Our gracious hosts, Simon & Helen, arranged for the hotel limo to send us to the cathedral to attend the wedding service and to pick us up later and take us back to the hotel where I stayed on my weekend trip to Kuching. They wanted us to go to their house for lunch and also the tea ceremony but we opted out of that as we were so very full from the buffet breakfast at the hotel in the morning…and I wanted to have a nap before the big event that night.
It was around 3.00 p.m. when I got up and by then, I was feeling a bit hungry – normally, at home, that would be the time when I would have my afternoon tea, you see. Β That was why I decided to go across the road from the hotel to see if I could find something light to tide me over till dinner time.
Upon walking out of the hotel, I saw this very well-known Indian eatery in Kuching a stone’s throw away…
If you look at the sign, you can see that they have 7 other branches in different parts of the city and the surrounding areas.
I ordered their murtabak kambing (RM4.50)…
…which was quite different from what I usually find in Sibu. There seemed to be some kind of lamb curry omelette wrapped inside an outer layer of roti canai…
…It went absolutely well with the curry gravy provided and there were huge chunks of lamb inside…
I really enjoyed it a lot and would have gone back there for that again if I had stayed longer in Kuching.
The nasi bryani looked very alluring…
…but I did not try that as I did not want anything too heavy that would spoil my appetite for that evening’s dinner.Β The man saw me taking photographs and he probably guessed that I would be blogging about this or perhaps share the photos on Facebook so he quickly mentioned that they do provide catering services as well, should there be anybody interested.
After that very delightful light snack, I decided to walk around the area just to look around. I saw Venue – a restaurant that I had been to a few times. I remember they had pretty good or chian (oyster omelette), Kuching style and Philippine pork leg there. There was an Italian restaurant too which I would be blogging about later in the week…a Thai restaurant and a few Chinese ones as well.
Then I came to this place…
You can see from the photograph how close the hotel actually is to the shops across the road. As it was already late afternoon, most of the stalls were closed (but I hear that they would open again later in the evening and there is an area in the vicinity with lots of hawkers stalls that enjoy bustling business at night) but I saw that this one…
…was still open.
Should I or shouldn’t I? I was in a dilemma…and in the end, I decided to just go ahead and have a bowl of Kuching kolo mee (RM3.00)…
…even though I knew jolly well that it was not the best in town. At least, I would not leave Kuching without eating one of its signature dishes and besides, I was quite sure that dinner would not start so early that night so it would be perfectly all right to have just that little bit more in the meantime. Hehehehehehe!!!!
There is a Catholic church also…
…a couple of minutes’ walk from the hotel, to the right if you’re walking out of the main entrance. This is the Church of the Blessed Sacrament and I heard sometime ago that actually, the aerial view of the building would show its very unique structure – that of Β a dove. Because of its close proximity, I didn’t have to miss the Sunday service that morning as I was able to attend the English one at 10.00 a.m.
As you can see, even though the hotel is a bit far from the city centre, as far as food is concerned, physical or spiritual, one would not need to worry at all with so much to choose from at all those eateries on the other side and a church at the end of the street.
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
hahahahaha, and so you finally had your “light” late lunch/ afternoon tea.. the lamb curry wrapped in roti canai wasn’t light enough for you?? and you still want to down yourself with a bowl of kolo mee?? π
I had a good excuse mah – go Kuching, MUST eat Kuching specialties before going home… π
coincidentally, i actually had that for breakfast this morning, i mean the kolo mee.. looks exactly the same.. and i think i’ve asked many times before “what is the difference between kolo and kampua??”.. maybe you can write a post on this, then i think i shall remember after that~~ π
You will just have to come over and try for yourself. The taste is different, the texture of the noodles is different…and kampua, you get those few thin slices of boiled meat on top while kolo mee, you will get char siew, minced meat…and sometimes a fish ball and a prawn and a bit of liver and/or intestine…if you order the special. Which one is nicer depends on a person’s preference – you can see in Kuching – with all the kolo mee stalls around, the kampua stalls are sprouting out everywhere like mushrooms after the rain…so that should tell you something.
SK, I did once ask the same question but did not get a satisfactory answer but this time, it’s better. At least now I know what goes with what mee. I think I’ve tried kolo mee in KL but not kampua mee, the latter which I had in Sibu. I thought then I could do the same with Maggi mee. I suppose I need to try them more to match the taste. π
Where did you have your kolo mee in KL? Auntie Christina’s at Bangsar? I hear there’s pretty good kampua in Puchong (but give the pian sip a skip – the skin’s too thick!). Well, there is a difference in the fragrance of the oil used too – that is why they taste different even though they may look the same. Oh? You’ve been to Sibu? When? Hmmm…you did not know me then so I bet you missed out on a lot. Hehehehehehe!!!! Instant egg noodles? Can….almost like it but just almost! The texture and taste of the noodles would not be the same.
Two of my friends live in this area.. hehe..I haven’t been to kuching for many years. I’m sure things changed a lot over there. I remember going to St. Joe for mass. This church looks quite new π
Not really, been around for a while now…but newer than St Joe, of course. You can always hop over – Justin is there. π
I can’t even remember when I was in Kuching last. If I am not mistaken, it may be in 1986, when I was still a Software trainer for Apple Computers. If I want kampua, I will go to Sibu, no need to go Kuching because I have a good friend there. WINK!
Yes, yes… When are you coming again? Wow!!! 1986 I was in KL for a year, Lembah Pantai… Even if we met then, we would be strangers – like two ships passing in the night. LOL!!! π
Good morning! I am back! =)
The murtabak looks yummy leh! Though I don’t eat kambing la~ π
You’re back? You were here before? Well, you can opt for something else other than lamb – lots to choose from…
kuching! have always heard bout it but till now i have no chance to travel over there π¦ i’d probably have a good time hunting for food if i were there ^^
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Good grief!These days, everyone can fly – grab the cheap offers and hop over. But then, of course, you would need to know people there so thay can take you to eat the best in the city. Like everywhere else, you can’t just hop into a place, eat and pass judgement.
I think my next stop will be in Kuching… the murtabak looks very chunky! π
So when are you going? Do let me know and I can hop over from here – I know where the best places are to have the best in the city!!! π
I have been to Kuching but only at the airport la but Simon frequently flew there.The murtabak and briyani look so sedap. Rindu!
You mean you went there but only to the airport? Oh me oh my! You did not get to go round the city? And you did not get to try all the nice food they have there? Gosh!!! They do have a lot of very nice things to eat there too – different from Sibu…
We stopped at the airport for transit to Perth. Simon flew there often but somehow never crossed my mind to tag along.Now feel so rugi pulak but I don’t think I want to now. I might as well balik Sibu and have all the nice company and food as we truly love our time there with you ( also to stock up on my ikan asin and ikan bilis and belacan and mee daddy and udang kering.. Hehehe ),
When? When? When? I am waiting…. π
Oo I agree… that Kambing murtabak looked really gorgeous… usually dont see whole or chunks meat in it… mostly onion and some minced ufo… hehehe….and I also like you… love wondering and can never resist food… although eyes usually bigger than stomach.. lol….
As they say, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak… Hehehehehe!!!! π
when I want to order Murtabak or Roti C. I will go n see that person doing it-make sure he dont wear a ring..I always remember the old story…eee. still give me the creeps…lol
LOL!!! Dirty eat, dirty fat… π
Siang Siang corner is very decent. You cant go wrong with anything you order there.
I like the kueh chap there.
Ya…that stall was open…but we have pretty decent kueh chap in Sibu while our kolo mee imitations all fail big time. π¦
My brother’s house is just nearby so I will around the vicinity whenever in Kuching. There’s one Italian restaurant around that area providing authentic Italian food. Also some nice Chinese ‘chu-char’ restaurants.
Yes, I went to the Italian one – watch out for the post, coming soon, and I went to Venue a couple of times before. Didn’t get the chance to try the rest this trip – would love to go to the Thai one… Another time perhaps.
hey this church looks really unique. I’ve never seen a church like that.
They’re coming out with all sorts of modern architectural designs these days…
Murtabak! Oh my God, I have almost forgotten about murtabak. Haven’t eaten it in years. I must now look for murtabak π And wow, after your delicious murtabak, you had kolo mee. I would have done the same π And good thing you tanked up before the dinner or else you would have been very, very hungry waiting and waiting for dinner to start.
Huh? Gosh!!! They’re everywhere where you are…can have it anytime, any place. π
Murtabak. Hubi would like that. The lamb ones no stinky smell, right?
No leh…same as Indian mutton curry… Nice!
The hawker stalls are doing bustling business especially during night time but once somebody told me that it is a blacklisted area, a lot of snatching cases happen there.
Oh? I’ll be fine… Got the size advantage plus I don’t dress up nicely when I go out. People would run away when they see me – they will think I would be someone who would rob them… π
What a light (heavyweight) lunch………….. I guess you were alone at that time, or else you will try more and more and more…
Hmmm…I thought I would be able to eat more when alone? Nobody to nag – can eat as much as I want? LOL!!! π
Then i am wrong.
Indeed, you are… Hehehehehe!!!!
I love murtabak, usually i will order beef murtabak, never try lamb.
How’s the Kolo Mee? Good? I have yet to try the authentic one, so far i had was the one in KL.
This was ok…not the best in town but it was like kolo mee – not like the ones we have in Sibu – the so-called kolo mee that is actually kampua with minced meat. π¦
Delicious Indian food, look really good especially the briyani, yum yum
Have a nice week ahead.
Didn’t get to try that. Another trip perhaps…