Rong Hua Bak Kut Teh (Fusionopolis)

Rong Hua Bak Kut Teh is a Teochew bak kut teh restaurant in the basement of Connexis, part of the Fusionopolis complex in one-north. It serves pork rib soup in a clear, peppery broth, with braised dishes, greens and Chinese tea on the side.

The brand's story goes back to the 1920s. According to the restaurant, founder Chua Ah Hua came to Singapore and worked as a labourer, unloading sacks of rice from boats. Later he became an apprentice at a popular Teochew bak kut teh stall owned by Uncle Rong, an elder from his home village. The two went on to create their own pork rib soup recipe, and it became Rong Hua Bak Kut Teh.

What is bak kut teh?

The name means "meat bone tea". It is pork ribs simmered for hours with garlic and spices. There is no tea in the soup itself. Instead, people drink Chinese tea alongside it. The Teochew style served here is a clear soup with a strong kick of white pepper. Rong Hua names Sarawak white peppercorns, garlic and star anise as key spices in its soup.

What to order

Start with the signature pork rib soup and a bowl of white rice. Add a plate of you tiao, the fried dough sticks that locals dip into the broth. If you prefer noodles, there is mee sua, a fine wheat noodle, instead of rice.

If you like offal, the menu has soups made with pig's kidney, liver, stomach or tail. There are also pork tenderloin and sliced fish versions.

The braised dishes are worth adding. The signature braised pig's trotters, known as te kah, are the main one to try. Other choices include braised pig's intestine, braised beancurd skin, and chicken feet with beancurd skin.

For something different, try the honey baked char shao, smoked duck wrapped in crispy spring roll skin, or handmade prawn rolls with chestnut. Balance the meal with greens such as kai lan in oyster sauce, French beans with dried shrimp, or braised groundnuts with salted vegetables.

To drink, order a pot of Chinese kung fu tea or floral tea. Strong tea is the classic partner for a rich, peppery bowl.

Good to know before you go

• Finding it: the shop is at unit #B1-13 in Connexis, 1 Fusionopolis Way. The nearest station is one-north MRT on the Circle Line.
• The pepper: the broth is hot from the white pepper, not from chilli. Sip it slowly at first if you are new to it.
• Non-pork options: this is mainly a pork restaurant. Sliced fish soup, ginger garlic chicken and Hong Kong-style steamed fish are on the menu if someone at your table does not eat pork.
• Delivery: the restaurant delivers through GrabFood and foodpanda, and its website links to both.

Nearby

For more meals in the area, see our list of restaurants in West Coast and Buona Vista, including Jimmy Monkey Cafe (One-North) for coffee and brunch. Browse more hawker favourites and Chinese restaurants across Singapore. To walk off lunch, Kent Ridge Park is a short taxi ride away. If you enjoy Teochew cooking, read our guide to Teochew braised duck rice.