The Ultimate Guide to Pork Bones
First, it’s important to know what you’re looking for in your recipe when selecting bones. Before you choose your pork bones, here are three important factors to consider.
1. What Dish Are You Making?
2. Price
The next step is identifying your budget. Different pork bones can substitute each other, but every choice has its price (pun intended)—whether it’s in flavour, texture, or cost. For example, using Spare Ribs instead of Prime Ribs in a simple Bak Kut Teh can still achieve that similar meatiness in your soup for a much lower price point.
3. Meat to Bone Ratio & Meat to Fat Ratio
Soup Bone, 汤骨 "Tāng Gǔ"
Soft Bone, 软骨 “Ruǎn Gǔ”. Also known as 珍珠软骨 “Zhēn Zhū Ruǎn Gǔ”
Where does Soft Bone come from?
The ever-popular Soft Bones are one of the most frequent items sold out at our store! As the soft bone comes from the sternum, it is limited to only one strip per pig, making it rather exclusive and sought after.
Flavour & Texture:
Well-known for their nutritious value, these bones are rich in calcium, collagen and other minerals. It has that “crunch” from the soft bones and is tender and juicy all around. It is rich and savoury with a fatty taste. Additionally, when slow-cooked, the bones release collagen and gelatin, enriching soups, stews, and broths with a smooth texture and savoury depth.
They are prized for their tender, gelatinous texture, which becomes wonderfully smooth and almost melt-in-the-mouth when cooked. The longer you cook the Soft Bones, the more tender they get! We recommend slow cooking until the bones are soft. That way, you enjoy eating the meat along with the bones.
Recipe Suggestion:
These Soft Bones are great for soups, but they’re also great for other dishes such as Braised Pork Soft Bones.
Price: $$
Our Soft Bones are one of the most premium and exclusive cuts you can get. Often referred to as the ‘Pearl’ of the pig, these bones are highly sought after not only for their limited availability but also for their unique texture and flavourful taste!
Loin Bone, 龙骨 “Lóng Gǔ”. Also known as 背骨 “Bèi Gǔ”
Where does Loin Bone come from?
Our Loin Bones are from the back area of the pig between the shoulder and its back legs.
Flavour & Texture:
Loin Bones, similar to Soft Bones, have a very well balanced blend of bones and meat! However, Loin Bones have leaner meat compared to Soft Bones, giving them a firmer and slightly chewier texture. When used for soup, Loin Bones create a rich, collagen-filled broth with a much thicker consistency.
Recipe Suggestions:
All your favourite soups — and more! Additionally, Loin Bones can be used for Roasted Pork Loin with Potatoes and Carrots. When slow-roasted, the bones release rich collagen and flavour into the meat and vegetables, resulting in a tender, juicy roast with deep, savoury notes — perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
Price: $
As compared to Soft Bones, Loin Bones come at a much more affordable price! So, if you are looking for a pork bone rich in nutritious pork marrow that’s great for nourishing the body without breaking your wallet, this is the one for you!
Collar Meat Bone, 五花骨 “Wǔ Huā Gǔ”
Like the Loin Bone but want a slightly fattier cut? The Collar Meat Bone is the one for you!
Where does Collar Meat Bone come from?
It originates from the long bone located in the front of the shoulder
Flavour & Texture:
Collar Meat Bone has a great balance of meat and bone. The bone is rich in calcium, collagen, and other minerals. When slow-cooked, it releases collagen and gelatin. Compared to Loin Bone, Collar Meat Bone is meatier and fattier, making it more tender even after long hours of cooking.
Recipe Suggestions:
Collar Meat bone is a great choice for stews and soups due to its meaty and fatty content. Soup simmered with Collar Meat Bone will be lighter and smoother while the meat remains tender even after long hours of cooking. Great to mix in your Bak Kut Teh and soup recipes! These bones are perfect if you want both a great broth and succulent meat!
Try cooking these 2 recipes with our Collar Meat Bone: Pork Collar Bone Mee Sua Soup and Oven-Roasted Pork Collar are 2 great recipes to try out!
Price: $
At its price point, it is the perfect pork bone for making affordable broths and soups.
Big Bone, 大骨 “Dà Gǔ”. Also known as 大骨棒 “Dà Gǔ Bàng”
The Big Bone is well, A BIG BONE.
Prime Ribs, 小排骨 “Xiǎo Pái Gǔ”. Also known as 小排 “Xiǎo Pái” & 排骨王 “Pái Gǔ Wáng”
Where does Prime Ribs come from?
Prime Ribs come from the upper part of a pig’s rib cage. More specifically, where the ribs meet the spine.
Spare Ribs, 排骨 “Pái Gǔ”
Where does Spare Ribs come from?
Our Spare Ribs are taken from the belly side of the ribcage.
Flavour & Texture:
Spare Ribs have flatter bones and contain more fat, which gives them a slightly chewier texture. They are known to be a more economical alternative to Prime Ribs, offering a similarly rich and savoury flavour. Spare Ribs can still provide a well-balanced mix of meat and fat, while delivering the juicy experience you’d expect from Prime Ribs! They’re perfect for those who enjoy a heartier bite in every spoonful.
In soups, spare ribs add rich flavour while still giving you tender, meaty chunks to enjoy — no need to pick through bones for satisfaction.
Recipe Suggestions:
Spare Ribs typically have 2 variations, Long and Short Ribs. Long ribs are great for grilling, roasting, or slow cooking to bring out their rich, meaty flavour while short ribs suit braising, steaming or stews for tender, juicy results.
Feel free to try out this Steamed Black Bean Ribs recipe using Short Spare Ribs!
Price: $$
Looking for a great alternative to our Prime Ribs? Spare ribs is the perfect cut for you!
Pork Trotter, 猪脚 “Zhū Jiǎo”
At Quan Shui Wet Market, we always use the front leg instead of the back leg as it is more tender and has a better balance of meat. Our Pork Trotter includes both Pig’s front feet, ankle and the foot!
Flavour & Texture:
Packed with collagen and meaty goodness, Pork Trotters are melt-in-your-mouth tender with a rich, chewy texture that makes every bite comforting. Its soft skin along with the chewy tendons give the cut its gelatinous texture. Be sure to ask your butcher to cut it for you unless you want to go through the hassle of cutting through the bone!
Recipe Suggestions:
Pork Trotter breaks down beautifully when slow-cooked. Whether braised in soy sauce, simmered in tangy black vinegar for a traditional confinement dish. A tasty recipe to try out yourself is Chinese Braised Pork Trotters (红烧猪蹄).
Price: $
Pork Trotters deliver deep, hearty flavours that turn any meal into a comforting experience — without breaking the bank.
Pork Tail, 猪尾 “Zhū Wěi”. Also known as 猪尾骨 “Zhū Wěi Gǔ”
Where does pork tail come from?
As the name suggests, our Pork Tail comes from the tail of the pig! However, at Quan Shui’s, we always provide you with the cut that has the most meat, ensuring you get the best value for your money.
Flavour & Texture:
Pork tail is especially valued for its gelatinous texture and it also adds a subtle, natural sweetness that enhances the overall taste of the dish. It is commonly used in hearty soups, slow-cooked stews, and braised recipes where its high collagen content can truly shine. As it simmers, the tail releases collagen into the broth, resulting in a luxuriously thick and flavourful soup base.
Recipe Suggestions:
With its rich collagen content, Pork Tails are perfect for braising, boiling, or roasting. It adds depth and body to recipes such as Herbal Soups, and even Mild Pork Curry with Coconut Milk. You can even try making your own Prawn Mee Soup (Hae Mee)! Just swap the Pork Ribs for Pork Tail!
Price: $$
Compared to other pork bones, Pork Tail is priced noticeably higher than at least half of the other cuts. However, with that price, there comes a sense of premium quality that sets it apart.
One of the most unique pork bones for your soups. If you’re looking to elevate your dish with more sweetness and texture, Pork Tail is the perfect fit for you.
