A SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS WEBSITE
by Tay Suan Chaing
Singapore, September 24, 2012 Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh Diners know they are in for some good bak kut teh when they can smell the fragrant soup in the air even before entering this no-frills restaurant. Owner Gwee Peck Hua who has over 40 years experience cooking bak kut teh, learnt the ropes from the late Ng Mui Song, father of Ng Ah Sio, who has outlets at Rangoon Road and Tanjong Katong Road. When he died, Mdm Gwee was encouraged by regular customers to set up her own shop, and she opened Ya Hua at Outram Park in 1992. The shop moved to Havelock 10 years ago. Mdm Gwee cooks the Teochew-style bak kut teh, which is a clear and peppery soup. She begins cooking the broth, made from pork bones, pork ribs, garlic and ground peppercorn, an hour before business starts. New batches are continually made during the day. The garlic and pepper provide just enough kick without overpowering the sweet and tasty broth. Another plus: no worries of having garlic breath after. Prices start from $6 for an individual portion of bak kut teh with five pieces of spare ribs. The meat is lean and tender, and only Indonesian pork is used as "it is tastier", says Mdm Gwee. She also recommends the prime ribs, from $7.50 a bowl, as they have some fat on them, "so they are juicier". Other popular items on the menu include the liver soup, for $6.50, which comes slightly bloody, and the kidney soup for $7.50. "Cleaning the kidney well to get rid of the smell takes time so we charge a bit more," says Mdm Gwee. The salted vegetables, $2 a portion, and the dough fritters, for $1.50, are also popular add-ons. The dough fritters thankfully do not have a rancid oil taste. The broth is best drunk steaming hot, making it most comforting to have on a rainy day. But even the current hot days are not keeping hungry diners away, judging from a recent lunch crowd. Get The Business Times for more stories.
Add: #01-01 Isetan Office Building 593 Havelock Road
Tel: 6235 7716
Opening hours: Tues and Thurs, 11am to 2am Wed, Fri and Sat, 11am to 3am Sun 11am to 10pm. Closed on Mon
