A comparison of the Singaporean Teochew and the Malaysian Klang (Hokkien) Bak Kut Teh using the analogy of wine

You all know Simon. Couple of weekends ago, he visited us and commented about how our local Bak Kut Teh (BKT) was not as flavorful as the Klang version.

A defense of our local clear version of Bak Kut Teh is that it gives an “honest” clean taste whereas with the Klang version with its herbs and soy sauce, it is easy to hide inferior quality pork within the heavy liquor. Nevertheless, we had a tasting of Bak Kut Teh (BKT) documented here.

And this is what Simon had to say.

Posted on 19th Aug 2010 in Hokkien, Malaysia, Singapore, Teochew | 2 comments

Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh on Havelock Road

It all started when Simon commented that the Bak Kut Teh (BKT) in Singapore is nothing but pepper pepper pepper and a bit of garlic, quite unlike the version you get in Malaysia which is flavorful with a dark liquor.

This sparked an outraged Tony who decided that Simon’s view has to be corrected by experiencing one of the best Bak Kut Teh restaurants in Singapore.

Posted on 16th Aug 2010 in Food and Drink, Teochew | 8 comments

Mu Liang Zai Liang Kee on Havelock Road

The original Liang Kee restaurant opened by the father (Ng Bak Liang) was in Ellenborough Market. After a long story, documented by the local press, there are now 3 restaurants bearing the Liang Kee name. Mu Liang Zai Liang Kee restaurant is opened by Ng Bak Liang’s fifth son, Ng Hong Seng, hence Mu Liang Zai (literally “Son of Bak Liang” in Mandarin).

It was a slow Tuesday night when I text’d Tony about the possibility of dinner on Saturday and he said he was interested in trying out the new Mu Liang Zai Liang Kee on Havelock Road. And before I know it, a group was rounded up and suddenly what was supposed to be a quiet Saturday dinner became a birthday celebration at Mu Liang Zai Liang Kee.

Posted on 28th Jun 2010 in Food and Drink, Makankaki, Old School, Teochew, Tze Char | 10 comments

Makankakis at Orchid Live Seafood

I had dinner with friends at the Orchid Live Seafood off Yio Chu Kang Road. We found the food to be decent and the Chef/Owner, Steven, to be open to negotiations. As such, the monthly makankaki dinner was to be held there.

It turned out to be one of the most unsatisfactory dinners the makankakis ever attended.

Posted on 10th Nov 2008 in Food and Drink, Makankaki, Teochew | 25 comments

Adventures With Island Grrrl! (The Hunt For Tau Kwa Pau)

One fine day, the Island Grrrrl had a craving for Teochew Porridge and went to the so-famous-that-everyone-but-this-blog-knows-about Teochew Porridge stall. Unfortunately, they had ran out of their equally-famous-but-this-blog-is-clueless-about Tau Kwa Pau.

The Island Grrrl was, to put it mildly, not a happy Island Grrrl.

Now, there are stories that the Microsoft Messenger is dangerous as it can be used to transmit viruses. This blog can attest that this is true because the Island Grrrl, who was lamenting the missed opportunity of consuming Tau Kwa Pau and, at the same time, extolling the virtues of a healthy and light Teochew Porridge (with a chorus of how she likes Tau Kwa Pau in between), implanted a viral message in this blog’s mind which broke out into an mind-blowing idea: let’s go earlier when the Tau Kwa Pau is available!

The Island Grrrl can be very persuasive and this blog is known, on occasion, to have bright ideas especially when nudged in the right direction using old school signs such as a pillar of cloud by day or a pillar of fire by night.

Posted on 29th May 2008 in Makankaki, Old School, Singapore, Teochew | 15 comments

Imperial Treasures At Both Cities

I was supposed to cook the Chinese New Year Reunion dinner this year, however because I had to go on a business trip which concluded on the 4th of Feb, so all plans of a home-cooked dinner were scuttled. This meant dinner at a Chinese Restaurant (non-Chinese Restaurants are not well-known for their Yu Sheng), which I am a little apprehensive because of past experiences.

Posted on 20th Feb 2008 in Cantonese, Singapore, Teochew | Post a comment

Teochew Chive Noodles & Preserved Crabs At Guan Hin

Jeff sent warning that Simon, one of our guides to great food in KL, was coming to town for a brief stop-over. A brief email conference was held to decide on a place for dinner. Simon has one of the sharpest palates around so it will be fun to see what happens.

Posted on 2nd Oct 2007 in Food and Drink, Makankaki, Teochew | 6 comments