Tag Archives: exploring Kuching

Serapi Hotel

Posted in Leisure & Travel, Reviews by

Serapi Hotel is the best choice of hotel (so far) if your travel plans involve a lot of visiting relatives who are staying around Matang or Petra Jaya. That was the uttermost decision-making point that made me choose this hotel as opposed to my usual selections around the Padungan area. This hotel should not be mistaken with another Serapi (Verdure) Hotel at Hospital Umum Sarawak. Our hotel is located near Satok.

Waiting for our rented car
The lobby

I booked 2 Twin Rooms at the hotel for a 5D4N stay. It costs me a total of RM 1526.40. There was free parking space for our rented car (limited), breakfast and WIFI (too slow, we used our own line). I had one room with my daughter and my husband shared another room with my son. I decided to book two separate rooms for comfort because the kids are growing and the bed is too small to fit all of us together.

Check-in was at 2PM. We had a few minor inconveniences upon checking in. My room couldn’t be opened because the battery for the door was out. So, the hotelier gave me another room on the same floor. My husband on the other hand had a non-functioning air conditioner in his room. They had a really warm night and were so hot that they had to open the windows. They were given a new room the next day.

At this hotel, housekeeping is not done daily. You need to put in a request before 4pm. I just wished they would clean the bathroom better. The walls need some scrubbing.

Breakfast was ok. We really loved the chicken and fried dumplings. The selection was acceptable. The coffee was ok. Of course, the coffee I make at home tastes better. The location was great considering the activities we planned. Serapi Hotel is a bit further than town but there are plenty of eateries to go to nearby. Understandably, these places are not open on Raya. So, we really missed out on delicious mi kolok and laksa Sarawak. But I look forward to my visit in September for my cousin’s wedding.

Another area of the lobby
Checking out

Dapur Melanau

Posted in Everyday Life, Food and Drinks, Places to Eat by

Dad was really excited to bring us here. So, we went there for dinner on our 2nd day in Kuching. We ordered familiar dishes such as linut, umai, tumpik and nasi goreng dabai. My nephew had their ‘mi sup’ but it turned out to be spicy – probably due to its white pepper.

Linut is known in other Bornean states as Ambuyat. It is a sticky paste like thing you eat with it’s condiments. The set was out of stock, so we had it with just the sambal. The umai was OK – it is quite hard to give it a rating because we all know our (late) mom’s umai is the best. Dad loved the nasi goreng dabai but I preferred the one I cook at home. Ha ha. The tumpik was exceptionally delicious. It is simple but appetizing at the same time.

Overall, it was a great dining experience. I would definitely come back here for it’s linut and tumpik.

Dapur Melanau : LOT 14171 (SUBLOT 38 OF SURVEY LOT 13766) SECTION 65 GROUND FLOOR, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak

This place is located at Metrocity where all the modern eating happens. Meaning that there are a few good restaurants located nearby. So, lots of food options for everyone. I noticed that there is one particular ice cream shop that keeps popping up everywhere but have yet to try it. Maybe something to explore during my next trip to Kuching.

Linut
Umai
Nasi Goreng Dabai
Tumpik

Kuching 2022: Food Glorious Food

Posted in Leisure & Travel by

I had this intense craving for Bing. Especially their chicken panini and coffee latte. Perhaps it’s the sauce, the mustard? Or the right amount of crunch to it. We don’t have Bing in Melaka but we do have Bing in Kuching. I missed it so much that as soon as we landed, I ordered it via Grabfood and had it delivered to the hotel. We devoured it straight up after checking into our room. In a way, this was to give my husband a glimpse of what I liked during housemanship, during my lunch ‘dates’ or weekend ‘dates’ with Stella. The taste, amazingly even after more than a decade is still the same.

Of course, it is not a visit to Kuching if you don’t go to Topspot. How can you skip Topspot?

TOPSPOT

As usual, it is Shop No 25. The evergreen menu is midin belacan, ambal kari, udang (shrimp) Nestum, bawal 3 rasa, oyster egg and salted egg crabs. We ordered a bit too much fruit juice. If you order a large jug, it is actually enough for 10 adults to have at least 2-3 standard glasses each. It is that much.

THE REEF

This is my first time coming here. My dad loved it so much. He ordered at least 10 dishes from mixed vegetables, prawns, squids, crabs, chicken and all. We were so full.

GULA APONG ICE CREAM

It doesn’t matter which shop you want to get it from. Just try it. It is no longer a Sarawak delicacy though cause we’ve got brands sprouting in Semenanjung. I particularly enjoyed the ice cream Mokti which is available in Melaka.

EAT AT THE WATERFRONT

I had the nasi goreng dabai and ‘sirap’ which is a different cordial from the ones you get in Semenanjung. In Kuching they use the Grenadine cordial.

MOM’S LAKSA

I used to enjoy Madam Tang’s Laksa at Spring Mall. I haven’t been there for a while so I am not quite sure if it still exists. Mom’s Laksa is not bad either. The broth is kids friendly meaning it is not that spicy or too herbal. Foreign tourists would enjoy it I think. Here, you not only can order Laksa Sarawak but you could also order Mee Kolok.

KOPI O KORNER

The breakfast here is great. Of course it is the usual Laksa Sarawak, Mee Kolok, Mi POk, Mee Jawa! In the afternoon they have nasi campur. At night, they are open for the goreng2 dishes.

Special mentions

Lok Thian (thai restaurant), Rumah Hijau and Singapore Chicken rice. I mean there’s probably more but I’d have to stay in Kuching to be able to sample it all. Ha ha ha.