Klang Food Centre: Klang shop sells over 14 types of handmade pau in flavours like Otak-Otak, Curry Chicken, Mui Choy from RM3

In a town where bak kut teh reigns supreme, this unassuming shop has been producing handmade paus for more than 20 years. Wedged between famous bak kut teh restaurants, Klang Food Centre is where you’d go to get the most delicious, freshly-made pau. 

As I stood at the entrance of the shop, clearly lost in the endless choices of pau, I could not help but be enthralled by the Willy Wonka-like pau production going on behind. 

Trays of freshly steamed paus as far as the eye can see. At one corner of the shop, three employees sit skillfully wrapping bak chang. Neat piles of white pau dough sit in another corner, waiting to be rolled and filled. I felt like I was in some kind of pau heaven. 

Before I placed my order, I was told thousands of pau are handmade here daily and there are 14 varieties, such as Otak-Otak Pau, Yam & Pork Pau, Custard Corn Pau, Peanut Pau, Lotus Seed Paste Pau, and Sang Yoke Pau. And each pau is made with no artificial colours, or flavours and absolutely no preservatives are used.  

What I tried at Klang Food Centre

I started off my pau adventure with the highly recommended Mui Choy Pau (RM3). 

At first glance, I noticed that the surface of the pau did not have the usual perfect- looking skin  — a sign that it’s homemade. There were also black sesame seeds scattered on the surface. When I split the pau into two, I realised the skin felt much softer than the generic pau sold in coffee shops. It revealed preserved mustard greens, a popular ingredient used in Hakka cuisine with finely minced pork. I realised that their homemade dough was not the usual stick-to-your-teeth generic dough but very airy and light instead. I later found out this is because the dough is hand-mixed. 

Next on my list was another customer favourite: the Sang Yoke Pau (RM3). This was my favourite, too — the soft skin revealed slices of tender pork marinated in a ginger sauce. There were also sliced carrots wedged between the pork. I loved that the ginger sauce was not overpowering and instead made the pau juicy and delicious. 

Initially, I had no plans to try the Vegetable Pau (RM2.60) but was encouraged by the staff— so why not? Encased in the soft fluffy pau were generous strips of yam bean and carrots. If you enjoy this crunchy root vegetable as much as I do, you’ll be overjoyed— it was extremely delicious. I’m definitely coming back for more. 

Who doesn’t love a good Char Siew Pau (RM3)? Juicy char siew pork fillings in a soft bun skin. The pairing of the soft skin with sweet and savoury char siew sauce— it was easy to see why this pau is a customer favourite. 

I’ll be honest— I’ve never had a Curry Chicken Pau (RM6.30). But this was apparently one of the signature pau’s sold here, so I decided to give it a try. At first, I was a little taken aback by the price tag but quickly realised it was the size of my companion’s hand, about twice the size of your average pau. 

To my astonishment, the soft pau actually served as a casing for a little foil cup containing chunks of chicken and potato in a chicken curry gravy. My companion who is somewhat of a curry chicken connoisseur gave a thumbs up to this pau— the chicken was tender and you’d have to tear off chunks of the pau and dip it into the curry. I wish the pau was able to absorb more of the curry but, nevertheless, it was a delicious one. 

You’re probably thinking I’d had my fill of pau by that point.  Not yet. For dessert, I tried the Red Bean Paste Pau (RM2.40). The red bean paste was very smooth and just sweet enough but I wish there was more filling in the pau. 

Final thoughts

If you haven’t had a homemade pau, I think it’s time for you to swing by Klang Food Centre. The texture, dough, softness, shape— they make for an entirely new experience. I promise you it’ll be rather tough to return to the generic pau once you’ve had a bite of the soft, airy skin. 

Is it worth the price? Despite the cost being higher than the pau sold at generic shops, I feel it’s definitely worth every cent. Do take note that there’s no dining at Klang Food Centre. 

Need I say more? The proof is in the pau. All that’s left is for you to take a bite. 

Expected damage: RM2.40 – RM7 per pax

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