There’s something about the way old and new blend together in
the town of Kuching in a manner that isn’t seen very often. Within the past few
years, we Kuching-ites have experienced a boom of new shops and malls and along
with it, ways to entertain ourselves, keep us occupied and connected to the
world we know today. With old ways quickly phasing out, it’s nice to know that
certain things remain.
Within the busy streets of the Kuching market area which
holds the new Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall and the famous Open Air Market, is a
street called Khai Joo Lane that is often overlooked. You’ll find this alleyway
between the Bank Simpanan and Central Police Station or in the midway point of
India Street and that’s where we’ll be going today on our Urban Palate Foodventure.
There’s something magical about traversing through parts old
Kuching like Khai Joo Lane while you’re treading on those old tiled streets and faded walls that have stood since Charles Brooke himself would make his way through
those streets and find himself some coffee. It only makes it fitting that the
first shop you’ll see upon entering the street from the main road is a quaint shop
selling only Mee Jawa and Satay called La Tanza Cafe. Why are we going there you may ask? My answer
is, Adventure.
If you’re looking at the menu inside, I still stand by what
I said about only selling Mee Jawa and Satay. The menu is a remnant of the old
tenant who used to operate here, but for whatever reason you’ll still see it on
these walls. Also, refrain from asking the owner about whether you can order
some Indonesian Bakso because he’ll tell you that he doesn’t serve Indonesian
food here. I found this quite strange as the noodles he was serving, was Mee
Jawa. Mee Jawa is indicative of its heritage from Indonesia, but I just let
this one cheekily slide. Besides, if he’s been making Mee Jawa for 40 years, he
deserves some leeway at least.
Here’s a fun fact if you’re in Indonesia. Do not confuse Mee
Jawa with Bakmi Jawa. They’re not the same thing. Trust me. Mee Jawa as we know
it here, is known as Mi Rebus there.
If you finally are able to get yourself a seat and order a
plate of Mee Jawa with Satay, you’ll notice how almost everyone knows each
other here. From the way the owner greets the customers and how the customers
are made up of either old friends catching up or families coming in for a good
breakfast, you will notice what’s different here from new shops nowadays. A soul. A
connection to food we eat.
Upon having your plate arrive at your table, you’ll realise
with your eyes as to why these guys keep coming back. I'd guess it from how sexy the way those
noodles resting on your plate are swimming in that gold gravy that’s topped
with fresh garnish while accompanied with a soft boiled egg and hot juicy satay
with peanut kuah.
If you’re used to the punch of sweetness that you usually
get when you’re eating Mee Jawa, you will not get this here as flavours are
balanced with just the right amount of sweet and savoury while the garnish
sprinkled over it provides freshness to the palate. That’s a good thing by the
way, if you’ve not noticed.
It is a welcome addition that there is a beautiful
jelly-like egg yolk, which is perfect for gravy like this as it doesn’t get
lost in your gravy. What you want mixing in with your gravy though, is that
savoury nutty peanut kuah which if you can’t see, is accompanied by that juicy
Satay which I may add is absolutely essential and also better than most places
who dedicate their businesses to just making Satay.
What you get here, is not just a really good balanced plate
of Mee Jawa. What you’re getting here is what makes going out to eat so enjoyable.
A chance to be a part of our past and our present.
La Tanza Café is opened for Mee Jawa and Satay every day
except Sundays from 7am to 11am or till they sell out. A bowl of Mee Jawa is RM3.50 and Satay is priced separately and averages RM2.70. Your total bill will be RM6.20. Don't remind me how weird it is.
One must also note that this is only the first of the
reviews that I am going to do on this street. Up next.. Here’s a little sneak peek
into next week’s post. There's a new post every Monday from around 8pm - 9pm.
