Rou Gu Cha King

My Ratings: 3 Stars

Cuisine: Chinese

Non Halal

Location: Lower Ground, Queensbay Mall, Penang

RM15-20 per person

Rou Gu Cha is better known as Bak Kut Teh" in Penang. We were having lunch in Queensbay Mall today and we decided to try something new. Heard from my friend that Rou Gu Cha just opened in QB Mall.

Looking at the menu, there are set lunches starting from RM11.90 (something we can afford). Originally, we wanted to eat at Nandos but thinking over it, that Nandos prices is a bit steep for us. Per person bill can set us back RM20-25. So not worth the money. So Rou Gu Cha is the right choice to start with.

The restaurant offers a variety of Bak Kut Teh from pork to chicken and even vegetarian (Yes, you heard me right - a vegetarian "Bak Kut" teh with a touch of spice). And from Bak Kut Teh with soup to dry ones. We found something different and we ordered a dry Bak Kut Teh (Gan Rou Gu Cha) @RM12.90+ per set and a soup variety infused with Australian Red Wine (Hong Jiu Rou Gu Cha)@13.90+

Sets comes with steam rice, seasonal bean sprouts, dim sum, herbal jelly and chinese tea. Gan Rou Gu Cha has pork ribs, streaky pork, cartilage, meat ball, mushroom, beancurd stick, cuttlefish, lady finger, dried chili, vegetables. Hong Jiu Rou Gu Cha has pork ribs, streaky pork, cartilage, hock, meat ball, mushroom, beancurd stick, traditional beancurd and vegetables.

I like both the Gan and Hong Jiu Rou Gu Cha. The Hong Jiu Rou Gu Cha of course has a slight taste of red wine. The taste of red wine goes well with the flavour of the Rou Gu Cha. Strong, unique and yet flavourful. The Gan type of course is also strong in taste as the soup base has been well evaporated.

Looks like it is going to be an international brand with the signboard saying it has outlets in both Penang and Shanghai at this moment. I feel so lucky that Penang has a couple of branches (another one in Gurney Plaza). So this make it one of a kind Penang food? Kuala Lumper don't even have one (......yet....).

The portions are small but sufficient. Restaurant ambience is simple. Service is OK. No government charge but 10% service charge is included. Sets, ala carte and side orders are available for order.