Bak Kut Teh @ Teluk Pulai Claypot Bak Kut Teh, Klang

 

Oh my old friend how I miss you! My porky, flavourful, calorie laden friend! It has been too long since I had bak kut teh, so it is time for a fateful and emotional reunion. Alright, it was not as dramatic as this, but it was still pretty good. As such, it is just fitting that I make a return to Klang. 

Crowded!

I was there with my parents and a family friend during my most recent visit home.And more specifically, Teluk Pulai Claypot Bak Kut Teh, it is known to be one of the popular restaurants in Klang. Just as the restaurant name suggests, we’re here for a delicious meal of porky concoction. Despite being there prior to the usual lunch rush at 11am, the place was already packed with people fighting for seats. It was utter chaos, but somehow we were able to get a table after 10 minutes of waiting. Not bad considering the waves of people coming in. 

Fit for a king

Upon getting our seats, we got ourselves a pot of classic bak kut teh consisting of 2 portions, a pot of dry bak kut teh which consists of 1 portion, a side of veggies, oiled rice and fried crullers, or yu tiao. A bak kut teh portion was RM 21 each and our total damage was RM 78. Not too bad to be honest. And the food arrived just as quickly as how we got our seats. It was somewhat impressive considering the pandemonium that was going on. 

Look at that beauty. 

But how is the food? Well, it was utterly spectacular. The classic broth has so much flavour and strength, I think you would not need coffee if you had this for breakfast. The herbal aftertones really work well with the garlic that has been used to elevate this dish. There is so much going on in terms of flavour, its just pretty hard to describe how it is like. A combination of floral herbs, porky broth, and various other spices, this dish is just one of a kind. 

What a ladleful. 

The claypot was also loaded with various ingredients. From innards like tripe and intestine, to lean cuts, tofu and mushrooms, this has everything. Like literally everything, as I found a pork rib in that pot. And that is with the bone on! This pot is really living to its name (for the uninitiated, "kut" means bone). The different bits and pieces provided a varied textureal experience. And taking it down with that aromatic oiled rice was just a combination that can win any heart. 

So much punch!

The dry version was no slouch either. Rather than a soupy concoction, it was closer to a pan fry dish. It may have some of the same ingredients, but the aromatics that carry this dish is very different. With more dark soy and a good walloping of dried cuttlefish, this has a more earthy flavour to it. It was definitely more intense and saltier. But still extremely enjoyable. It was really good. 

Joy in every spoon

For those who are not familiar, bak kut teh, directly translated as "meat and bone tea". It is a creation of that is believed to have originated from China's Fujian province. The introduction of the dish  is attributed to Hokkien immigrants who moved to this region in the 19th century, to which I am a proud descendent of. Although it is called a "tea" it is actually for form of herbal soup, where the main ingredients were pork bones, organs and lots of herbs. The dark brown colour that it has gave it a tea-like colour, hence the name. The ingredients inside are pretty humble, as it was whatever scraps blue collar workers can get at the time. Fast forward to the present day, there are now many shops that sell this amazing dish. And if you want to try the very best you would need to go to Klang, affectionately called Bak Kut Teh country. 

Front of the house. If not for the retractable shades, you would see the chaos inside. 

Generally speaking, most bak kut teh establishments in Klang will be quite good since the competition is relatively high. However, it seems like Teluk Pulai is always a top contender as the best one around these parts. And despite the intense dining experience, I honestly think it is worth the trouble to get here, as you really get a lot of bang from your buck. So if you would fancy a go, which I strongly suggest you do, the address is as follows: 

 Kaw 16, 32, Jalan Batai Laut 5, Taman Intan, 41300 Klang, Selangor, Malaysia