On average, a normal bowl or packet of kolo mee costs RM2.50. But during this time, it is sold at RM3.00 or even RM3.50. Still, people buy. Why? Because kolo mee is staple in Kuching. Further, CNY is the time where some people make their annual journey back to Kuching. And when in Kuching, how can one NOT eat kolo mee? So despite the price and the long wait for your orders, the kolo mee business is very good.
Kolo Mee Pok, RM3.00. Pre-CNY price, as this was bought on CNY eve.
Mee Pok is a thin and flat egg noodle. This I bought from Soon Heng, stall 23 at Kenyalang Wet Market.
Kolo Mee, RM2.50, Post-CNY price
This was from Kim Sen, stall 24 at Kenyalang Wet Market. The vendor is an elderly man.
Both noodles tasted slightly different, but both very yum. Stall 24's portion is really huge!
Hi remember I commented a while back in your post about the kuih vendor at Kenyalang Market. I'm a frequent visitor there. I know the stall Kim Sen. There are so many kolo mee stalls in Kenyalang Market, each with its own style, but some are not quite to my liking. Anyway, the elderly man you mentioned who's the operator of Kim Sen, did you notice that he has a recreational pastime where he indulges in, occasionally when he's not busy? hehe.. One can easily spot him at his pastime if one sticks around in the 'middle alley' of the market food court.
ReplyDeletehi hans ... i was at kim sen's again this morning. in fact, i always go during the peak hours ... when the elderly operator needs to dish out bowls of kolo mee to feed the hungry breakfast crowd. So ... i'm not sure about his pastime. Is it Chinese chess? I see a lot of elderly men at Kenyalang indulging in it ....
ReplyDeleteHaha, well peak hours is usually the earlier hours eh, like 7 or 8.. His hobby is more musical type, he plays the harmonica by the way, he has that instrument tucked away in his drawer, that he takes out to play occasionally. Maybe one day you'll notice it! Lol. It does provide entertainment to the morning bustles of people chatting in the marketplace. At another corner, there's also some elderly man that likes to bring his own mini radio and play classic songs from his era, probably to reminisce the old days.
ReplyDeleteA few stalls to the right of Kim Sen, there's one loud voiced man operating fried kueh tiaw or mee. Despite his loud voice, he's actually kind of humorous. Saw him playing with a plastic bag once, holding it like a lion's head, to mimic some lion dance moves. He usually fries one huge plate or kueh tiaw/mee for the lady operating chicken rice stall next to Ah Kee Kampua, right before he calls it a day for his business.
And talking while at it, I have to say Ah Kee Kampua is a whole legend on its own. The plump woman's kampua noodles is so well-liked, it's always sold out before 9. And you can see people all over the market having plates from Ah Kee in the early mornings.
In all the diversity, once in a while I do meet some rude people there. There's this one time I sit across from a man's table, and I noticed someone brushed across his back accidentally, and he was cursing the woman as blind. And me being a little too observant of the scenario, was shouted by him for "what i am looking at?" in hokkien..hmm..
By the, you stay near to Kenyalang? I read from your posts you seem to work in Miri, so I presume you frequently come back to your home residence at Kuching hence your posts of Kuching foods every so often.
Hello Hans,
ReplyDeleteYou are right. I work in Miri. I am a teacher. So I will come back to Kuching visit my parents during school holidays. I am back here most school holidays.
You seem very familiar with the market scenario yourself! You must be living in the neighbourhood as well. Well, anyway, you are right. Kenyalang Market is a stone's throw away from where I stay. I usually take a morning walk there with my mom, when she sources for fresh produce for the day's meals. So, sometimes when we feel like it, we will go upstairs to the food court to buy kolo mee.
We are usually there very early, so I really have not seen the amusing antics of the vendors there. They sure sound like a fun-loving lot! The chicken rice lady happens to stay just down the road from my house. When my dad orders a lot from her for festivals, she will send the orders right to my doorsteps. But for the umpteenth year that I have stayed here, I have never tried the kampua.
Hence, I'd better do that tomorrow morning!!
Sorry, I've lost track of this post. Haha. I see, no wonder you're always there. Yup, I do live in I believe is the southern region of Kuching, but not like a stone throw away Kenyalang. I'm a regular visitor there too.
ReplyDeleteHow's the kampua? =)
I haven't gotten around to the kampua, unfortunately. I must try it my next trip!
ReplyDelete