Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh (哥打正宗肉骨茶), the famed traditional Malaysian-style herbal Bak Kut Teh from Kelantan, Kota Tinggi, Malaysia has opened its first outlet in Holland Village, Singapore. Started as a humble tricycle pushcart stall in Kampung Kelantan in 1980 by Mr Pang Kow, the business has expanded into Johor Bahru and now across the causeway in Singapore.
Herbal Claypot Bak Kut Teh
Their signature
Herbal Claypot Bak Kut Teh ($11.90/ $28.90/ $49.90) comes in three sizes that are suitable for 1 pax, 2-3 pax and 4-5 pax respectively. Using a 39-year-old recipe, the bak kut teh soup is brewed using pork ribs, belly, leg and tail, together with a mix of 18 Chinese herbs and dark soy sauce. The result is a robust, complex broth with savoury and bittersweet notes. I had the spare pork ribs which fell of the bone with ease. Diners can also add on other ingredients such as
button mushroom ($1), crispy sheets of
fried beancurd skin ($1) and
pig's liver ($2.90).
Fried You Tiao 4/5, Preserved Vegetable 3.5/5, Braised Tau Pok 4.2/5
Chinese Lettuce 3.5/5, Muar Mackerel Otah 4.2/5
To complete the meal, diners can also paired it with other side dishes such as
Fried You Tiao ($1.90),
Braised Tau Pok ($3.90),
Fragrant White Rice ($0.90),
Chinese Lettuce ($5.90/ $8.90) and
Muar Mackerel Otah ($9.90).
Diners can also opt for
Premium Pork Ribs ($12.90/ $29.90/ $53.90) for the herbal claypot bak kut teh. For a different experience of appreciating bak kut teh, one can spike up the broth with a shot of
Hua Tiao Rice Wine ($0.90),
Hennessy VSOP ($3.90) or
Martell Cordon Bleu ($10.90).
Spanish Iberico in White Pepper Soup 3/5
Besides the herbal style bak kut teh, the restaurant also offers the
Spanish Iberico in White Pepper Soup ($15.90/ $39.90). Unfortunately, the white soup lacked the robustness of the peppery style that I am used to. Furthermore, I find the Spanish Iberico too fatty for my enjoyment.
Braised Pig's Trotters 4/5
Best savoured with a bowl of steaming white rice is the
Braised Pig's Trotters ($12.90/ $31.90). The toothsome meat with its plush, soft fat is slow-cooked in dark soy sauce and other aromatics till tender.
Triple Mix Organ Soup 4.2/5
I love innards, hence I am glad that the restaurant serves
Triple Mix Organ Soup ($13.90/ $32.90). In the piping hot claypot, one can find pig's liver, kidney and intestines in the herbal broth.
Though I am not a fan of Malaysia-style bak kut teh for its strong herbal taste, the version here is more balanced which will suit the local's palate.
Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh
15A Lorong Liput
Singapore 277742
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Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)
Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 330pm, 5pm - 10pm
Sat: 11am - 11pm
Sun: 11am - 10pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B or C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [
Map]
