With the year of the Rabbit right around the corner, what better way to celebrate the auspicious season than with copious amounts of heart-burning festive snacks. the most popular of which is undoubtedly bak kwa – sweet, smoky pork jerky.Singapore has no shortage of stores hawking this savoury delight
One of the top few must-have snacks of the season, no Lunar New Year is truly complete without a platter of this sweet, savory goodness. Here’s a list of establishments you can get (in no particular order)
1. Kim Joo Guan
(image credit: Kim Joo Guan facebook page)
Kim Joo Guan’s traditional recipe has been an integral part of the Ong family spanning four generations, originating from Fujian, China and dating back to the early 20th century.
Their recipe retains its traditional taste and remains a heritage that continues to satisfy their valued customers from all over the world.
The ethos of Kim Joo Guan Pte Ltd and its Managing Director Mr Ong Bon Seng is that they insist on offering only the best quality in their bak kwa products, no matter what.
Giving the utmost attention to the standard of everything from raw ingredients to the preparation process, Kim Joo Guan Pte Ltd makes a point of using only 100% Australian grain-fed fresh pork, chilled instead of frozen to preserve the great taste of its bak kwa. This has won the food manufacturer a loyal clientele of fans, including a number of celebrities.
2. Kim Peng Hiang
(Image credit: The New Paper https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/crazy-bak-kwa)
Kim Peng Hiang is located at a row of shophouses along Changi Road. It is a five-minute walk from Kembangan MRT Station. Kim Peng Hiang does not take online orders, and customers are required to queue in person to get their hands on the yummy bak kwa.
Kim Peng Hiang’s most famous bak kwa is the Pineapple BBQ Pork ($26 for 500g), featuring pineapple embedded into the pork jerky.
Address: 465 Changi Road, Singapore 419886
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 6:30pm
Tel: 6742 6853
Kim Peng Hiang is not a halal-certified eatery.
3. Bee Cheng Hiang
(Image credit: Bee Cheng Hiang website)
Bee Cheng Hiang is more than just a 'Bakkwa' company. Their vision is to be Asia's leading food company, providing quality products and services to the global market. The Bak Kwa is made with 100% natural ingredients, with no added preservatives, meat tenderiser, artificial colouring, flavouring and MSG. In a world where food safety is of utmost importance, customers can enjoy our products with a peace of mind.
This has remained true since their inception in 1933.
Lovingly made from the hind legs of Iberian pigs., deliciously marinated with our traditional secret recipe and barbecued to perfection, Bee Cheng Hiang's succulent and delightfully smoky Sliced Pork Bakkwa is an all-time favourite of Bakkwa lovers!
https://www.beechenghiang.com.sg/
4. Fragrance
(image credit: Fragrance Bak Kwa Website)
Inspired by the fervour and optimism of the newly independent Singapore, Madam Ong set up her first bak kwa stall in 1969. Through hard work, she developed a winning formula, and the heavenly scent of her barbecued meat attracted Singaporeans from all walks of life to share in this tradition. The brand was named in Chinese, meaning "Fragrance", after the natural aroma of the barbecued meat.
Madam Ong's descendants, the Tan family, have continued championing the indomitable spirit of a post-independent Singapore with their irresistible barbecued selections as well as traditional Singaporean snacks.
5. Lim Chee Guan
(Image Credit: Lim Chee Guan Facebook Page )
Since 1938, Lim Chee Guan has been a leader in bak kwa – traditionally barbecued meat slices that are uniquely Singapore. Mr Lim Kay Eng first set up shop in Chinatown, armed with a recipe he developed, using the finest ingredients and following the same exacting process, he worked through many long and difficult years to achieved a reputation of excellence with bak kwa appreciators.
Staying at the forefront of the craft in Singapore for over 80 years is, in no small part, attributed to Lim Chee Guan’s devotion to tradition.
Preparing the bak kwa is a labor of love. Thin slices of bak kwa are roasted over glowing charcoal and flipped constantly to maintain the balance of delicate flavor and juicy perfection. A traditional snack, bak kwa is an essential food for any celebrations.
6. Peng Guan
(Image Credit: Peng Guan Bak Kwa )
Peng Guan was founded in 2014 by Mr Zhang Ziyue and Mr Lee Kok Keong over the shared loved for the traditional festive delicacy – barbequed pork jerky or bak kwa, Ziyue is no stranger to the bak kwa business. With interest inspired and experienced gathered from growing up in the bak kwa business, the duo would spend their weekends as hobby chefs, making bak kwa and gifting them to friends and relatives.
While they have worked tirelessly to improve their recipe year after year, there was still one belief held common – that bak kwa should still be made from scratch by hand. Despite the increasingly mechanised food production landscape and cost pressures, they recognised that the traditional method of making bak kwa by hand is superior and still produces the most authentic and consistent bak kwa texture, flavour and meaning still – of family, tradition and celebration.
Continuing and preserving the family’s heritage by making bak kwa by hand, it is their form of tribute and dedication to the humble roots of Peng Guan’s beginnings, originating from the support and joyous occasions with families and friends.
7. Golden Gourmet
(Image Credit: Golden Gourmet Facebook Page)
Golden Gourmet is a young company hoping to bring an updated version of traditional flavours to the market through modern food and ingredient choices, health standards and technology.
Learning from tradition, the Masterchef and his recipe has over 40 years of history, preserving the authentic methods of preparing favourite snacks like bak kwa and pork floss.
This minced pork meat Bak Kwa is made with Golden Gourmet’s Signature traditional recipe, making it their best seller!
Stripped of its tendons and hard fat, this Bak Kwa is lean, tender and juicy.
It is easy to bite into and is great for everyone including young kids and the elderly to enjoy!
8.Kim Hua Guan
(Image Credit: Kim Hua Guan Facebook Page)
Kim Hua Guan was founded in the 1960s by Mr Ng, who started the business committed to delivering customer satisfaction and assured his customers of the highest quality and freshness.
Today, Kim Hua Guan has successfully established herself as one of the most traditional brands in the barbecued meat industry.
You know Chinese New Year is fast approaching when you hear the upbeat tunes blasting in the malls and the reds in decorations everywhere. Celebrate Chinese New Year 2023 and welcome the Year Of The Rabbit.
Whether it is getting the house ready with some spring cleaning, adding accents to your home, getting some traditional snacks and family delicacies or getting that mandatory OOTD for instagram. This collection has got you covered with organization solutions, local cushions, home decor, and snacks.
Looking forward to a HUAT Chinese New Year!