Update: This business has ceased its operations.
Charcoal & Clay serves Thai steamboats such as mookata (หมูกระทะ) and jim jum (จิ้มจุ่ม). Steamboat meals are available in à la carte, set or buffet form.
We opted for all-you-can-eat mookata today. The cooking pot uses heat from burning charcoal underneath. At the center of the pot is a dome where diners can fry food. Pork lard is provided to grease the frying surface. The dome is surrounded by a “moat” of soup where food can be boiled.
Pork belly (五花肉) is the main appeal today. There are several types of marinade: pepper (胡椒), sesame (芝麻), honey (蜜糖), ginger (姜) and milk (牛奶). My favorite type is the one with honey. In addition, I also enjoy gold coin bakkwa (金钱肉干).
Besides pork belly, there are more food items at the self-service buffet line. Although marinated chicken is available, I feel that it pales in comparison to pork. Other notable items include minced pork (肉碎), pork liver and quail eggs.
I particularly like the pork bacon wrapped in enoki mushrooms (培根卷金针菇). Okra with minced pork (肉碎羊角豆) is interesting too. Other items that are meant to be boiled are abalone mushrooms (鲍鱼菇), wood ear fungus (黑木耳), bean curd skin (腐竹), pumpkin (南瓜) and taro (芋头).
Vegetable choices are napa cabbage (大白菜), bok choy (小白菜) and water spinach (空心菜). As for noodle choices, there are rice vermicelli (米粉), instant noodle (快熟面) and yee mee (伊面).
Another important aspect of steamboat is the selection of condiments. The restaurant provides spicy sauces such as spicy fish sauce, red chili sauce, green chili sauce and nam chim (น้ำจิ้ม).
Matcha mochi (抹茶麻糬) is part of the buffet package but is not listed on the menu. The snack is made from matcha-flavored glutinous rice flour and is coated with crushed peanuts and sugar.
Charcoal & Clay’s buffet is priced at RM33.90 per adult and RM18.90 per child. The meal also includes drinks like herbal tea (凉茶) and Chinese tea (中国茶). Certain items like shrimps, squid, cooked dishes, desserts, beer and soft drinks are not included in the buffet price.
Address: 16, Jalan Rodat 2/KU5, Bandar Bukit Raja, 41050 Klang, Selangor
Contact: 012-375-8264
Business hours: 5:30pm-11:30pm, closed on TuesdaysTaste