Kuching Restaurant Tips by Wild_Orchid Top 5 Page for this destination

Ah Yew Laksa Stall at Jalan Sekama: Delicious Sarawak Laksa

Although Sarawak Laksa is available widely at many coffee shops in town and in the suburbs of Kuching, the Ah Yew Laksa Stall serves one of the better versions, and is very popular among locals.

Do note that there is laksa in many parts of Malaysia, and they are all unique and different.

Favorite Dish: Sarawak Laksa - Vermicelli rice noodles ("bee hoon") in a shrimp-based broth thickened with coconut milk, it is mildly spicy and savoury. (West Malaysians: it is totally different from the Penang Asam Laksa because it is not sour or tangy at all). The noodles are served with lashings of crisp bean-sprouts, and topped with boiled prawns and garnished with freshly shredded chicken & minute slivers of egg rolls! Served with thick sambal paste on the side for those who like their laksa spicier, squeeze on some lime juice ("limau kasturi") for that extra pizzaz.

RM3.00-5.00 per bowl, depending on whether you want added noodles and prawns for the topping.

Then cool yourself down with some ice-barley or fresh sugar cane!

Very yummy, you'll be back for more!

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hot Tip for those in KL: For rather authentic Sarawak Laksa without having to fly all the way to Kuching, you may check out the following joints:

- Restoran Gembira Coffee Shop, Taman Mayang Jaya (go before 1pm or the good stuff will be sold out): RM4-6 per bowl. Besides Sarawak laksa, the Uncle (it's a family business) here sells a good 'kolo mee' too.
- coffee shop in Bangsar Lucky Garden
- The Laksa shop (it is a chain with multiple outlets including at Midvalley Megamall, 1 Utama and Pavillion, Jalan Bukit Bintang) RM8-10 per bowl. Reasonable sized bowl-larger than what you would get at a Coffee shop.

Address: Jalan Sekama

Comparison: about average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Top Spot Food Court: Don't Miss the Fresh Seafood at the Roof Top

TopSpot open-air Food Court is frequented by both locals & tourists. A wide variety of dishes at reasonable prices are available from Malay and Chinese stalls. Western food is also available.

Fresh seafood is a popular choice here, and so is satay!

Located at the roof top of a multi-level carpark along Jalan Bukit Mata, off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, it is clean & tidy, and only a stone's throw from major hotels such as the Hilton, Holiday Inn & Crowne Plaza hotels.

A crowd puller almost every night, this is one food court you would not want to miss.

Favorite Dish: Fried Ferns ("Bidin") with Spicy Sambal Belacan. The ferns are fresh, crunchy and delicious and are only available in Sarawak. (not available in West Malaysia)
Grilled Fresh Fish ("Ikan Bakar") - select your favourite fish (Sting Ray ("Pari") is best, Squid or Kembung also quite good), and ask for it to be freshly grilled on hot charcoal. Served on a banana leaf with deliciously tangy chilli sauce ("sambal belacan") , it is yummy!
Bamboo Clams fried with garlic and chilli-yummy

Address: Rooftop of the Multi-story Car Park

Comparison: about average

Directions: On Jalan Bukit Mata, it is within walking distance of the three major hotels on the Waterfront. Ask your hotel staff for directions.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Temple Courtyard Stall, Carpenter Street: Experience Kolo Mee at the Temple Courtyard

The famous Sarawak Kolo Mee is unique to Sarawak and is loved by all Kuching-ites. Available everywhere from morning till night, it is eaten for breakfast, lunch or supper.

For the West Malaysian visitor used to won-ton mee smothered in dark sauce, the Kolo Mee may seem pale and bland, but give it a chance, you will grow to love it!

To have a more unique eating experience, why not visit the Temple at Jalan Carpenter and you can enjoy the ambiance of eating Kolo Mee at the temple courtyard.

Favorite Dish: Sarawak Kolo Mee is a light yellow egg noodle that looks like Maggie Mee but is slightly firmer and crunchier. It is served in a light sauce with some minced pork and slices of char-siew (BBQ'ed pork). Order the "Special" and it will come with Prawns too.

RM3.00-RM4.00 per plate. RM5.00 for the "special".

I 'm sure that your kids will love this dish - just tell them it's Maggie Mee!

Visit Hillview Cafe, Ming Heng Cafe (6, Carpenter Streer) or the Open Air Market (Jalan Market) for the beef variety.

Address: Chinese Temple along Jalan Carpenter

Comparison: about average

Directions: In between some shophouses, there is a an old Chinese Temple. This stall is set at the temple courtyard.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Choon Choon Cafe, near the Holiday Inn: Best Sarawak Laksa in Town

The Choon Choon cafe is almost an institution in Kuching.

It opens early (before 7.00 am) to catch the breakfast crowd. It is frequented by office-workers from nearby offices who come here to have breakfast before starting work.

Seated at old-style longish tables, they bring out their newspapers and start to read, before being served. After tucking in to a hearty breakfast of Sarawak Laksa, and a cuppa robust Malaysian Coffee, they are ready to start another grinding day at the office!

It continues to serve until the food runs out which is around 12 noon.

Favorite Dish: Sarawak Laksa and a Cup of Hot Local Coffee "Kopi" to wash it down!

RM2.50-5.00 per bowl, (order the "special" if you want the whole works!)

Address: Walking distance from the Holiday Inn Hotel.

Comparison: about average

Directions: across the road from the Cosy Inn.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local