Well, not really! According to my cousin, they do not have an Indonesian place in Brisbane, Australia and just one Malaysian food outlet called Little Nyonya Kitchen or something or is it Singaporean…and then, there is that kampua noodle place that started off in Perth but she doesn’t think it is all that great – the son and daughter-in-law drop by quite often though, she said. It is AUD9.50 a plate there, AUD8.50 in Melbourne and AUD7.50 in Perth (and the chao chai hung ngang is AUD13.50 a bowl) so even without conversion, it is VERY expensive compared to RM3.00 or less here especially when they make their own noodles, not imported from here or anywhere else.
That was why I thought I made the perfect choice in taking them here for dinner on their second night in Sibu. I had not been here for quite a while myself for no particular reason other than the fact that somehow or other, we just did not drop by.
I ordered the sets to share…
– one with the fried chicken (RM9.50)…
…and the other with the deep-fried bawal/duai hitam or black pomfret (RM16.50)…
…and the third one, the ayam bakar (barbecued/grilled chicken), RM12.50, and I stressed in no uncertain terms to the young and handsome waiter that I would not want it overcooked, dry and hard and yes, it was absolutely perfect this time – very nice, just like when we had it the first few times we were here. The skin was burnt though and I had that – it was extra-fragrant with the caramelised marinades on it and I was glad it was just the skin and the rest of the chicken thigh was fine. I’m afraid the photograph turned out blur and I did not take one of the sup tulang or beef bone soup (RM13.50)…
*Archive photo*
…that we had either but it was pretty good.
I also ordered the Sarawak Melanau delight, the umai (RM15.00)…
…and the kerabu paku or wild jungle fern (RM10.00)…
…instead of the midin as we had that for dinner the night before and I thought they would welcome the change. Hooray!!! They are no longer using those cheap small and thin ikan bilis with the beady eyes that they had before, the ones that they are using for their nasi lemak here – unless they too have switched as well. I would give them a pat on the back for that!
They do charge that 6% GST now – I am not so sure but I think they did not do that on my previous visits but it was all right. Everyone enjoyed everything and our visitors from Down Under were full of praises of the unique and delightful cuisine and they absolutely enjoyed the three sambals, the prominent feature in this place – they would not be able to find anything like this back home.
It sure was lovely having the two of them around – so many things to eat, so many places to go to and so little time. I hope they will come again soon and will stay a little longer next time.
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 