By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Aug 12: At 60-years-old, Lau Phong Chai, a seasoned noodle connoisseur with 42 years of experience, continues to delight customers in Kuching with his family’s traditional Foochow noodle dishes.
Lau, originally from Simanggang, learned the culinary arts from his family at the age of 18, later honing his skills in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching.
Reflecting on his journey, Lau shared, “I wanted to understand the food preferences in bigger cities to tailor my cooking to their palates.”
His time in urban restaurants not only enhanced his culinary expertise but also taught him valuable lessons in public relations and customer service.
Fifteen years ago, Lau moved to Kuching, bringing with him the unique culinary style of his father’s dishes from the Majlis Daerah Sri Aman Market Food Court in Simanggang.
He expressed his fondness for the place where he began, saying, “I missed the customers and the camaraderie of the vendors at the market.”
Among the must-try dishes at Lau’s stall is his signature noodle soup, a hearty and savory dish featuring pork slices, minced pork, offal, and a gingery broth enhanced with Foochow red wine.
Priced at RM10, the dish is popular for its generous serving and warming qualities, especially among older customers who appreciate the rejuvenating effects of ginger and wine.
Despite the rising cost of ingredients, Lau remains committed to offering his customers authentic and affordable Foochow cuisine.
He shared that he has had to adapt by sourcing noodles locally in Kuching rather than from Simanggang to keep costs manageable.
Lau expressed his satisfaction in sharing his family’s culinary legacy with a broader audience in Kuching, stating, “It’s not just about the monetary reward; it’s about serving dishes that came from my family to customers.”
He hopes that his son, who is studying culinary arts, will continue the family tradition, making him the third generation to carry on this Foochow culinary legacy.
For those eager to experience Lau’s culinary creations, his stall, Chai Shu, is located at Premier 101, Kempas Heights, Kuching, and operates daily from 5.30am to 3pm, except on Mondays.
For more information, Lau can be reached at 016 921 4976. — DayakDaily
