Where will you be buying your "bak kwa" from this year and why? Is price a factor or is taste more important?

Question

With Lunar New Year around the corner, the "bak kwa" boom is back and prices are inching up again. Lim Chee Guan, Fragrance and Bee Cheng Hiang are among the more popular brands and many are beating the queue by going straight for their factory sales. What about you? Where will you be buying your "bak kwa" from this year and why? Is price a factor or is taste more important for you?

Answer 1

I prefer the taste & quality not branding. There will not be a specific place for me to go buy bak kwa...usually is Chinatown.



LCG bak kwa -> standards are maintained during normal day. Standard dropped alot during/near cny. Disappointed.



BCH bak kwa -> standards are maintained during normal day although not as tender compared to LCG. Standard dropped slightly during/near cny.Still can accept although alittle sweet as I dont nak kwa all year round.



Fragrance -> standards are maintained during normal day. Vaccum packed. Meat is tender although a little oily. Most preferred.



There are some smalls stalls selling bak kwa around Chinatown. Pricing may not be that big difference but worth a try. :)

Answer 2

Definitely factory sales where prices level up across categories of BBQ pork so everyone competes on a level field. Taste and textures are still personal preferences and frankly I prefer some Malaysian bak kwa which has a smokier fragrance and a depth of porky bitter-sweetness I haven't found here. In Singapore, I happen to like Bee Cheng Hiang so since it's 25% lower than retail when compared to Fragrance's 23%, I feel I've saved more. Also BCH's packaging is more attractive with a free bell decoration which means I can use it for CNY deco and I get a good-looking bag to give my oranges away when visiting.

Answer 3

To me the price range are almost about the same, but what matters most is actually the taste and the packaging. And that's the reason why, every year without fail I will be more than willing to queue for Bee Cheng Hiang. The only reason why I am buying bak kwa, is for gift sake. Be Cheng Hiang's packaging is always so colorful, that really brings out the atmosphere of the festive. Also, on top of this, Bee Cheng Hiang's bak kwa is good in terms of the fact that its not too rubbery and dry. It is soft and chewable, which in my point of view, makes it all well for my grandmother too.

Answer 4

Aside from the unhealthy factor about 'bak kwa' which I will not cover in my answer. Generally there are 2 type of the 'bak kwa' the minced type or the slice type, of which the latter is more harder to chew compare to the minced type.



Besides slice and minced type, they also comes with chilli (hot and spicy type) and the normal type which are not spicy.



Depending on the type we favour, if we use 'bak kwa' to go with drinks such as beer or alcoholic drinks the sliced type would be better and in this case I would recommend 'Bee Cheng Hiang'



If for easy going gathering and finger food the minced type would be idle in this case I would recommend 'Fragrance'



To support my recommendation, for Bee Cheng Hiang their slice 'bak kwa' are more better preserve, you can see the slice texture is shining, smooth and tender, unlike others which is dry and less glossy the meat is also not tender.



As for minced Fragrance have a type of slice 'bak kwa - soft type' which is excellent they are soft and tender. It is also very suitable for the young children.



As for price wise I would say 'Don't pay peanuts for monkeys' and after all it is Chinese New Year, once a year is not so hard and fast rule.



The above are strictly my opinion and it does not imply any similarity for others.

Answer 5

Fragrance & Bee Cheng Hiang have the Best Bak Kwa.

Frangrance is softer, not so hard to chew. Bee Cheng Hiang taste good.

Taste is the Most Important Factor.

Of course the price cannot be double of another brand. Then I will change brand.

Answer 6

Taste, price and the queue are important factors. All 3 brands differs slightly in taste. Even though my family likes Lim Chee Guan, the thought of travelling all the way to Chinatown to a never-ending queue in hot, humid conditions is too much. I would most likely visit Bee Cheng Hiang given that it has more branches which can be conveniently reached although it has been increasing prices year-on-year.

Answer 7

As what Peter has shared, all "bak kwa" are the same. It is just only the branding and the marketing strategy that make a non famous brand into a well-known brand. Such as Bee Cheng Hiang. If you want to compare, Lim Chee Guan is better than Bee Cheng Hiang. It is a long history of well-known brand by all people. As for Bee Cheng Hiang, it makes use of marketing strategy to prompt it goods. Hence, be smart in buying any goods including those materialistic goods such as Convxxxx brand. It is a cheap and unknow brand but not sure why it is so sudden turns into a well-known brand.

Answer 8

Everybody is crazy about "Lim Chee Guan" 's Bak kwa and Q up and congested the pavement in Chinatown. I think it is stupid. We can have other "bak Kwa" elsewhere equally good and tastly. The price is also very expensive. Do not follow the brank. All Bak Kwa is the same. Do not be naive by coffee shop talk.

Answer 9

Hv always bought my "bak kwa" from Bee Cheng Hiang. Besides I get link points with my U card. Price is important and so is the taste and for the CNY it is expected that the price for this foodstuff would go up. I would not travel to factory sales in out of my way places just to pay a few dollars less.

Answer 10

The quality should not be too far off if u eat them fresh, one of the way is to steam it not 'grill

dont let Lim Chee Guan hold you at ransom with price increasing on a daily basis, several years back got a bad experience , the meat was burned badly becos of the mass production, when everyone rushes for it, the quality drops.



will not be buying bak kwa anymore, you pay high price with poorer quality at festive season.

some neighborhood stalls with lesser crowd and it taste better.

there are other gifts ideas, not necessary must be bak kwa, ang pow is still best source of gifts.

Answer 11

For the past two years, I had purchased Fragrance brand and taste good and this year will be buying this brand again and we can buy it at special price rate as we have invited the Vendor to sell it at our company. I heard from friends that other brands like Lim Chee Guan, the standard had dropped and also very expensive somemore. For Bee Cheng Hiang, it always too SWEET also.

Answer 12

No doubt most people buy bak kwa a few times a year. I will go for the taste because the price may not be a factor if you are consuming yourself and as a gift to relatives and friends. I think buying at any of the outlets will not cost a little bit more than at factory sales.

Answer 13

"Bak Kwa" is a bak kwa. Taste the same whether you buy from BCH, LCG or from the small stall in shops near your home. All thru out the year, nobody really bothers about the taste and price of it until CNY times.



Why are we at the mercy of these merchant jacking up the prices just for CNY? Like can abalone, seafood, etc, etc.



Basically, what good about Bak Kwa that everyone must buy during CNY?

Answer 14

Before you consider which brand to buy - you have to ask yourself. Is this for your own consumption or gift.



If gift, some shallow people (and there are many) will mind if you give them cheaper brands. It does not matter if it does not taste great but the name and packaging matters more.



In such cases, don't bother buying anything cheaper but better - only wasting your time with such folks.



If for your personal consumption, then I strongly suggest Frangrance brand or even those small stalls in Chinatown. Most of them taste somewhat similar and once out of their simple packaging, most cannot tell the difference in taste or in a few cases choose the X brand over the EX-pensive brand.



I know because a company I know makes and sells 1 product under different names.



When the mind believes there is a difference, the results will be skewed to prove and confirm their belief.



Ever wondered what's the difference between daily disposable contact lenses and weekly disposable contact lenses? Or what's the difference between the Toyota Rush and the Daihatsu version? Other than a badge and logo.... they are all the same. Does Apple makes power adaptors for their own notebooks? Never. Do you trust China or India made power adaptors? No? Then look again but this time more closely and past the brand name. It is probably the same company that makes thhose cheap power adaptors that are sold at ridiculous prices in the pasar malam. The same power adaptor that Apple tells you that you should not buy because they are liable to malfunction or burst into flames without warning.



You'd be shocked when you can get behind the "do not enter" sign and see the production for yourself.



Best thing is - remember that they are not wrong or illegal.



Frankly, why stop Apple customers from paying a ridiculous premium? They have the money anyway - so they deserve to pay more. And they truely deserve to enjoy better service and support because they paid more.



So - ever asked yourself where that BCH or LCG bwa kwa is really prepared in?



Do they really "make" their own bwa kwa (other than roasting in-house)? Is the contract worker they employd so skillful that the bwa kwa is magically transformed in their roasting pits? Are their fire different from others' fire?



More importantly, is the PERCEIVED difference significant enough for you to pay a premium?



If yes, go with "APPLE brand" of bwa kwa and enjoy. If not, go ahead and enjoy too, with other brands.



For most folks, they always display the bwa kwa in a nice container at home - and if anybody asks, just tell them the truth. It's your home and you like the taste of this brand.



For gift - you know who can accept brand A and who cannot accept brand A. So choose accordingly too.



Be smart and flexible - not stupid.

Answer 15

I went to the factory, thinking it is good price and fresh from the oven. I was wrong. I went to Woodland Terrace factory sale. The "bak kwa" I had was terrible compare to Lim Chee Guan I had last year. The pieces were slice like becon with lot of white meat and very oily. The price were alot cheaper compare. I think I am going back to Lim Chee Guan. :-)

Answer 16

Definitely Lim Chee Guan! Worth to queue and get the best 'bak kwa' in town!

Answer 17

Personally i prefer the brand New Eastern bak kwa, especially the chilli favour. No queue, cheaper and as good if not better than Lim Chee Guan.

Answer 18

When buying "bak kwa" during CNY is not really worthwhile. This is because the grilling time for the "bak kwa" is shorter due to high demand. When in high demand, there would be mass production. In order to have mass production, the processing time eg. grilling time has to be shortened. Also, workers are fatigued after working long hours beside the BBQ grill. They would not be as attentive to the grilling as during non-peak period. The end-product - "bak kwa" turn out would not as good and tasty as non-peak period. Some "bak kwa" do not even have the charred portions. They are just maintained at the grilled or just grilled range.



In my opinion, taste is more critical than price. It is advisable to have "bak kwa" in the normal days although it may lack of the festive aroma and mood.

Answer 19

Like those soft minced meat coin type of Bak Kwa (Golden Coin) taste nice and presentable. Actually...no more real teeth to bite into those tough ones. Ha ha ha...



I bought 1kg from Bee Cheng Hiang.

Answer 20

Lim Chee Guan...taste better and bbq just burnt nicely, which is wonderful. Bee Cheng Hiang is also good depending on which branch. The best is the one near centre point , but as CNy gets clser, i have seen BCH fry the meat instead of bbq, which makes it very oily. Fragrance left no impression.

Price, therefore, is not a factor, as i only eat it once a year.

Answer 21

Definitely Taste and textures are still personal preferences and frankly My preference is still Malaysian bak kwa especially WO LAI YEI which has a smokier fragrance and a depth of porky bitter-sweetness plus very generous on size, & very uniform I haven't found any here. In Singapore,



Sadly to say whats the queing for it does not mean that they are all that finger licking good, Especially need to grilled in mass to cater to the waiting customer thus even machine will crank out. Check it out they no longer use charcol grilled Now all is electric grillers.



Generally Malaysia Sellers are more willing to give better discount when you buy in quantity, But in Singapore it's Fixed Price even you que the whole afternoon so what the heck? Support them but no discount even when you buy big quantities.



For giving to customers and so etc..... Still the packing is more up todate for malaysia bak kwa more design

not like singapore very very same same in color & packing year in year out.

Answer 22

I will never buy bak kwa during the chinese new year as over the years I have observe the various stall bbq their bak kwa in a hastily manners. I really doubt there will be any good bak kwa during the chinese. During the off peak period, I notice they will really take their time to bbq the bak kwa to perfection which definitely taste better.

Answer 23

I always buy from Bee Cheng Hiang. I have not try the other two brands but i will find a day to try.

Most importantly is the taste and flavours they have especially spicy. Price is not an issue for me.

Answer 24

Lim Chee Guan. Price is important, so do taste! Therefore, if I need to choose one betwwen both, definitely taste! It's the quality that counts! Actually, I purchase my "Bak Kwa" from Lim Chee Guan EVERY YEAR! The price is worth the product. Cheers! (",)

Answer 25

Taste or price doesn't matter. If you have time, you can purchase it

earlier & kept it in the fridge. When eating, just put it in the micro

wave oven to heat it up. The taste is as good as before, don't have

to rush or queue for the high price & time consuming waiting.

I'm buying it every month & eating it the whole year around so I don't

have to wait till chinese new year to buy it. My bak kwa are alway

Lim Chee Guan product which suit my taste.

Wishes all yahoo members a A Happy & Prosperous Lunar New

Year 2010... Cheers.

Answer 26

Bak Kwa is never something I would line up hours for. If I don't get to eat it during CNY, then so be it, I can eat it after CNY when these shops beg you to buy their bak kwa and insist that you try their samples.



So why is it that bak kwa is so insanely popular during CNY? Is it because its "prosperous"?, I don't think so as oranges and pineapple have more meaning than bak kwa.



Is it because its a must have for CNY? I don't think so as there are love letters, nuts, pineapple tarts etc.



So why do people endure long hours of queuing up and paying exhorbitant prices? One word: Stupidity.



See Hello Kitty dolls queues...



Singaporeans....

Answer 27

I won't be buying bak kwa during CNY, it makes no sense. Just an opportunity for these people to make a big ripoff. How much do you pay for 1 kg of meat at the market? And how much do you pay for 1kg of bak kwa? The markup is crazy. Buy bak kwa during normal times, not CNY.

Answer 28

I am probably not going to buy bak kwa this year because the price has shot up way too much. In the past it was less than 20 dollars for a kilo but now it has become mch more than that. The taste itself also isn't exactly as good as heaven to me, so i guess price is more important to me

Answer 29

Fragrance. Reasonable in price. Taste better than Bee Tin Hiang not as good as Lim Chee guan.



Lim Chee guan, a definite no no becos very arrogant, very expensiveonly tasty but not very tasty.

Answer 30

I won't waste my time to q at any of the brands u mentioned above.. the quality dropped and i don't think is worth that much.. We can always buy it after Chinese New Year..



Few years back, my gf bought 2 packets of 500g for me.. brought it home, opened and saw most charcoal black bak kwa in it.. and many of my friends too shared this experience.. or we should count ourselves unlucky.. =(

We havn't been to Lim Chee Guan since.. ..



I'll normally get bak kwa from 'Jin Ping Xiang' or 'Xin Dong Fang', shops at chinatown and Serangoon.. their standard is there, so far no complaint from my families.. the taste and quality of bak kwa are important factors for my families and myself to consider before buying..



I don't buy lots bak kwa during festive so, i'll just ask friend to buy or order from friend.. This year, i've ordered mine thru a friend, so no need to q.. =)

Answer 31

I will only buy Lim Chee Guan bak kwa.



However, I will only buy it during other days of the year, not during the Chinese New Year festive session for the following reasons:

- Price is way too high

- Queue is way too long

- Quality is not as good as usual due to mass production



Taste is the most important to me.

Answer 32

Depends on the quality, taste and flavour which you prefer. I prefer chilli or bacon flavoured, but "bak kwa" isn't that healthy though. I will either go to Chinatown or aim for the factory sales. Actually, as long as there is a sale, I'll go there to buy. My family prefers Frangrance brand so I usually go for those. For me, taste is more important than the price because I feel that we buy food to enjoy them.

Answer 33

i be buying bak kwa only the last week beofre new year ! that the day when everyone will be going chinatown for cheap grab when all the price will drop . you feel the mood n the cash to spend on bak kwa it so worth it ... it not the price or the taste that matter . it more towards a habit every new year that we cannot miss out the . every elder who loves this so much . :)

Answer 34

There is a stall at Farrer Road Market which sells thin and good bak kwa. Cant remember the name. But we have been buying from them for many years. I'm definitely going to buy from them this year again...

Answer 35

I banned Bee Cheng Hiang.. their bak gwa is always so hard & too sweet.



Always prefer Fragrance, but this year one i think not so nice. Anyway, i heard that bak gwa's quality tend to drop when CNY is around the corner due to high demand.



Bought Lim Chee Guan's bak gwa recently, thumbs up for them.. except abit too oily.

Answer 36

Mr Wrong, there is this Chinese place selling Halal "Bak Kwa" at Geylang Serai(malay Village area). But of course the pork have been substitutted with chicken meat. Taste wise, it's quite good and smoky. But not authentic for the Chinese community, but a big hit for the muslim community.



My Chinese friend who is a muslim convert swears it tastes like the "real thing".

Answer 37

Fragrance. I personally find it taste better and more fragrant after it is heated up in microwave.



I'll buy during promotion about 30% discount and keep them in the fridge. With proper storage, they can be kept for 2 months. This will save a lot of money especially during CNY period when the price will increase.

Answer 38

If Customs permit (which they don't), buy from Malaysia. The taste is not that inferior, if not the same.



As for buying in Singapore, BCH does taste slightly better than Fragrance. The meat also tend to be slightly thicker than Fragrance. LCG is ok but for that price difference, is it really worth it? especially if you have to queue for long hours?



Anyway, this is CNY coming, just buy buy buy, makes the economy goes round.



If not for CNY, just buy the cheapest. Inflation is too high. Save the money to do investment.

Answer 39

Kim Hua Guan at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 market

Answer 40

Go to Lim Chee Guan's Supplier!

Check out this shop - Kim Joo Guan @ Chinatown.

Answer 41

Either Fragrance or Bee Cheng Hiang...

Taste is important but price must be reasonable as well...

Answer 42

I won't eat it during this period. Eat it after CNY. It is cheaper and the quality is better. Now the price is expensive and in order to cope with the demand they produce lousy quality bak kwa.

Answer 43

There is this 'bak kwa' store in Clementi hawker centre. The price is reasonable and the taste is good too. Worth a try.

Answer 44

Lim Chee Guan is still my preferred choice and definitely will queue up at chinatown to get my bak kwa.



Taste is more important than price

Answer 45

I dont buy "bak Kwa" but I eat it at my relatives place while visiting during CNY.

Very often I seem to find theirs tastes much better than I personally buy them. Even when they are of the same brand!



It's psychological !

Answer 46

I'll be buying it from Lim Chee Guan as the taste is really the best in the market.



For me, taste is more important than price.

Answer 47

Ang Mo Kio Central - Bee Cheng Hiang, the taste is the best among other brand and branch i tried.

The taste is more important to me.

Answer 48

basically i do not eat this bak kwa for two reason

1. cost more

2. bakkwa during lunar new year is generally not so good as the shop want to sell more and may cook anyhow.

so suggestion is to eat after lunar new year

however if you really want, i suggest going to jb

Answer 49

Do you really need bak kwa to make your day? Had been off bak kwa for years and not ever regretted doing so.

Answer 50

Clementi Hawker Center.



Inside the hawker center there is a stall which sells western food. During Chinese New Year season, they will sell Bak Kwa.



It is relatively easy to identify the stall. Just walk down to the hawker center and you will see a long queue.

Answer 51

didn'tt you guys know "Kim Joo Guan" @ 257 South Bridge Rd - is the wholesaler for Lim Chee Guan ? and the taste & texture are definitely much better than it famous client 'LCG'

Dun believe it? try it yourself !!!

Answer 52

I definitely would buy Malaysia's "Wo Lai Ye" BBQ chicken meat. Just cut into bite size, pop it into the microwave oven b4 serving & you will know why that's my choice. Pity can't get any here except across the causeway ! Anyway, just a note of concern: beware of imitations of this brand out there trying to pass off for the real thing!

Answer 53

To avoid unnecessary long queue I will buy from West Cost Plaza, ground floor next to Cold Storage. The brand is Fragrance.

Answer 54

i will buy at bee cheng xiang



bcuz the bak kwa there is fantastic

Answer 55

I am ok with all taste so price is my concern and of course not to long queue.Singaporean are super busy people with thousand and 1 stuff to do.Moreover now is near CNY.Have fun and enjoy CNY!

Answer 56

No Brand but taste good is my choice. I usually buy from Toa Payoh Market, no brand but taste good. I always buy the broken edges or the charred ones that they cut away.

Answer 57

Used to like BCH's bah kwa, then tried Frangrance. Fragrance taste better!

Recently tried LCG & realised that LCG is still d best!

Answer 58

Small shop in chinatown is better, there are some next to the OG

some called Jing FU yuan, Jing Hua yuan, Jing Zhen Xiang..all these i ate since i am a kid...

these are some household brand..

or honglim there is some bbq stall also...

Answer 59

Lim Chee Guan! love the burnt part. so fragrant!

the other brands, in my opinion, are too sweet.

if the taste is good, it would be worth the money to buy, right?

Answer 60

I won't be buying any due to pork meat containing worms that can give flu symptoms and aches. It is a really unclean food and also carcinogenic. I also don't like to encourage people working in a smoky area

Answer 61

Bak Kwa is packed with carcinogen, and before it kills you, it will cause indigestion. Stay away from that stuffs man!

Answer 62

say what you like,





let me tell you, the stall in pearl centre just by the traffic light called KIm Peng Hiang , this is the best thick and soft meat



yamme

Answer 63

Pacsun

Answer 64

bee cheng hiang, taste nice

Answer 65

Xian wei the price is cheap and nice the Bakuk taske is soft

Answer 66

Malaysia! Singapore 'bak kwa' sucks!

Answer 67

Go to www . AuctionDigger . info



It is an auction site that offer really cheap stuff.It is stuff that is confiscated by government.

Answer 68

It just a traditional for CNY....Price not a factor but is the taste that also concern.

Answer 69

I think taste is more important and usually I buy it from China town.

Answer 70

LIM CHEE GUAN

Answer 71

kim hock guan

Answer 72

price not important.

no time for food-testing/compare,i usually buy when most of my friend say it's nice.

Answer 73

Could be true for some people say:

You are what you eat.

Answer 74

which one that selling halal "bak kwa" ?

Answer 75

If for me to eat.. taste more important. :P

Answer 76

fagrance pprices are cheaper

Answer 77

fragrance, taste is more importance