SIBU: Market.Houses.Food

Warning: Super long post ahead. 

Being a Kuching girl, I know nothing about Sibu but I have heard about Sibu's famous Kom Pia and Kam Pua and their super rich Sibu Foochow.

So when my boss send his Herbert's Angel to Sibu, I know it's time for me to experience Sibu in a unique way - On-A-Mission! (Click here and continue)

Herbert's Angel

Introducing Herbert's Angel (L to R) - LoLo # 2, LoLo # 3, LoLo #1.!! Jeng Jeng Jeng ~ ~!!

Well, what can I say about my 2-day trip?

Ermmm, Sibu is really quiet. The only thing that wowed me, is their old market which I find it really interesting.

Check this out! When is the last time you see this in Kuching?

Hahahaha, it brings back a lot of childhood memories. We used to sell biscuits in the 80's. I like to stack my biscuits together like a high-rise building and eat them one by one. Hmmm, yum! I think that was how I increase my fat cell storage.

Here is a pic of all the different sorts of Rice.

Everything is repacked for sale. There is no labeling whatsoever.

I think this is Gula Apong.

And this should be Gula Melaka.

Look at that! The old type of Cash register - the biscuit tin tied onto a lever. I thought that only happens in the 60's or 70's but can't believe I am seeing this in 2013!! 

Trishaw anyone?

Another thing I find it interesting is their transport to inner land through Rajang River. All of them travels from one kampung to another delivering goods, which means you need to pre-order. However, if you somehow missed it, don't worry, the last resort is the mobile retail boat. Cool huh, retail shop on a boat!

Wooden boats at Jalan Wharf new Sibu Tua Pek Kong Temple.

We were actually quite lucky to be able to visit the boats. Here is LoLo # 1 making her moves. #OnMission

This is what it looks like inside.

All full of goods.

 As we moved to the upper floor , we found our playground. 

 Hahahahaha, all of us stick our hand onto the steering wheel pretending to be Popeye # OnMissionPopeye.

There is no luxury whatsoever, things inside are pretty basic.

Their power supply.

Their bed. Well, really, it's just a mattress. Compared to this, we are really living in luxury. Got car, got aircon, got proper bolster. Now i really wonder how is their toilet like. Hmmmm.....

From the River to the land. Buildings here are interesting (sad) too. 

Aren't you surprise to see this?

My Sibu Colleague said the land is sinking and the water from the drainage flooded into their house. I thought the houses were abandoned but nope, people are still living in it. 

Even the electrical posts are slanting. Imagine what happen if it fall onto the house.

See, the houses are slanting one side.

We were told that the lands are too soft that it can't hold the building structure. Every year, there are more houses that were flooded with water. I guess that is why more and more Sibu people are moving out.

Now, here is my favourite bit that I have saved for you!

FOOD ~!!

Well, we are here for only 2 days and there are a whole list of food to try in Sibu. E.g. Kom Pia, Kam Pua, Ding Bian Hu, FooChow Mee Sua etc. (For Full list click here)

With a 40 mins flight from Kuching, the first thing LoLo 1,2,3 did was have Sibu Breakfast.
Our colleague brought us to Long Ching Cafe (龙井茶室) located at Teng Kung Suk 3 (close to Jalan Lada).

He ordered....

Kom Pia - stuff with minced meat and gravy. 

I like it! Although Kuching does have Sibu Kom Pia but the taste of the saucy meat with the warm 'Pia' does make a distinctive difference. 

This is what they called 红酒猪肝汤. It's Pork Liver soup with FooChow Red wine. 

They add Pork, liver, meat balls, eggs and green veg in it. 超级的补! 

Jeng Jeng Jeng~ ~ ~!! 

Kam Pua - the white version. I took a bite and it's overpowered by lard. I didn't like that taste. But hell, if I say I didn't like Kam Pua in front of Sibu folks, I don't think I can come back to Kuching alive. So instead, I asked for dark soy sauce and make the Kam Pua - Dark, before I force it down my tummy. 

Half way through our market visit, we detour to this famous Bakery around Pasar area. 

It's call Fatt Bakery.

And this is the man behind it.

Story has it that long time ago, during a period of Turmoil in China, food was scarce and people were poor. In order to survive, people were migrating. Unlike what we have now, they don't have the luxury of travelling by car/plane. Most commonly, they walk and man, that took a long time.

To survive the long journey, they use the simplest ingredients to make 'Pia'. And they thread the 'Pia' together through the hole in the middle for the convenience of carrying them.

You can still see the hole on the Pia today.

Stuff whatever you want inside the Pia and stick them onto the side of this, hmmm not sure of the proper name, I shall just call it a traditional gas oven for now.

CAUTION: HOT!

 And what you get after that are the famous Pia/ Bun from Fatt Bakery

 Plain Kom Pia - sweet version (no topping) and salty version (with sesame seeds) .

I asked for the price of Kom Pia and was told 5 for Rm 1. 

WHAT??! THAT IS DIRT CHEAP!!!! *jaw drops*

No need to factor in gas, electricity, labour, rental fees etc wan meh? I really have no idea how they can run their business at this price!

And And And......

They also got the stuff version - Butter, Red bean or Kaya at a price of 3 for Rm 1!!! *jaw drops again* 

Uncle, are you doing business or is this just your hobby?!

  It's soooo cheap!!

Then, LoLo # 1,2,3 suddenly become so Kia Su and we started to scribbled onto the parking coupon to workout how many to bring back to Kuching.

Funny thing was, after we have eagerly copied our orders from the first draft my sibu colleague said:

Colleague: 80 cents please!

Us: Har, why?

Colleague: You just wasted my new parking coupons.

Us: *Stunt* Har is it? 

And yes we did! Oppsie! hehehe, paise ahh~! Did we tell you we are LoLo 1,2,3?

  So folks, here is the address:

We also got try Lo Mee at Sin Yung Kiaw Cafe 98 (新嵘侨茶室) located at Jalan Ramin.

Don't ask me how it taste like. I was so hungry at that time that I basically swallow everything down without chewing. But I remember it's nice! hehehehe # 饿鬼

This is Jiu Hu Yien Cai (Cuttlefish and Kang Kong)

 This combination to Kuching people is like Jiu Hu Yien Cai with Lok Lok. They have the fried sweet potato and fried Tao Gua. And we each were given the dip/sauce for it.

And this is FooChow Mee Sua from Kiin Coffee Hut (琼茶室) Located at Jalan Pedada.

The Foochow Red wine make soup tastes so nice. I am a fan of Foochow Mee Sua now.

Hahahaha, you are probably hungry now just by looking at the photos. I got one place to recommend.

祥乐园 near Dewan Suarah Sibu.

I like this. It's sea cucumber with eggs. Add some vinegar with it and they are bursting with flavours. 

 Wuuu~ I love this too. FooChow Fish Soup. It's very appetizing  Even our LoLo # 1 who normally can't finish a bowl of rice, broke her record today thanks to this soup!

Well, not bad ehh. That is quite a lot of food over 2 days! 

Too bad I didn't tried the Zhou Cai Hung Ngan (糟菜粉干). Must try it next time!

And that was what happened on 23rd and 24th April.

Misison Accomplished. :) :) :)