Savour the lighter flavours of Cantonese-style claypot rice or ‘bo zai fan’ at Kota Damansara’s CantonTable and Desa Kepong’s Yat Gor Claypot Rice

Cantonese-style claypot rice, or bo zai fan, is a popular dish enjoyed in both Hong Kong and Guangzhou during the colder months. In Malaysia, it has found its place as a delightful and warming one-pot meal, often enjoyed at night or in the daytime at certain establishments. With various flavors and ingredients, this dish offers a unique experience for those who prefer a lighter taste compared to the traditional claypot chicken rice, which is typically saltier and sweeter.

Two restaurants under the same ownership, CantonTable and Desa Kepong, both located in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, have introduced this popular dish to their menus. These outlets cater to customers who are often on the go and rely on deliveries due to limited parking space. Visitors are encouraged to visit these places to customize their orders, as the restaurants allow for adjustments like cooking the rice longer for a more robust crust.

At CantonTable, the ingredients' source is displayed, including Thai jasmine rice, eggs, and various types of lap cheong (Chinese sausage). The restaurant also offers a selection of waxed meats and homemade Cantonese-style sweet vinegar and Hakka yellow wine. Diners can choose from proteins such as boneless chicken drumstick, lap mei, pork patty, pork belly, beef, and Japanese unagi.

The flavor options at CantonTable are diverse, ranging from salted fish and olive vegetable to Japanese salty scallion sauce and others. Customers can opt for a Lucky Box, which randomly selects a flavor for them. Some recommended dishes include the Salted Fish Pork Belly and Lap Mei, Salted Fish Pork Meat Pie, and Mushroom Boneless Chicken. For those preferring a punchier flavor, the Japanese Style Salty Scallion Sauce Beef and Egg is a popular choice.

The claypot rice is served plain, allowing diners to drizzle their secret Soul Sauce, a combination of light and aged soy sauce, over the dish to enhance its flavor. Crust can be enjoyed at the bottom of the claypot if left untouched for a few minutes, allowing it to form with residual heat. Many diners also opt for sliced chili and porridge, which is available at both locations. Salted Fish Pork Meat Pie is a simple yet tasty dish consisting of minced pork.

Desa Kepong offers homemade cheong fun, a silky noodle made from freshly ground rice milk. This dish is also available at the Kota Damansara location, although their rice noodle machine is currently under repair. The restaurant's soups are double-steamed, resulting in flavorful broths, while the Kota Damansara outlet prefers boiling, which yields a lighter flavor. Delivery options include a foil bowl to keep the rice piping hot upon arrival.