Restoran Ban Lee (新萬利肉骨茶)

Some nights — rainy ones especially — call for a comforting claypot of good old bak kut teh with a bowl of rice (maybe more). Enter Ban Lee Bak Kut Teh, an oldtime shoplot that dishes out the herbal broth until 3.30am. Orders for the Bak Kut Teh (from RM18) come in either claypots or ceramic bowls. The difference between the two lies in the cuts of meat. Whole pork bones are better served in a small ceramic bowl filled with a dark concentrate of broth, while regular cuts like ribs and belly are good to go in a claypot brimming with other toppings. Both are delicious in their own rights — it really depends if you're in for fall-off-the-bone tender pork or some soupy goodness. Our advice is to come in bigger groups, so you can order both!
Avg price per person: RM20
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh

When craving the soupy goodness of Bak Kut Teh, gather the troops and head to Ban Lee along Jalan Ipoh! The household name may not have the fame of its Klang peers, but it certainly can compete when it boils down to the Bak Kut Teh. You have the option to customise your warming Herbal Claypot Bak Kut Teh (from RM18) with pork ribs, innards and belly, or do the right thing and have it all! Topped with crispy fuchuk, tau fu pok and romaine lettuce, the comforting broth is best savoured with a bowl of rice and a side of Yau Char Kwai (RM2.50). Pro tip: Drizzle dark soy sauce over your rice for a flavour boost!
Avg Price: RM20
Photo by Burppler Ang Ming Kang

Here’s one place I didn’t manage to photograph and only realised it when my friends and I were almost done! Thankfully, a friend managed to take a quick shot before our barbaric charge to take dibs on the load of pork innards, intestines and ribs under the generous bed of crispy tofu. Also served on the side were some cut pieces of yau char kwai (Chinese crullers) that we dipped into the claypot of hearty and herby soup. Our bill came to a total of RM94 for five people with the addition of one serving bowl of soup filled with some more pork intestines. One must not compare this to its Klang competitors when dining here. The restaurant is still a good city option for those who do not want to travel far. Overall, it was a delightful meal enjoyed with the best of company and that mattered most.

My favourite BKT in the whole wide world.

Soup is herbally, savoury and slightly sweet. The meat of the pork ribs just slides off the bone! Tender and juicy with lotsa fats.

If you come to KL, you simply MUST have this.

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