Pelosok Salai, Jeram: Smoked Dish Heaven with Free-Flow Rice & Drinks

The road to Pelosok Salai took us far from the city bustle, to Kampung Bukit Kuching in Jeram, Kuala Selangor. This family restaurant is relaxed with a kampung concept, but what sets it apart is the special smoking area outside the shop. The beef and duck are smoked there first before going into the pot, so the smoky aroma soaks right through.

Their pride and joy is the daging salai masak lemak cili api (smoked beef in spicy coconut gravy), which is also the headline dish on their official website. The gravy is rich and spicy, and the smokiness of the beef makes it perfect with hot rice. For those who like a stronger smoky flavour, the itik salai masak lemak (smoked duck) is a must on your list.

We also tried the grilled siakap, smoked egg, bergedil and sambal kulit lembu (beef skin sambal). The sambal is eaten with ulam and sambal belacan, and it really reminded us of home-cooked kampung meals.

Come on the weekend and there are extra dishes like kari ikan pari (stingray curry), asam pedas and sate kambing Surabaya served with soy sauce sambal. Best of all, rice and drinks here are free flow. Drink options include lemon mint, strawberry jelly, bandung cincau and iced lemon tea.

According to its official website, Pelosok Salai is open daily except Wednesday, from 10am to 4.30pm. It's very much a lunch destination, so plan your trip early, especially if you're coming from the Klang Valley.