KUCHING: Muslim-friendly Kampua? Bak Kut Teh and Mee Sua, too? And prepared by a Chinese? Yeah! You heard it right!
Anyway, I decided to find it out for myself.
I drove to Batu Lintang Food Court where Sadiqin Lim Kampua & Ba Kut Teh is located.
They say food brings people together and unites people of all races. True enough, when I reached the stall, I was amazed to see multiracial customers – Malays, Chinese and natives – tucking into their food, while having their conversation.
Operating as early as 6.30 am daily, the stall serves its famous Kampua Masin/Sos/Manis, Mee Sua Soup, Beef Bak Kut Teh and Dry Wonton until everything till noon.
Owner Mohd Sadiqin Lim, 34, a Chinese Muslim, was inspired to bring in the authentic taste of Sibu noodles, in a Muslim-friendly way to Kuching.
Originally from Sibu, he moved to Kuching in 2006 to further his studies and then ventured in the food business after working in several industries.
“My mother is from Sibu, and my father from Dalat. Why introduce Foochow food Sibu? Because when I came to Kuching, I tried to look for authentic Kampua but the local one wasn’t anywhere near the original taste.
“So I decided to venture into F&B to bring the authentic taste of Sibu noodles to Kuching,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
Highlighting the delicacies available at his stall, he said, the food is not only Muslim-friendly but also a vegetarian-friendly as he uses vegetable oil.
“The non-Muslim friendly food use pork oil, but I use vegetable oil, so that vegetarians can also eat here; they can request for mi kosong (without chicken meat).
“I have Muslim, Indian, Christian and Buddhist customers,” he added.
He said food unites people in this country.
“Everybody wants to have their fill. Just now, I have Muslim converts who came here just to satisfy their craving for Chinese food.
“Because, once they convert, the will surely miss eating food that they enjoyed previously.
“That is the reason why I focus on Muslim-friendly Chinese foods,” he said.
He said Malayans residing here also visit his stall.
“We have a lot of them in the morning. They enjoy our food, especially the Bak Kut Teh. Because for them, it is hard to find Muslim-friendly food at other places.
“I am very happy because everybody gets to taste something that they never tried before. Something new for them not only for Malayans, but also Singaporeans, Indonesians and Bruneians.
“Especially for the Indonesians, their tour guide will bring them here to try out something different,” he said.
Mohd Sadiqin said food unites people, especially among working colleagues.
“Food brings each other here, to enjoy breakfast in one place where everybody feels safe to eat and that enhances unity.”
