During my recent visit to Johor Bahru, I had the pleasure of trying Xing Wang Fa Bak Kut Teh, a popular establishment known for its flavorful rendition of this traditional Malaysian dish. Here's my review of the experience:
The restaurant had a bustling and lively atmosphere, with friendly staff members welcoming guests as they entered. The menu featured an extensive selection of bak kut teh variations, and I decided to try both the soup and dry versions.
Firstly, the soup bak kut teh. While I had high expectations, I found the soup to be average in terms of taste. It had a decent balance of herbal flavors, but it lacked the depth and richness that I had anticipated. The meat, however, was tender and succulent, which added some redeeming qualities to the dish.
On the other hand, the dry bak kut teh fared much better. The combination of tender pork, dried chilies, and aromatic spices created a delightful medley of flavors. The meat had a slight caramelization, resulting in a pleasant smoky taste, and the sauce had a good balance of sweetness and spiciness. It provided a satisfying contrast to the soup version, and I found myself enjoying it more.
Aside from the main dishes, the restaurant offered a variety of side dishes and accompaniments. The braised tofu and preserved vegetables complemented the bak kut teh nicely, providing additional textures and flavors to the meal.
In terms of service, the staff members were attentive and efficient, ensuring that the orders were taken promptly and the food was served without delay. The cleanliness of the restaurant was also commendable, adding to the overall positive dining experience.
In conclusion, my experience at Xing Wang Fa Bak Kut Teh was a mixed one. While the soup version fell short of my expectations, the dry bak kut teh was a standout, with its enticing flavors and well-prepared meat. If you visit Xing Wang Fa, I recommend giving the dry bak kut teh a try for a more memorable...
Read moreVisited Hoh Bak Kut Teh with some expectations, but unfortunately, the food fell short in many ways. The overall taste is very average, and while there are some redeeming points, most of the dishes left us disappointed. The stir-fried vegetables were probably the safest choice — crisp, fresh, and nicely prepared. Portion size was okay, but could have been a little more generous. The egg with prawn looked promising but ended up being bland and tasteless, lacking any seasoning or depth of flavour. The dry Bak Kut Teh had a pleasing aroma when served, which gave us some hope, but the taste didn’t match the smell. It was flat and uninspiring, nothing like the rich, savoury dish one would expect. The vinegar pork was by far the worst dish on the table — the meat was soft in the worst way possible, almost like it had been soaking in water, with none of the tangy richness that makes a good vinegar pork dish appetising. Honestly, it was inedible and should be avoided entirely. The wet version of Bak Kut Teh was slightly better, but still fell short of being satisfying. The broth lacked the herbal depth and punch that define this dish, tasting more like a lightly seasoned soup than a proper BKT. To make matters worse, the kidney was not appropriately cleaned, leaving behind a strong, unpleasant smell that ruined the experience of the bowl. The only saving grace here was the service. The staff were polite, attentive, and efficient, and the condiments were thoughtfully prepared. Unfortunately, good service alone cannot save poorly executed food. Overall, Hoh Bak Kut Teh is let down by its kitchen. With stronger flavours, better preparation of ingredients, and more attention to traditional cooking standards, it could improve. As it stands now, this is not a place I’d recommend if you’re looking for a satisfying Bak Kut...
Read moreThere are 4 main dishes you can choose to order : herbal soup bak kut teh, a dry version, a sesame oil chicken and a spicy chicken. You can choose the serving size for each dish (serves 1 -3 pax), and then choose add ons for the dishes.
The dishes have very simple ingredients, mostly pork ribs and pork belly. If you like organs/a lot of different ingredients, you will need to add on separately.
The meat was quite good, and the organs were quite fresh. I added the pork intestine and pork liver, and the pork liver especially did not have a strong bloody taste, which is common if the liver is not fresh. The herbal soup is a bit lacking in taste - the dry bak kut teh is much more flavorful.
The lady manager was quite helpful in explaining the menu and how to order, and the food was served quickly. we were also seated fast.
However i would say that the table is a bit dirty... I went in the morning but the table was already covered in a thin sheen of oil even in the morning, and the sauce bottles were quite oily that it left my fingers a bit sticky... There is a sink to wash your hands though, so not a big deal. Overall a good...
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