Song Fa Signatures at Paragon

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh is a name well-known to fans of Teochew-style bak kut teh (BKT) in Singapore. From its humble beginnings in 1969 as a pushcart along Johor Road, Song Fa has grown into a BKT chain with over 10 outlets. In mid-2024, the brand took a bold step to engage a younger generation of diners with the opening of Song Fa Signatures at Paragon Singapore – a new dining concept that offers traditional Teochew cuisine and contemporary Teochew-inspired dishes.

Song Fa Signatures at Paragon Shopping Centre

Located in the basement of Paragon Shopping Centre, just next to the ever-popular Din Tai Fung, Song Fa Signatures offers a more upscale dining experience than the usual Song Fa BKT outlets. The spacious and well-lit interior creates a comfortable and casual atmosphere.

Menu of Song Fa Signatures

While Song Fa Signatures pays homage to its heritage, it also introduces innovative Teochew-inspired dishes that cater to the modern palate. The restaurant offers comforting, home-cooked-style food at reasonable prices. The menu is quite extensive, ranging from appetizers and soups to seafood, vegetables, sides and desserts, as well as the signature bak kut teh.

Lunch at Song Fa Signatures

We visited Song Fa Signatures at Paragon for lunch, and ordered the Signature Pork Ribs Bak Kut Teh ($10.20), with Chinese Salted Vegetables, Mee Sua and Crispy Fried You Tiao. We also ordered the Teochew Crispy Prawn Roll ($7.90) and Teochew Orh Nee Crème Brûlée ($6.90) for dessert.

Small cups of refreshing tea were served once our orders were taken. The food arrived after a short wait.

The Teochew Crispy Prawn Roll was a combination of light Teochew flavours and satisfying crunch. Minced pork and prawns were wrapped in a beancurd sheet and deep-fried to a golden brown, creating a crispy exterior that contrasted with the tender, juicy filling inside.

Song Fa Signatures bak kut teh in Orchard Paragon

The bak kut teh was undoubtedly the highlight of the meal. The iconic Teochew-style BKT featured a clear, light broth, delicately balanced with pepper and a combination of herbs and spices. The tender pork rib meat fell off the bone with ease. While the portion included just one substantial piece of rib, the refillable broth, along with the mee sua, you tiao, and salted vegetables, made for a comforting and enjoyable BKT meal.

The Teochew Orh Nee Crème Brûlée was an interesting fusion twist on the traditional Teochew yam paste dessert. It combined a thin layer of yam paste with caramelised sugar on top and a creamy custard pudding base. While it was not bad, we much prefer the classic orh nee.

Meal that feels like Home

Song Fa Signatures is a welcome addition to Paragon Shopping Centre. It offers comforting, home-cooked-style Teochew dishes, including very good bak kut teh, in a casual and pleasant setting. The staff are welcoming and efficient, and the prices are reasonable. It is a great option for an affordable meal that feels like home, right in the heart of Orchard Road.