I dropped by here once for the kampua noodles…
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…and I thought they were pretty good. Despite the stewed pork belly on top…
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…the noodles had that much-coveted original authentic taste of the ones we grew up eating. However, I seldom dropped by here to eat as parking in that area could be such a pain but I do know that everytime my friend, Philip, came home from the US, he would go for the kampua noodles or maybe some other stuff from the other stall there. However, the other day, he told me that he was very disappointed as the old lady had retired and some young boys, her grandsons perhaps, had taken over and they tossed the kampua noodles with the sauce from the stewed pork I remember having something like that here…
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…and no, I did not like it either. With the strong taste of the stew sauce, it came across as something completely different from the kampua noodles that we had always known them to be and no, I never had that again…and I am pretty sure Philip would not bother to go back for the noodles at that shop anymore either. Perhaps it would go down well with some people but no, old die-hards like us would have nothing of the sort, sorry to say.
Well, my nephew came home for his grandma’s birthday and he was there with an ex-classmate for breakfast. I didn’t think he noticed or if he did, he obviously did not mind. Anyway, I am not too sure but if I am not wrong, those guys are friends of his and they too have ventured into the instant kampua business…
There are so many now, jumping on the bandwagon, so many that the market stalls and the shops are flooded with them. I have never bothered to try any of the rest so I would not know whether they are any good or not but my nephew got me some samples of these…
…to try.
They are selling them at RM9.00 for a pack of 6, so I’ve been told, and that would work out to 20 sen more expensive a piece than the one we are more familiar with (RM6.50 for a pack of 5) but inside, you will find some fried shallots (which probably explains the extra 20 sen charged)…
…while the lard and the light soy sauce have been mixed together and do not come in separate sachets.
I cooked a packet to try…
…and yes, it had that what they call the “classic” kampua noodles taste but I would think it needed just a little bit more chio cheng (light soy sauce) and perhaps, lard as well…
…as I found it to be a little milder compared to the one I am more familiar with but that one no longer provides the little sachet of fried shallots that used to come with every packet at the beginning when they first started off on this venture so if you feel that this justifies the extra 20 sen per packet, perhaps, you would be better off getting this one instead of having to peel and slice and fry your own.
The choice is yours…
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
Why aren’t they selling the instant kampua here? Would love to try them out!
See my reply to Sean below. Come, come. Come on over – you can try it here and lots more. 15th onwards would be a good time, the Borneo Cultural Festival will be on here.
I think that’s common nowadays. The next generation are not so interested to run the business and learn the trade , leaving the skills of the older generation lost once they are away. I guess in the future, most of the eateries are franchised like some old t*wn cafe.
I read in some book once about an old man with a small business and he earned enough to put his sons through university overseas – they took over when they came back with all their modern fancy ideas…and the business went bankrupt. Why rock the boat when things are going so well?
Thanks so much for sharing, I love to see how things are in your area! 🙂
Welcome. Very different from there, that’s for sure.
I think having the fried shallots ready is great as people can be really lazy these days. Peeling and frying shallots is a lot of tears and hardwork 😛
They sell them at the market here, homemade ones…not the horrible factory-made ones sold at the supermarkets – so so smelly, terrible.
ooo, instant kampua … i haven’t seen those packets before … will look out for ’em in the supermarkets! 😀
I don’t think you’ll find them over there – good for three months or so only, no preservatives. The delivery alone, if by sea, will take ages…and if by air, it will cost a bomb.
Interesting. The young man used and served a big chunk of pork belly in kampua. Something new to me. Never been to that old coffee shop.
Wow. Everyone into this instant noodle business. I guess original kampua served in coffee shop the best.
Ain’t nothing like the real thing but it is the same as with these instant ones, you need to know which the good ones are. Not all are good – one post on that coming up…in two weeks’ time. 😀
P.S.:
That big chunk one was at the breakfast place that we used to go to – now the pork place. Not sure if this is still on their menu but I did not like it done this way. Not like authetic kampua…
I’m not that kind of person who like to eat instant noodles very much, but I like eat this!! =]
This is totally different from the usual/regular instant noodles, the texture or type of noodles, the taste – not the same at all…and thankfully, it is the same, or almost the same, as the real thing outside…and just like the real thing outside, there are good ones, not so good ones and not good ones. One would need to know where to go…so for these instant ones, one would need to know which to buy.
Another classic example of smart ass next generation who thinks they know better (or best) compared to the tried and trusted methods of the older generation founders. I’m pretty sure you and Phillip are not the only one who will dislike his new recipe, hope he will notice the drop in patronage sooner rather than later…
Dunno, another friend said that she went and they did not do that. Maybe there have been others who complained so now they’re wiser, wise enough to go back to their mum’s/grandma’s tried and tested ways.
I also don’t really like it if they toss the noodles together with the stewed sauce.. The flavour will be too strong already and it’s like eating plain noodles in banjir meat gravy, like what I prepare for my kids.. hehe.. Oohhh as for the kampua instant noodles, I prefer the ones with fried shallots, then I do not have to fry my own..
Some people may like but it is not the same thing – a totally different recipe of its own. Stewed pork gravy – I would love that very much…but with rice, not noodles.
Actually, here at the wet market, at the mee sua (and other noodles, uncooked) stall, they sell lard in bottles and fried shallots packed in plastic bags. Can always buy those and use – just don’t bother getting those factory-made ones in the supermarkets. So smelly, not nice at all and will spoil the taste of whatever you’re cooking.
ah, the sachets of fried shallots is not included anymore but you gotta top up 20 sen?? would not be a big deal if you have it just occasionally i guess.. but i do hope the shallots are not some of those that you bought in big packets from the supermarket shelves..
A lot more convenient if it is provided in a little sachet but here, we can buy them at the wet market if we’re too lazy to fry our own. No way I will use those from the supermarkets, terrible smell…and there was this talk about plastic bags being used like in the frying of pisang goreng but of course there are others that say it was all a hoax. These days, really don’t know what to believe anymore… 😦
Instant kampua noodles looks good. At one time, everyone is crazy about it and also the Penang White curry. Rushing for it and making the prices sky rocket and yet they are willing to pay for it. Now nobody seems crazy about it anymore.
I guess they all know it is easily available anytime they feel like having it so no need to rush for it. Same with anything that’s new on the market – people would go and queue some more but after some time, the lines would just disappear. The novelty has worn out.
I am hoping that this instant kampua would make it’s way over here. I would certainly give it a try and I am sure many of your fans who have never tasted kampua noodles would also be eager to get their hands on it 🙂
They used to have a service – you contact them and order (and pay via online banking)…and they will send over and you can collect at some place at Kelana Jaya (somewhere around Giant there…the other side of the highway from Paradigm Mall). Have to pay RM1 extra per packet I think, for shipping charges…but definitely cheaper than buying here and sending over – postal charges around RM10 per pack, more expensive than the noodles!!! You can contact them and ask: 012-889 8802…or PM via their Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/SibuInstantKampua?fref=ts
or here:
https://www.facebook.com/thekitchensibu?fref=ts
muhahahaha…habis la KH when reading this. I know she is silent reader here….
No fresh kampua…instant kampua pun jadi la…..betul tak KH?
She has her stock – but vegetarian. Last time, she said nicer, lard ones very smelly…and now she is singing a different tune. Regretting buying the vegetarian ones liao. 😀
I prefer to fry them my own… more fresh.. I don’t mind if the packet of lard/fried shallots is not included.. by the way, I feel quite “geli” to use their lard.. I still prefer using the oil with the fresh fried shallots that I fry with….
The other time when you sent over the kampua noodles, I tried both ways… My sister likes the “ready” sauce inside.. whereas I prefer the kampua noodles tossed with my own sauce.. hehehee…
Then you might as well by the dried kampua/kolo mee from the shops (I sent you some before) – a lot cheaper, tastes the same but of course, no “no preservatives” tag. I guess it is all the same to people like you who had never eaten kampua mee in your life until you came over…and actually, there ARE people who did not think it was all that great…but then again, that would depend on where they went to and each person’s individual taste.
The main attraction as far as everyone is concerned is the authentic/original/classic taste of kampua mee with the lard (and the fragrance of fried shallots) which of course is not healthy – not to be eaten too often unlike many here who can eat kampua every day, not me. Personally, I actually prefer Kuching kolo mee…but I am sure many would not agree with me. Different people, different taste – same as how I would prefer Seremban Hakka mee…to wanton mee, KL, Ipoh or wherever.
Wow, now also have instant kampua liao…
I’m sure you know that already – lots of people have already featured it in their blogs…
I would prefer to get the dried kampua or kolo mee and put in my own ingredients. Of course, this is instant thus convenient. And also with lard, more fragrant 🙂
We can buy the freshly-made ones too – my missus used to buy but 1 kg would be too much – store in the fridge for a long time, would take ages to finish even if we have it every morning for breakfast.
This is more for people outside of Sibu/Sarawak where they cannot get anything like the real thing and are craving for it…and it is very convenient, everything ready for use (and we do not usually have lard at home, not like in my growing up years) plus one packet is one plate, no more no less…and it’s at least 50 sen cheaper than the kampua kosong (no meat) in the shops…plus one would not need to change and dress up and drive out, save on petrol and parking fee…and the taste is as good as many sold outside, even better than some, I would say.
The grandson’s kampua is actually quite nice, but it’s too new school for me. I like the old classic kampua, Lieng Yew style. The other thing I like in that shop is their Hung Ngang. But the best thing about the shop is it looks and feels just like those old coffee shops.
Like time has stood still…still the same as many many years ago when I was a little boy and my father’s shop was just a stone’s throw away. They used to have some old folks in the afternoon playing music using their traditional Chinese classical musical instruments…but I guess not anymore. 😦 Nope, like I said in my earlier replies to some comments, I would not like kampua tossed in stewed pork gravy, wouldn’t mind it with rice, but I am sure many love it! It was on the menu at that Breakfast place till it changed its concept just recently while things that I liked were taken off… 😦
Kampua tossed in stewed pork gravy, might as well throw in some ketchup or mayonnaise too.
…and they call it fusion! More like CONfusion to me… 😉
Looks very authentic, though I have not tasted it before. But following and reading your blog for so long gives me a perspective on how original kampua noodles should look like! Now, for the taste… hehe
For the taste, you can fry sliced shallots in cooking oil, preferably lard and add a pinch of msg and some light or dark soy sauce, chopped shallots and toss boiled noodles in that. Of course, it will not be exactly the same as the type of noodles used will not be the same – the authentic kampua noodles is soft, not as firm or hard as packet egg noodles or wanton noodles.
Love your first pixz of course if can minus all the vehicles, Chinese sign & tall building probably Clint Eastwood would appear smoking his cigar like all his cowboy movies
Gee! You are very imaginative. Old old part of town, hasn’t changed since I was a little boy. I guess that’s why it gives you the impression of a cowboy town. In fact, I love places like this – old, original, authentic, our heritage unspoilt and it breathes life, not like our modern structures…so so so cold, a concrete jungle – the bird’s eye view is not unlike a cemetery with all the tombstones..
Didn’t know Moi Song serve very good kampua and didn’t know they have their instant kampua too!! Eric has a lot competitors now! hahhahaha
Don’t worry, i still like The Kitchen kampua, although i have not try others.
Yes, so many of them. I’ve only tried two though and between the two, I still prefer Eric’s even though no fried shallots included.
I tried the one you sent to Angeline last time, really easy to cook, taste is ok too, but would be better if I add on some meats or veges.. =)
You’ll get some meat if you eat at the stalls/shops but of course, that’s a lot more expensive for just a few thin slices.:( Kuching kolo mee, you’d get green veg and minced meat as well…something like Seremban Hakka mee.
I am still fail in cooking Kampua Noodles. huhu..
Keep trying. As simple as cooking instant noodles.
everyone is talking about this instant kampua thing here in Kuching. They told me Ta Kiong is selling and I went few times but failed to find any there 😦
maybe when i go sibu to buy the what wedding pia … i can go hunt for it in sibu takiong? or do they sell it online? 😀
Try asking at Georg Peck at 101, the brother in law. When are you coming? PM me via Facebook – I can buy for you. Not sold at Ta Kiong – market, yes, and some smaller shops here…or Everwin, I hear.