By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, April 6: The rich, fragrant blend of pork lard and fried shallot oil now wafts through the bustling C3 Cafe at BDC Commercial Centre, drawing in patrons with a familiar yet comforting aroma.
Behind the stall are the Yong sisters, who have returned after a two-year hiatus to serve their family’s decades-old Kampua Mee recipe — a beloved noodle dish synonymous with Sibu.
Stephanie Yong, 56, the younger of the pair, said their culinary roots trace back to their late father, a passionate Kampua Mee maker based in Pulau Babi, once known for its pig abattoir.
“We followed his legacy, and three of our siblings made it their profession. Besides us here, one sister runs a stall at RH Plaza, while another operates in MJC Batu Kawa Commercial Centre,” she told DayakDaily.
Her elder sister previously ran a cafe in Kota Samarahan for decades before closing it in 2024 to focus on operating a stall.
“I worked with her for more than 11 years, helping to manage the cafe and prepare our family-style Kampua Mee. That’s how I honed my skills, not only in noodles but also in Foochow dishes familiar to locals.
“So while we are not new to the trade, we are new to this busy eatery in BDC,” she added.
Stephanie hopes their presence will attract both regulars and newcomers, offering flavours rooted in tradition and techniques passed down through generations.
“Our father made Kampua Mee for over 50 years before he finally ‘put down his chopsticks’. When we were young, we watched and learned. In the end, four out of his seven children carried on his legacy,” she said with a chuckle.
Stephanie said their stall, aptly named “The Sisters” in Chinese, offers about 12 items, including affordable noodles, dumplings, and kompia (Foochow baked buns).
“These are simple, familiar dishes — that’s all we aim to offer. As new operators here, we hope residents in the surrounding area will give them a try and share their feedback. For those from Sibu especially, I believe the taste will bring back a sense of nostalgia,” she stressed.
The sisters’ stall is located at C3 Cafe in BDC Commercial Centre and operates daily from 6am to 1pm, except Thursdays. For enquiries, contact 016-872 1920.
— DayakDaily
