Monday, May 16, 2005

Killer Pokarri (Spicy Bakuteh)


stewed to perfection


It's been awhile since I did a food review, so here's one. And in case you're wondering, my weight-loss is just fine, thank you very much. :) Actually, Mae and I had this a couple of weeks back together with my sis and her hubby when we stayed at the Ascott.

Ba Kut Teh Liang Kee is a family-runned Bakuteh shop in downtown KL. You'll agree when you see them since the brothers that manage the place are carbon copies of each other. Anyway, aside from it's regular fare of Bakuteh, this shop's signature dish is its famous Pokarri.

If you don't know what a Pokkari is, don't be too hard on yourself. Not too many people are acquainted with this heavenly dish. However, the ones who have usually end up developing a lifelong affair with the dish. Some of these affairs are illicit, when grown men sneak out of the house to enjoy this sinful dish behind their wives backs. Yes, it's true. Many a good wife will disapprove of this delicious dish because prolonged exposure to Pokarri will definitely give you clogged arteries and cardiac arrest.

Pokarri is not unlike Bakuteh. It is a dish of braised pork ribs in herbal stew. However, while Bakuteh is tame and suitable for the whole family, Pokkari is ultra-hot and spicy. Stewed with dried chillis and garlic, Pokarri is the man-sized version of the sissy Bakuteh. At Liang Kee, you'll find choice cuts of Pork broiled in a thick, hot, brown stew. This shop serves the dish with its delicious Oil-Rice, which is white rice tossed in fried shallots. You can also order the standard side dishes you get with Bakuteh - the YauCharKuey, string mushrooms and TauFuPok.

Ba Kut Teh Liang Kee operates from 6pm to the wee hours of the morning. The place is a favourite of revellers and party animals who eat here after a night at the club. Situated right after Plaza Hotel and Wisma Cyclecarri on Jalan Raja Laut, this place has gotten its share of fame. One, the place serves up, a killer Pokarri. Two, the place once served a killer, Pokarri. Heh!

The notorious (and now expired) criminal of our time, Bentong Kali shot a man here. In fact it was the incident here at Liang Kee that sparked off a nationwide manhunt for the guy. So if you're a regular patron of Ba Kut Teh Liang Kee and wondered why the brothers look kinda stoned, now you know. The psychological effect of having some guy get shot in your shop is liable to take a toll on you.

Thankfully, however, it didn't diminish their skill at making one of the finest Pokarri on the planet.

Note: You can also find Pokkari at Mungo Jerry in SS2, PJ and that famous Bakuteh place along Jalan Kepong. But if you want the best, this is the place.

16 comments:

  1. Oh yeah one at the back of Plaza Hotel. Should go and try one day.
    By the way is Mungo Jerry in section 19 still so famous ? I wonder...

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  2. Where in Jalan Kepong? Next to what landmark?

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  3. first time heard of pokarri. sounds yummy. i never like bah kut teh but being one who like hot and spicy stuff, i guess i'm going to love pokarri. but pity penang no pokarri (or not that i heard of).

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  4. I have a feeling that Pokarri is the illiterate Chinaman's way of spelling "Pork Curry" :lol:

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  5. wahhh mouth watery stuff eh!
    i've never heard of pokkari (wat language??) but i always order this by the name of munn tzu keuk, yes? no?
    the kepong one is near pizza hut/kfc building is it?

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  6. As I said, James - all the good work in the gym -down the pokkari drain with this indulgence on fatty foods. What la... can be as slim as before mae time?
    Hey... you are notorious with food man!

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  7. Is it halal? Sounds delicious to me! Hi! i feel guilty not introducing myself since i've read ure blog for a few months now. Nice to meet er read ure blog! Heheheheh...ure are most welcome to visit mine.

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  8. drool... drool...
    I'm going, I'm going... Pokkari, here I come!!

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  9. Hahahah...i post my previous comment without reading ure entry first! Of course it's not halal! it's got pork, u mindless head u! (Me, not you!) hahahahahahaah

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  10. Is the bit about Bentong Kali for real? I thought it was something you cooked up to impress people! :lol:

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  11. like dat i must go down and try it one day... if i mention your name do i get a discount?

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  12. Really so good? I'm an extra large fan of Bak Kut Teh. Spicy BKT? Would love to try that!!
    Jln Raja Laut ehh...I stay in the city and yet I missed it!?!

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  13. Shin, the Mungo Jerry in Sec 19 is still okay, though I don't really see that many customers. I've had Pokarri here too. It was okay but not great. :)
    Gina: It's the one after Pizza Hut, on the way to KL.
    :lol: Josh, I live to eat mah!
    Thanks for dropping by Nina. And sorry, it's not Halal. Though my dad, who's Muslim, says he'll eat it when they sunat the pig. :lol: I promise to find you a halal recipe with Chicken instead. :)
    Good for you Percolator!
    Of course it's real, AhPink. I bet your Chow Kit friends can confirm that for you. :)
    Sorry Simon, no discount on my name. But maybe if you mention Bentong Kali you might get a free meal. Hehheh!
    How could you miss such wonderful stuff, Cherry? Go go go!

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  14. Dude, you looked real fine when I saw you tonight at the auditions. Good job on the weight loss and sustaining it :)

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  15. What auditions? Malaysian Idol? Do tell! :)

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  16. Flattery will get you everywhere, Coolcat! :lol:
    AhPink: Wouldn't you like to know!

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