We were here when they first opened for business and we did drop by once to buy the roast duck to try when we heard people saying that theirs was the best in town. We thought the duck was good…
…but nothing exceptional, just like that first time we went there and most everything was sold out. No doubt we had a pretty good lunch that day but no, we did not think there was anything that swept us off our feet.
Eventually, I heard that they have started selling kampua mee…
…and Sarawak laksa and much to my surprise, considering that this was not one of the “more popular” places in town, renowned Youtubers, the Jet Lag Warriors, dropped by here when they were in town for those…
They loved the kampua mee (3:45) very much and enjoyed the Sarawak laksa too (0:35). They were also impressed by the kolo mee (24:00) they had at another place even though they felt it was kind of super oily and they loved the mee sua making experience in Sibu and eating it as well.
Well, ever since I saw the video clip, I had been wanting to stop by here to give it a try but it took me quite a while to get down to it. I was quite reluctant as that place is always super crowded because the chu-char place at the back is also very popular and I am still not that keen on places with a lot of people. It wasn’t too bad that morning so I quickly parked my car and went in.
I had the kampua mee (RM4.00)…
…which was served with their very nice char siew (barbecued pork), not those miserable paper thin slices of boiled pork, dyed red to make it look like char siew, but I was taken aback when I tossed the noodles that they used…
They were VERY thin, the texture and taste were nothing like kampua mee as we know it to be, never mind traditionally handmade or machine-made, almost translucent and not quite QQ (firm). Luckily, they did not overcook them so they were not over-soft and soggy but still, they were nothing like the kampua mee that we love so well, more like what we would get in our packets in instant noodles!
On the other hand, the pian sip or meat dumplings (RM4.00)…
…that I also ordered were simply the best that I’ve had for a very long time. The skin was so thin and silky smooth and the meat inside tasted really good. I’ve had a lot of these elsewhere all over town – most were all right, some were a cut above the rest but these here take the cake, that’s for sure. I sure wouldn’t mind going back for more when I get the chance to do so.
It seems that one can place an order for some special combinations where one will get the kampua mee with one’s choice of roast meat…
…but I did not see any suggestions listed anywhere in the shop and the people did not seem all that keen to promote their best of the best. Perhaps if I could speak their language and talk VERY loudly like everybody else, they would pay me a bit more attention. Maybe I can try that next time!
Gather Pavilion 欢聚阁is located to the right of 23 FOOD COURT (2.297349, 111.824644), among the shops along Lorong Tun Abg Hj Openg 1, opposite Kin Orient Plaza (where the “old’ Sing Kwong Supermarket is).
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 