By D’Drift Team
PADAWAN, March 6: If you are heading to Annah Raih Homestay or the Semenggoh Wildlife Cente from Kuching, do stop by and savour the prawn noodles at Swee Sen Cafe.
Established in 1962, this humble coffee shop, nestled right beside the Padawan Municipal Council, has been serving up noodle dishes that are anything but ordinary, with prawns so fresh and juicy that customers keep coming back for more.
The friendly business operator Jeffrey Ch’ng unveiled that the secret to his noodle dishes is nothing special but fresh, quality ingredients.
“I make sure that I use quality ingredients. For example, the prawns I am serving, they are truly class A prawns and nothing smaller than that.
“And the fish balls I serve, they are freshly handmade from mackerel fish. There is no short-changing the quality of whatever we offer to our customers,” Ch’ng told DayakDaily.
A typical business day for Ch’ng starts as early as 2.30am. He then operates his stall from 5.30am to 1.30pm in the afternoon.
With prawn noodle and mackerel fish ball noodle as his signature dishes, Ch’ng noodle is well known and sought after by those living near and far, drawing everyone from prominent figures to everyday folks alike.
The cafe’s reputation stretches back decades.
Long before Ch’ng took over the stall from his father, it has made its name among the prominent Sarawak leaders including the late Kuching South City Hall president Song Thian Cheok and chairman Datuk Song Swee Guan, late politician Tan Sri Celestine Ujang Jilan, late Dato Sri Peter Tinggom, Chief Justice of Borneo Lee Hun Hoe and the late former Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing.
“These were some of the very famous people who used to patronise our stall, during my father’s time and some, during my time,” Ch’ng shared.
So, whether you’re a local or a traveller passing through on your way to Padawan’s many natural wonders and cultural gems, a stop at Swee Sen Cafe is an absolute must.
If dishes here could satisfy the discerning palates of the upper echelons of Sarawak in the days gone by, you can be sure they’re serving up something truly special. – DayakDaily
