Mee Kolok a.k.a Mee Sapi

kolo mee

There can be only one logical choice – kolo mee, the ubiquitous tossed noodle that has become so much part of the city folks’ life.

Laksa might stake a claim, but at best it can only claim to be Sarawak’s variety of this dish as several other states can also lay claim to this dish.

Kolo mee is a different kettle of fish altogether. It is ‘endemic’ to Kuching, and only in recent years has it spread to other towns in Sarawak. In fact, its popularity has spread to a few eateries in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur!

However, kolo mee is still hard to come by in these cities, and Kuching natives working there often crave for its simple but unique taste.

Somehow, kolo mee does not taste like the kolo mee they used to eat, unless it is eaten in Kuching.

The same applies for kolo mee – it has to be made, cooked and eaten in Kuching to be the real deal.

If Kuching natives cannot come back, then the next best thing is to get someone coming their way from the city to buy packets of the noodles for them.

It is inconvenient, no doubt, but it is worth all the trouble for these kolo mee addicts.Indeed, what it so special about this ‘poor man’s food’? ‘Not so young’ citizens still reminiscence the good old days when a bowl of kolo mee ‘kosong’ (served without any garnishing) cost 30 cents and a standard serving with slivers of meat cost an extra 20 cents.

Kolo mee ‘special’ with extra garnishing like boiled prawns costing at least a few ringgit more were unheard of in those days … life was simple then.

In recent years, kolo mee earned another reason to be the signature dish of Kuching when it transcended the racial barrier and made it into the menu of Malay coffee shops through its halal version.Although it has not make it to the ranks of `nasi lemak’ or `mee jawa’ in halal eateries, mee kolok has gained a large following among those who eat only halal food.

The famous place of mee kolok at Kuching is at Benteng Baru Kubah Ria. The Mee kolok is as know as "mee kolok Mangkok Merah" because it will serve by the red bowl. 

mee kolok mangkuk merah website - http://dcyberinfo.blogspot.com/2012/04/mee-kolok-di-benteng-satok-kuching.html

mee kolok mangkuk merah

go to this website - https://foursquare.com/v/mee-kolok-mangkuk-merah/4dea48ced164ef597ce62317

here we know what customer will comment ang give a tips.

Sarawak Laksa

The mighty Laksa Sarawak packs a hefty punch, featuring rice vermicelli in a rich and spicy broth topped with generous portions of shredded chicken, bean sprouts, strips of egg omelette and fresh prawns; sometimes you can opt to have yellow egg noodles instead of the regular rice vermicelli. The secret to a good bowl of laksa is in the stock, and the oomph comes from a combination of (reputedly over twenty) different root gingers and spices, making this a defining and unique Kuching dish. It is a perennial favourite with locals as well as visitors. Two of the more popular places in Kuching to try out the delicious Laksa Sarawak would most probably have to be Foody Goody and Madam Tang’s.

Laksa Sarawak at Madam Tang, Bishop’s Gate Road

Laksa Sarawak at Foody Goody, Stutong Baru

Unfortunately, that is all we have for now, but, for all you Laksa Sarawak lovers out there, be sure to check back for more upcoming posts on other Laksa offerings.Selamat menjamu selera!

Sarawak Cultural Village

To see Sarawak in one sunny day .. this is the basic concept of Sarawak Cultural Village, where the 48,000 square miles of Malaysia's most majestic State are condensed into just 17 acres. One leisurely stroll opens seven homes to the visitor, seven cultures, including the famous longhouses of Borneo.

           Ever since tourism took its first hesitant steps into Sarawak in the 1960s, the intrepid 'adventurers' who veered off the beaten track found Borneo's unique house-form an irresistible attraction. Of course they wanted to see the landscape of breathtaking splendour and the world's richest ecosystem, but the fascinating array of peoples and cultures was the real magnet. Unfortunately, Sarawak is huge, much of it covered by rugged mountains and jungle. How can a visitor hope to sample it all in less than three weeks of arduous travel?

           A few far-sighted planners suggested that we build a 'model' village or longhouse within easy reach of Kuching. In the 1970s, cultural performances in a langkau in the Museum Gardens scored a spectacular success. This reactivated the idea; the Reservoir Park was suggested as a possible site, so was Sungai China in Matang. The Sarawak Museum contributed ethnographic and cultural input... but nothing came of it. There were other development priorities.

           The plan for a Cultural Village was resuscitated in the 1980s, after the whole Damai area had been identified as a 'tourism zone'. Architects and engineers engaged in the early stages of the project cruised up and down the river in the time-honoured Sarawak way - Santubong Bridge didn't link the road from Kuching to the sea until 1988. The very road to and from the bridge and around the steep flank of Mt.Santubong had to be built first!

           But build it they did - SCV took shape with a Bidayuh, Iban, Orang Ulu and Melanau longhouse, a Penan hut and a Malay village house, and a Chinese farm house. By mid-1989 a solemn house-warming ceremony with offerings and sacrifice put life into the empty wooden structures. The dream had become reality.

About Sarawak Cultural Village

Tucked away at the foothills of legendary Mount Santubong, 35 km from Kuching is Sarawak's fascinating cultural showcase, the award winning "Sarawak Cultural Village" which is also the venue for the World Harvest Festival and the Rainforest World Music Festival, an internationally renowned festival.

This living museum is wholly owned by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and conveniently portrays their respective lifestyle amidst 14 acres of tropical vegetation.

Here, it is possible to see Sarawak's ethnic diversity at a glance. The handicraft is both bewildering and tempting, including the Kain Songket (Malay cloth with gold inlay), Pua Kumbu (Iban housewives textiles), Melanau Terendak (sunhat), Bidayuh tambok (basket), Iban parang (swords), Orang Ulu wood carving and Chinese ceramics.

The 45-minute cultural performance of songs, dances and entertainment is something you will not want to miss during your visit to Sarawak.

-For more information, please visit http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/Web-Page/Places/States-of-Malaysia/Sarawak/Sarawak-Cultural-Village

Ethnic Races 1

DAYAK IBAN

Dayak iban girl dances

The Ibans are a branch of the Dayak peoples of Borneo. In Malaysia, most Ibans are located in Sarawak, a small portion in Sabah and some in west Malaysia. They were formerly known during the colonial period by the British as Sea Dayaks. Ibans were renowned for practising headhuntingand tribal/territorial expansion and had a fearsome reputation as a strong and successful warring tribe in ancient times.

Since the arrival of Europeans and the subsequent colonisation of the area, headhunting gradually faded out of practice although many tribal customs, practices and language continue. The Iban population is concentrated in Sarawak, Brunei, and in the West Kalimantan region ofIndonesia. They live in longhouses called rumah panjai[1].

Nowadays, most of the Iban longhouses are equipped with modern facilities such as electricity and water supply and other facilities such as (tar sealed) roads, telephone lines and the internet. Younger Ibans are mostly found in urban areas and visit their hometowns during the holidays. The Ibans today are becoming increasingly urbanised while retaining most of their traditional heritage and culture.

Origin of Sarawak

James Brooke was appointed Rajah by the Sultan of Brunei on 18 August 1842. Brooke ruled the territory, later expanded, across the western regions of Sarawak around Kuching until his death in 1868. His nephewCharles Anthoni Johnson Brooke became Rajah after his death; he was succeeded on his death in 1917 by his son, Charles Vyner Brooke, with the condition that Charles should rule in consultation with his brotherBertram Brooke.The Sarawak territories were greatly enlarged under the Brooke dynasty, mostly at the expense of areas nominally under the control of Brunei. In practice Brunei had only controlled strategic river and coastal forts in much of the lost territory, so most of the gain was at the expense of Muslim warlords and of the de facto independence of local tribes.

The Brooke dynasty ruled Sarawak for a hundred years and became famous as the "White Rajahs", accorded a status within the British Empire similar to that of the rulers of Indian princely states. In contrast to many other areas of the empire, however, the Brooke dynasty was intent on a policy of paternalism in order to protect the indigenous population against exploitation. They governed with the aid of the Muslim Malay and enlisted the Ibans and other "Dayak" as a contingent militia. The Brooke dynasty also encouraged the immigration of Chinese merchants but forbade the Chinese to settle outside of towns in order to minimise the impact on the Dayak way of life. Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak, established the Sarawak Museum, the oldest museum in Borneo.

In the early part of 1941 preparations were afoot to introduce a new constitution, designed to limit the power of the Rajah and give the people of Sarawak a greater say in government. Despite this democratic intention, the draft constitution contained irregularities, including a secret agreement drawn up between Charles Vyner Brooke and his top government officials, financially compensating him via treasury funds.