In February 2024, Bak Kut Teh was recognised as a national heritage dish in Malaysia by Commissioner of Heritage, Mohamad Muda Bahadin, further solidifying its place in the country’s culinary tapestry. And in Kuala Lumpur, Bib Gourmand restaurant Ah Hei Bak Kut Teh is one of the institutions to grab one’s fill of the hearty pork soup.
However, contrary to its namesake, Ah Hei Bak Kut Teh in Kuala Lumpur did not start off by selling Bak Kut Teh.
Mr. Chong Mung Yon and Madame Kim, a husband and wife duo, initially ventured into the culinary scene with a menu selling daily soups such as lotus root soup, pork stomach soup, coconut chicken soup, and stir-fried dishes under the name “Ah Yee Leng Tong” (Ah Yee Daily Soup) in the very same shop lot.
The first few years of the business were challenging. At that time, Madame Kim, whose roots are in Klang, a city renowned for its Bak Kut Teh, started learning how to make this dish from her relatives who lived there. Facing early challenges, the couple decided to pivot in 1991.