By Wilfred Pilo
For many in Kuching, a warm bowl of fish maw, fish balls, bean curd skin, and vermicelli is more than just a meal; it is a comforting taste of traditional Foochow cuisine.
For the Lau family, that taste of tradition has been at the heart of Foochow Delight, their stall at Yeow Kee Kopitiam, where they have been serving these beloved broth dishes for the past 15 years.
Karen Lau’s father, a former restaurant chef, established the stall. Today, the 26-year-old and her husband, 28-year-old Eugene Tan, carry on her father’s culinary legacy, serving their own signature versions of these savoury Foochow broth dishes.
Friendly and always ready for a chat, Karen said she became interested in the family food business because she wanted to continue serving the dishes her father had carefully crafted over the years.
“Since my sister was not interested in the culinary side, I stepped forward to learn from my father.”
“For me, these are more than just renowned Foochow dishes. People come to my stall because they want something soothing and comforting. It has become our signature best-seller,” she said to DayakDaily.
Customers particularly enjoy the imported fish maw for its unique texture, which adds to the stall’s signature rich and comforting broth, despite its premium price.
Karen said the Foochow dishes are popular among both young and old customers, especially those looking for a simple yet satisfying meal.
Running the stall means waking up early for daily preparations, but Karen said life at the busy kopitiam is also filled with enjoyable moments. She gets to meet people from all walks of life, listen to their stories, and welcome familiar customers who return for their favourite bowls.
For Karen, the greatest satisfaction comes from continuing her father’s culinary legacy by serving the dishes he perfected over the years.
She remains optimistic about keeping the business going even after her father has fully hung up his apron and settled into retirement.
“It is a Foochow delight that I want to continue serving, while always giving customers plenty of time to enjoy a warm bowl of traditional broth dishes,” she said.
For Karen, every bowl is more than just food; it is a small piece of her family’s culinary story, passed on to the next generation.
Foochow Delight is located at Yeow Kee Kopitiam on Jalan Kempas and is open daily from 6am to 2pm, except Mondays. For inquiries, call 017-865 6896. — DayakDaily
