Yap Chuan Bak Kut Teh @ Puchong – BEST Dry Bak Kut Teh?December 9, 2009 | 8,189 views
Bak Kut Teh is a wonder in itself. Best to be served for breakfast, the “Meat Bone Soup” (literally translated) also qualifies as a substantial lunch, or even a most heart warming dinner. How ’bout serving it round the clock, I was left wondering? Is there any place in Malaysia that serves Bak Kut Teh (BKT for short) for 24 hours? Now that would be a pleasant substitute to ‘mamak’ food after those glitzy & glam partying hours.
Wait, doesn’t that boy in the picture look somewhat familiar? (Hop over to this post and tell me I’m not seeing things)
You get presented with a bubbling hot cauldron of the most carnivorous of picks; The ribs, the large and small bones (ask BKT aficionados and you’ll learn), the 3 layered-meat (pork belly), the offals (innards, or spare parts, if you would), and an assorted amalgam of optional sides – The beancurd sheets (Foo Chuk), the enoki mushrooms (Kam Cham Koo), some with lettuce, and some even with …. chicken feet !!!
Bak Kut Teh served in a claypot – The most traditional way? Or revamped version of the true blue authentic ones?
Born and bred in Ipoh, and subsequently having my palate trained, sharpened and spoiled by amazing Ipoh food, I was raised to perceive BKT in one way only. The boring soup version in claypots, served with plain white rice and maybe a side dish of blanched greens with shallot oil. Nothing more nothing less. Which may be the reason you don’t see me write a lot on Ipoh’s Bak Kut Teh. (Only one post before, but that also originated from the mecca of BKT, Klang). For I always find that Ipoh’s standard of BKT pales in comparison to Klang’s. And trust me I have tried quite a number of Ipoh’s best creations – The one in Pasir Puteh near to Kek Look Seah temple, the one near to Ave Maria Convent/MSG (now moved to behind Nine Emperor God’s temple), and the one near to Sun Yuan Loong near to Jalan Bendahara.
A most delicious, yet appalling in terms of presentation – the DRY Bak Kut Teh from Yap Chuan
Then the waves of BKT experiences flooded over me. The DRY Bak Kut Teh, the supposedly original version served simply in porcelain bowls, the ones with seafood as ingredients, and even the ones in a much lighter broth (almost like clear soup, or Ching Thong) opened up my restricted perspective on BKT in general.
Yap Chuan of Puchong has piqued my interest for some time now. Appearing in TV shows, food blogs, and even personal recommendations. But I was skeptical. How can the BEST Bak Kut Teh be making its round in Puchong instead of Klang?! Atrocious.
Only to be silenced in the most pleasant of ways. The Dry Bak Kut Teh was done to almost perfection, hands down the best version I have tasted, compared to even Klang’s version. Not that I have tried them all, but Yap Beng and Klang Lek did not cook up such a storm in a claypot for two occasions each.
The soup version in claypots was good, with balanced flavours and the soup thick enough (though die-hard fans of BKT still swear by the darker, and murky version served in bowls) to render the BKT a commendable effort in my books. Though far from the Klang versions that I have grown fond of.
Steamed Red Snapper (Hoong Chou) RM4.50 per 100g – This one was priced at RM29/USD8.30
Of course, nowadays, serving BKT alone just won’t cut it. For people tend to crave for something else to complete their meals. Sides of braised meats, offals, greens, and even fish dishes making rounds. From Assam Fish in claypots (I think Yap Keat and Good Taste Chef serve them), to steamed fish. Yap Chuan does a rather sumptuous version of steamed red snapper, a little different from the norms for the fish was steamed with a tangy and sweet sauce, with the most unconventional of garnishings. Pickled onions, like those served with murtabaks, with a whole halved lime for optional zest.
Yap Chuan Bah Kut Teh Restaurant (www) – Opens from morning until night daily.
On the whole, Yap Chuan serves one of the BEST dry version of Bak Kut Teh out there, and a passable soup version. I’d rate this a “recommended”, in case you’re wondering. No ratings still, albeit the countless requests for me to summarize my long-winded review in a 5 stars rating system. Aiks, I’m not a food CRITIC ok? Just someone who loves his food, so there.
(* The 14 years old boy in the 1st photo has now grown to be a fine teenager, who is still handling the kitchen. He won awards for cooking up the BEST Bak Kut Teh when he was still 14)
Yap Chuan Bah Kut Teh Restaurant
53, Ground & 1st Floor,
Bandar Puchong Utama,
47100 Puchong, Selangor,
Tel No : 6012-674 4440 or 6019-328 5392.
Opens daily from 9.30am until 9.00pm.
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP TO YAP CHUAN BAH KUT TEH @ PUCHONG