A COUPLE OF COFFEE SHOPS IN KUCHING, SARAWAK

In Singapore, we have no time for coffee shops. While on holiday in Kuching, Sarawak, we enjoyed the luxury of time and a few moments for a cuppa. Artisanal coffee shops are now an in thing, and there were several near our hotel located in Ewe Hai and Carpenter Streets. It was a relief to know that there were no Starbucks or other chain coffee outlets anywhere to be found.

Janet is the coffee drinker of our family, whereas I usually prefer tea. The stereotypes end here, and she is the one who calls the shots when it comes to coffee, wherever we may be... Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong or Bali. We made time for coffee in two rather different coffee shops on the same street, but on different days. Nothing beats the aroma of a brew after a meal or a session of sightseeing.

Yia Coffee Company on Ewe Hai Streets looks more upmarket, and could be part of a chain. Its gentrified appearance is quite attractive, and there is more than one barista at work, serving a few lounge lizards who tend to while their time away. We were no exception. There was also a selection of local Sarawakian coffee beans, which Janet was happy to try out.

Zoey Coffee on Carpenter Street is the more informal and personalised place, operating from an old shophouse that looks untouched by interior decorators. A young man runs the show, and is the proprietor and sole barista for the last four years. He appears busy but is friendly. There is a small selection of interesting books, but they are not for sale. The artwork on display is. As in both places, I opt for an ice coffee or ice cappuccino, whereas Janet is the more adventurous.

YIA COFFEE COMPANY

75 Ewe Hai Street

ZOEY COFFEE

57 Carpenter Street

SUKA MAKAN: BLA BLA BLA... IN KUCHING (SARAWAK)

Never thought a Chinese restaurant could have such a name. This sounds more like a coffee place or bar, where people choose to hang out to gossip or bitch. Bla bla bla... is for real, a recommendation of a friend of ours, located in an unprepossessing row of shop houses a walking distance south of our hotel. 

They do traditional Chinese dishes, but with an Asian fusion twist. That may be sensed in the restaurant's decor, which is chic and modern, very unlike most Chinese restaurants. Upon entering, you are faced with a koi pond with steps to avoid getting wet, and the dining area is either behind the main building or upstairs of the shop house. 

The dishes are huge. And very tasty. The small portions can feed three or four people, so we had to take away the left-overs. Just build up a big appetite before coming. We had no reservation, and the eating space was full, mostly families and communal groups, and a few tourists. Will definitely come back again.

One of its specialities, Mango Duck

Lots and lots of greens,
Crispy fried leaves with meat floss

Seafood crispy noodle,
the size of the plate was huge 

Softshell crab, sold in multiples of four

BLA BLA BLA...

27 Jalan Tabuan

93100 Kuching, Sarawak

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SUKA MAKAN: KANTIN @ THE GRANARY IN KUCHING (SARAWAK)

Guess where we ate the most times while we were in Kuching, Sarawak? That has to be Kantin @ The Granary, not just because it's within the grounds of our hotel, but also because the local and fusion fare is simply delicious. We had already heard about it from a friend originally from Kuching, and then we tried it for ourselves. Simply no regrets.

Apologies for remaining open!

Surprisingly, it does not feel hot in here
even when it's sweltering outside!

The place feels friendly, and local

The setting is almost industrial, a non air-conditioned canteen within a large shed which could even pass as a garage for vehicles and small aircraft. Its non-pretentious ambience is completed negated by its interesting menu of local, Western and fusion favourites, and excellent service from its friendly staff. Almost every dish is described as a "jungle" this or that as if it is an honour of sorts. Jungle fried rice and jungle pasta were among the items we tried, and we were not disappointed.   

 

Iced milk tea and Cappuccino

Jungle chicken chop

The sotong dish that 95% of people order,
so they say at the Kantin

The ensemble is completed by
Jungle fried rice with fried cauliflower

Jungle pasta, which has sliced duck 
and a kind of local pesto sauce

Hawaiian Sarawak pizza,
with pineapple, ayam pansuh on thin crust.

This constituted a light meal,
and there were absolutely no leftovers

Washed down by a tall glass of
Iced Teh C, as recommended by the staff

KANTIN AT THE GRANARY

23 Wayang Street

93000 Kuching, Sarawak

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SUKA MAKAN: COMMONS AT OLD COURT HOUSE, KUCHING (SARAWAK)

Imagine we are back in Kuching, Sarawak. After a morning of museum hopping, where do you take a break for a bite? The museum precinct is west of the old town, so the Old Court House is a possibility. This small complex of single-storey colonial buildings which served as Kuching's judicial centre has now been converted to a centre for food and culture, just like the Old Parliament House in Singapore.

The colonial colonnaded splendour
of Kuching's Old Court House

Around the quadrangle sits
Commons restaurant and the Ranee Museum

Commons is an upmarket eatery which serves local and Western dishes. Its ambience is colonial and relaxing, its high ceilings and air-conditioned environment is conducive for an extended rest, and that's where we had our lunch. Nothing beats a carafe of juice - lychee and cucumber provided that refreshment one just craves for. The Western dishes which we had were decent, but not something to write home about. However, the chilli prawns served with sourdough toast was something else. We had our fill, and that was good enough.

Lychee cucumber juice
was Janet's absolute favourite drink

Chill prawns in a tangy sauce

Commons Fish & Chips was rather common

The Commons Cheeseburger was somewhat better

The Charles Brooke memorial stands
between Old Court House and the waterfront

COMMONS 

by Food Journal Group

Old Court House

Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg 

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