Restoran Siow Tiow

Ah, Klang food! It was either BKT or Siow Tiow, this round. There are so many good food restaurants to choose from but my cravings were limited to these 2.

BKT stands for Bah Kut Teh and the Klang style is termed 'kau' referring to the dark colored soup - my favorite type. Why choose? - have both! Suggests Meng, my ex business partner. We were law firm partners and the office is in Klang where he still operates. So a visit to Klang would inevitably include him and the generous fella did a stealth maneuver and paid the bill at Siow Tiow.

The food at Siow Tiow is consistently good. Everything taste just the same - the only difference is that the elderly lady waitress is not there anymore - the one who would complain if you ordered too much! I kinda miss her - she was always nice to me.

There's no menu and they don't serve white rice or provide chili padi. And there are only a handful of dishes to order but they cook them well.

First things first - a full bowl of red chilies and chopped garlic are served together with a bottle of light soya sauce and another for dark/thick soya sauce. We were early and the bowls were still full. These get passed from table to table. Condiment for all the food.

The first dish was something new. Meng ordered Abalone Kerabu! It was an interesting addition. A generous serving of abalone on a bed of onions, cucumber, spring onions and tomatoes with a sweet garlic sauce. They don't go easy on the garlic here.

Next came the Oyster Omelette. The oysters seem to get smaller and smaller - my only grouse. Otherwise the eggs were done just right - not too well cooked and leek is added which makes the Siow Tiow style a little different from the rest I've eaten.

Then came my favorite - Hokkien Noodles. Yellow noodles fried with some pork slices and green leafy vege. The dark and thick soya sauce makes this dish all caramel like and a bit sweet.

Then the Pièce de résistance. Steamed pomfret fish! Steamed to perfection all the time and topped with so much garlic that unless everyone at the table eats, the odd person out might have a hard time being up close and personal with us! And it isn't enough. Most of us dab more dark soya sauce with garlic before savoring the nice plumb white meat of the fish.

We had only 4 dishes and it was surprisingly enough for the 5 of us - even without rice. We took leave of our other friends and headed to pack BKT before leaving Klang. Our dinner plans are made! And I have satisfied all my cravings.

Lastly a picture of the shopfront. My friend Doris commented that with a facade like this, it's hard to believe that the food is good! Or that they serve abalone :)