Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh

Ng Ah Sio is now our go-​to place for peppery bak kut teh. It’s convenient in many ways, as it’s located on a main road, it’s air conditioned, and the prices are fair.
Similar to Founder’s Bak Kut Teh, they may or may not have the premium spare ribs when you visit. We always mark it on the menu anyway, and if it’s not available the staff will just let us know and we’ll get the regular ribs.
I wouldn’t say this is the most peppery broth I’ve tried, but it’s still very flavourful, and I think it’s the copious amount of garlic cloves in the soup that adds to it and makes this broth a little different.
The you tiao is not the best ever, but I always order it anyway as I can’t imagine bkt without it!
Even though this is under the Jumbo Group and could be considered as a chain, I still find it very authentic and I will continue to call this my neighbourhood bkt joint!

Set C3 X 2 and Set D3 x 2 for 11 people cost only SGD181.15. It’s quite worth it considering we have a big group of people and everywhere in The East Coast is crowded.
It is important to make sure you have transport because it’s no where near any MRT station. Bus or private transport is highly recommended. Remember to have parking coupons though as the public car park has yet to equip with auto deduction machines.
Water is served free of charge. Bak Ku Teh soup can be refilled upon request.

My local Singaporean friend told me last night that Ng Ah Sio BKT was better than Founder BKT! Strong words, my friend, strong words…
Since I’m a huge fan of Founders and use Founders as a baseline to judge all of my Bak Kut Teh eats, I will dedicate this entire review to a comparison between Ng Ah Sio BKT (Katong) and Founders BKT (Novena).
Let the battle begin:
Broth: Ng Ah Sio BKT has a MUCH STRONGER peppery broth than Founders. If you love pepper, then Ng Ah Sio is for you. However, if you find the pepper too overpowering, then stick to founders, which is relatively more subtle.
Spare Ribs: Ng Ah Sio BKT offers a classic and premium selection. I, for one, always order premium as I always feel its worth the extra $ 1-​$ 2 to get the higher quality pork (I hate eating dry pork with a passion!). Given that Ng Ah Sio BKT, gives the diner both of these options, I would say there is more consistency in the quality of the Spare Ribs. If you get the premium order, its unlikely you will get any dry cuts of meat, which again I truly hate. Founders, unfortunately, is prone to serving some dry cuts of meat, particularly the pork Rib. HOWEVER, when Founders serves the Long Spare Ribs (around 4−5inches long), which they never seem to serve, then Founders BKT beats Ng Ah Sio hands down. Ng Ah Sio’s spare ribs only come out to about 2 – 3 inches.
Ambiance: Ng Ah Sio BKT is owned by Jumbo Group, while Founders is owned by a nice little uncle sitting on his thrown at the back of his restaurant. Also, nothing beats the countless pictures of the famous uncle with Singaporean stars/​actors??? plastered all over the walls of the restaurant.
Queue: Founders has a ridiculously long line with lots of fan fare. Ng Ah Sio, not so much. I prefer short lines, but locals love long lines for the simple reason: long line = good food.
To conclude, I find that Founders is better, because their best dish — the long rib BKT (which they never seem to serve) is simply the best BKT you can have. However, its not worth it for me to travel from Katong to Novena for just that benefit, which again is no gaurantee. Sorry Founders, Ng Ah Sio BKT is now my new Bah Kuh Teh place (now that I live in Katong). :D

I trawl Singapore in search of good bak kut teh, and have visited most of the recommended places that will roll off any Singaporean’s tongue.
Ng Ah Sio at TK unfortunately fails to impress. The soup was not as hearty, the quality was nothing to shout about. While I could blame my own unsosphiticated palate for this lackluster review, my bak kut teh buddy also agreed that better BKTs could be had elsewhere. I recommend Yahua, or if you are in the area — go to the one next to Joo Chiat CC.

Love pork parts? Love Chinese food? Then bak kut teh is for you!
This place serves pork herbal soup and different cuts of the pig like braised skins, trotters, big intestines in small plates (tapas sized).
Order the veggies, even the hardiest carnivore needs veggies to cut the porky fatty goodness. Stewed tofu plate is tasty. Preserved veggies are too sweet and skippable.

I’m more familiar with the fact that there’s a Rangoon road branch, so imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this branch in Tanjong Katong!
I love eating Bak Kut Teh, even on a hot day, but thankfully the place is air-​conditioned so the restaurant is quite comfortable for slurping down hot bowls of soup. The staff were also quite attentive and the menu with pictures and all is quite easy to order from.
The soup is the peppery sort but not clear — it’s a little brownish and slightly herbally. They’ll top up the soup for you from time to time in little pots, but I find that the consistency of the soup changes from pot to pot — sometimes my soup top up is more dilute, other times more peppery.
But overall, good eating experience and while it’s not my all time favourite BKT store, I still would come back if I’m around the area.

No more sweating while eating bak kut teh! Housed in a traditional shophouse along Tanjong Katong road, Ng Ah Sio retains the nostalgia of older times with a modern and updated décor.
Eating in air-​conditioned comfort was probably what made me step in as I had a craving that day and I was pleasantly surprised by the décor and food. The wait staff are attentive and service is brisk and efficient. I had the you tiao, and two types of meat in the white pepper soup along with braised pig trotters and I must say, while not a fan of peppery soups, it was really good! The braised pig trotters, in my opinion, were a letdown as the sauce wasn’t thick enough and the gravy didn’t really soak into the meat, giving it a rather bland taste.
Tuesday to Sundays: 11am — 11pm. Closed on Mondays.