Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Bak Kut Teh On A Rainy Weekend


It was one of those weekends in which I lived in my rain boots. Wore them to run errands and grab groceries. I even had to wear them to the gym to and fro the car since it was chucking down; the gym shoes would have been soaked. I absolutely detest wearing wet shoes and socks.

These Wellies have got to be the best buy of 2021. The year isn't even out and I've worn them so often. The weather has been unbelievably dreary. We might as well be in monsoon season all year round since the inter-monsoon conditions also bring squalls. I wouldn't mind rain so much if the thunder doesn't follow. I love thunderstorms, but the dog doesn't. Thunder freaks her out. She could deal with low rumblings, but not the sharp cracks. 

On a rainy evening, I scanned the weather app and caught a break. When the rain began to slow, we zoomed out to pee the dog and get a dinner takeout. Our timing was perfect. It was only a light drizzle when we stepped out of the car. The rains returned just as we got into the car with food and a rather happy dog. 

Hot soup it was to be for the evening. Bak kut teh (pork rib peppery soup) then. The man and I found ours in Balestier Bak Kut Teh at the corner kopitiam at 365/369 Balestier Road. The man loves them giant ribs, and a side dish of chye buay (菜尾). If he is hungrier in a particular meal, he would add on those braised tau kwa things too. 

I dunno how to eat chye buay. I like this sort of preserved vegetables as mui choy (梅菜). Not interested in fried dough fritters (油條) either. Nowadays, I skip the ribs in the bak kut teh. It's highly annoying when meat gets stuck in my teeth. Ugh. Somehow, I prefer just a small amount of sliced lean meat and loads of pig stomach in the peppery soup, with mee sua, or preferably kway teow (hard to find). With a ton of chillies and dark soy. I like bak kut teh like this. Without the ribs. 🤪

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