Hock Kien Klang Bah Kut Teh - “In a class of it’s own”

Bah Kut Teh is the cuisine that is so popular in both Singapore and Malaysia that you can find it almost anywhere. Bah Kut Teh can be classified into two main types, Teochew or Herbal Style. Teochew style is characterized by clear soup and white pepper. Herbal style has a dark soup and heavy herbal taste coming from star anise, cinnamon, cloves, dang gui, fennel seeds and garlic.

Both styles are very well accepted in Singapore and Malaysia. In Singapore we have "Ya Hua Rou Gu Cha" in Singapore and across the straits in Johor, Permas Jaya we have the "Shi Hwa Bak Kut Teh" which belongs to the teochew style. For the Herbal style we have from Johor near KSL City we have "Ah Soon Bah Kut Teh".

Today’s recommendation is a place that stands out from the rest by paying attention to the details.

After being in the trade with ups and down for almost 30 years the owner and chef has eventually come to an answer for what makes a good Bah Kut Teh.

The soup is that of a light herbal soup that encourages one to drink it mouthful after mouthful and not get bored of it.

The ribs, the chef-owner said that unlike in the past he thinks that it is important to select and serve only the good cuts of meat. Hence, diners are served with nice ribs that have a good amount of meat.

Cooking rice is not an easy task to do well, the chef has taken additional steps to ensure that the rice served is always at it’s best. To avoid overcooking the rice, it’s taken out slightly underdone and transferred into a steamer till serving. Resulting in rice that always retain its shape, soft and warm for consumption.

Besides Bah Kut Teh another must try is the braised “Keok Wan” that is like meat from the ankle/wrist area. Besides being braised so well that each piece of meat has very rich flavor, the skills of the chef and the cut of meat ensures that the skin and fats remains tender and yet has a bite to it making it better than normal fatty cuts I have ever had.

For the Bah Kut Teh lovers out there, there’s something else that is available at this place too!

Ever imagine eating chopstick length pork ribs? Imagine no more! Using pressure cookers, the chef is also able to prepare and cook long pork ribs too! However, it’s not something that is readily available at a moment’s request, it must be ordered at least 1 day before hand. 

Each set of long ribs comes in a pair. 

Address:

Restoran Heng Kee Bah Kut Teh

31, Jalan 3/62A

Bandar Menjalara

Kepong

52100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 016-905-3600, 016-983-0399

Fook Loong Chicken Rice (福龙鸡饭) - Perspective changing chicken rice!

Like many people, I too think that Roast Chicken (烧鸡) with it’s aromatic skin but slightly dry meat has always been a secondary choice as compared to Hainanese Chicken (白斩鸡) that in comparison is succulent and tender. 

But now i have been converted!

Nested in a coffee shop “M Two” in the suburbs of Selangor is a Chicken Rice store, Fook Loong run by a couple, they serves Hainanese Chicken and Roast Chicken, Chicken liver (鸡肝) and gizzard (鸡肫), Roast Pork (烧肉) and Char Siew (叉烧).

Having tried both style of chicken, I will strongly recommend the roast chicken.

The roast chicken and its perfectly roasted skin, which is aromatic and cannot be achieved in Hainanese Chicken and yet the couple have managed to find a way to allow their roast chicken to be as succulent as a normal white chicken!

The Roast Pork served here is also very good, has a nicely done crispy golden brown skin and they usually serve cuts that have a good balance of fats to meat. The BBQ Pork/Char Siew is a tad too sweet for my liking but it’s roasted well and I wasn’t served with parts that are very burnt.

Another thing that they do well as compared other stores is the soup they serve, chicken feet and winter melon soup that is refreshing and compliments the meal with its subtle taste.

During our visit the total bill for 3 came up to RM21 for 2 serving of chicken, 1 serving of roasted pork, chicken liver and gizzard.

Address:

Jalan Burung Bebarau 4

52100 Kepong

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Operation hours:
10am - 3pm
*Closes on one Wednesday every two weeks