My Travels: I need Kolo Mee

Took a short break down to Kuching for the weekend. Was supposed to go for Gawai, but due to transportation issues, I wasn’t able to make it. Figured that since flights are cheap, lodging is cheap and I really needed the break, why not.

First stop, rent a car at the airport. Tip to travelers, its easier (and cheaper) to rent a car at the airport. There are 4-5 booths and they will be clamouring for your business. I usually rent from the first booth, and he gives me a pretty good discount . If the price doesn’t suit you, move to the next booth. Its much cheaper than pre-renting online (online price was $240SGD, at the booth 240RM). Of course you run the risk of them not having a car, but unless its Gawai, that's unlikely. And it's cheap enough that you can rent a higher grade car and not feel the pinch. Also, a 1.0L perodua will get you anywhere and everywhere in Kuching (and Bau for that matter)

Lunch 1
Decided to hit Noodle Descendants first before checking in. Wise decision as they close at 3.30pm and it was an hour wait. This is the same place I discovered by accident along carpenter street 6 years ago. They’ve moved, but the noodles and pork soup is still great. There is no menu, you just tell the old lady how many bowls of noodles and how many bowls of soup.

Dinner 1
Checked in. Took a nap, took in a gorgeous sunset, then headed over to 101 for dinner. Grilled pork belly noodles and chicken wings. Just what the doctor ordered.

Breakfast 1
Went back to Good taste cafe for kolo mee. Decided to give them another chance after the fiasco of OCT-17. It hadn’t improved. Sad

Lunch 2
Found a coffeeshop near the hotel, Mee Kwong cafe, that served traditional foochow cuisine. I’ve been hearing of this and really wanted to try it. Had this dish called ‘zao cai hun gan’, it was salted veg and fermented red rice wine soup with laksa beehoon. Seriously seriously good. This will get a repeat visit from me.

Dinner 2
Decided to drive out to see the Fairy and Wind caves, and stop by the Bau nightmarket on the way back. The fella grilling the chicken was still there 9 years later Was told abt this place called ‘Sinaiwan night market’, somewhere outside Bau. Photos of the place looked beautiful, so I went to check it out. Had the fried quail (which is supremely delicious. The shop at the corner was better) and sambal stingray (which sucked. Overcooked, dry, tasteless). The food is not worth the drive (well, maybe the Fried Quail), but the place is actually quite worth visiting at least once.

Supper 1
Tapaoed more fried quail for supper

Breakfast 2
Walked back down to my go-to kolo mee down in town. This place has never let me down since I discovered it on my first visit so many years ago, and it didn't. Fantastic noodles and perfect sauce. My fave.

Lunch 3
Kuching laksa and pork satay at Carpenter street. I generally don’t like Kuching Laksa, I prefer peranakan laksa, but this bowl I found in Carpenter Street is fantastic. The soup is much thicker than the typical kuching laksa and the ingredients were very generous. The pork satay was awesome of course, but I didn't like the gravy. My go-to pork satay at Smith Street is definitely superior.

Dinner 3
Went back to 101 (of course). Decided to indulge myself and got some grilled fish (perfectly cooked and exceedingly delicious) and some kungpao cockles (which were much bigger and juicier than the cockles in sg)

Supper 2
Bought some deep fried pork stuffed buns. Wasn’t able to get a picture

Breakfast 3
Went back to Mee Kwong cafe (since they open at 6) and had their kampua mee. Biggest food mistake of the trip. I do not like kampua mee. Too soggy and tastless. I should have re-ordered that zao cai beehoon.

Great trip. Super relaxing and chill. Just not enough meals in Kuching (and one wasted breakfast)...