I remember buying some of the steamed char siew paos here once a long long time ago in 2018, those that were made in Kuching but I don’t remember if they were any good or not. I managed to locate the blogpost where I featured them and it seemed that I quite enjoyed them then. I guess at RM3.00 each, they were a tad too expensive so I never went back again for more.
When I was there for the noodles that day, I saw that they were still selling those Kuching paos at that exact same price, RM3.00 each and since at that point in time, I could not remember if they were good or otherwise, I bought two to take home and try.
They were all rather out of shape, probably due to the mishandling during transportation…
…so much so that even steaming them did not help get them back into shape.
Other than the appearance, I thought it was good, the texture of the skin and the char siew filling…
…except that it was the same as what you would find in those dim sum ones…
…just like the ones here, for instance. I was hoping it would be some meat filling, cooked with char siew sauce with some egg inside like what they had here because my friends, Irene and Rowena, in Kuching kept singing praises of the ones there.
The ones that an ex-student of mine bought for me from Sarikei that day did not impress me much but I loved their kaya (coconut jam) paos…
…a lot. Seeing that they were selling those at this coffee shop too, I quickly grabbed two to take home and steam the next morning for breakfast.
Yes, they were as nice as before…
…but it was RM1.20 in Sarikei and RM1.30 here in Sibu at that time and right now, the price had shot up to a whooping RM1.60!!! I think I would much sooner fork out 20 sen more for the very nice chai pao here, if they are available, that is – there would be more in the filling other than just…kaya.
A One Cafe (2.297428, 111.824346) is located along Jalan Tun Abg Hj Openg opposite the Kin Orient Plaza (aka old Sing Kwong) in the second block of shops.
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
Your post makes me craving for char siu pao. The char siu fillings looks juicy. Usually the char siu pao I used to buy have 1/8 slice of egg but surprisingly when I buy the other day there is none. Since eggs are so expensive these days, my guess is that they are not going to have that 1/8 slice of egg in their paos anymore.
Are they THAT expensive? Yes, the prices have been going up here too – my missus did buy two trays on Friday but didn’t hear her complain. I guess after some time, we just get used to it. Wanna eat, just buy, no choice!
That chashao bao is so big. Twice the size we have in my little kampung.
It’s kinda hard to find these traditional baos now.
These days, the baos with opening split tops, are standard baos.
RM1.60 for one kaya bao? That’s actually a good price.
JB to KL is about 4 hours, so Sibu is about 4 hours away from Kuching then.
My family usually stops at Yong Peng in Northern Johor for lunch break.
And we always have Foochew food there, cos there’s no way else in Johor we can have authentic Foochew food.
At least 6 hours via our horrible so-called highway, half an hour by plane.
Yes, Yong Peng is Johore’s Sitiawan – my Foochow friends in JB go there too for the Foochow delights.
I do enjoy the standard split-top char siew paos too, you get those at the dim sum places.
Oh yes, I like the ones with the char siew sauce inside too.
I like the meat ones, as long as they taste great, never mind if it is not char siew.