9 Best Places to get Bak Kwa in Singapore | Best of Food 2023

A staple when celebrating the Chinese New Year, bak kwa or rougan is delicious dried meat that you can always find in Lunar New Year feasts. The preparation of the meat uses techniques which are thought to have originated in ancient China and gives the bak kwa its signature smoky and salty-sweet flavour. It is commonly offered to guests and gifted to friends and relatives because of its red colour which signifies luck in Chinese culture. With an extensive variety of bak kwa in the market, which then is the best place in Singapore to get bak kwa? In our Best of Food series, we introduce the 9 Best Places to get Bak Kwa in Singapore, providing quality recommendations based on your lifestyle and budget needs.

Best Places to get Bak Kwa in Singapore

1. The Marmalade Pantry

A modern bistro with a twist on bak kwa

The Marmalade Pantry is a local restaurant that has been serving delicious bistro food with an infusion of local flavours. From breakfast to dinner, you can enjoy a variety of pasta, meats, and vegetarian dishes as well as afternoon treats such as cupcakes and teas. In addition to delectable dishes, beverages, and baked goods, the restaurant also releases seasonal dishes and treats for different holidays.

For the Lunar New Year, they have released several goodies which are a welcome addition to your feast or as gifts to your loved ones. Their Lunar New Year Collection includes pineapple tarts, sambal shrimp rolls, cranberry cookies, and a twist on bak kwa. Traditionally made from pork, Marmalade Pantry’s bak kwa is made from premium chicken thigh meat that is marinated using a traditional recipe. It is then barbecued to perfection and we love that they are individually vacuum sealed to preserve their flavours. Additionally, you can order the bak kwa and other goodies in the restaurant’s special CNY Signature Collection. 

2. Lim Chee Guan

Offers a wide variety of dried meats

One of the longest-running makers of bak kwa in Singapore, you can be sure that Lim Chee Guan has the bak kwa that you need. Using time-tested and traditional recipes, their bak kwa is made with only the finest ingredients to achieve the quality that fits their and their patrons’ standards. Their signature sliced pork and BBQ chilli pork are long-time favourites because of their balance of flavours and juiciness. Additionally, their Golden Pork Coin is a spin on the traditional square-shaped dried meat. We know that circles represent harmony and happiness which makes the rounded dried meat a welcome addition to your table. 

If you are looking for some non-pork bak kwa, then you can consider getting some of their delicious chicken or beef BBQ bak kwa slices. There are also BBQ fish and prawn bak kwa for even more variety in the bak kwa you serve on the Lunar New Year.

3. Kim Joo Guan

Bak kwa made from premium-quality meat

Dedicated to serving the best bak kwa, Kim Joo Guan is a store that you should definitely visit to stock up on some bak kwa. What we like about Kim Joo Guan’s bak kwa is that instead of frozen meat, they use only 100% Australian grain-fed fresh pork. Their meat is then chilled to better preserve flavours in comparison to being frozen. Together with the use of traditional recipes, the meats are vacuum sealed to improve shelf life and retain flavours. In addition to traditional bak kwa, you can also try their premium Iberico, chilli, and mala-flavoured variants. Because of the quality and assorted choices, their bak kwa has garnered them a loyal clientele from all around Singapore.

4. Bee Cheng Hiang Bakkwa

A shop for both traditional and gourmet bak kwa

From its humble beginnings in the streets of Chinatown, Bee Cheng Hiang Bakkwa has built more than 300 outlets and has become a known name in the bak kwa industry. Their wide array of rougan ensures that customers will find the bak kwa that they prefer. Whether you need traditional pork, beef, or chicken bak kwa you can be sure that they have what you are looking for in the flavours that you want.

Moreover, Bee Cheng Hiang has gourmet dried meats which can elevate your dining experience. Their gourmet variants include pork belly marinated with their secret recipe and perfectly barbecued. There is also Chilli Gourmet bak kwa for those that are craving a bit of spiciness. Additionally, you can try their succulent Gourmet Fusion bak kwa born from the combination of pork belly and premium pork hind.

5. Kim Tee

Traditional and premium-quality dried meats

For over 50 years, Kim Tee has been dedicated to making and serving delicious bak kwa to their customers. Through recipes handed down from previous generations, their handmade products are made using traditional methods to produce smoky and sweet flavours. We like their signature bak kwa because it is made from minced shoulder cut with minimal fat which makes it lean and meaty. It is then cooked over charcoal at the right temperature and duration to develop delicious flavours while remaining tender. In addition to their signature product, you can also try their delicious spicy variant and get their lucky bag with snack-sized and vacuum-sealed dried meat.

6. Angie’s Tempeh

A vegan and vegetarian twist on traditional bak kwa

Are you looking for a healthy alternative to traditional dried meats? Then you should definitely check out the tempeh bak kwa made by Angie’s Tempeh. As their name would suggest, this seller is known for their assortment of handcrafted and delicious tempeh. A special product that they offer during the Lunar New Year season is their exclusive Tempeh Bak Kwa. Starting from their signature tempeh, it is marinated in their homemade vegan sauce before being barbecued to perfection. This results in a product that has the same texture and familiarity that traditional meat-based bak kwa is known for. 

7. Kim Hua Guan

Gives you a range of flavours to choose from

Since its founding in the 1960s, Kim Hua Guan has established itself as one of the well-known brands in the barbecued meat industry in Singapore. The brand prides itself in serving high-quality, fresh, and delicious bak kwa made from only select ingredients. Together with traditional minced pork, they also offer a wide range of flavours such as black pepper and sambal belacan chilli. Additionally, you can order 500 grams up to 1 kg of bak kwa which is more than enough to serve the family and guests. Furthermore, they offer a package of 1 kg bak kwa that is individually vacuum packed and ideal for gifting your loved ones.

8. Hu Zhen Long

Delicious traditional and exotic meats

At Hu Zhen Long, you can satisfy your needs for traditional pork bak kwa and uncommon dried meats. In their shop, you can find pork and beef bak kwa that have been painstakingly made with traditional recipes to develop authentic flavours. If you like seafood, then their BBQ Lobster Bakwa will definitely suit your tastes. An innovative twist on traditional dried meat, it has the texture of traditional bak kwa while having the refreshing taste of seafood. 

Are you craving even more exotic dried meats? Then their BBQ Crocodile Meat Bakwa will definitely be what you are looking for. Not only is this meat low in fat and cholesterol but also high in proteins which makes it delicious and healthy. Additionally, crocodile meat can help ease coughs as well as some symptoms of asthma. We also like the fact that all of their vacuum-sealed dried meats can last from 3 to 6 months depending on the meat you choose. 

9. Bee Kim Heng

Authentic and traditional flavours

A seller of traditional and delicious bak kwa since 1951, you are sure to get your money’s worth at Bee Kim Heng. Their high-quality meats are well-seasoned and marinated using traditional methods before being grilled over hot coals. This process results in barbecued meats that have a balanced texture as well as a smoky and sweet flavour that bak kwa is known for. Because of the authentic flavours and juiciness of their dried meats, their wares are well-liked by both locals and tourists. 

We hope that our guide on the 9 Best Places to get Bak Kwa in Singapore has helped you to buy the best bak kwa in Singapore for your snacking and Lunar New Year festivities. Please share this with your family and friends if you have found it useful.

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