15 Lesser-Known Spots For Delicious Bak Kwa In Singapore
These aren't the big brands we are all familiar with, and some are more affordable too
By guoxiongho -
Bak kwa. There's really not much to say about this beloved jerky that has become a staple, especially during the Chinese New Year festivities. Sweet, savoury, and smoky, bak kwa is an umami-packed delight that can be snacked on its own (and watch it dangerously dwindle down) or goes equally well with rice, porridge, or between a slice of white bread.
Pro tip: Heat the bak kwa in a toaster or oven until it's hot and crispy to make it even more unctuous and moreish. Here, we've rounded up 15 niche places and hawkers to get bak kwa in Singapore that aren't the big, familiar brands we've all heard of.
Bee Kim Heng has been steadfastly selling bak kwa since 1951. The family business, which is located in the popular People’s Park Food Centre, continues to use charcoal to grill its bak kwa, infusing a lick of smoke and fire to its creations. The slices come in a deep burnished red hue with burnt edges here — none of that artificial red colouring you might see elsewhere. For Chinese New Year 2025, bak kwa prices start from $33 for 500g and continue to rise closer to date.
Bee Kim Heng is at 32 New Market Rd, #01-1010 People’s Park Food Centre, Singapore 050032. Visit its website for more information.
Founded by chef and entrepreneur Simbian Chua, Century Bakkwa is the place to go if you’re looking for unconventional flavours. Its charcoal-grilled bak kwa is made with Spanish pork and comes in iterations such as Black Truffle, Lychee, Yuzu, Pineapple and even a sugar-free version. This year, bak kwa prices start from $58 for 500g.
Century Bak Kwa is at 30 Dunlop St, Singapore 209358. Visit its website or Instagram page for more information.
Whether you have vegan friends visiting or are vegan yourself, Angie’s Tempeh can still fulfill your bak kwa craving with its Tempeh Bak Kwa. Yes, you read that right. Founder Angeline Leong has found a way of transforming the humble fermented soybean product into delectable jerky. It’s created by slow culturing soybeans into tempeh, then marinated with a special in-house vegan bak kwa sauce. There is a Truffle Flavour now too. Bak kwa prices start from $68 for 650g.
Order via Angie’s Tempeh’s website.
Located along Changi Road between Kembangan and Eunos MRT, Kim Peng Hiang has been selling bak kwa since the 1930s. The family-owned business is most known for the Pineapple BBQ Pork, which has sweet pineapple embedded into the savoury pork jerky. Come early and be prepared to queue – you’ve been warned. For Chinese New Year 2025, bak kwa prices start from $27 for 500g.
Kim Peng Hiang is at 465 Changi Rd, Singapore 419886.
Now helmed by third-generation owners, Hu Zhen Long reminds us of an older time with its retro shopfront and products. The brand was founded in 1948 and its homemade bak kwa offerings include more unusual proteins of beef, crocodile, and lobster. Hu Zhen Long has an official storefront on Shopee for those who don’t want to queue in person. For Chinese New Year 2025, bak kwa prices start from $39 for 500g.
Hu Zhen Long is at 4 Sago St, Singapore 059015. Visit its website to order or for more information.
Kim Tee is nestled within the Serangoon Gardens neighbourhood where they have been situated since opening in 1976. You might also have heard them referred to as Ang Sar Lee, which points to the red zinc rooftop that crowns the shophouse. Kim Tee continues to use the family recipe and grill the bak kwa over charcoal from start to finish. You can check out their Shopee storefront too. For Chinese New Year 2025, bak kwa prices start from $36 for 500g.
Kim Tee is at 22 Maju Ave, Singapore 556695, 51 Old Airport Road (Old Airport Road Food Centre), #01-112, Singapore 390051, and 210 Toa Payoh Lorong 8, #01-69, Singapore 310210. Visit its website for more information.
Sang Hock Guan is a small family-run operation diligently grilling its bak kwa with charcoal in a stall under an HDB block in Ang Mo Kio, giving its jerky a distinct smoky aroma. Because of the shop’s compact size, do head there early before it gets snapped up especially when festive seasons are near.
Sang Hock Guan is at 163 Ang Mo Kio Avenue, #01-446, Singapore 4560163.
Peng Guan is the brainchild of friends Zhang Ziyue and Lee Kok Keong who started as hobbyists making jerky for their friends and family before launching in 2014. They have been steadily gaining more recognition over the years and continue to make the bak kwa by hand for the best texture and flavour. Made using air-flown Brazilian pork, the jerky leans a little sweeter, with the meat juicy and tender without being overly greasy. With multiple locations dotted islandwide and a Shopee storefront, Peng Guan is also one of the more accessible retailers on this list. Get its bak kwa from $28 for 500g.
Peng Guan has multiple locations in Singapore, including Blk 335 Smith Street, #02-36 Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Singapore 050335 and 71 Kallang Bahru, #01-531H, Singapore 330071. Visit its website for more information.
Situated in Empress Market, former pig butcher Teo Kim Wah founded Kim Wah Heong in 1981. It is now managed by third-generation grandson Teo Kok Hwee. To date, the hawker stall still attracts crowds waiting patiently for its smoky charcoal-grilled bak kwa. Options available are Minced, Sliced, Chili, and Truffle Bak Kwa. Bak kwa prices start from $64 for 1kg and continue to rise closer to date.
Kim Wah Heong is at 7 Empress Rd, #01-92 Empress Market, Singapore 260007. Visit its Instagram for more information.
En is Singaporean actress Rui En’s first attempt into entrepreneurship and she has chosen bak kwa, her “all-time fav CNY indulgence” to be the first product. There are two flavours available: Applewood Bak Kwa ($98 for 500g) and Laksa ($88 for 500g). The former has been slow-smoked for two hours to ensure a robust, savoury barbecued flavour while the latter is infused with the aromatic spices we are familiar with. While the prices of Rui En’s bak kwa are admittedly on the steep side, proceeds from the sale will support Brave Club, a faith-based initiative that aids special needs children and their families.
Order via En’s website here.
Kim Hock Seng is a one-man operation headed by owner Ong Geok Hoo. A son of a butcher, he amassed over 50 years of bak kwa-making experience and continues to be dedicated to his craft in his discreet Geylang shop. Here, you will only find bak kwa made with sliced pork or bacon, which is then smoked and grilled to add smokiness and char.
Kim Hock Seng is at 570 Geylang Rd, Singapore 389515.
Xishi Bakkwa was started rather serendipitously. Founder Koh Hock Bin was learning how to make dim sum when he was asked to support the neighbouring bak kwa shop during a manpower shortage in the 1970s. He stayed on, inherited the recipes, and started Xishi Bakkwa in 1985. Besides the classic minced or sliced bak kwa, you will also find mala, pineapple, seaweed, and mushroom minced pork flavours here. Check out its Shopee storefront too. For Chinese New Year 2025, bak kwa prices start from $31 for 500g.
Visit Xishi Bakka’s website to order or for more information.
While most people queue for satay year-round, Chai Ho Satay becomes especially popular before Chinese New Year as crowds gather for its bak kwa. The bak kwa, like the satay, also features a smoky char. If you do want to get bak kwa from Chai Ho Satay, it is best to share your order with family and friends as they require a minimum order of 10kg. For Chinese New Year 2025, bak kwa prices start from $56 for 1kg and continue to rise closer to date.
Chai Ho Satay is at 448 Clementi Ave 3, #01-10 Clementi 448 Market & Food Centre, Singapore 120448.
For another vegan bak kwa option, head to &SO. It is a brand that specialises in making plant-based food delicious enough to rival its animal-based counterparts. Its halal-certified bak kwa - the ANDSO Bak Kwa Zip Lock Pouch ($26 for 300g) - is available in original and spicy flavours and is made with a mix of textured soy protein and mycoprotein. The bak kwa is also available at FairPrice, Sheng Siong, and RedMart.
Visit &SO’s website to order or for more information.
Fyre knows how much Singaporeans love mala xiangguo that they have decided to make a mala xiangguo-flavoured bak kwa. Fyre is a local label that specialises in uniquely flavoured bak kwa made with pork loin and jowl. Besides the original and mala xiangguo flavours, there are also Lycheewood and Lycheewood Pineapple, which uses the namesake wood to impart its sweet scent during smoking. For Chinese New Year 2025, bak kwa prices start from $88 for 500g
Order via Fyre’s website here.
This article was originally published on Jan 19, 2024 and updated on Jan 17, 2025.