Kepong people must really love their Bak Kut Teh because the many existing BKT shops doesn’t stop new shops from populating this area. A new one that had just sprung up 2 months ago at Bandar Menjalara, Kepong is Sekmechoy Restaurant – specializing in Claypot Pepper Bak Kut Teh.

In fact, Sek Me Choy had been around for more than 20 years and there is an interesting story behind the signature Claypot Pepper Bak Kut Teh. Apparently, the owner of the restaurant used to be in tin mining business before the prices of tin crashed forcing the owner to sell off his properties and remake himself in the restaurant trade. But instead of selling the normal herbal Bak Kut Teh, he created a new recipe by replacing the herbs with pepper which is less heaty and a suitable substitution for his health condition. That’s where it took off.

The original restaurant is situated in Salak South and it is still operating till today. You can read all about it on their facebook page or blog.
 

Judging by the buzzing activity at the new branch in Bandar Menjalara, business had been good. We arrived at around 7.45pm and the shop was already fully occupied. Dad was determined to try this unique style of BKK so we waited and was finally seated after 15 minutes or so.

We quickly placed our order before our rumbling stomach started to an even angrier protest. However, things moved really slowly after that. Service here is extremely slow. The youtiao arrived soon and we waited for the BKT for another 10 minutes. But the staff forgot to bring us utensils and plates so we waited some more.
 

Our rice order finally came but only half of what we ordered (we ordered 6 bowls of rice but only 4 came). We later found out that they ran out of rice.

Other dishes were delayed as well. In the end few of us was already done eating while others still had to wait for the rice to be served. Frustrating!

I’ve read that there had been many complaints about the restaurant being understaffed already since their opening but i hope that they will improve soon. I would really love to re-visit the restaurant because the food is really good… if only the service had improved by then.
 

Now for the food.

The Claypot Pepper Bak Kut Teh is definitely different from what i am used to. While i still prefer the normal herbal BKT, this is something unique and not bad. The broth is clear and slightly sweet with pepper flavor. It’s like pepper broth you have when you have yong tao fu.

This is not everyone’s preference. Some might like it and some might not.
 

The Pickled Mustard Rice is a must have. It’s slightly expensive but delicious. The blend of dried shrimps, pickled mustard and lard gives it an appetizing fragrant. Thumbs up!
 

Another dish that i think is excellent is the French Bean with Salted Egg. It was absolutely scrumptious! The french bean cooked to perfection, it was crunchy and fresh. The salted egg complements it by giving it a rich and sharp taste.

Definitely one of my favorite of the night.
 

Claypot Tofu with Minced Meat here is equally good. The tofu is smooth yet firm. Simmered in the sweet sauce it is almost soothing to put into the mouth.
 

I’m not a fan of fatty meats but here the Claypot Pork Belly with Salted Fish (ham yue fa lam pou) is drool-worthy. The combination of salted fish with succulent thin strips of pork belly is divine. The aroma of the salted fish is unmistakable and when you bite into it the pork is juicy with flavor.

While i think the food here is divine, there is another thing that bothers me about this place besides the poor service – the portion. The portion of food is very small so big eaters beware. I couldn’t believe it when we were served with the pork belly – even though we ordered “small”, it was so little!
 
 

Claypot Pepper Bak Kut Teh/4 person – RM44.00
White rice x 3 – RM3.00
Pickled Mustard Rice x3 – RM6.00
Chinese tea x 6 – RM9.00
Leong Sui (Chinese Herbal Tea) – RM2.00
Claypot Pork Belly with Salted Fish – RM12.00
You Tiao (small) RM1.20
Tofu Puffs – RM3.00
Claypot Tofu with Minced Meat – RM8.00
Baby French Bean with Salted Egg Yolk – RM10.00

Total: RM98.20 (no government tax or service charge)
 
 

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Sek Me Choy Restaurant
43, Jalan 9.63A, Bandar Menjalara, Kepong, 52200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +6012-9777956 / +603-62627956