By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Jan 3: Situated on lively Carpenter Street here, right by the Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple, is a humble ‘pisang goreng’ (banana fritter) stall that has been delighting both locals and tourists for more than fifty years with its mouth-watering fried treats.
This legendary stall, known only by word of mouth, proudly carries no name. It is a family-owned business operated currently by an uncle and his niece.
“We have been operating this business for over 50 years now. My grandmother was the one who initiated this business, which was later handed down to my uncle, then to my mother, and now to me.
“For our banana fritters, we use ‘Pisang Tanduk’ (Horn Banana). We can sometimes sell 30 to 40 bananas in a day, but it all depends on how many bananas we have that day,” said Tan Tze Ching, who is the niece, in an interview with DayakDaily.
She also mentioned that the bananas are meticulously selected for ripeness from local markets, ensuring that each fritter is infused with the sweetness that only ripe fruit can offer.
As customers approach the stall, they will notice the diligent hands of the current generation (Tan) skillfully peeling bananas, expertly coating them in a special batter, and delicately frying each piece to perfection. The result is a symphony of textures—a crunchy exterior giving way to a soft, sweet interior.
When asked how much a piece of banana fritter used to cost, Tan replied, “Back when my mother was selling, if I’m not mistaken, it should be 30 sen.”
The banana fritters, which are the only fried delights they currently sell, are now priced at 70 sen per piece.
Tan said their operating hours are from 1pm to 3pm every day, with the exception of days when there is no banana supply or when there is heavy rain, in which case they will not open or close early, respectively.
Jane Lim, a long-time resident of Kuching said, “I’ve been coming here since I was a child, and the quality has never wavered. The banana fritters are simply irresistible—perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.”
Another long-time patron, Ng, added, “Although the queue can be long at times, the delicious pisang goreng is definitely worth the wait.”
Whether you’re a seasoned local or a curious traveller, a visit to Kuching is simply not complete without paying a visit to this renowned pisang goreng stall. So, join the queue and savour the crispy goodness. — DayakDaily
