By D’Drift Team
SERIAN, March 4: For many in Serian town, Ah Guan Pau is more than just a name—it’s a nostalgic staple, cherished by both townsfolk and villagers from the surrounding areas.
A nearby coffeeshop owner told D’Drift that he has been Ah Guan’s customer since his school days. Back then, he would start his mornings with four pau (steamed buns); now, he settles for two. Yet, his love for them has never waned.
Officially, Ah Guan’s business is named Hong Sam, but few take notice. To the locals, it will always be Ah Guan Pau—a name etched into the town’s collective memory.
The business owner, Ah Guan used to be a mechanic more than 20 years ago. When his shop closed, he made a swift decision to pivot to pau-making. It turned out to be a defining moment, shaping his legacy as Serian’s beloved bun maker.
Operating out of a small factory-cum-shop where customers are not allowed inside, Ah Guan offers six varieties of pau. The savoury selections include pork, chicken, pork with egg, and vegetable, while the sweet options feature margarine and red bean fillings.
What sets Ah Guan’s pau apart—even drawing fans from Kuching—is his unwavering commitment to traditional methods. Each bun is meticulously handmade, one by one, without shortcuts or mass production.
Since these steamed buns are handmade, their dough texture is distinct from those made by machines. It’s compact yet fluffy light as a cloud, giving a sense of fullness and satisfaction with every bite.
For the best experience, customers are encouraged to start with the savoury pau before finishing with the margarine or red bean variants, ending their indulgence on a sweet note.
Apart from pau, Ah Guan also offers other traditional delights, including sio bee (pork dim sum), ang ku kueh (red tortoise cake) and bak zhang (bamboo wrapped glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves). — DayakDaily
