If you come to Sibu, you would certainly be spoilt for choice when it comes to kampua noodles. Some will tell you that one would be the best in town while others would beg to differ and insist on their own choice. Well, this is another one of those that I’ve heard people saying is among the best around…
…and it’s at this corner coffee shop at the beginning of Channel Road here…
You can see Kingwood Hotel in the photograph so it is actually within walking distance. Perhaps you would be somewhat amused by the sight of one of those old buses that we still have on our roads here – I guess they’re not seen pretty much elsewhere these days in the bigger towns and cities in the country.
When I was growing up, my father ran his business in a shop a stone’s throw away (around where I was standing to take the above photograph) and he would telephone this particular coffee shop to order drinks as and when necessary and they would record everything in one of those little 555 notebooks and he would pay them at the end of the month. I don’t think we ever ordered anything to eat from there then but I particularly remember that every afternoon, there would be some old men sitting around playing their traditional Chinese musical instruments. I’m not too sure but I guess one would not be able to see anything of the sort anymore these days.
Anyway, back to the kampua noodles, I would say that what I had was very good. The fact that my friend, Philip, when he was home from the US, went there after 10.00 a.m. and they were all sold out would be enough evidence as to how popular the noodles are and how good people here consider them to be. The one I tried that day certainly had the fragrance of lard and fried shallots – you can see traces of the oil by the side of the plate and though I would say it was good, personally, I’m more a fan of the hybrids here…
…or here…
…which some people do not like as they think these are not really authentic, not the original kampua noodles that they grew up eating.
Ah well! As I always say, one man’s meat is another man’s poison. You’re free to choose whatever tickles your fancy…
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
The pictures look awesome!
Enjoy your week π
Thanks. You too!
Noodles are noodles, as long as they taste good they are good in my books. I am known to play up my Kampua noodles with all sorts of unauthentic adaptations, but so what? We are just pleasing our own tummies right?
Yup…like my version with Bovril. I think it is a class of its own but some may not be so receptive to change – nothing but the old school authentic original for them.
I feel like having noodles again π That old bus reminded me of my university days. Me and my friends would take those ancient rickety Foh Hup bus to Kajang for some shopping. And those buses sometimes vibrate so much that we get a good bone shaking ride π
Can’t be worse than those mini buses that I use in KL in 1986?
All looks equally good but looks can be deceiving. It is the taste that determine which is nice but again different people have different taste buds. So hard to please everyone. Owh, the old buses still exist. Over here no sight of all the old buses.
No more? All those Chin Lian Leong buses in the 70’s. I think I still used those in the 80’s. Guess they’re all gone now. Yes, like how poeple can;t seem to decide where the best Sarawak laksa is in Kuching…or even in Sibu. To each his own!
Chin Lian Long buses all gone and now replace by City Link buses, all new.
I see. Like Rapid KL, I guess.
Yeah… I prefer the original too. Kampua FTW!!!
Go ahead! Btw, any good one in Song? I would think they’re very authentic there – those in the small towns hardly ever change.
Only with pork? Or there will be some choices like vegetarian or chicken? Just had kolo mee last night :p
You can go to the Muslim/Malay stalls – they’ve chicken. >.< Eyewwwww!!!!! All the nice Penang food and you go for that pseudo-authentic Kuching/Sarawak kolo mee. I always believe that those who set up their businesses elsewhere are those who can't fight the big guns on home ground.
My girl was beside me as I was reading this page and she exclaimed “wahhh” ….. I know she misses the kampua noodles too…
I’m sure she’d love to come again. I hear AA’s having zero fare offer this 17th…
It sure looks good and I bet the flavor is as good as you say. Next time, will have to go earlier. What time did you get there to get to sample the noodles? I like the other versions too. They tend to be on the sweet side but can’t eat the same noodles all the time, that would be so boring.
I went at 7 in the morning. LOL!!!
It’s cool how the debate over the best kampua noodles goes and fun how everyone has their own opinion and reasons for their opinions π
To each his own. Everyone has his or own likes and dislikes.
Yup, I like the kampua in this place, even though compared to 10 years ago, the quantity seem to shrink… as for laksa, I can’t comment on the best in kuching, but I like the ones on the first floor of the open-air market (near to the kampua shop).
First floor, open air market? Ohhhhh!!! You mean Sibu. Hardly ever go there, not too fond of the place – dirty, hot…etc.
dirty downstairs, ok upstairs. but talking about hygiene, actually i can’t name many coffee shops that’s really clean, and I’m not being fussy here…
It’s really quite clean here, I feel – compared to those in the peninsula. It seems that they think the dirtier the place, the nicer the food. Some are even infested with rats!!! Tsk! Tsk! You can always email an official complaint to the council people if you see any that’s too dirty for you. I would take photos of such places…and highlight in my blog, that’s for sure.
I’m ok with it being part of the market – it’s the climbing upstairs that do not appeal to me…PLUS one would have to pay parking fees around there – 84 sen…or 42, if I eat quickly enough. Old pensioner – have to make every sen count. Not much where that comes from!
555 book. Do they even exist these days?
Anyway, I’d be happy to get a plate of kampua, original or hybrid.. as long as it is kampua π
Yup! The floating grocery stores use those for customers living along the river.
Now, it would be quite difficult to ask you to come over – baby and all. Wait lah! If I go KL, I tapao some for you… π
Can buy raw one back and keep in the fridge? Then whenever want to eat can cook it…
Can, can…of course, you can. They’ve dried ones too – gave Claire once & she loved it, posted here another batch soon after.
U gave Claire, never give me? so sad… π¦
You come to Sibu lah. I gave her when she came… Hehehehehehe!!!!
Sold out by 10am! Wow!
You’d better believe it! The early bird catches the worm. I had to go at 7… π
Haha! The coffeeshops STILL do that! I remember having meetings when I was working in Sibu and the coffee shop boy would come in with his 555 notebook and jot down everything we wanted.
Or we can just get the receptionist to call him with our drink orders.
Oh? They still do that? Guess it’s more convenient to provide that for regulars.
Yes indeed, everyone has different taste bud.. But I trust yours la, if I go there remember to belanja me ok! :p
Need you ask?
Wow! Picture says a thousand words! I’m sold! π
I do hope you can come over for a visit some day. You’d love it here, take my word for it!
I always love seeing the street shots you take, too! Makes me feel like I am right in the town/city enjoying the surroundings!
Can plan to hop over here – you’ll love it! So very different and with our low currency value, you’ll be very rich here at least, threefold! π
Oh how I would love that at some point the flights are crazy expensive from here to there eeeek
Indeed! π¦
After reading your stuffs for so long, I am tempted to ask,
is “kumpua” a Foochow word and what it means. Although from the photo I know it is our equivalent of dry noodle or “yiu mee ta” in Hokkien here in Singapore. That is where the similarity end here, kumpua noodle certainly look to me more appetizing and appealing though it looks simple but not bland. Over here, our dry noodle are mishmashed with ingredients that at time you are not sure of the focus, is it noodle or the ingredients.
“Kampua” with an “a” is Hokkien, derived from the Foochow name – “kam-puang”, “kam” meaning dry and “puang” meaning plate. Foochow cuisine is noted for its simplicity – the beauty of these noodles lies in the lard used to fry shallots till golden brown and then used to toss the noodles and this fragrance cannot be found in the same dish using vegetable oil…or worse when the oil has not been used to fry shallots. And I have no respect for people who drown their kampua with lots of chili sauce or dark soy sauce – the original authentic taste is sadly overshadowed. They might as well have been eating any other kind of noodles for the matter – no difference at all. π¦
i am not picky on kampua, to me, any Sibu kampua all taste good. π
You said moi soung kampua is good? Ok, will be in my to-try-list.
I liked it more than many other popular places. All finished by 10 something though, must go early.