7 Bak Kut Teh Spots in Kuala Lumpur That Are Worth the Hype
Bak kut teh is one of the best things that Malay cookbooks have introduced to the world. This is saying a lot considering that this is the same country that gave us nasi lemak, laksa char kway teow and other iconic local dishes dishes.
There’s just something about pork ribs that have been simmered for several hours that makes this dish the most lip-smacking delight you can enjoy while you’re in the country. Fortunately, you won’t have to go too far, as some of the best places to get them are in Kuala Lumpur!
To help you understand what I’m talking about (and to give me an excuse to gush out on one of my favourite dishes), I’ve compiled some fantastic restaurants that offer bak kut teh in KL!
Let’s get started!
Ka Ka Bak Kut Teh
— Media credit: kjuhotan
Address: Jalan 1/32a, Kepong Baru
Contact details: +60 19-552 5525
Operating hours: Daily from 4:00 PM to 4:00 AM
Cost: $
When a place is hailed as the “king” of something, you know they mean business, and that’s exactly what Ka Ka Bak Kut Teh is! This restaurant is beloved by locals to the point where they consider it royalty, and it’s not hard to see why because of their flavourful broth and tender ribs.
The broth is so good that some people finish a cup of it before even touching the ribs—fortunately, the restaurant offers free refills! Also, just a quick tip: drench your rice with their bak kut teh broth for a match made in heaven.
Their meat is also fresh, whether you’re ordering the pork ribs or the pork belly. Plus, they’re cooked perfectly so that they can soak the flavour of the broth and attain that next-level tenderness locals know and love.
Pro tip:
We recommend going here early if you’re driving since there are only a few parking slots available by the street. Alternatively, we recommend commuting by riding the train and dropping off at the Kepong Baru station.
Ah Sang Bak Kut Teh
— Media credit: milokopipeng
Address: Seri Setia, Sungai Way
Contact details: +60 3-7876 2299
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Cost: $$
Ah Sang Bak Kut Teh is a great entrypoint for those who haven’t tried this dish yet. This is because they feature a notably milder soup with various herbal notes, which is still good but not too intense to scare away your taste buds.
Once you’ve grown accustomed to the broth, you can start enjoying the different cuts of pork they offer in these bowls. You can either opt for the classic pork belly or try other types like lean meat and our favourite, ribs!
We also love how their soup comes with a variety of greens and ingredients that make the flavour pop out more. Among these ingredients is the enoki mushroom, which features a distinct taste that surprisingly makes the soup more savoury.
Pro tip:
Make sure to order their signature fried beancurd while you’re here! They’re great at absorbing the flavours of the broth and are the perfect snack to balance out the overbearing pork flavours.
B. A. J. Restaurant
— Media credit: bajcafesetapak
Address: Jalan Genting Kelang
Contact details: +60 18-988 8766
Operating hours: Wednesday to Monday: 11:00 AM to 9:40 PM
Cost: $-$$
B.A.J. is one of the most famous cafes/restaurants in the area that serves bak kut teh, and we can easily see why tons of locals love it. For starters, their bak kut teh ticks all the boxes, from the tenderness of the pork to the herbal flavour of the broth and the combination of veggies.
Furthermore, they put different spins on the traditional recipe that drastically changes the flavour. One of the most perfect examples of this is their cheese bak kut teh, which pairs the dry tender pork ribs with stringy cheese—yum!
We also love this place because they also serve an amazing selection of Western food! If someone in your family or in your friend group is a picky eater, you’ll know how great having this luxury is.
Pro tip:
If you’re planning on ordering something for the entire table, we recommend getting their smoked duck carbonara.
Yu Yi Bak Kut Teh
— Media credit: guan_chua
Address: 53-6, Jalan Barat, Pudu
Contact details: +60 3-2145 6416
Operating hours: Daily from 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $
Yu Yi has had the most massive glow-up in terms of restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. What started as a humble hawker stall back in the early 80’s has now branched into three different restaurants across the country.
Our props go to them, as they’ve managed to retain the same recipe that put them on the map all those years ago. They feature both clay pot and dry bak kut teh, with the former featuring a more traditional flavour and the latter having a spicier taste.
Aside from bak kut teh, they also offer a wide array of Chinese cuisine staples like sweet and sour pork and creamy butter chicken.
Pro tip:
If you don’t know what to pair with your bak kut teh, we recommend ordering their kangkung belacan for some greens and their egg foo yong if you want an omelette-like dish.
Yik See Ho Bak Kut Teh
— Media credit: hunsheng88
Address: 20, Jalan Landak, Pudu
Contact details: +60 12-789 2293
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
If you’re looking for a reliable spot to get bak kut teh that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, then Yik See Ho should be right up your alley! They’ve been around for more than 30 years and this longevity is largely attributed to their timeless bak kut teh recipe.
One of the things we love about their bak kut teh is the pork itself! Each piece of meat you’ll find swimming in the broth is bouncy, tender and flavourful.
Their broth is arguably the biggest star here, as it’s where the pork is getting all its flavours. One sip of this soup base will treat you to an amazing herbal taste but if you want our advice, we recommend adding a teaspoon of their dried chillies to give it an extra kick.
Pro tip:
Looking to try something exotic? Try ordering their pork intestines to go along with your Chinese herbal soup—don’t knock it until you try it!
Hing Kee Bakuteh
— Media credit: hungry_potatoo
Address: 121, Jln Kepong, Metro Prima
Contact details: +60 12-523 3599
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Friday: 4:00 PM to 2:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 3:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Cost: $$
Hing Kee Bakuteh is one of the most popular spots in the city to get bak kut teh mostly because of its Michelin Bib Gourmand, which is well-earned might I add. They offer a fairly varied menu of bak kut teh, but our favourite one is the dry version, as we prefer its spicier flavour.
They also offer pig intestines if you’re up for it! They may not look good on paper, but for a part so unorthodox, their soup still tastes like pork.
Also, you can choose from a wide variety of sides to go along with your soup like tofu and vegetables. If you want our advice, however, you should get their oil rice, which is super flavourful thanks to its abundance of fried shallots.
Pro tip:
One of the easiest and cheapest ways you can get to Hing Kee Bakuteh is by taking the subway and dropping off at the Metro Prima Station. From there, the restaurant is only around 11 minutes away on foot.
Ban Lee Bak Kut Teh
— Media credit: salapao_lalla
Address: 222, Jln Sultan Azlan Shah
Contact details: +60 12-203 6865
Operating hours: Daily from 5:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $
Ban Lee is one of those places you can stop by when you get that random craving for bak kut teh late at night. They’re open until 2:00 AM so if you’re coming from a night out in Kuala Lumpur and you want something hearty to get the booze off, this should be on your radar.
It also helps that their soup features a distinct Chinese herb taste and aroma that sets them apart from other restaurants in the area. Plus, the big pork rib that they use to finish off this dish is as tender as they can come!
Pro tip:
If you don’t want to encounter long lines during your visit, we recommend avoiding rush hours like lunch and dinnertime.