I’m back in Sibu for Chinese New Year! The funny thing is that there’s no one at home then – my dad’s in Kuching, my mom and sister is in Singapore.
My sister was supposed to come back earlier than me but changed her ticket and my dad got held up so I grabbed my keys from my grandma and had the dish I always have when I’m back in Sibu.
Kampua mee!
Kampua noodles is a deceptively simple dish, but delicious. We also ordered a bowl of pien nuk – a pork dumpling soup that’s sold together with kampua.
Kampua is tossed in lard and served with char siew and it’s one of the dishes I believe that only Sibu can do well (the noodles are all made daily).
I haven’t had kampua at Rasa Sayang since it moved from their old place. The price is now RM 2.50 per bowl, which is pretty steep for Sibu standards. However, a lot of people say this is one of the best places to have kampua in Sibu.
It’s a matter of personal preference, the one at Rasa Sayang is pretty good but I think Pedada has the best kampua in Sibu. The one at Siong Kee is also quite popular.
However, one good thing about Rasa Sayang is that they don’t use the radioactive red char siew but one with a more natural color. They also throw in some minced pork, an unusual addition that’s usually associated with kolo mee.
I ordered two bowls but didn’t manage to finish the second one. I figure my stomach has shrunk coz I used to be able to eat two, no problems. 😡
Arthur was kind enough to bring me some souvenirs from his recent trip to New Zealand – there’s a bell that goes “Ring for a Shag” and a bottle opener in the shape of a kiwi bird.
He also passed me some cordyceps capsules coz I’m still recovering from the flu.
In addition to *all* that – he also got me a shirt from NZ! I love it, I studied high school in Christchurch and went back to Auckland in 2010 when my mom did her first operation for small cell lung cancer. She’s still on chemo and due back on Tuesday after the course.
I have to say that STP is one of the most thoughtful and generous people I know – he brought me a bunch of chicken pies (still warm from the bakery!) and coconut ones for lunch yesterday. I was at home and about to head out when he buzzed me. Thanks buddy!
Arthur picked me up from the airport and pointed out one of the photos my blog posts about Kingwood Resort in Mukah is featured at a travel agent’s booth right outside the arrivals hall. How about that? 
Blush! Blush! What goes around comes around. Just some simple things I picked up for you since you always bought stuff from me when travelling abroad. Can’t afford much though – everything’s mighty expensive there. But the instant I saw that bell, I thought of you and decided that I just had to buy it! Muahahahahaha!!!!!!
Hope the capsules are doing you good – pretty bad cough there. It worked for me and I’ve been taking two per day since – for general well-being. No problem, these herbal stuff.
Siong Kee has branch outlets everywhere now – had it once…not my favourite. I would like Soon Hock’s better. Glad you like the pies – will see what else I can get for you to enjoy while you’re in town. I love feeding people… Hehehehehehe!!!!!
It’s very much appreciated buddy! 🙂
Cheers for that! It really is very thoughtful of you, I know how hard it is to get souvenirs while travelling.
Haha! Yeah, I reckon the bell would see some use. 😉
I’m taking the cordyceps. My flu is on and off and some days it seems stronger (passed it to some people, hope I didn’t get you sick). I hear there’s a strong bout of flu over here too – tis the season. 😡
I don’t know – maybe it’s just what you’re used to eating. I like the one near my (our) house and also ang kao kampua beside the fire station in town. 😀
Yup, the Pedada one – Soon Hock is pretty good. A bit too much msg though, will have to ask them to reduce…and I always order RM3.00 and request for more meat or pian nuk.
I’m fine, no problem at all. Hope you get well soon.
Yeah, I think it was the MSG that got me loving it so much! Haha! 🙂
I’ll order a large one too, and I used to be able to eat two plates of that.
Thanks buddy! Getting better by the day! 😀
HB, Happy New Year to you. I always enjoy reading your food entries and looking at your photos. Had you ever try lemongrass jelly dessert? Heard it very refreshing dessert.
Thanks! It’s the official dish of Sibu. 🙂
Hmm…depends on what you’re talking about. What is lemongrass jelly dessert?
Happy CNY to you too Vickie!
P.S.
My post on this is scheduled for Tuesday, day after tomorrow. Do drop by, ya!
Awesome! Of course I will. I always do, love the great interaction and daily posts. Thanks for picking me up from the airport buddy! 😀
Welcome. It’s out today – shifted it forward. 🙂
Nice! 😀
never try kampua noodle before but would like to try it one day~ =D
Yup, you’ve gotta try it in Sibu if you have the chance! 🙂
It’s really good stuff.
I love it – crave for it when I’m away and I eat it usually first thing when I land in Sibu. 😀
RM2.50 sounds like a great deal for a portion of noodles that provides at least the “alas perut” feeling 😀 oh, one genuine question though: is there any place in the klang valley that you’d recommend for good-enough kampua mee? thanks in advance! 😀
Yeah, kampua certainly is one of those “feel good” foods. It always reminds me of home. 🙂
Hmm…I’ve actually been to several but none can reproduce the authentic Sibu place. Nothing’s wrong with the stalls in the Klang Valley, some of them are even Sibu Foochow operated.
The problem lies in the noodles – it’s made in Sibu and freshly delivered every day.
The stalls in Klang Valley would have to make their own noodles to achieve that. Cheers buddy!
Going to Sibu next week (for my grandma’s birthday dinner) and hopefully get to have Sibu’s kampua, otherwise will still have it in Bintulu (my hometown) hehehe I reckon Bintulu does have pretty good ones too. 😀
That’s great! 🙂
Yeah, I reckon Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Kuching has good one – the major cities in Sarawak. I had some decent ones in the smaller towns too.
Happy birthday to your grandma and happy CNY Kelly! 😀
Proud to say I have been to Rasa Sayang. hehehehhee.
No doubt, the kampua is delicious and for the price of RM2.50, that is a real big portion. I have to get Arthur’s help to finish half of it as well.
Well, this man has always been very kind and generous. Each time he comes to KL, he will lug over lots of of stuff for us. **paiseh* Remember the first time, he brought over Bario rice for me and some of his friends.
Oops!!! I’ve forgotten all about that! Hiaz!!! Old man… Hehehehehehe!!!!!
Bario rice! That’s very generous of you. I haven’t had that in ages. 😀
Yeah Arthur told me you’ve been to Sibu! 🙂
I like Rasa Sayang, I guess I’m just used to the MSG laden one in Pedada near where my house is. I’ll always say that’s the best place for kampua in Sibu. Haha!
Indeed! That’s very kind of him, Bario rice! I haven’t had that in a looong time.
Happy CNY Yee Ling!
wow…our friend Arthur is also as generous as you!! So much goodies too.. Blessed is the one who gives and receives.. lol..
Miss the kampua noodles.. looking at it makes me drool now…
I always believe – as you give, so shall you receive. Give love and you will be loved in return. Come, come to Sibu! Kampua’s waiting…kompia too! And everything else. LOL!!!
Amen to that! Yeah, I totally agree. Cheers buddy! 🙂
He’s has always been a generous guy, ever since I’ve known him. 🙂
I was just a kid when I got to know Arthur. Indeed! I totally agree, it’s more blessed to give than to receive.
Kampua noodles is something I miss whole year round and binge on when I get home. 😀
The well known noodle from Sibu. Make sure you feed yourself more before coming back ya!
Yup! I always binge on this noodles when I’m back home. Haha!
I can eat it for every single meal of the day if I want to. 😀
ooo.. i blogged about the kampua in KL.. but yours looks great! I hope to eat the Sibu one real soon!!
Yeah, it’ll be fun! Come over Mei! 🙂
I’ve eaten a couple in KL but the trick is to source the noodles from the same place and for it to be fresh every single day. It’s delivered multiple times a day to the stalls in Sibu.
I don’t think we export the noodles that much so they either have to make it themselves and a lot of them do it kolo mee style (which is a Kuching dish).
There are some good ones in KL though – was surprised to find empurau there too! 😀
Slurps… Just a few more nights away… 🙂
Yup! Time for kampua! 😀
Please tapau some Kampua noodles back to KL for me…plsssssss HB!
I don’t mind doing that actually, but I must warn you, it doesn’t taste good after that.
It’s best consumed on the spot, even if I tapau home it’ll be a bit off if you don’t eat it immediately.
I’ll buzz you on Facebook before I come back if you want some! 😀
Been visiting yr blog every two hour or three salivating at the kampua. 🙁
Yeah it’s good eh?
It’s surprising how such simple noodles can taste so good. I guess part of it is coz it’s the stuff I’ve been eating when I was a kid. 🙂
You’re really lucky to have met STP as a friend, HB. I think he loves you more than a friend; in fact, I think he treats you like his son. =D From the likes of it, he’s really hospitable.
Man, I can’t wait to fly out to Sibu and try the kampua. It looks like my favorite char siew noodles.
Indeed! Arthur is a really nice guy. 😀
I’ve known him since I was a kid – more than half my life.
You should come over someday, we’ll bring you around (assuming I’m here at the time, which I always am during CNY).
Cheers Ciana! 🙂
Sure, thanks for the offer! Will keep you informed. =)
No worries! 🙂
CNY would be the best time to come, it’s really quite festive here.
Buzz me if you’re coming. 😀
It’s not ur stomach has shrunk lah.. it’s you are getting OLD 😛 Just kidding!
You are back so early! Happy Chinese New Year to you 🙂
HAHAHA
Yeah, I think that’s it. 🙂
However, I managed to eat 2 plates today from Soon Hock (my favorite kampua place) in addition to chicken soup and other stuff my aunt cooked.
Yup, only a few days till CNY and I like to come back early – it’s cheaper to do so than a couple of days before.
Happy CNY Merryn! 😀
My my that’s one sexy looking Kampua!
I myself was born and raised in Kuching so Kolo Mee is the predominant noodle dish here but I find myself eating kampua now and again since relocating to KL (further studies) since it seems to be more popular here and that’s the very closest I can get to Kolo Mee. Taste wise both dishes are preeetty similar.
Nevertheless I thank my lucky stars that I get to head back this festive season for some well deserved REAL MCCOY SARAWAKIAN KOLO/KAMPUA MEE.
Indeed! 🙂
It’s something I miss all the time when I’m away and I binge on it when I’m back. I just ate two plates at my favorite place. It’s also RM 2.50 – seems like that’s the standard price here now.
I was based in Kuching for 4 years (worked there) and ate a lot of kolo mee too but I prefer kampua, although kolo mee with lots of char siew oil (the kind that makes it all red) tastes awesome too.
I guess it boils down to where you were born.
Nice! Happy CNY to you buddy! 😀
Lately, there is another Kampua Mee stall in Sibu. The stall located at Huan Huan cafe (next to down town Fire Station). Kampua Mee there smell good and my personally like the taste as well. The stall only operate at evening, 6pm-9:30pm (Off day in Sat). If anyone is fancy in Kampua, then i would highly recommend this new stall to you.