In anticipation of Singapore Day in New York's Central Park, we'll be posting descriptions of the country's signature street food, which is sold there in hawker centers. First up, we give you ...

Bak kut teh: Pork bones, herbs, and other ingredients are simmered to make a big pot of stock. The result is a delightful light peppery soup with a subtle flavor of Chinese herbs. Served with deep-fried you char kueh (dough fritters) as condiments to add extra texture. As you are finishing the last drop of the soup, you can see whole garlic cloves and lots of crushed peppercorns left behind.

Photograph by Indradi Soemardjan