Kolo Mee, Kuching

Date visited : 20 May 2018

Other than the Sarawak Laksa, there's another noodle dish which is also iconic to Sarawak... and that's the Kolo Mee.

The Kolo Mee noodles are almost similar to wantan noodles only springier and does not come drenched in dark sauce. It is usually tossed in clear sauce, topped with spring onions, minced meat and slices of barbecued pork.

I asked my colleague who was born and raised in Kuching, Sarawak, to recommend me the best Kolo Mee in town and he told me this is one of the best... Red Kolo Mee in the old open market near Kuching Waterfront.

Here you are given a choice of original Kolo Mee, clear in colour, and Red Kolo Mee, which is red in colour. Since my colleague ordered the original Kolo Mee, I ordered the red one so that I can try both to see what is the difference.

The toppings are the same for both and the difference is in the way the noodles are prepared.

This is the original Kolo Mee with the choice of flat noodle. It is tossed in clear sauce and topped with spring onions, mince meat and slices of barbecued pork. It may look very plain but the clear sauce used to toss the noodles is very tasty and compliments well with the toppings.

This is the Red Kolo Mee with the choice of curly thin noodles. What made it red in colour is not colouring nor chilli or tomato sauce. The noodles are tossed with the red oil from the barbecued pork used in the noodles. And because of this addition, it made the taste of this Kolo Mee different than the original ones. The aromatic taste of the barbecued pork is infused into the noodles thus making it very tasty and different from the original ones.

My colleague was right, this Kolo Mee is really nicer than the ones I had in Klang Valley.

Right opposite this stall was another interesting stall that sells soy bean drinks, steamed buns and Sio Bee. 

At first I was wondering what is a Sio Bee. Then my colleague explained to me that Sio Bee is a Hokkien word for our well known Siu Mai. In Kuching, the locals call their Siu Mai, Sio Bee.

The difference of Sio Bee and the normal Siu Mai is the meat used. Siu Mai uses a mixture of shrimp and pork while the Sio Bee uses only pork. The skin colour is also pale compared to the yellowish ones of our normal Siu Mai. The meat is very tender and is best eaten with chilli sauce.

So if you're here to try the Kolo Mee, why not give this Sio Bee a try too.

Other information:

Address : Tower Market Hawker Centre, Jalan Power, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak.

Contact No : 016-855 5665

Business Hours : Opens daily from morning till 11.30pm

Transaction : Cash

Other links : https://www.facebook.com/redkolomee/

Sarawak Laksa, Kuching

Date visited : 19 May 2018

Sarawak Laksa is an iconic Sarawak dish. It's a noodle dish served in an aromatic spiced coconut milk soup, topped with shredded chicken, shredded omelette, bean sprouts, prawns, and garnished with coriander.

Since I had the opportunity to travel to Kuching for work, I decided to make the most of my trip... to introduce to you the best Sarawak Laksa in Kuching. That's not just what visitors like me say, but it is acknowledged by the locals here. I came here twice before but the last I came was more than 3 years ago. I was told that even famous celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain, has been here twice for the Sarawak Laksa.

The Sarawak Laksa here is the star of this humble neighbourhood coffee shop, Choon Hui Cafe. Other than the Sarawak Laksa, there are 3 other stall that serves Kolok Me (also a local Sarawak dish), porridge and popiah. However, every time I'm here, it would be just the Sarawak Laksa and a side of popiah for me.

The Sarawak Laksa stall is operated by two elderly ladies and not once did I see them take a break from the never ending orders. 

Every bowl is skillfully and tirelessly prepared by these two ladies.

Just look at this bowl of mouth watering Sarawak Laksa! 

What makes each laksa different is the broth and the broth that comes with the Sarawak Laksa here is so delicious. The thickness of the broth is just right, the sourness and spiciness of the broth are at the right balance.

While you're here, you may also want to try the popiah available in this coffee shop. It is the next popular dish in this place. There are many who come just to pack these popiahs for take away.

So if you happen to come to Kuching be it for business or for pleasure, make sure you make a stop at Choon Hui Cafe to taste the amazing Sarawak Laksa.

Other information:

Address : No 34, Jalan Ban Hock, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak

Contact No : 082-780 369

Business Hours : 7am - 2pm (may be sold out earlier than that) / Closed on Tuesdays

Transaction : Cash