Bakkwa Calories Singapore: Every Type Ranked (Pork, Chicken & More)

By NutriKaki Team · Updated June 2026 · 8 min read

One square slice of bakkwa. That's all. And you've already consumed roughly 370 calories and 35 grams of sugar — almost as much sugar as a can of Coke. During Chinese New Year, most Singaporeans eat two or three slices without a second thought. That's potentially 740–1,100 calories from bakkwa alone, before you've touched a single pineapple tart.

This guide breaks down the exact calorie counts for every type of Singapore bakkwa — pork, chicken, sliced versus minced, and the coin-shaped mini pieces — so you can enjoy the festive season without flying blind on your nutrition.

Bakkwa Calories at a Glance

PORK BAKKWA

370 kcal / 100g slice

CHICKEN BAKKWA

320 kcal / 100g slice

MINI COIN PIECE

55 kcal / ~15g piece

Quick takeaway: A standard square slice of pork bakkwa weighs about 100g and delivers ~370 kcal. Chicken bakkwa saves roughly 50 kcal per slice. The real danger is the sugar — 35g per 100g slice, nearly 9 teaspoons.

Full Nutrition Breakdown

Bakkwa Type	Serving	Calories	Protein	Fat	Sugar	Sodium
Pork bakkwa (sliced)	100g (1 square)	370 kcal	20g	17g	35g	~650mg
Pork bakkwa (minced)	100g (1 square)	355 kcal	18g	15g	36g	~700mg
Chicken bakkwa	100g (1 square)	320 kcal	22g	10g	34g	~600mg
Coin-shaped mini piece	~15g	55 kcal	3g	2.5g	5g	~95mg
2 square slices (typical CNY)	200g	740 kcal	40g	34g	70g	~1300mg

Why Is Bakkwa So High in Calories?

Bakkwa's calorie density comes from two main sources: added sugar and fat from pork. The traditional recipe involves marinating minced or sliced pork in a mixture of sugar, soy sauce, fish sauce, rose wine, and five-spice powder. During the grilling process, the sugar caramelises on the surface and concentrates as moisture evaporates, creating that distinctive sticky, lacquered finish.

Unlike other forms of jerky, bakkwa is not a lean protein snack. The sugar content alone — approximately 35g per 100g — accounts for 140 of those 370 calories. This is a critical point: many people assume bakkwa is a high-protein food like beef jerky, when in fact it's a high-sugar, high-fat food that also happens to contain protein.

⚠️ The CNY trap: Bakkwa is almost always eaten passively — while chatting, watching TV, or visiting relatives. It's easy to consume 3–4 slices (370–740+ kcal) without registering it as a meal. Track it if you're watching your calories.

Pork vs Chicken Bakkwa: Which Is Healthier?

Chicken bakkwa is the lighter option, coming in at roughly 320 kcal per 100g versus 370 kcal for pork. The difference comes primarily from fat — chicken has significantly less intramuscular fat than pork belly or pork collar, which are the typical cuts used for sliced bakkwa.

However, the sugar content is nearly identical between pork and chicken bakkwa (~34–36g per 100g) because it's determined by the marinade recipe, not the meat type. So if your concern is sugar intake (especially relevant for diabetics or those managing insulin resistance), neither pork nor chicken bakkwa offers a meaningful advantage.

Sliced vs Minced Bakkwa

Sliced bakkwa is made from whole cuts of pork, while minced bakkwa is made from ground pork formed into sheets. Minced bakkwa tends to be slightly lower in fat because the pork used is leaner, but the difference is marginal — roughly 15 kcal per 100g. The minced version also tends to be slightly more uniform in texture and is easier to eat without leaving greasy fingers.

How Bakkwa Fits Into Your Daily Calories

Scenario	Calories	% of 2000 kcal daily target
1 mini coin piece (15g)	55 kcal	3%
Half a square slice (50g)	185 kcal	9%
1 standard square slice (100g)	370 kcal	19%
2 square slices (typical CNY sitting)	740 kcal	37%
3 square slices	1,110 kcal	56%

Bakkwa vs Other Singapore CNY Snacks

CNY Snack	Serving	Calories
Pork bakkwa	1 square slice (100g)	370 kcal
Pineapple tarts	3 pieces (~45g)	220 kcal
Prawn rolls (hae zoh)	3 pieces (~45g)	195 kcal
Kueh bangkit	6 pieces (~30g)	140 kcal
Love letters (kueh belandah)	3 rolls (~30g)	120 kcal

Perspective: One square slice of bakkwa has more calories than 3 pineapple tarts, 3 prawn rolls, or 6 kueh bangkit. It's the single most calorie-dense snack on a typical CNY table.

How to Enjoy Bakkwa Without Overdoing It

Choose chicken over pork Save ~50 kcal per slice with lower fat content. ~50 kcal saved per 100g

Eat mini coin pieces Satisfy the craving at just 55 kcal per piece. ~315 kcal saved vs full slice

Pre-portion before sitting down Put 1–2 pieces on a small plate instead of eating from the tin. Prevents mindless snacking

Pair with water, not drinks Sugary drinks + bakkwa sugar = very high glycemic load. Saves 60–200+ kcal on drinks

Count it as a meal Two slices is 740 kcal — that's a full lunch. Plan accordingly. Stops the "it's just a snack" trap

Eat earlier in the day Your body handles high-sugar foods better in the morning than at night. Better insulin response

Is Bakkwa Suitable for Diabetics?

Bakkwa is not recommended for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes. The extremely high sugar content — approximately 35g per 100g — will cause a rapid spike in blood glucose. This is compounded by the fact that bakkwa is typically eaten casually, making it easy to consume multiple pieces without realising the cumulative sugar load.

If you have diabetes and want to join in the CNY spirit, limit yourself to half a small piece (about 20–25g) and pair it with a high-fibre food like a handful of unsalted nuts. This slows the absorption of sugar and blunts the glycemic spike. Always consult your dietitian or doctor for personalised advice.

For more on managing blood sugar while eating Singapore food, see our guide on hawker food for diabetics in Singapore.

Track Your Bakkwa Intake with NutriKaki

Know exactly what you're eating this CNY

NutriKaki uses HPB Singapore data to give you accurate calorie counts for bakkwa, kueh, and every hawker food you eat during the festive season.

Track bakkwa calories free on NutriKaki → Download NutriKaki on iOS — App Store → Download NutriKaki on Android — Google Play →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories is one piece of bakkwa?

One standard square slice of pork bakkwa (approximately 100g) contains around 370 calories. A smaller coin-shaped piece (about 15g) has roughly 55 calories. Most people eat 2–3 slices in a sitting, which can add up to 700–1,100 calories easily.

Is bakkwa very fattening?

Bakkwa is calorie-dense mainly because of its high sugar content — a 100g slice contains about 35g of sugar, which is nearly 9 teaspoons. It also has around 17g of fat. The combination of high sugar and fat makes it easy to overconsume, especially during Chinese New Year.

Which bakkwa has the least calories — pork or chicken?

Chicken bakkwa is generally lower in calories than pork bakkwa because chicken has less fat than pork. A 100g serving of chicken bakkwa contains roughly 310–330 kcal compared to 370 kcal for pork. However, the sugar content is similar across both types.

How much bakkwa can I eat on a diet?

If you are watching calories, limit yourself to one small piece (about 30–40g, which is 110–148 kcal). Pair it with water rather than sugary drinks, and count it as a snack, not a meal addition. During CNY, bakkwa is meant to be enjoyed — just be mindful of portion size.

How does bakkwa compare to other CNY snacks?

Bakkwa is one of the most calorie-dense CNY snacks. A 100g serving (one square slice) has 370 kcal. For comparison, pineapple tarts are around 80–100 kcal each and love letters (kueh belandah) are about 40 kcal per roll. Bakkwa has more than double the calories of most other CNY treats.

Is bakkwa high in sodium?

Yes. Bakkwa typically contains 500–800mg of sodium per 100g due to the soy sauce and fish sauce used in the marinade. This is significant — a single square slice can account for 25–40% of the HPB recommended daily sodium limit of 2000mg.