For me, food is what makes life so exciting. Is it too lame to say that? Well, maybe it depends on how you appreciate food, right? If food is just food, then maybe it becomes something ordinary. But if you are like me, who sees food as a little gem waiting to be discovered, then every meal can turn into an adventure.
That is why I really enjoy spending my weekends searching for hawker stalls that offer amazing food. The Singapore hawker scene is really something special because many of the cooks and stall owners take pride in what they do. Some dishes may be served in simple bowls, on wooden tables, or in a busy food hall, but the taste can easily rival restaurant food.
Sometimes, I feel that the only big difference between hawker food and restaurant food is the ambience. And honestly, that makes hawker dining even more exciting for me. I don’t always need to spend hundreds just to enjoy something satisfying. Sometimes, all I need is a good bowl of soup, a bowl of rice, and that feeling that I found something worth coming back for.
Last Sunday, I went to Lau Pa Sat to check out a stall called Traditional Herbal Bak Kut Teh. The signage immediately caught my attention because it says they serve a Nanyang style taste of this dish. Lau Pa Sat itself already has that classic charm, with its high ceiling, green columns, and old-school hawker dining atmosphere. It feels touristy in some corners, but still very local in the way people gather around food.
For the bak kut teh, they have a regular serving for SGD 7.90 and a large serving for SGD 9.90. Since I was already starving that time, I went for the large serving. LOL. No regrets at all.
The bowl arrived looking simple but comforting. There were pork ribs, beancurd skin, tofu puffs, enoki mushrooms, and that rich-looking herbal soup. The first sip already gave me that warm and satisfying feeling. The soup was thick, flavorful, and had that distinct herbal taste that makes it different from the peppery style bak kut teh. It was not too overpowering, but it had enough depth to make every spoonful enjoyable.
This is definitely the kind of soup that makes rice more enjoyable too. I like how the broth clings lightly to the rice, making each bite more satisfying. The pork ribs were nice to eat with the soup, and the tofu puffs were also good because they soaked up all that herbal flavor. That is probably one of my favorite parts in this kind of dish.
With prices rising everywhere, spending SGD 9.90 for lunch is not something I take lightly. But when the food gives me that feeling that the value is right, then it becomes worth it. This bowl gave me that kind of experience. It felt hearty, flavorful, and quite premium for a hawker meal.
Of course, I also got myself a sweet treat after that. I dropped by Butter Cream and ordered a KitKat muffin and a Classic Cheese Tart. Both were really good, but my favorite was definitely the cheese tart. The tart shell had a nice bite, while the cheese filling was soft, creamy, and just so satisfying. It was a perfect way to end the meal.
Overall, my Sunday lunch at Lau Pa Sat was definitely worth repeating. A warm bowl of herbal bak kut teh, rice, dessert, and that relaxed weekend mood—what else can I ask for?
I’ll come back soon.
Bon appetit!
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