Kuching’s ultimate food paradise
The 101 food centre is a wonderful choice for anyone in Kuching looking to embark on a food adventure as it offers a variety of street foods in addition to the usual seafood dishes.
Kuching has a plethora of eateries, most of which appear to offer similar menu options. The similarities are there, whether it is kolo mee or laksa for breakfast; chicken rice or fried rice for lunch; or Chinese cuisine for dinner — the only difference is the pricing and taste.
Though eating like every Kuchingite would, there are some days when I do crave for the extraordinary. As a foodie on a budget, there are times when I wish the annual Kuching Food Festival ran every day just so I could try something new.
That’s when I realised there’s a place that sells street food 365 days a year. As dusk returns each day, the 101 food centre on Jalan Tun Jugah offers a variety of street food. The centre opens as early as 5pm, and foodies flocked to the area by 7pm. In my opinion, it’s a great place to eat with family and hang out with friends.
While there are many seafood stalls, it is between the smaller stalls that Kuching’s street food comes to life. Here, I talk about my most recent food adventure, during which I discovered the unique charms that make 101 food centre the city’s food paradise.
Stuffed pork snacks
Despite its small size, the stuffed pork burger seemed to have fooled me into thinking it wouldn’t fill me up. The outside is fluffy, while the inside is filled with chunks of mixed vegetables, egg, and pork. It’s like eating a soft and fluffy burger. The taste isn’t memorable, but it’s a good snack to have on hand for a quick fix.
Located next to this stall is the stuffed pork pie. The difference between the two is that the outer layer of this stuffed pork is flaky and dry. It is served without a veggie filling and has a sweeter taste compared to the burger. It makes a great snack as well.
The different types of mochi
Traditional mochi consists only of glutinous rice balls topped with crushed peanuts. However, food innovators have discovered a new way for people to enjoy the dessert while still keeping the essence of tradition.
The chocolate-filled mochi ball is huge and a little messy to eat. The outer layer is coated in bitter chocolate powder, while the inner layer is filled with sweet creamy chocolate. Yes, it’s a little messy, but the thrill of eating this big sticky chocolate ball is worth it all.
The same stall also offers fruity-flavoured mochi that is topped with crushed peanuts. The flavours are intriguing since each one tastes authentic. Despite the sticky texture, the fruity flavour lingers with each bite. On my table during each visit to the 101 food centre, there will always be a serving of this delightful fruity-flavoured mochi.
At the food centre in the back, there is a fresh rival for mochi. I was tempted to try milky mochi, which comes in a variety of flavours. On my most recent visit, I had matcha and charcoal-flavoured mochi. While the flavour was apparent, the milky scent of the mochi lingered. The blend was interesting.
A beautiful plate of char kueh tiaw
As the majority of the big stalls at the 101 food centre are offering seafood and vegetables, it’s no surprise that many customers prefer stir fry dishes. The centre does, after all, open for dinner, so those who come here are hoping to fill up on tasty food after a long day.
I never tried the stir fry dishes, so I ordered this beautiful platter of fried kueh tiaw. It has a bitter wok flavour from stir-frying in a used wok. With the ‘kung-fu’ of its chefs and the fire and seasoning that accentuates the flavour of the plate of noodles, this plate of char kueh tiaw that I had was satisfying.
Juicy bean sprouts and big, crunchy prawns rounded out the dish excellently.
Other foods on my table
Chicken wings are an essential at any hangout session. 101’s version is sweet, soft and juicy. Barbecued chicken wings often bring back memories of my childhood, when my family would grill some over charcoal. As I bite into a piece of barbecued chicken, I would remember that sentiment. Chicken wings, especially ones that are sweet with a charcoal scent, are an excellent snack to have if you’re in the mood for a good gossip session.
Meanwhile, on my most recent visit to the food court, I ordered an oyster omelette. The ones at the 101 food centre are crispy, and the oyster was fresh. This oyster omelette is also a popular among children, who enjoy the crispy texture. It’s as though they’re munching on chips.
The fried durian is a must-have delicacy at the Kuching Food Festival. So, when the 101 stall made it their business to serve it every day, many people flocked and continue to visit to get their hands on the ever-popular fried durian. When biting into the fried durian, the creamy and soft texture of the fruit enveloped by the outer layer is addictive. This is especially true for durian enthusiasts who yearn for the king of fruits during the off-season. This explains why this stall is so popular at the food court.
Overall, while I prefer ‘normal’ food most of the time, there are days when I just want to treat myself to exciting foods like those at the 101 food centre. It is no surprise that, despite the influx of new food outlets in Kuching, 101 continues to thrive.
