By Ling Hui
BINTULU, March 5: Have you ever seen someone preparing kampua mee while sitting on a bar stool, at a food court above a market?
If you have, that’s probably Chew who has been serving kampua noodles for years at the food court on the top floor of Pasar Utama Bintulu.
Don’t be intimidated by his stern appearance when he’s busy preparing orders. He’s actually a soft-spoken, modest man who shies away from the cameras and publicity.
Chew also seems to be popular among his customers, who would greet him with hand raises or chin juts before they take their seats and wait patiently for their order.
When met by DayakDaily, Chew said his kampua noodles has a history of nearly four decades.
Probably to maintain a healthy work-life balance, Chew keeps odd operating hours which he informs his customers about through cheeky notices.
A notice in front of his stall written in blue marker reads: “Open: 7.15am. Close: 9.45am. Please be logic!”
Tapped to the back on a pink manila card is another notice which reads: “Once ordered you are in the queue. If you can’t wait, order foodpanda. Bye bye.”
Chew said he sticks to the operating hours stated strictly, so for those who wish to taste of his savoury kampua mee, be punctual!
A few stalls to the left near ‘Sudut Melur’, you’ll find another popular food stall—Chua Kee Seafood—that offers a variety of mouthwatering prawn noodle dishes.
With over 30 years of history, Chua Kee Seafood was established and is owned by two Chua brothers. The son of the elder brother is now the chef.
Making a stark contrast from Chew’s stall, Chua Kee Seafood has a big, flashy signboard and appealing photos of their menu all around the stall.
The Chua brothers told DayakDaily that their stall was visited by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and is frequented by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia Dato Sri Tiong King Sing who is also Bintulu MP.
Aside from Pasar Utama Bintulu, there are two other recommended breakfast spots in Bintulu, namely the Popular Corner Food Centre beside the Council Negeri Memorial which serves amazing yong tau fu and other local delights, as well as Hazzana Prawn Noodle at Kampung Jepak which is run by a Vaie.
Swing by any of these places to satisfy your breakfast cravings today! — DayakDaily
