Bak Kut Teh (BKT) @ Restoren Lai Choon, Klang

A trip to try the much loved (porky) Malaysian dish, Klang Bak Kut Teh....

First of all, apologies! - either we were not given the receipt or it was lost, so I don't have the exact prices.... I remember it cost about RM 17 per medium sized claypot of BKT though, if my memory hasn't failed me...

Anyway, moving on...
(YAY! I finally went to Bak Kut Teh Land (aka. Klang) after such a long time!)

Lai Choon is one of the popular Bak Kut Teh (BKT) restaurants in Klang, starting off from a humble stall in a nearby coffeeshop (about 10 years ago?) and now occupying a shophouse of their own, near the Klang Parade area:
Packed on a Saturday morning ...
As you can see, it's so popular that their patrons are spilling out onto the sidewalk area!

Inside, it's like any other coffeeshop style restaurant - crowded and kinda noisy, but hey, it all adds into that unique Malaysian dining experience:
Many people around, waiting for a table...
I have heard it can be very hard to get a table here but I was lucky my friends came quite early and got a table. :)

Ahhhh..., Chinese tea...

It is said (fabled, more like) that if you drink enough of it, it can "wash away" the oils and fats from the BKT... but I suspect that it's just an excuse concocted by babitarians* so that they can happily pig out on yummy BKT as often as they want:
(Apparently many Klang-ites eat BKT for breakfast almost everyday!)
(*Yes, I realise this is not a "real" word. Haha....)
Cup of goodness ...
Still, it's a great accompanying beverage with the sinful BKT, and you can keep yourself all tea-d up just in case it really is that miraculous. Just help yourself to the kettles of boiling water placed around the restaurant to top up your table's teapot:
Caution - hot! ...
Here's a look at where the magic happens:
Food sorcery in progress...
Despite being really packed, we didn't have to wait very long for our BKT to arrive.

Mmmmmmm..... :D
Steaming hot thick, soup... fragrant with the taste of herbs and that sweetness from the lovingly cooked pork, with lots of (pretty) tender chunks of meat** and some mushrooms, tofu and vegetables thrown into the claypot for good measure:
(**Or piggy spare parts - up to you to specify when you order)
Steaming bowl of BKT ...
Of course, you MUST order some Yau Char Kwai (deep fried crullers?) - dip into the soup till it reaches your preferred level of "crispy vs juicy from absorbed soup" and chomp away:
Deep fried batter is yummy...
There is also the option of ordering some vegetables as a side dish, to make you feel like you are having a healthy meal:
Veggies are good for you ...
Overall, the veggies were fresh, simple but tasty, and a nice balance against the sinful BKT. :)

Another meaty option that they serve there is the Dry BKT:
Chunky meaty dry BKT...
The chunks of meat were really tender and coated with a fragrant, sweet-ish and slightly spicy black sauce that had strips of yau yee (dried cuttlefish) in it.

It was delicious but still, if I had to choose between that and the classic BKT, I can't help but to choose the yummy soupy BKT. It's just such great heart-warming(/clogging?) soul food.
:D

Oh, one thing that really stood out (to me) was the EVIL deep fried shallots that they served in a jar (placed on every table). You sprinkle some of your rice, mix it in and before you know it you'll have accidentally inhaled the tasty mix and asking for seconds:
Someone stop me - it's just too delicious!...'
I don't go to Klang often enough to be able to say confidently that this is the best BKT in town but in any case, I really enjoyed the BKT at Lai Choon. :)
(Now, if only it wasn't an hour away from my house... *wail*)

So, it's: Yummy Hokkien style (thick!) Bak Kut Teh as well as interesting alternatives (dry bkt) in Klang, reasonable pricing BUT can be fairly uncomfortable - hot, noisy, packed (because it's very popular), hard to find a table and parking.....

Summary Information:
Bak Kut Teh (BKT) @ Restoren Lai Choon, Klang

Opening Hours: Tues to Sunday 7am till 2pm
Phone: 012-652 1659
Address: 116, Jalan Pekan Baru Off Jalan Meru, Klang (Near Klang Parade)

COMPLETELY NOT HALAL

OTHER REVIEWS:
- House Of Craps
- Makan Trip
- Cely
- My Passion, My Life v2.0
- KY Speaks


TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Bak Kut Teh, Dry Bak Kut Teh, Klang, Local Food, Chinese Hokkien, Restoren Lai Choon, BKT, Pork, KL, Kuala Lumpur