Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky (Kallang Bahru)

Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky had first started out as a food stall in the yellow zone of Chinatown Complex Food Centre serving up only slices of traditional BBQ pork jerky by weight that is freshly-made and grilled at the stall itself several years ago. The brand had since expanded their operations quite a fair bit to include stalls situated within coffeeshops that also serves up other food items (most notable would probably be their Bakkwa Pau). These folks had recently opened a new, independently-run location at Kallang Bahru recently; located at Blk 71 Kallang Bahru right beside the Tenderfresh location there, the outlet of Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky does seem to be run pretty much like a cafe. The interior of the space can be described to have been decorated pretty tastefully; the area where the grilling of the pork jerky is being segregated away with glass panels to ensure that the smoke does not enter the dine-in space — all that whilst allowing passers-by and patrons to have a view on the process of how the Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky is being made here. Whilst being a location suited for cafe operations, there are not many dine-in seatings available in the space that is decked out pretty casually with fittings of an oriental design with cushioned dining chairs that provides a level of comfort to the patrons — there are only a total of 12 seats comprising of 3 tables good for 4 pax each within the dine-in area here. Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky still retails their usual sliced traditional BBQ pork jerky by weight here; other offerings include the standard Bakkwa Pau which can be found in the coffeeshop / food court locations of Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky. Exclusively available at this Geylang Bahru location would be the Bakkwa Puff, Bakkwa Pie and Bakkwa Muffin; interestingly, Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky also does offer a variety of beverages here which includes espresso-based specialty coffee, as well as a limited variety of hot tea and canned drinks.

Truth to be told, the reason why we had decided to make a visit to Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky’s location at Geylang Bahru is indeed for the offerings that are exclusively available only at this location — while traditional BBQ pork jerky is an item that most should be rather familiar with especially during the Chinese New Year season, Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky’s approach on serving up items featuring their traditional BBQ pork jerky is still a relatively fresh concept since traditional BBQ pork jerky is usually served as-is. Perhaps the most intriguing of the items that are exclusively available at their Geylang Bahru location would be the Bak Kwa Muffin — this turns out to be not any different from the standard muffin that most would know though with an infusion of traditional BBQ pork jerky. On first look, there seems to be only specks of traditional BBQ pork jerky on the exterior of the muffin but slicing it down in the middle, one would find that there is also traditional BBQ pork jerky within the core of the muffin as well. The muffin holds no surprises here with its soft and fluffy texture here, though one thing we did note is how the muffin wasn’t particularly dense, clumpy nor greasy; carried an eggy flavour for the most part. The addition of traditional BBQ pork jerky adds a textural contrast where one can definitely get a bit of a meaty bite; all that with a lingering sweetness from the glaze that coats the traditional BBQ pork jerky. We had also given the Bak Kwa Tart a go as well; the Bak Kwa Tart can be better described as a mini pie considering how it is being shaped more like a mini chicken pie with the traditional BBQ pork jerky encased within. The puff pastry here is light, crisp and flaky, carrying a buttery note alongside the same meaty bite and sweetness carried by the traditional BBQ pork jerky within.

The attempt on serving up a proper cup of Flat White here at Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky is pretty commendable; we were really surprised by how the cuppa was barista-made via an actual espresso machine that one would usually find in establishments serving up specialty coffee — while their shot in executing latte art wasn’t as ideal, we were still impressed with the overall execution that saw a cuppa that had a better milk to coffee ratio than what some ice-cream / gelato parlours would serve up that gave it that kick of caffeine. Overall, Peng Guan Traditional BBQ Pork Jerky does seem to provide a new perspective to traditional BBQ pork jerky through their offerings that are exclusively available at their Kallang Bahru location — there is definitely an attempt to offer something inventive that can also be described as fresh to the average consumer. Prices of the food items are also rather affordable, with the priciest item on its snacks menu being priced at $3 — these would be the Bak Kwa Muffin and the Char Siew Pau. It does remain to be seen if such a concept is viable to be maintained / expanded to more locations islandwide, though Geylang Bahru residents would likely be appreciative of having a rather unique establishment to head to for a light breakfast or a tea-time treat over a a fancy cuppa nonetheless!