Bak kut teh is Malaysia’s ultimate comfort food. The pork bone broth (which translates to meat bone tea from Hokkien) is undoubtedly one of the nation’s dishes alongside Nasi Lemak and Char Kuey Teow. After a long day, the savoury meat soup from one of these restaurants is the perfect way to end the night. If you’re seeking a delicious bowl in the Klang Valley, read on to find out where to find the best bowls of bak kut teh in KL and PJ now.
Asking about the best bak kut teh in Malaysia is definitely a touchy topic. Most would say the best comes from its original creation place in Klang, but Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya have their own authentic spots for folk who need that soupy fix without braving two hours of traffic.
The origins of bak kut teh
The dish’s origins are a mystery. Some say it was originally a beef soup recipe from Fujian, China. Others say a Chinese physician invented it in the 1930’s. A more common theory is that it was the food of Hokkien immigrants who were workers at Port Klang that used spare parts of pork to make a nutritious and hearty soup.
A good bowl usually contains a thick herbal broth (as opposed to the peppery Singaporean variant), pork belly slices, pork ribs, and other organs like stomach and intestines. The ingredients are boiled in a claypot with intense heat until soft and succulent. There is also a dry version of the dish that uses a thick soy sauce as a base instead of soup. It’s usually eaten with a bowl of oil rice, braised vegetables, and cut youtiao (fried Chinese doughnuts).
There are many restaurants in KL and PJ selling the dish, so finding the best, most authentic spot can be confusing. So we have boiled it down to a list of gems that serve the true essence of the beloved soup. Join us as we present our carefully curated picks of the best places in town.
(Hero and featured credit: @boomerinthecity/Instagram)
10 best bak kut teh restaurants in KL and PJ today:
1 /10
Ah Hei, located in Pudu has been serving bak kut teh to hungry patrons for over 30 years. In fact, it’s earned them a Michelin Bib Gourmand, an award given to reasonably priced restaurants. They specialise in a darker broth with braised pork belly that melts in your mouth. The spot is popular and small so prepare to queue up and share tables with strangers.
Operating hours: 7:30AM – 2PM
(Image credit: @stephen_chuang/Instagram)
2 /10
Another Michelin recommended spot is Hing Kee, which is popular during lunch and dinner hours. This place is known for a lighter soup and dry pork belly. Hing Kee also serves ginger wine soups with chicken and prawns. It’s also very popular among locals so try to find parking as early as possible.
Operating hours: 3PM – 2:30AM (11:30AM – 2:30AM on Tuesday, Closed on Mondays)
3 /10
A classic bak kut teh spot among Petaling Jaya residents, Heng Kee is a fixture of PJ Old Town. Prepare for a bak kut teh buffet spread as the place serves a variety of meat cuts like pork ribs, stomach, intestines, and even liver. This spot is a frequent visit for many families and friends and is often cited as the best bak kut teh in PJ.
Operating hours: 4:30PM – 10PM
4 /10
Yes, you can find authentic bak kuh teh in Bangsar too. Babi Kuah Hitam (Black sauce pig in Malay) was the creation of Chef Logan Terrence Lopez, who wanted to put his own spin on his childhood Klang bak kut teh. Using a unique blend of Chinese herbs, his soup is flavourful yet refreshing, perfectly complementing a bowl of shallot oil rice. Located just opposite Wurst, this stall is a hit among the Bangsar lunch crowd.
Operating hours: 7AM–10PM, closed on Thursdays
Image credit: @vincentchongmf/Instagram
5 /10
For a true taste of Klang bak kuh teh, Yip Yong is the place to go. Specialising in dry bak kut teh, their rich dark soy sauce perfectly coats every piece of tender pork belly. Wash it all down with your own choice of Chinese tea for the best experience.
Operating hours: 10AM–2:45PM, 5:30PM–9:30PM
Image credit:
6 /10
With over 20 years of history, YuYi is a renowned spot often visited by Hong Kong and Taiwanese stars. Yuyi’s bak kut teh is Klang-style. Herby, rich, and strong. Their broth also uses button mushrooms to add a layer of umami flavour. Their menu also offers braised pork trotters and pork kidney wine soup.
Operating hours: 9:30AM – 9PM
7 /10
Ang Hock Bak Kuh Teh is an old hidden gem in Chow Kit, and is unsurprisingly one of the best places for the dish in KL. Known for its yam rice and its old-school atmosphere, the place will take you and your tastebuds back to simpler times. The soup is boiled with plenty of mushrooms and vegetables and the pork is well-cooked. The lady who owns the place is also said to be kind and helpful.
Operating hours: 5:30AM – 3PM
8 /10
If you’re looking for a fancier place, Fengang in Menara K1 is the place to check out. The restaurant has a beautiful interior and serves thick and flavourful bak kut teh to match it. It also serves steamed herbal chicken, sweet sour pork, and a variety of classic Chinese dishes.
Operating hours: 10AM – 10PM
9 /10
Another Old Town must-try, Min Kee mixes Kopitiam and bak kut teh to give patrons a variety of food options. They are known for their Teochew-style broth and generous servings of meat and innards. The stalls inside the kopitiam also serve wanton mee and chicken rice.
Operating hours: 3:30PM – 12AM
10 /10
When you step into the signature green blinders of Ah Sang you know you’re in for a treat. This popular spot is known to attract locals and tourists looking for an authentic claypot bak kut teh. With generous portions of meat and strong umami flavour its easy to see Ah Sang’s street cred. Just make sure to come early as many of the items will sell out fast.
Operating hours: 8AM – 2PM (Closed on Mondays)