Dried Beef Noodles @ Lot 10 Kopitiam Sibu

I believe this is the longest interval ever I neglected this blog since I started it in 2008 . I would like to sincerely apologize to all the readers who direct or indirectly waiting for new write up on this blog (if there is any.. ;p ).

Honestly I never forget about updating this blog, just that routine working life had made me suffocate and I couldn't find my mood to come out with a new piece of write up. Furthermore my dull lifestyle disqualified me from having more exciting life experience to be shared about.

Today somehow I get the mood to write something simple. Yeah... it's about food again and what's better to write and share about apart from foods? haha...

This morning I had my breakfast at Lot 10 Kopitiam, Jalan Raminway, the shoplot just beside Star Cineplex Sibu. There is a noodle stall over there serving different variations of beef noodles. The coffee shop is always flooded with patrons, thus I believe there must be something nice there which keep the patrons back.

Beef noodles is one of my favorite. Since the coffee shop serving this, I decided to have a try. There are few variation of beef noodles been served here, you wish to cook the noodles dry or wet and for the beef, one can opt for all beef, the tendon, the innards or mix everything up.

After a short thought, finally I came to a decision to try the most original dry version of beef noodle. The cook asked me to choose which version of Kampua noodle I want, the round one or flat one. I go for the round one with chili sauce.

The beef noodle served on my table didn't give me too much of surprise. The serving portion is quite big, yet the noodle is more like the normal Kampua mee but it was a bit oily and over-chili-sauce. The soup is quite nice and not too salty, but the beef slices are just too paper thin thus lack of chewiness. I bet this was the biggest let down as when talking about beef noodles, I will expect the beef to be thicker and tastier. 

The price is RM 5 per bowl. Consider quite expensive in Sibu's context but overall it still worth you a try. You can also request for added ingredients for RM 7 a bowl.

Lou Chow Chicken Rice - The Economic Choice for Lunch

Looking for cheap and economic lunch in Sibu? You can try this! Lou Chow Chicken Rice for only RM 2.50!! The coffee shop is somewhere near Medan Mall commercial area, just next to Hong Fu Seafood (Lorong Pahlawan 7A4, Sibu).

Soup is complimentary! I personally feel the satisfaction with the quality and the portion of food served. Definitely worth more than RM 2.50! With the living costs keep increasing, this is a good choice to save some money! ^^

Experience Eating Dim Sum @ Fish Culture Cafe

Eating Dim Sum for breakfast had slowly become popular among people of Sibu, although it still far away from replacing the habit of eating Kampua among the local. This is proven by more and more eateries in the town start serving Dim Sum for breakfast and you'll see huge crowds flooding these places especially during weekends and holidays.

Recently I had a chance to visit one of the eatery at Medan Commercial area who serves Dim Sum. There are actually few shops at this new commercial area serving Dim Sum, but after some consideration, I finally decided to try out the one at "Fish Culture Cafe". Part of the reason I chose this and not others is that this coffee shop serves something called "Foochow Fishball" which received overwhelm response from the local as well as visitors during Borneo Culture Festival each year through its Foochow Fishball stall.

It was on Hari Raya public holiday so the place was flooded by patrons at the time of my visit around 8.30am. The Dim Sum were served on self-service basis, where you gonna choose the Dim Sum you like, then pay the money at the cashier counter only then you can enjoy the foods!

It's written clearly on the notice that one basket of any kind of Dim Sum costs RM4, but if you take 3 baskets of any flavors in one go, you get a cheaper treat of RM11, a very typical charge for eating Dim Sum in Sibu.

I went for 6 baskets since the serving portion of 3 baskets look like not that sufficient for 2 persons. As I was the first timer there, I just chose the Dim Sum variants randomly, which seems to be more eyes catchy to me. I couldn't find any Foochow Fishball in the Dim Sum baskets on the steamer which I thought it is not served as Dim Sum, but you can order some kind of Kueh Tiaw soup or Tang Hoon (transparent kind of rice vermicelli) soup which have the Foochow Fishball in them.

Actually I was wrong! After I did some survey and reading on the Internet, the Foochow Fishball is served as Dim Sum as well, but why the hell I didn't see them during my visit? Either I didn't notice and the staff never bother to recommend it to the customers or the demand is overtaken by the supply or the shop change its menu? Can somebody enlighten me?

Here are the variants I chose. Not sure about their specific name, but I know there was a basket of Yong Tao Foo (Stuffed fried bean curd), a basket of meatball, ham's roll (with preserved egg in it), fish paste rolls and curry fish ball. The curry fish balls are quite nice to eat with very bouncy and chewy fish balls. Others are average, no special surprise.

The most thing surprised me when dining at this shop is not the main dishes, but it was the sambal paste which really caught my taste buds! It was not just a sauce to dip in when eating the Dim Sum, but it was really a very delicious sambal paste full of dried shrimp taste to go along with the foods! Absolutely yummy and thumbs up for the paste!

Another good thing is the coffee served here is thick and nice! It says that the coffee beans are grind on the spot.

One bad thing about the eatery is that WiFi connection is detected in the premise with SSID "Fish Culture Cafe", which I thought is opened for customers but it is not! I asked the password from the staff, but they refused to give. When I asked if the WiFi is not open for public use, the cashier smile to me and say "yes". Ok... I know this is not a big deal, but I believe this can be improved since they get good business. WiFi service is a cheapest way you get free promotion of your shop in these modern days! Either you open the WiFi for your customers, or if you are not ready for that, please hide the SSID to avoid misunderstanding.

Sibu International Dance Festival 2012 - The Special Outdoor Show

Sibu International Dance Festival 2012 had finally come to an end after the final show on 25th August 2012 near Sibu Heritage Center.

Unlike the previous 3-night performances at Sibu Civic Center, the final night was held at outdoor and it was opened to the public! The show was again sponsored by Pansar Berhad as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities program.

Total of 10 dances were performed on the night, with 2 performance each by the host - Hornland Dance Theatre's dance troupe, Foon Yew High School Dance Society of Johor,  Kusuma Budaya Dance Theatre of Java, Indonesia and also Taiwan XueJing Youth Dance Troupe respectively, while Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Dance Troupe and Sibu Martial Arts performed a dance each.

The uniquely designed Sibu Heritage Center tunnel style's entrance had been converted to be the performance stage of the night. With the special lighting, the temporary stage look so gorgeous, yet the slope as well as the shape of the platform which is wide to narrow had caused certain level of challenge to the performers (I believe).

Despite the imperfectness of the stage, the dancers had performed once again to the best they could to entertain the crowds who came all the way to witness this great event! I believe the spectators had really enjoy the show. This was proven when once rain was falling from the sky, but the spectators seem oblivious to it. When the rain getting bigger, some just tried to get a shelter and continue watching from a further distance instead of leaving the place.

One good thing about the open air concept's performance is that it was more informal, thus photography was allowed throughout the show! I shouldn't feel that "high" actually since the compact camera I carried is not an ideal device to capture photo in such extreme environment, - dark surrounding and moving objects. Yes! I was aware of that! But I still tried my best to snap some just to see if I could add something nice into my photo collection and share with my blog readers!! These photos shared here are specially selected among the many many shot!

After the completion of a energetic and relaxing dance named "Our Land" performed by XueJing Youth Dance Troupe from Taiwan showcasing the happy and relaxing life of Taiwanese native, it denoted the official ending of the 2012 Sibu International Dance Festival!

What a great event and I am looking forward for the next one in the near future!

What a colorful post as well! I like it a lot!!

Related Posts:

1. Sibu International Dance Festival 2012 - Pansar Fiesta Night
2. 2012诗巫国际舞蹈节观后感

Sibu International Dance Festival 2012 - Pansar Fiesta Night

Attended Sibu International Dance Festival (SIDF) 2012 organized by Hornland Dance Theatre in association with Sibu Municipal Council last night. Some how I got a free ticket to the event. Last night the event was given a name "Pansar Fiesta Night" as it was sponsored by Pansar Group, a local corporate.

I felt hesitate to go when I first get the ticket since I am a total layman when talking about dancing. But foreseen that it was a big event and the ticket actually worth at least RM20 (on donation basis), I decided not to waste it and gave it a try.

For your information, Hornland Dance Theatre is a local owned dancing group who promotes the arts of dance and conducts dancing classes in the region.

Proven my decision is not wrong when the show started on time - 7.30pm sharp and there was no political talks or whatsoever speech at all! What I did was go to the venue on time, sit back, relax and enjoy the continuous dancing performance from start till the end of the show! No time-wasting interval at all except a short 15 minutes' break in between. That's great!

A total of 12 dance groups are taking part in the 3 days dance performance, 4 are local groups, 2 from Peninsular Malaysia and others are invited from foreign countries including Indonesia(1), Singapore(3) and Taiwan(2).

Only 10 groups were performing last night with total of 13 varieties of dances been performed. Etnik Revolution from Sibu opened the night with their dance titled "Kanjet Ngeleput" or Blowpipe Dance, a traditional Orang Ulu dance showcasing a Sape player playing the music and another showing off his blowpipe skills! Some audience were startled by the sudden roars of the Orang Ulu warrior, yet entertained by his pipe-blowing skill which broke the balloons from distance! What a nice and impressive dance to start off the show full of the colors of Borneo!

Other dance performances are as follow:
- The Clouds Chasing the Moon 云追月 by Foon Yew High School Dance Society, Johor 柔佛新山宽柔中学舞蹈团
- Odissi by Temple of Fine Arts of Kuala Lumpur
- The Teahouse Server 茶倌 by Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Dance Troupe 新加坡福建会馆舞蹈团
- Anjatha Sculptures- The Dancing Apsaras by Mayan Dance Theatre, Singapore
- Jepin Sibu by Sri Swangsa, Sibu
- The sounds of the Forest 山林 by Foon Yew High School Dance Society, Johor

- The Desert Flame 大漠风采 by XueJing Youth Dance Troupe, Taiwan 台北雪璟青少年舞蹈团
- Dhol Bhaje Folk Dance by Temple of Fine Arts of Kuala Lumpur
- Kilir - Dian Dancers, Singapore
- Whispers of Rain 荷塘。欢歌 - Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Dance Troupe
- Srimpi Guitar (welcome dance) by Kusuma Budaya Dance Theatre, Java Indonesia

- Our Land 原乡风情 by XueJing Youth Dance Troupe, Taiwan

[XueJing Youth Dance Troupe from Taiwan]

As I mentioned earlier, I am a layman as far as dancing is concern. However, I could feel the efforts of everyone, especially the dancers who had performed to their very best, with each movement they did are that neat, accurate, energetic and filled with beauty! In addition to that, the lighting, the colorful costume wore by the performers, the clear music and sounds effects had added up to give the highest visual pleasure I ever experience so far for a stage performance! Big claps to all the performers as well as those hidden behind the stage!

I just knew that SIDF had actually hire a professional lighting designer from Kuala Lumpur just to make sure the performers have the most suitable performing environment. No wonder the lighting last night was so impressive! Well done SIDF!

No photography or video shooting is allowed on the event except those authorized. Therefore I just managed to snap some group photos after the end of the show.

[Foon Yew High School Dance Society of Johor]

As a conclusion, it is a very great and entertaining event to attend and looking forward to have another chance in the coming years!

[Sri Swangsa Sibu]

[Singapore's troupe]

 [Photo taking with VIP]

[Nice entrance design]

Note: The collage photos are taken from Hornland Dance Theatre Facebook fan page. Visit the page to view more photos on this event.

Reference:
- http://tribune.my/home/16190-sibu-international-dance-festival-from-21-25-aug.html
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hornland-Dance-theatre/310346967175
- https://www.facebook.com/events/373800956016036/?ref=nf

Sri Aman Char Kueh @ Sibu

I blogged about Sri Aman Char Kueh some ages ago, which is a "must try" if you happen to visit to the town of peace. Trust me, that Char Kueh is the best you can find in this state!

I am craving for it every time I visit to Sri Aman. But you know what? The good news is that now you no need to drive 3.5 hrs from Sibu all the way to Sri Aman to taste the food, but you can now have it in Sibu itself!!

Since 01/05/2012, the stall selling authentic Sri Aman Teo Chew style fried rice cake had started its business at Medan Mall area's Taste Food Courts! It's easy to spot the place, just between Courts Mammoth and Seng Hen shoplots!

Outside the stall you can see a big banner showcasing "Sri Aman Char Kueh", both sweet version and salt version. So, guess it's very easy to find it.

I had give it a try to see if the taste is authentic enough compare to the original serving at Sri Aman. What I found out is, this stall served a very decent Sri Aman style of Char Kueh which taste 90% like the original one! I just went for the sweet version.

The cook very generous in adding the eggs but I personally feel he should put in more dried radish (Chai po) which can make the entire dish more chewy and delicious. These 2 ingredients are vital to produce a nice plate of Char Kueh.

The cook running the stall is actually a young man origin from Sri Aman who come all the way to Sibu to run the business. As Sibu is a town dominated by Foochow clan, so this type of Teo Chew delicacy is hardly found here. Therefore, the business has high potential if it can caught the taste buds of Siburians.

After a brief interview with him, I had been acknowledged that he is actually the nephew of the Char Kueh stall owner near market area of Sri Aman which I used to go! His father also operates another Char Kueh stall at Srijaya area in Sri Aman. They had run the business for decades!

So, I believe he had inherit and if not inherit, then should have managed to learn some of the secrets in frying a nice plate of authentic Teo Chew style Char Kueh from his elders before came here for the business.

A plate of Char Kueh priced at RM3.00 but you can request for additional eggs for extra RM1.00. The serving portion is not that big, so for big eaters, it's not a good choice to order it as main course but ideal as side orders. It is best to eat as snack or supper.

Honestly, in my personal opinion, I still prefer the original Char Kueh sold at Sri Aman. I think the experience make difference here even though the taste is near to identical. However, the Sibu stall is good enough to heal my miss towards the authentic Char Kueh from Sri Aman and therefore I highly recommend it!