Bak Kut Teh

One of our favourite meals, which is available in many Chinese restaurants here in Kota Kinabalu, is Bak Kut Teh. There aren't too many "kwai lo", (or gwai lo - its a name the Chinese call white people, meaning "white ghost". I think in the old days it wasn't a term of endearment, but we are not in the least bit offended when referred to this way) who like Bak Kut Teh - it has a strange, some say medicinal, flavour to it.

The name means, "meat bone tea", and depending on where you are in the world will depend on its ingredients, but it will generally contain pork meat (extremely tender), minced pork balls, and various parts of the pigs intestines, liver and kidneys. Personally, I'm not a fan of stomach contents and so just have the meat only variety. Here in Kota Kinabalu, BKT is available from about 5pm onwards. It's said that you shouldn't eat it too often or you might get ill! Its served with white steamed rice and usally some tofu, pickle and doughy rings which I can never remember the name of! The accompanied with garlic and/or chopped chilli in soy sauce.

Highly recommended for those who have never tried it!