Bak Kut Teh: Song Fa vs Heng Heng vs Ng Ah Sio

We live close to the bak kut teh capital of Singapore, and in our 5 years of staying here, have grown to love and appreciate the beauty of a hot hearty bak kut teh brunch on weekends. It's not a super cheap meal, but it's a small price to pay for the time well spent with equally greedy friends. We're aware that there are other bak kut teh places out there that are enjoyable, so we'll be continuing to try them out and blog about them as we go along, but it's hard not to go back to old favourites every now and then. In no particular order, here goes:

1. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh at Upper Circular Rd
Leslie Tay has a great write up here that explains the evolution of how the food at this stall has evolved. This place is a bit of a challenge to get to (especially in finding parking), but we found it was well worth our effort.We ordered the premium pork ribs soup for $8.50 per bowl, which we found substantial, meaty and tender. The meat was a bit fatty but that was easily removed. The soup was less peppery than expected, and very sweet. Loved it.
Tang oh to make us feel slightly less guilty.
Beancurd skin.

2. Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh at Owen Rd

We love the fish that they serve as well - we've never tried the steamed fish because I'm not a steamed fish fan (well I'm not a fish fan in the first place), but the or he (black fish) is pretty good.

Their tur kah is excellent - boiled till soft, with lots of tasty soy gravy.

The bak kut teh here isn't as tasty as the other 2, but I like to think it's healthier, ie. less salt or msg.
The meat isn't all that tender, but it's passable. Definitely less fatty as well.
The real winner here is the or he - soft, tasty meat that goes so well with fresh lime squeezed over it, and vinegared tau cheo sauce.

3. Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh at Rangoon Rd

This place has to be most well-known for having Thaksin Shinawatra as a loyal customer, ahd having created a diplomatic fiasco for having turned Donald Tsang away (I privately think that the MFA NEA Desk could have called ahead, but that's a story for another day). We love having freshly brewed tea from the small teacups, and we've never understood why the cups need to be so small.

Pure pleasure in a teapot

We really like the soup here - only thing is that the first bowl is always the best, and the top-ups are never as tasty.
The husband likes the stewed peanuts here
Tang oh is always good
Their pig trotter is also really yummy - soft and gelatinous and tasty, and amazing with their vinegared chilli sauce. Song Fa @ 11 New Bridge Road, Tel: 6533 6128; Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh @ 107 Owen Road, Tel: 62924913. Closed Tuesdays; and Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh @ 208 Rangoon Road, Tel: 6291 4537. Closed Mondays.