Herbal concoction

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KLANG, SELANGOR

Klang Lek Bak Kut Teh

27, Jalan Teluk Pulai. Tel: 03-3371 7664. Open 7.30am-8.30pm.

KLANGITES refer to this popular outlet as “Teluk Pulai bak kut teh” by virtue of its location. Stall-holder Oan Ah Lek says he uses about 12 types of herbs to brew his bak kut teh, a combination he arrived at after much experimentation. The concoction is then placed in a huge pot with the different cuts of meat and simmered together for at least two hours.

Oan’s bak kut teh is dished out the traditional way – he offers only the different cuts of meat and offals, served in bowls with the herbal soup. He avoids adding mushrooms and other ingredients as, he says, it will change the flavour of the brew. He does, however, oblige those who request for their bak kut teh to be served in a claypot (to retain the heat).

One also has a choice when it comes to the doneness of the meat: tender or not so tender, the latter is simmered for just 45 minutes. Thick and dark, the soup is redolent of herbs and is very tasty. This Hokkien-style bak kut teh is considered the authentic version.

The shop is a well-known pit stop for many Chinese politicians when they attend functions in Klang. Business peaks between 10am and 3pm.

GURUN, KEDAH

Sotong Kangkung & Asam Laksa

Kedai Kopi New Light

(Opposite the Gurun Magistrate’s Court) 294, Main Road.

Open 6am-6pm. Closed on Saturdays.

THIS 60-year-old coffee shop is located mid-way along the trunk road between Alor Star and Penang. Since the North-South Expressway was completed, most travellers generally bypass Gurun, but the eatery continues to be well patronised.

All-day dim sum is available here. The selection may not be wide but it is adequate and the dim sum is fresh. You’ll find common bites like siew mai, fish balls, taro cake and other fried dim sum varieties.

The asam laksa, served with a generous helping of prawn paste, is right on the money with its tangy flavour, and the consistently good sotong kangkung is highly recommended too.

There must be something special about the greens here for people to come from far away to buy bags of the vegetbles. Also recommended are the blanched cockles, which are very fresh.

The restaurant next door, which opens after 7pm, is well-known for its frog noodles and other dishes incorporating the amphibian (this is the original shop famed for its frog specialty dishes).

KOTA BARU, KELANTAN

Restoran By-T Laksam

Lot 1335 Kampung Panji, Jalan Raja Perempuan Zainab II. Tel:013-906 6654/012-960 5973.

Open 4pm-midnight. Closed on Saturdays.

LAKSAM – a combination of steamed rice noodles and coconut milk gravy with finely-blended fish – is a common breakfast item in Kelantan. By-T, however, serves it from teatime onwards, so this place is very popular with locals in the evenings.

The smooth rice noodles are like a much thicker version of chee cheong fun. The gravy is thick and slightly sweet with blended ikan selayang. Topped with bean sprouts and finely sliced herbs like polygonum leaves (daun kesum), the laksam makes a nice light meal. The special version comes with quail eggs and beef serunding (beef floss or sambal daging as it is known in Kelantan).

It takes about 15 minutes to get here from the town centre, but the laksam is worth it. By-T is usually busy after office hours when many drop by for a bite or to bungkus.