It’s only the start of August, which equates to a good one and a half months till Oktoberfest. But it’s never too early to feast on some of the best pork knuckles in Singapore, amiright?
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If you’re not sure of where to start, fret not. We’ve scoured through our little red dot and hand-picked five restaurants that will satiate your pork knuckle cravings. Surprise alert: Though the pork knuckle is a Bavarian favourite, not all of these restaurants are of German descent.
Brotzeit
We know, Brotzeit is a franchise but please let us explain our reason for choosing this place. Reason Number One: It serves up fuss-free authentic German fare with a wide selection of beers. Staying true to its roots, Brotzeit offers up seasonal items such as the white asparagus around May, which is an indication of the spring season back in Germany.
Brotzeit’s Crispy Oven Roasted Pork Knuckle is first cooked till the grain-fed pork is tender, before being oven-roasted for that perfect crackling skin we are crazy over. The trick of the trade is to massage some beer onto the meat (you can do it with poultry as well) with their proprietary spice mix before any cooking, which helps to tenderise the meat further. The result? Crisp on the outside, supple on the inside. We suggest grabbing yourself a pint of Paulaner draft beer to go with the meal.
Brotzeit: Various locations
Beast & Butterflies
Nestled within Social M, a designer boutique hotel that specialises in loft-style rooms, is Beast & Butterflies, which prides itself on ‘borderless cuisine’. Borderless because it serves a wide array of dishes, ranging from Teochew lobster porridge (which is good for your health, by the way) to seafood ceviche to… pork knuckles with a twist.
The Crispy German Pork Knuckle is served with Asian sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) and nam jim sauce – a Thai chilli dipping sauce that is sweet, sour, spicy and salty. We love the deep-fried skin, possibly one of the crispiest we have tried. The pickled cabbage (fermented vegetables are really good for your digestion) is less sharp as compared to the German version, which makes for a good palate cleanser in between savoury bites of the meat. Consider this a must-try if you’re a pork knuckle lover.
Beast & Butterflies: 90 Robertson Quay, S(238259)
Werner’s Oven
Mr. Werner Hochbaum and his wife, Nancy, started this humble German restaurant over 20 years ago. Werner’s Oven, specialising in traditional dishes and baked goods, is located along Joo Chiat Place. Using ingredients sourced from Germany, the duo prepares their dishes with authentic German methods of baking and cooking.
Their Knusperiege Schweinhaxe (pork knuckle) is one dish not to be missed. The meat is scored, allowing it to be infused with all the delectable stewing juices during basting. This ensures that the meat is succulent and juicy on the inside while it’s baked to a crisp on the outside. Smeared with goopy German mustard, soft whipped potatoes and sauerkraut, we recommend heading down with a friend or two to share it.
Werner’s Oven: 49 Joo Chiat Place, S(427773)
Tawadang Microbrewery
Tawadang? That sounds like a Thai name to us and that’s exactly what it is. A Thai-German beer den on Dempsey, Tawadang Microbrewery is a rustic joint that offers up great food and of course, beer. For those who prefer a spicier rendition of pork knuckle, this is the one for you.
Served with a sweet-sour Thai sauce, the chef massages the meat and removes most fat from underneath the skin before deep-frying it. The crackling and flaky skin ensures that the meat locks in its juices, leaving you with ultra-tender flesh. Served with homemade mashed potatoes and sauerkraut, we think the star side dish is the aromatic corn kernels that gives a good crunch. Bonus: You get to pair the meal with freshly brewed beer. If you’re interested in a more indepth review, we’ve got you sorted here.
Tawadang Microbrewery: 26 Dempsey Road, #01-01, S(249686)
Paulaner Brauhaus
Located within Millenia Walk, Paulaner Brauhaus boasts of an inviting warm country-styled interior, accompanied with authentic German fare. You can expect the staples like sausage platters to schnitzels to German-style rye pizzas. Oh and don’t forget to have a pint of freshly brewed pints considering that it is a microbrewery as well.
The Gegrillte Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) is grilled to a crunchy golden crisp, served with the usual suspect, sauerkraut. Also, some bread dumpling and… beer sauce. This (beer sauce) adds dimension to the flavours of the dish by lending a subtle hoppy aroma. Besides, that’s going to pair very well with your pints of beer.
Paulaner Brauhaus: Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd, #01-01, S(039596)
