How bak kwa has evolved with the times

Sleek new stores have transformed bak kwa’s image from a smoky roadside endeavour to a premium product. Photo: OLOIYA

Bak kwa (dried, barbecued meat) has undergone quite a metamorphosis over the decades. Once a roadside stall staple, even its reputation has been a masterclass in transformation, with sleek new stores and artful packaging now representing the dried meat’s increasingly premium quality.

“We have been working to change the perspective of bak kwa, like we invested in creative designs so the packaging doesn’t look old,” says Raymond Khue, the executive director of popular bak kwa brand Oloiya.