Before I bring my friend back to @keehiongsg for herbal bak kut teh, imma call in and reserve a Tua Kut (Big Bone) Soup ($9.50) because they've only eight portions per day (BKT meat isn’t sold in parts and each pig 🐷 only has a pair).
.
A huge bone from the central broth is dunked into a clay pot of soup, bubbling fiercely over strong heat. It's a weighty hunk the dish can't fully contain. Half of it is glorious, thick fats, and the other, are pork chunks so ready to fall off the bone. Tear in with your teeth and hands.
.
The fresh meat is tender, though lean and meaty, and a dab of their chilli padi in black sauce intensifies it with some spicy. I declare here I love fats over meat, so eagerly, I sank my teeth in. The thick and heavy chunk is soft enough to tug off, with some chewiness to make an impression.
.
The broth boasts over 16 traditional Chinese herbs, but it’s still less herbal flavour than I expected. It wasn’t sticky thick but the clay pot retained the heat of the soup. It’s definitely addictively umami after being fired with the tua kut 🔥
.
You’ll need their Dough Fritters ($1.60) which are freshly fried and cut. It’s satisfying crisp on the outside with a soft, airy centre to drench in tua kut soup. They soak up moreish deliciousness. Excuse me, friend-I-will-revisit-with, as I will need a bowl to myself. At least imma bring you to this gem of the serene, paktor-worthy-seriously A.H. Garden Cafe 🏩