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bak kut teh recipe.

 


🍲 Authentic Bak Kut Teh Recipe | Herbal Pork Rib Soup

If you love comforting soups with rich flavors, this Bak Kut Teh recipe (肉骨茶) is a must-try! Originating from Malaysia and Singapore, Bak Kut Teh translates to “meat bone tea” — a fragrant herbal pork rib soup simmered with traditional Chinese herbs, garlic, and soy sauce.

This dish is hearty, aromatic, and best enjoyed with steamed rice, fried dough sticks (you tiao), or pickled vegetables. Perfect for chilly evenings or when you crave nourishing comfort food.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Authentic flavors with traditional herbs
  • Rich, aromatic broth that’s healthy and comforting
  • Great for family meals and gatherings
  • Easy to customize with mushrooms, tofu, or veggies

🥘 Ingredients (4 servings)

For the Soup Base:

  • 1 kg pork ribs (short ribs or spare ribs)
  • 12 cups water
  • 10 cloves garlic (lightly crushed, unpeeled)
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4–5 cloves
  • 1 tsp white peppercorns
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Herbal Mix (optional but recommended):

  • 10 g angelica root (dang gui)
  • 10 g codonopsis root (dang shen)
  • 10 g goji berries
  • 5 g licorice root
    (You can buy ready-made “Bak Kut Teh herb packets” in Asian stores if individual herbs aren’t available.)

Garnishes:

  • Fresh coriander leaves
  • Fried shallots
  • Chili soy dipping sauce
  • Steamed white rice
  • Fried dough sticks (you tiao)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Prepare the ribs

    • Blanch pork ribs in boiling water for 5 minutes to remove impurities.
    • Drain and rinse under cold water.

  2. Make the broth

    • In a large pot, add 12 cups of water, blanched ribs, garlic, and all spices/herbs.
    • Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

  3. Season and simmer

    • Add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine.
    • Simmer gently for 1.5–2 hours, until ribs are tender and the broth is rich.

  4. Taste and adjust

    • Season with salt or extra soy sauce if needed.

  5. Serve hot

    • Ladle soup into bowls with ribs.
    • Garnish with fresh coriander and fried shallots.
    • Serve with steamed rice, chili soy sauce, and fried dough sticks.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

  • Enjoy Bak Kut Teh with garlic chili soy sauce for dipping the ribs.
  • Pair with pickled mustard greens for a tangy balance.
  • Add tofu puffs, shiitake mushrooms, or enoki mushrooms for extra variety.

🥗 Storage & Reheating

  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • The flavor deepens overnight — making it even tastier the next day.
  • Reheat gently on the stove before serving.

📌 Recipe Notes

  • For a stronger herbal flavor, simmer longer and add extra herbs.
  • For a lighter, peppery version (Teochew-style), reduce soy sauce and increase white pepper.
  • Ready-made Bak Kut Teh spice packets are convenient and authentic if you can’t source herbs individually.
Final Thoughts:

✅ This Bak Kut Teh recipe brings authentic Southeast Asian flavors into your kitchen — hearty, aromatic, and perfect for family-style dining.

Similar Recipes :

1. Hainanese Chicken Rice

  • Fragrant poached chicken served with rice cooked in chicken fat and broth.
  • Comes with garlic chili sauce and soy dip — another Southeast Asian classic.

2. Teochew Peppery Bak Kut Teh

  • A variation of the traditional herbal version.
  • Clear broth, heavy on white pepper and garlic, lighter and spicier.

3. Beef Noodle Soup (Taiwanese Style)

  • Tender beef shank simmered with soy sauce, star anise, and Chinese spices.
  • Served with chewy noodles and bok choy.

4. Lotus Root & Peanut Soup

  • A Cantonese-style herbal soup made with lotus root, dried peanuts, pork ribs, and red dates.
  • Nutty, nourishing, and perfect for cold days.

5. Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup

  • A lighter alternative to Bak Kut Teh.
  • Uses chicken simmered with goji berries, red dates, ginseng, and ginger for a restorative broth.


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