmet Fusion mixes juicy pork stomach with the leaner pork rind.
Prices: From S$22.80 for 280 grams of Sliced Pork Bak Kwa
Order right here (free supply for orders above S$50)
Kim Hua Guan (金华源)
My go to to Kim Hua Guan’s stall at People’s Park Food Centre was notably notable as a result of out of all of the bak kwa retail institutions I visited throughout off-peak season for the aim of researching for this text, Kim Hua Guan was the one one which had a queue (albeit a brief one at that). And thoughts you, this was in October – not even close to Lunar New Year by any measure. Kim Hua Guan has been round for greater than 50 years in its People’s Park location and regardless of their reputation, they solely have two shops – the one I visited in Chinatown and one other one in Toa Payoh. Their bak kwa is made contemporary day by day and clients may even see them grilling on the spot over sizzling charcoal.
Top Seller: Their Traditional Minced Pork Bak Kwa is their undoubted prime vendor. Most regulars right here swear by the tender and juicy minced model. Apart from this, Kim Hua Guan additionally has another fascinating flavors together with Longan Bak Kwa and Black Pepper Bak Kwa.
Prices: From S$31 for 500 grams of Sliced Pork
Order right here
Kim Hock Guan (金福源)
Kim Hock Guan has been round since 1905 – nicely over 100 years! This makes them the oldest surviving bak kwa model in Singapore. Their authentic outlet was at 70 Rochor Road, later transferring to Chinatown and establishing one other outlet in Bencoolen Street. Their Chinatown outlet in Hong Lim Complex which I visited on a reasonably languid Sunday afternoon was most likely essentially the most old-school retailer I’ve ever stepped into and it appeared to have remained unchanged for the reason that Nineteen Seventies!
Taste Profile: Kim Hock Guan’s Sliced Pork Bak Kwa appears extra unprocessed than the remaining. Just trying on the sq. items, one can simply make out the meat fibers. It’s additionally thicker and drier than the remaining. I favored that it had much less of the burnt edges in comparison with different manufacturers.
Prices: From S$56 per kg of Sliced Pork Bak Kwa
More info right here
Wu Chin Leong (胡振隆）
wu chin leong bak kwa (supply: wu chin leong)
Wu Chin Leong is a family-owned enterprise primarily based in Clementi specializing in bak kwa. The model has been in operation for greater than 40 years, retaining the normal preparation strategies of making ready bak kwa over charcoal at their retailer together with different merchandise akin to sesame oil.
Top Seller: Most in style merchandise at Wu Chin Leong embody their Signature Sliced Tender Bak Kwa, Chili Bak Kwa and Beef Bak Kwa.
Prices: From S$19 for 500 grams of signature sliced bak kwa
Order right here (free supply with minimal order of S$45)
Peach Garden (桃苑)
peach backyard bak kwa (supply: peach backyard)
Whereas many of the manufacturers on this listing produce bak kwa all-year, Peach Garden’s bak kwa particularly makes them in the course of the Chinese New Year season solely. For 2022, Peach Garden is providing the normal sliced bak kwa, with a $25 eating voucher to be given to clients who buy on-line and decide to self-collect at one in all their 5 eating places in Singapore. Their bak kwa additionally is available in a picturesque field which make for excellent items.
Top Seller: Peach Garden is providing just one sort of bak kwa – the normal bak kwa which are available 600 grams or 1kg model.
Prices: S$44.94 (600g) / S$66.34 (1kg)
Order – TBA
Gin Thye (锦泰)
gin thye bak kwa (supply: gin thye)
Gin Thye is the model to show to for the cost-conscious. Their Minced Bak Kwa begins from simply S$8.80 per 250 grams whereas their Sliced Bak Kwa begins from S$12 per 250 grams. Gin Thye is generally identified for his or her pastries and seasonal bakes however they’ve additionally gone into the bak kwa enterprise recently. If you want to avoid wasting cash this CNY, Gin Thye is certainly a noteworthy contender for the most cost effective branded bak kwa in Singapore.
Top Seller: Sliced Bak Kwa, Minced Bak Kwa
Prices: From S$27 for 500 grams of sliced bak kwa
Order right here (free bak kwa supply for minimal order of S$15)
Shangri-la Singapore
Lux it up together with your bak kwa gifting this coming Chinese New Year with Shangri-la Singapore’s Applewood Minced Pork Honey Bak Kwa which is obtainable solely in the course of the festive season. Their bak kwa is properly contained in a sq. purple field, making them particularly good as items.
Prices: S$52 for 500 grams
Order – TBA
