SIBU: Foodies have been making a beeline for a popular stall at Park City Food Court which sells delicious prawn noodles.
The dishes, however, are not inexpensive. Each bowl goes for between RM15 and RM25.
The one-year-old stall run by Sii Tuong Ching has been attracting customers who relish eating fresh and succulent giant “udang galah” (freshwater prawns).
Sii, who has been in the food business for more than a decade, operated a stall in Sibu town before moving to SibuJaya.
“In hindsight, I should have relocated earlier to SibuJaya where I have stayed for 16 years. It makes sense to trade here instead of in town,” she said.
Business at SibuJaya was also very brisk compared to when she was operating in town.
“Our lives have improved ever since I moved to Park City Food Court,” she said.
On what drove her food business to improve after the relocation, the 46-year-old woman said there were several factors.
Firstly, is tastiness; secondly is the location which must be right such as SibuJaya that has a population of over 30,000 people.
“In SibuJaya I also get to serve customers from Durin and Kanowit and those waiting for their flights or picking up someone at the nearby airport,” she said.
With the Pan Borneo Highway well under construction and the road linking Sibu to Kapit via Durin nearing completion, Sii anticipated an even bigger surge in her clientele.
“Even now I have customers from Kapit who drive down and shop at SibuJaya. I am confident that after the road has been completed, we will see more Kapit people visiting SibuJaya,” she said.
On her future plans, the mother of two said she was hoping to move from her single-storey home to a much bigger unit in SibuJaya.
“One of my two sons is working and when my financial situation improves, I want to buy a double-storey home, preferably a corner lot,” she said with a chuckle.
Those seeking a taste of her prawn noodles can head to Park City where she is operating seven days a week.
A visitor from Kuala Lumpur, Fadzil Dolah, who was in town for a business trip, was seen with his friends ordering her prawn noodles.
Fadzil said he heard so much about the freshwater prawns of Sarawak and when his friends told him he could sample it before flying off, he did not want to miss the opportunity.
“There are so many exciting things about Sarawak and I am glad I have been able to sample one of the many delicacies before flying off,” he said.
For his next trip here, Fadzil wants to taste the famous “midin belacan” and “terubok bakar” to his dining experience list.
“I’ll be back,” he said before heading for Sibu Airport.
