Song Fa Bak Kut Teh 松發肉骨茶

We read about the Michelin Bib Gourmand, seen the long queues, heard about it from Dennis Chew (repeatedly) on Love 97.2FM as he was trying out new dishes as an intern there. So…finally decided to give it a try since there was an outlet near us.

The thing with expectation is, the higher the expectation, the harder the fall. I’m sure they have many fans, otherwise they couldn’t have opened so many branches. But this dining experience is pretty disappointing.

I never went back. The thought of doing so never cross my mind either. But the crowd & queue are still there, when I passed by Song Fa Bak Kut enroute to my cheap & good Tai Wah Pork Noodle.

I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t sign up as a Song Fa BKT member.

I like that they provide chilli padi with dark soy sauce, and a little bin to throw bones & stuff. I was also pleasantly surprised their wet tissues are free!

Here comes the food!

Starting with Song Fa’s Braised Side Platter@ S$4.8. Only the tofu was okay. Peanuts were “crunchy”, not the crush-with-your-tongue softness I was expecting. Egg is the worst, hard & overcooked 👎

4. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh Braised Side Platter

Song Fa’s Sliced Fish Soup @ S$9.8 is 1 of the worst fish soups I’ve had 😱 I thought Love 97.2FM DJs said it was good…maybe need to go Song Fa Signatures @ Paragon Orchard 🤔

Song Fa’s Prime Spare Ribs Soup @ S$12.9 is peppery, but not as peppery-spicy as Founder Bak Kut Teh. It’s nice that Song Fa’s employees proactively walk around to offer soup refill. Never had to raise my hand once to get their attention for soup 👍

However, I wonder if they really gave us prime spare ribs as the meat is not tender, nor easily separated from the bone 👎

6. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh Prime Spare Ribs Soup

What’s Bak Kut Teh without Dough Fritters 油条 @ S$2.3. I’ve had better, the best being Old Street Bak Kut Teh’s freshly prepared dough fritters (in their early days). I guess 无虾,鱼也可. 好过没有 🤭