Showing posts with label Khai Joo Lane. Show all posts

OLD KUCHING PART 2: TAKE A PUFF OF THIS, CHONG CHON BISCUIT MAKER

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*Khai Joo Lane - Google
Continuing where we left off in the previous post, today we at Urban Palate will be travelling through Khai Joo Lane, to visit Chong Chon which is part of our Old Kuching mini-series.


If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you may click HERE.

I can’t recall how exactly I found this place with a friend of mine, Joshua for the first time. What I do recall though, was an approximate location given to us by a priest who wanted us to find the best puffs in Kuching. Needless to say, by the grace of God and good instincts, we found the right one because these puffs are absolutely superb. ALL OF THEM are, by the way.

Located along the walkway of Khai Joo Lane, is Chong Chon. This elusive shop that has been open for about 40 years sells the best puffs you’ll find yourself eating in Kuching. It helps that its location is in the heart of the city, which makes bringing friends here relatively easy if you’re planning on exploring the city area by foot.
I was the only one it seems who wasn't ready for this picture. #muchseds
Arriving here at the right time can a bit tricky as only the Siew Pau’s are ready before 11am and everything else should be done by 1pm onwards. If you take your time though, like arrive say past 3pm you might not even have a chance to try any puffs at all as they run out quickly. Like, really quickly. People literally buy them in boxes.



If you’ve never tried these puffs, and by chance you arrive when they're all still ready, I’d suggest you to just try one of each. If I could liken the experience of having a bite of of these for the first time, I'd compare it to hearing classical music while watching the world spin in slow motion. 








While waiting for your puffs to be ready, feel free to speak to any one of the patrons as they’d be more than happy to share with you their rich history that spans from the 40 years they’ve been in business and the recipe they inherited from their mother who came from Taiwan. Fun fact, their mother is also the owner of the recipe for a certain “Chong Chon” at Third Mile that serves Home-Made Green Noodles. That though, is a story for another day.

You may proceed to either eat your puffs at home, or the café next door who will gladly allow you to sit there if you would kindly buy yourself a drink.

Before we start dissecting the puffs, I must add that ALL of the pastry skin has a strange ability to hold the filling while still being crumbly and buttery. If you haven't realized, this is a good thing. A very very good thing actually.

Curry Puff



If what you're used to when you're eating curry puffs is a ton of potato and a tiny spoonful of meat, you'll get your money's worth here as this is nothing like the aforementioned. Yes, you will notice some potato but you will also be able to get large chunks of meat with every bite. The flavour of curry is also very evident as the curry powder used is strong but not overpowering while carrying a mild kick of heat, which is still friendly for those who aren't fond of spicy foods.
Siew Pau





The Siew Pau if what I'm told is correct, is what people come here for. The filling is a mixture of a garlic like gravy which may be quite strong for some, but is delicious nonetheless while the pork inside is juicy and chunky.


The Yam Puffs here as shown above, are second to none as the skin as I've mentioned before is the right thickness so you don't get a large chunk of the pastry without meat as you bite into them for the first time. I don't like yam. But I LOVE them in this, as its addition provides for a soft mushy gravy that is quite similar to the Siew Pau, but very different in terms of milder flavours and softer textures.
Egg Tart
The crème de la crème of our journey on a personal note, belongs to the Egg Tarts here as the combination of the beautiful pastry that holds that thick creamy custard-like tart is simply divine. Make no mistake. There is nothing dry about this filling nor short of perfection in flavour. 



I cannot rave about this place enough, but should you be in the area or are feeling a bit peckish at the right time but do not want to spoil your tummy for a meal, I'd recommend Chong Chon biscuits for a quick bite and a lasting experience. 



Chong Chon, Khai Joo Lane is opened on the weekdays of Monday - Friday from 10:30am - approx 3:00pm or till they sell out.


You can contact them at 082-248621 if you have a big order to make for an event or party so that they may be able to prepare accordingly.


My friends have been complaining that I don't show a more personal side in terms of me showing myself in pictures, so here's a little treat. 

Major un-glam level 99


OLD KUCHING PART 1: KHAI JOO LANE MEE JAWA

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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.





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