Singapore Bak Kut Teh (Pork Rib Soup with White Pepper)

🧂 Ingredients

• 1.25 oz whole white peppercorns

  (about 1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons)
• 0.15 oz whole black peppercorns

  (about 2 teaspoons)
• 2 oz garlic bulbs

  (about 20 cloves)
• 2 lbs meaty pork ribs, separated into individual ribs
• 6 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt

  (to taste)

Instructions

• 1 Use a mortar and pestle to lightly crack open the peppercorns. Alternative,
  place them in a sealed ziploc bag and use something heavy to crack open. It is
  fine if some are still intact. Rinse the garlic bulbs and cut off the bottom (no
  need to peel them).
• 2 Place a skillet over medium-low to medium heat, toast the peppercorns and garlic
  bulbs briefly until fragrant.
• 3 Bring a pot with plenty of water to a boil then add pork ribs and a pinch of
  salt. Bring it back to a boil and continue to parboil for 1-2 minutes. Discard
  the liquid and rinse the ribs.
• 4 Clean the pot or use a different pot, add pork ribs, 6 cups of water and 1/2
  teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer, skim
  off any foams. Add peppercorns and garlic.
• 5 Use low heat to maintain a gentle simmer with the lid slightly askew (to leave a
  small space between the lid and the rim of the pot). Simmer until ribs are
  tender, about 90 minutes. Add the remaining amount of salt or to taste.
• 6 Serve the soup hot with steamed rice, youtiao (Chinese fried doughsticks),
  oolong tea, some soy sauce and bird's-eye chili on the side.

Nutrition Info