Spice level warning — Bak Kut Teh is not what I expected

I underestimated Bak Kut Teh. The fragrant and layered description didn't prepare me for the reality. prawn paste hae ko brings a heat or pungency that builds steadily rather than hitting upfront. By halfway through I was sweating but couldn't stop eating.

Singapore's hawker culture was inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020. The a Michelin-starred hawker stall setting means locals eat this with ease while visitors like me reach for water. Tiger beer cut through it better than water would have. Don't order the mild version out of caution — the full version is the point. I'd go back. Three stars only because I wasn't warned.