Founder Bak Kut Teh has been ladling out pork rib soup in Singapore for more than 40 years, and its original shop on Balestier Road is still the one most regulars name first. If you are planning a first visit, the menu card is refreshingly short. You pick your soup and rib cut, add a few sides, and you are done. This guide walks through the whole card so you can order with confidence.

What Is on the Founder Bak Kut Teh Menu Card?

The heart of the menu is bak kut teh, pork ribs simmered in a clear, peppery, garlicky broth. Around it sit braised dishes, vegetables and the small plates that turn a bowl of soup into a full meal. Steamed rice and you tiao, the fried dough fritters made for dipping, are the two partners almost every table orders. The restaurant describes its own style as traditional Teochew bak kut teh, lighter and more pepper-forward than the dark herbal versions found elsewhere in Singapore.

What Are the Signature Soups?

The signature order is the Founder Bak Kut Teh, a mix of pork parts in the house peppery soup. If you prefer one cut only, the menu lists premium loin ribs and premium short ribs as separate choices. The table below shows the prices reported by the Seth Lui Singapore food guide in its October 2024 update. Prices can change, and they may vary slightly between outlets, so use these figures to plan your budget, not as a promise.

One detail regulars love: the broth is refillable. Ask the staff for a top-up when your bowl runs low, and they will bring more of the same peppery soup. It is one reason a simple bowl of soup and rice feels like such good value here.

What Sides Can You Add to Your Bak Kut Teh?

Sides are where you shape the meal to your own taste. Braised egg and salted vegetables are the classics, and you tiao is close to mandatory, since it soaks up the broth so well. Braised pig’s intestine is listed for diners who like the fuller, old-school spread, and braised beancurd and peanuts round out the table. If you are new, start with you tiao, one braised egg and salted vegetables, then add more on your next visit.

Which Rib Cut Should You Pick?

The long rib in the signature bowl is the showpiece, easy to hold and generous to eat. Loin ribs suit diners who want leaner meat with a clean bite, while short ribs are the pick if you like softer, slightly fattier meat that falls away from the bone. If you cannot decide, order the signature Founder Bak Kut Teh and you get both the long rib and short ribs in one bowl. That is the simplest way to taste the range on a first visit.

Where Can You Eat at Founder Bak Kut Teh?

The original restaurant sits at 347 Balestier Road, inside the New Orchid Hotel area, and it is famous for its wall of photos of celebrities and dignitaries who have eaten there. Other outlets listed by the chain include Hotel Boss at 500 Jalan Sultan, a Bugis outlet at 530 North Bridge Road, Downtown East, and a Bedok Marketplace outlet. Opening hours differ by outlet, and the Balestier shop has historically closed on Tuesdays, so check the hours of your chosen outlet before you head out. For the full outlet list, see our Founder Bak Kut Teh menu hub. If you are curious about the dishes most first-timers miss, read our Founder Bak Kut Teh secret menu guide, and for morning visits, see the Founder Bak Kut Teh breakfast menu guide.

Founder Bak Kut Teh Menu Card FAQs

Is the broth refillable at Founder Bak Kut Teh?

Yes, multiple Singapore guides report free broth refills at Founder outlets. Just ask the staff for a top-up.

What is the cheapest way to try Founder Bak Kut Teh?

Order the signature Founder Bak Kut Teh with steamed rice and share a plate of you tiao. That covers the classic experience without ordering the whole spread.

Is Founder Bak Kut Teh halal?

No. Founder Bak Kut Teh serves pork dishes and is not a halal-certified eatery, which matters for Muslim diners planning a visit.

Do prices differ between outlets?

They can. The prices in this guide come from one published guide, so confirm the menu card at your outlet before ordering.

Final Thoughts on the Founder Bak Kut Teh Menu Card

The menu card keeps things simple on purpose: one great peppery soup, a few rib cuts, and the sides that complete the meal. Order the signature bowl, add you tiao and a braised egg, ask for a broth refill, and you will have had the classic Founder experience. Save the braised extras and the dry version for your second visit, when you already know the soup you came for.