A visit to Siniawan Night Market post-pandemic unearths a feeling of gratitudes for the writter as the world gradually eases from the wounds and bruises left by COVID-19
The beauty of our home shines the most when we decide to appreciate the backyard. Much has changed since the pandemic.
Businesses shut down, attractions become less attractive, and it is taxing to be walking around with a mask on. But since the announcement of Malaysia transitioning into the endemic stage, Sarawak has been gradually becoming the vibrant state we once knew.
Less than an hour’s drive away from Kuching, one of the more popular post-pandemic attractions in Bau, the Tasik Biru, has been developed into a tourist spot with the introduction of the floating hotel, boat rides, and the floating bridge. Apart from the historical lake, there is also another historical street not far from Bau town — Siniawan Old Town.
With its two stretches of old wooden shophouses, Siniawan’s old town architecture brings patrons back to the olden days. Though some old businesses remain, there is no doubt that the town today is filled with newer, much more modern cuisine.
Long overdue visit
It has been a long time since I stepped foot into Siniawan Night Market. I did visit the vicinity during the day. But, it is much more mesmerising at night, along with the hustle and bustle of life there. For months, my husband and I had planned to visit the old town. However, by the time the weekend is here, it will always be raining.
Nonetheless, we were lucky as we got to pay homage to the town dubbed as the land of cowboys recently. The ride to the town from Kuching was a painting with gradient colours as the sky was a mix of different orange hues that evening.
When we arrived right before 7 pm, the place was already thronged with visitors. Parking was already filled. It was not a surprise if patrons arrived in the vicinity two hours earlier.
Once a sleepy town during the pandemic, Siniawan Night Market at present is crowded with people enjoying the breeze and eating under the night sky. There were just too many varieties of food and drinks to choose from. Each presented its own characteristics.
The modern ‘bubble milk tea’ did not escape the scene as many stalls were offering them. Even the latest food craze — sweet potato balls — managed to make an appearance there.
Surely enough, the pandemic had its effect on the town, with old businesses closing down, while new businesses emerged in their place. What remains picturesque are the lanterns hung above the shophouses, against the aged architecture.
The food we ate
It is common to see the regular char kueh tiaw, fried rice, kolo mee, and others at Siniawan old town. I believe many who visited the location were in it for the ambience instead of the food. Food such as fried oyster pancakes, char kueh, and chicken rice were aplenty.
With so many choices in one location, unknowingly whether they were tasty or not, I decided to follow my inkling. However, do not be surprised if you want to order and are told that the wait time is only 20 minutes. One stall even told me I had to wait for my food for 45 minutes. But was it worth it?
On my table, I had char kueh tiaw, egg fried rice with Taiwan sausage, sweet char kueh, oyster pancake, nasi lemak, barbecue pork, bubble milk tea, and sugarcane juice. Each plate was shared, and I savoured every one of them with gratitude.
I was grateful to be able to witness a scene that I was used to before the pandemic. I was also grateful to the loved ones that managed to pull through with me in the fight against the virus. After the world was attacked by COVID-19, I had never thought that I would get to see a place thronged with patrons enjoying the food and ambience.
I had no recollection of the stalls that I ordered from. But they were all delicious in their own way. Sitting and eating at Siniawan Night Market was a different experience than eating at eateries. I felt that I was visiting the place as a tourist, when in fact, I was at home — in my backyard.
