Bak Kut Teh

Mains
One-pot
Pork
Rice
Soup

Easy Level:

Easy

Cook Time:

2 Hrs 30 Mins

Servings:

4

The widespread of bak kut teh was long ago brought into Singapore about by early immigrants. Our variant of it is the iconic Singapore-style, combining the sweetness of the pork, and the combination of garlic and white peppercorn, giving it the right balance of flavours.

Paired this comforting soup with rice, you tiao, and chopped chilli padi with dark soy sauce.

 

*Updated: August 2025

Ingredients

Adjust Servings
US / Metric
0.00
kg
kg
Pork ribs
0.00
kg
kg
Pork ribs
0.00
bulb
bulb
Garlic
0.00
bulb
bulb
Garlic
0.00
g
g
White peppercorn
0.00
g
g
White peppercorn
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Salt
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Salt
0.00
tsp
tsp
Chicken powder
0.00
tsp
tsp
Chicken powder
0.00
litre
litre
Water
0.00
litre
litre
Water

Garnish

Coriander
Coriander
Chilli padi
Chilli padi
Dark soy sauce
Dark soy sauce
You tiao / Chinese fried dough
You tiao / Chinese fried dough

Steps

1

Blanch pork ribs in a pot of boiling water to remove the impurities. About 10-15 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Blanch pork ribs in a pot of boiling water to remove the impurities. About 10-15 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Mark as completed

2

Roast garlic (skin on) and white peppercorns separately on a pan until golden brown or until fragrant smell is released. Transfer into a spice bag.
Roast garlic (skin on) and white peppercorns separately on a pan until golden brown or until fragrant smell is released. Transfer into a spice bag.
Mark as completed

3

Place spice bags into a pot, add water and bring it to a boil.
Place spice bags into a pot, add water and bring it to a boil.
Mark as completed

4

Add pork ribs, salt, chicken powder, and more water. Leave to simmer for 2-2.5 hours till the meat is slightly falling right off the bone.
Add pork ribs, salt, chicken powder, and more water. Leave to simmer for 2-2.5 hours till the meat is slightly falling right off the bone.
Mark as completed

5

If you don’t have time, use an Instant Pot instead and boil for 30-45 minutes.
If you don’t have time, use an Instant Pot instead and boil for 30-45 minutes.
Mark as completed

6

Serve hot with rice, youtiao, chopped chilli padi with dark soy sauce.
Serve hot with rice, youtiao, chopped chilli padi with dark soy sauce.
Mark as completed

7

(optional) Garnish with fresh coriander
(optional) Garnish with fresh coriander
Mark as completed

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