Restoran Chun Mei Bak Kut Teh @ Tanjung Malim, Perak

There are two restaurants in Tanjung Malim selling old school Bak Kut Teh since the 1970's. One is Restoran Kim Kee which is located in Kampung Berop and the other is this Resturant Chun Mei. Between the two, this is the preferred one but in recent months the other one has become more famous due to the lack of staffs at this restaurant and the lady boss only occasionally opening the restaurant. Now however, her son is back and he runs the restaurant with some additional helpers.You could still see the lady boss at the restaurant but she does not involve much in the business as she has already aged. 

Restaurant Chun Mei in Taman Intan Setia

Parking is never a problem here as there is a huge space to park right in front of the restaurant. Usually packed during evenings and as it goes to late nights, then there would be more lorries than cars. Due to the open concept of the restaurant, the place does not get hot as the cool evening breeze is always blowing in. 

Outdoor Seating

Open Concept

Indoor Seating

Indoor Seating

The restaurant is quite an old structure but it is still in usable condition. Cleanliness is decent but not immaculate. Nevertheless, you still see a lot of customers coming here due to the taste of their Bak Kut Teh which is anytime better than those found in Kuala Lumpur, Kampung Subang and even some of those in Klang. On days when this restaurant is open, then there is very few customers in Kim Kee. I guess, most people like me would come here and check the place out first to see if they are open and if they are not, only then head to Kim Kee. Ordering here is very simple. You could just place your orders at your table and this could be done with the helpers themselves. Since I know the son and mother personally, I would usually walk up to them and tell them exactly what I want. Since the son and I are schoolmates, he usually tends to give me better meat cuts.

Hot Chinese Tea

My Dinner @ RM 11.00

Today was slightly a busy day and it took them a while to serve me. Nevertheless, it was worth the wait. Shall speak more about each of this dish below.

White Rice

Here you don't get the Onion Oil Rice as it is all the plain White Rice. This usually comes with the Bak Kut Teh but if you do not order the meat and just go for the sides, then a bowl of White Rice is priced at RM 1.00 . Since the broth here is the dark version, then this goes well with it as you do not need additional flavours to come from the rice to improve the taste. 

Garlic & Bird Eye Chili

It is a must to have the Bak Kut Teh with some garlic and bird eye chilies. As for the Soy Sauce, both sweet and salty versions are available.

Dark Tea

Dark Tea

Their Dark Herbal Soup is definitely a taste to remember. You hardly get this dark soup anymore and most places today, tend to serve very light coloured soup and sometimes I get confused if that is the real herbal soup or if it is some soy sauce. This comes complimentary and they would keep topping up the soup as it finishes. This is done even without you asking for more. As they walk pass you and if the helpers notice that your soup is finished or near finished, then they on their own initiative would top it up for you. I would rate their Herbal Soup at 10/10 . One of the best that I have tried, perhaps the best!

Mix Of Lean Meat & Fat

Mix Of Lean Meat & Fat

If there is a larger group, then you should go for their Claypot Bak Kut Teh which comes with an assortment of items. Since I was alone, I went for the solo bowl like the above. I always prefer lean meat with a little fat which goes just nice with me. Do note that they also have spare parts and the big bone here. The meat is tenderly cooked in the delicious dark herbal soup and is a treat to any Bak Kut Teh lover. I would rate the above meat at 9.5/10 .A perfect dish!

Tofu & Lor Tan

Love Their Eggs

The eggs here are really good. They are hard boiled in a very thick herbal soup and is served along with some soy sauce. Definitely an excellent preparation and I would rate this at 9.4/10 .

Tofu

Once again, their Tofu would definitely not disappoint you. The Tofu is prepared in the same dark herbal broth and it is very fresh and delicious. Some days, he uses the Fried Tofu and somedays like today, they had used the Fried Tofu Pok. Both preparations are excellent and I would rate this at 9/10 .

Yau Char Kui

They get their supply of Yau Char Kui from the vendor at the local market and he delivers them fresh to their shop daily. The Yau Char Kui is very soft and hence absorbs the delicious soup when dipped in. Just look at the colour. Definitely good stuff and I would rate this at 9.5/10 .

If you wish to try old school Bak Kut Teh, then I would strongly recommend this particular restaurant. I did not have the breakdown of prices and that is the reason why I did not list them above. In total, my meal this evening cost me a mere RM 11.00 . Could we find this in Kuala Lumpur for the same price? Definitely not! After all, Tanjung Malim is a mere 40 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur via the North South Highway and we KL'ites are used to travelling that distance. Definitely a place that you would not regret unless you dislike the dark soup as I do know some friends who would simply prefer the lighter soup over the dark one as they dislike the strong herbal flavour. In a nutshell, cheap and excellent food and a sure treat for hardcore Bak Kut Teh lovers.

Address: Jalan Intan Setia 7, Taman Intan Setia, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak.

Opening Hours: 1700 - 0100 Daily