Not keen to drive to Klang or Jenjarom just for ‘hong bak’? Try Lala King Hong Bak/Klang Bak Kut Teh in Taman Cheras instead
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — How often have you driven far away for a particular dish or perhaps queued for a viral food...
Driving far to enjoy a specific dish can lead to disappointment. This psychological phenomenon is known as effort justification, where people perceive effort as enhancing the quality of a meal, even if it's not as good as expected. To avoid this trap, it's worth considering nearby alternatives. Recently, I discovered Lala King Hong Bak/Klang Bak Kut Teh in Taman Cheras, a relatively new eatery that serves dishes similar to Klang's Hong Bak.
Hong Bak is a slow-cooked pork dish with pork, spare parts, and chicken feet in a rich, sticky sauce, while Bak Kut Teh is a flavorful soup brewed with 18 medicinal herbs. Despite appearing quiet and empty when I first walked in, I decided to give the Big Bone Hong Bak (RM19) a try. The aroma of strong herbs, glossy sauce, and succulent meat convinced me to order it.
The dish was a hit, with tender meat and a flavorful broth. Other stewed pig parts were also available, all marinated overnight in five-spice powder and braised for over five hours. Another popular dish, Sour & Spicy Hong Bak, offers a tangy twist, and Bak Kut Teh features an herbal broth with medicinal herbs. La La Bak Kut Teh and La La Soup are also on the menu, with the former combining sweetness and herbal flavors, while the latter offers a more conventional clam soup.
Founded in Seri Kembangan, the restaurant moved to Kuchai Lama and later to its current location in Taman Cheras, managed by a family member. The Cheras location is a more consistent and better option than the Kuchai Lama branch, with improved food quality and knowledgeable staff.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
