By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, July 30: The rich aroma of shallot oil, lard and steaming noodles wafting from a hot steel boiler is often the first sign to regulars that Ah Peng is already hard at work.
For 51-year-old Tan Kok Hiong, better known as Ah Peng, the intense heat from his modest kolo mee stall at an eatery in BDC Commercial Centre has long become part of everyday life.
For more than 27 years, he has stood behind the boiling pot each morning, carefully preparing one of Sarawak’s most beloved breakfast staples. The sweat, long hours and relentless heat are all part of earning an honest living and providing for his family.
Continuing a culinary tradition passed down by his parents, Ah Peng has become a familiar face at the BDC eatery, where generations of customers have come to enjoy his signature kolo mee.
What sets his noodles apart is not only their springy texture and savoury flavour, but also their affordability.
Priced at just RM3.50 a bowl, many customers believe it is among the cheapest kolo mee available in Sarawak. Yet despite the low price, the quality remains unchanged, keeping customers coming back year after year.
“It tastes really good and is easy on the wallet. Where else can you still get kolo mee at this price?” said a regular customer.
Long before he became a noodle maker, Ah Peng spent his teenage years captivated by football during the famed Ngat Sayot era between 1988 and 1990. Like many young Sarawakians at the time, he dreamed of becoming a professional footballer rather than envisioning a future behind a stove.
“I was no exception. We all imagined ourselves as great footballers and thought we were quite good, especially when playing with friends. But eventually, we realised we were not good enough to go far in the sport,” he recalled with a smile.
“As you know, the sport demanded a level of physical and mental dedication that we did not possess. For me, I realised I was just a novice playing for fun.
“Despite that, I have managed to stay in good shape to this day,” he told Dayak Daily.
Rather than dwelling on what might have been, Ah Peng embraced a different path by following in his parents’ footsteps, exchanging the football pitch for the kitchen.
“I have no regrets,” he said. “It was a teenage dream filled with imagination, but cooking became my profession. It’s in the blood, and I truly enjoy what I do.”
Even as the cost of ingredients and operating expenses continue to rise, Ah Peng remains committed to keeping his kolo mee affordable because he understands the financial pressures many people face.
“I know there are many people, especially young workers and those with low incomes, who need affordable food. I came from the same background, so I understand.
“As long as I can, I will maintain the price, keep the taste consistent and serve the community the best I can.”
Over the years, Ah Peng has built more than just a loyal customer base. Through countless bowls of kolo mee, he has forged friendships and become part of the daily routine of many residents.
Driven by the same passion that has kept him behind the wok and boiling pot for nearly three decades, he hopes to continue serving customers for many years to come.
Ah Peng’s kolo mee stall operates at Jun Jia Chin Cafe in BDC Commercial Centre. The stall is open daily from 6am to 11.30am. For enquiries, call 016-809 8119. — DayakDaily
