Old Street Bak Kut Teh, Galaxy Mall, Surabaya, Indonesia
August 23, 2016
Bak Kut Teh has always been a popular chinese soup served in Singapore, Malaysia or even Mainland China or Taiwan. One of their specialties is actually their Dry Bak Kut Teh but I do feel that the traditional Bak Kut Teh with its complex broth and aromatic soup is the highlight of this dish. What is interesting in this restaurant is their Ipad ordering system using a tablet stored on each table in a pull-out drawer which allows you to order and add anything you feel like without having to continuously looking and waiting for the staff. Very convenient indeed.
There is a table that has various condiments and sauces (Soy Sauce, Chilli, Garlic, Ginger etc) that allows you to help yourselves in anything you want. We decided to order some sides such as these lovely and so delicious 'Peanuts' (IDR32k = ~AUD$3.2), braised well and compliments all of the dishes and even delicious when eaten with just warm rice. 'You Tiao' is fried doughsticks which is very common to eat with most chinese dishes or even as a side, sometimes many would buy them just for snacks. It was quite fresh but not as fresh hot as I thought it would be. However, it was still crispy on the outside and when you dip it into the soup, that's when it is eaten best. Preserved Vegetables' (IDR38k = ~AUD$3.8) was not bad, not too salty either.
Traditionally, Bak Kut Teh is eaten accompanied with brewing a pot of chinese tea. On each of the tables, there are built-in induction cookers where they will heat up your Bak Kut Teh. The name of the dish actually literally means 'Meat Bone Tea' which consists of meaty pork ribs which is simmered in a broth of various herbs and spices for hours. However, despite the fact that there is no tea present in the dish, the name simply refers to a very strong Oolong Chinese Tea which is usually served as I have mentioned previously, alongside of the soup. In a way, it simply allows one to be able to eat the pork filled dish and dilute or help the throat and after eating effect.
'Pork Ribs Soup' (Small: IDR75k, Large: IDR100k = ~AUD$7.5-10) is always great eaten with a bowl of warm rice. I was rather surprised that the Bak Kut Teh bowl didn't have only a few pieces of meaty ribs but it was plenty, enough to share around and am pretty sure if I had to finish a bowl all by myself, I would be full to the max. The soup has always been the highlight for me when eating this dish, it had the wholesome, herbal and peppery soup as well as very tender meat that that easily falls off the bone. It was very flavourful and zesty at the same time. There was a decent amount of combination of both soft bones and spare ribs. For those who may think that it may have those porky smell, it actually didn't as the smell of the soup and the broth was more distinct than the minimal pork smell..
Another great thing about the Bak Kut Teh here is that refills for the soup/broth is free, so you are able to top up as much as possible. So don't forget to ask for refills!
'Braised Pig's Trotter' is something I do love to eat other than Bak Kut Teh but of course, when you dine at a Bak Kut Teh restaurant, obviously it would be the main dish to order. The flavour of the braised meat seems as if it has been made with love and watched over for a while as it should be. The meat again was easy off the bone but do know that the soy broth is quite strong in terms of flavour and taste.
This was a small bowl of braised tofu, beancurd as well as egg although I forgot what this was called. However, simply the soy broth allowed the different elements come together to make an aromatic braised tofu and egg. Another great condiment to have when eating Bak Kut Teh.
I do need to advise you that chopsticks and spoons are stored on one side of the table where there is pull out drawer, since many may not know this, it may be hard during your first time when dining here. Especially with the Ipad ordering system also in a pull-out drawer. Now Surabaya do have more than one branch which is great for those living around the other side of town, but I do have to say that this is probably the only place in the city where I would get my dose of Bak Kut Teh..
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