By Wilfred Pilo
Self-taught culinary enthusiast Karen Thian, 54, is more than just a friendly face behind a humble stall at C3 Food Cafe, BDC Commercial Centre. For more than a decade, her signature laksa, relished for its rich, savoury and comforting taste, has consistently drawn local customers who return time and again for the taste of her heartfelt cooking.
Orphaned at the age of 10, Thian was raised by family friends who became her guardians and cared for her until she married at 23.
For 13 years, with her guardian owning an eatery, she learned to be independent, resilient, and disciplined, finding comfort in the culinary world.
During those years, Thian grew up honing her skills, finding satisfaction in preparing numerous local dishes. In particular, noodles, especially Kolo Mee, were her speciality.
Despite her proficiency in preparing numerous other local dishes, she developed a fondness for the savoury, spicy laksa. Through the years, in her spare time, she learned and observed its preparation from the vendors at her guardians’ eatery.
Driven by passion and determination, without proper writing skills or even a notebook to record recipes, she relied entirely on memory, carefully committing each ingredient and method to heart.
“Surprisingly, my laksa was well-received by my guardian and friends. Time flies, I became a young lady, met my husband, and it was time to say farewell to my guardians as I settled into married life.
“Over the years, I remained a great cook, a wife, and a mother to five children. It wasn’t until my youngest child turned ten that I pursued my culinary skills, learned from a young age, to open a laksa stall just a few minutes from my home here in BDC,” she revealed to DayakDaily.
According to Thian, she chose laksa because it was much easier to prepare compared to other noodle dishes like Kolo Mee.
And to her, the key to a good laksa is the broth. She explained that with the right laksa broth, flavour, and ingredients, it’s hard to get the dish wrong.
Thian also believes that vendors should add a personal touch to their dishes.
“I’ve been using the same laksa paste, and I believe it has given me the consistency that my regulars appreciate.”
What began as a passion soon became her profession, one she continues to enjoy deeply.
“When you serve your customers and they keep coming back, you know you hit the right culinary note,” she chuckled.
To offer variety on her menu, she also uses laksa broth in other dishes such as Kolo Mee, yellow noodles, and flat rice noodles (kueh tiaw). She also offers special laksa dishes, which can include century eggs.
At 54, she has no intention of retiring soon, and with unwavering support from her pensioner husband, she finds her culinary journey not just a profession, but a fulfilling part of her life.
“My children are more independent now, my husband gave me the blessing in what I do, I really enjoy what I am doing and hope to stay healthy,” she said with a warm smile.
Thian’s Laksa Stall is located at C3 Food Cafe, BDC Commercial Centre. It operates daily from 6.30am to 1pm, except on Thursdays. For more information, call 014-6829898. – DayakDaily
