Best-of Guides Singapore

Here's Where to Get Singapore's Best Bak Kut Teh

6 Restaurants
Whether you like it herbal or peppery, the Lion City is home to some of the finest Bak Kut Teh around. Check out these recommendations from our MICHELIN Guide inspectors and satisfy your cravings!
Updated on 07 March 2024

Bak Kut Teh, literally translating to "pork bone tea", is ubiquitous in Singapore and rightfully deemed a national delicacy. Despite its widespread recognition as a traditional and flavourful dish, the exact origins of Bak Kut Teh remain a subject of debate. Legend has it that Chinese immigrants, seeking livelihoods in Southeast Asia in the past, concocted this dish to acclimate to the tropical climate. They simmered medicinal herbs, pork bones, and meat into a delectable and aromatic soup with purported health and nourishing benefits.

Aside from medicinal properties, Bak Kut Teh incorporates white pepper to elevate its flavour profile. Typically savoured with rice or fried dough sticks fritters, it is complemented by additional condiments like soy sauce, chilli, and minced garlic to intensify its taste. The robust and distinctly flavoured Bak Kut Teh enjoys widespread popularity among the public and has gained international recognition. It has rightfully earned its place as one of Singapore's authentic delicacies. Our MICHELIN Guide inspectors have identified several noteworthy restaurants to visit, allowing us to savour this unique culinary experience.

Soup lovers, better bookmark this list!

Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh
#01-1215, Blk 349, Jurong East Avenue 1, 600349 Singapore
$ · Street Food

Located in a residential neighbourhood, Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh may be small, but it offers an unforgettable Bak Kut Teh experience. The broth, with its cloudy appearance, strikes the perfect balance of peppery notes without overwhelming spiciness. The pork ribs, slow-cooked to perfection, boast tender and flavourful meat. Elevating the experience, dipping the succulent ribs into the chilli soy sauce enhances the overall deliciousness of this culinary delight.

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (New Bridge Road)
#01-01, 11 New Bridge Road, 059386 Singapore
$ · Singaporean

Nestled in a white corner-side building, the interior design of this establishment embraces a simple, retro style that transports visitors back in time upon entering. As a revered brand with a rich history, Bak Kut Teh adheres to traditional preparation methods. The broth, characterised by its clarity and balanced peppery aroma, is fragrant without being overly spicy. The stewed meat and bones showcase a delectable tenderness. Notably, the establishment offers complimentary soup top-up service, and the seats are consistently occupied during every mealtime.

Hokkien Street Bak Kut Teh
Hong Lim Market and Food Centre, #01-66, Blk 531A, Upper Cross Street, 051531 Singapore
$ · Street Food

Situated in the heart of Chinatown at the Hong Lim Market and Food Centre, this Bak Kut Teh establishment boasts an exceptional herbal essence, representing the traditional Fujian flavour. The broth, dark and robust, tantalites the taste buds with its richness. Diners have the option to choose between long or short bone ribs, and the menu offers additional ingredients like meatballs, pig tails, liver, and kidneys. The succulent ribs harmonise seamlessly with the flavourful soup, leaving a lingering and fragrant aftertaste in every mouthful.

Hua Xing Bak Kut Teh
Yuhua Market & Hawker Centre, #01-171, Blk 347, Jurong East Avenue 1, Jurong East, 600347 Singapore
$ · Street Food

Situated as a double-stall within the bustling Yuhua Market and Hawker Centre, this eatery frequently draws crowds. Patrons can opt for either pork ribs or meat bones when ordering Bak Kut Teh. The broth, characterised by its sweet and peppery notes, has an enticing aroma that is extremely mouthwatering. Accompanied by rice and chilli soy sauce, the dish enhances the meaty flavours of the Bak Kut Teh, stimulating the appetite with every satisfying bite.

Leon Kee Claypot Pork Rib Soup
Alexandra Village Food Centre, #01-18, Blk 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, 150120 Singapore
$ · Street Food

Within the busy Alexandra Village Food Centre, renowned for its array of popular eateries, stands a notable stall specialising in Bak Kut Teh. True to its name, this establishment crafts its Bak Kut Teh by simmering angelica root and various medicinal ingredients. The resulting soup, dark in hue, exudes a rich herbal aroma. The generous meat pieces soak up the essence of the broth, creating a harmonious blend of flavours. Served in a clay pot, this dish boasts a distinctive and uniquely tasty profile.

Yong Kee Claypot Bak Kut Teh
Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre, #02-78, 3 Yung Sheng Road, Jurong West, 618499 Singapore
$ · Street Food

Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre is a five-storey building with a wide variety of food, and Yong Kee Clay Pot Bak Kut Teh is one of the stalls not to be missed. The Bak Kut Teh here is served in a clay pot, featuring both herbal and peppery flavours to satisfy the preferences of different customers. Among them, the herbal Bak Kut Teh is well-seasoned, and the mellow soup and the meaty pork ribs complement each other perfectly.