I've been a lifelong fan of perennial underdogs in both football （English Premier League) and basketball (NBA) - Tottenham Hotspur and Phoenix Suns.
They are both pretty sound as business entities, sustainable long term, and are usually one of the better teams in their leagues, tried their best within their means, got really really close but never successfully broke through😔.
Over the last 5 years, I saw both teams change their approach dramatically to take the next step.
Tottenham, still with Harry Kane and Son Heung Min dragging them along, hired serial winners Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte to lead them to titles.
Phoenix, with Devin Booker in (and still in) his prime, blew up their short-term draft potential and traded for one of the top 10 players to ever grace the NBA, Kevin Durant and maximum-salaried "Robin" Bradley Beal, hiring ex-championship winning coaches Frank Vogel (champion with LA Lakers) and Mike Buldenhozer (champion with Milwaukee Bucks) to win.
They both proved that radically changing their DNA would fail miserably. Stacking star power with A-list coaches might lead to humiliating failure, not success. Phoenix, especially, played toxic your-turn my-turn isolation ball without any form of team unity nor fight, and became the joke🤡 of the league last season.
Then again, I would like to think that both Tottenham and Phoenix have learnt their lessons by now and are proving it with their actions.
Spurs won🏆 the Europa League last year with Kane long gone and Son as a bit-part contributor in the final run-in, and are trudging along more consistently this season under up-and-coming manager Thomas Frank, no clear stars, just like how they did well under similar conditions with Mauricio Pochettino.
Suns have moved on from Beal, KD and the disinterested😑 championship coaches and pushed the reset button with just one bona fide star Devin Booker and first time head coach Jordan Ott.
They are both playing team ball, staying low-profile but are effectively punching above their weight💪, even if it's still a big unknown if these new iterations will result in tangible trophy wins.
Nonetheless, it's a welcome new dawn for me in terms of being a sports fan. I think I have my teams back😁.
And if you are still reading, never forget your DNA or force yourself to dramatically change to get better. The best way to get better, is to also be true to yourself in the process.
Finally, it is very hard to win. There is only one, or very few winners. Real victory is to become a better version of yourself.
Good luck (final word in the caption below⮟).
May the Son be with you. Photo Credit: TalkSport.com
It's a bit hard to explain what Sarawak Laksa is. You have to taste it to know that it's completely different from any other more well-known laksa variants. Why it's so under-the-radar, wow, I think I could spend another post simply talking about its origins, but just understand that traditionally there were only a few small family-owned establishments dominating the laksa paste supply chain, thus the small supply and inability to spread its wings.
As good as an overview you can find, though I feel that the only legitimate noodle is vermicelli.
I remember whenever my mum spent an entire day making laksa at home, every drop of broth felt like liquid gold. If I used less broth for each bowl, I might accumulate enough to make an extra bowl for supper. Therefore when I see customers leaving entire bowls of (good) laksa broth behind, I get super angry deep down inside. That's how much I love my Sarawak Laksa.
Cutting the long story short, I shall now go straight into my report on all the noteworthy Sarawak Laksa stalls I've personally tried in Kuching, and this is a post that will continuously be updated.
Update November 2025:
One of my absolute favourites - Ah Mui Laksa (formerly of Foody Goody Cafe) has moved! Please scroll down to see more details. I will visit it during my next visit and give a bigger report.
Guess who has taken over from Ah Mui Laksa at Foody Goody Cafe? Hint: It's one of the stalls featured here too, opening a branch there.
Newcomer - Everyday Laksa at Very Nice Restaurant, Jalan Rock
Newcomer - Laksa Stall at Jia Yan Cafe (thanks to the recommendation from Kopikho!)
There are a couple of interesting notes about this new addition. Firstly, it's located along the 2nd row of shophouses right opposite The Spring Kuching (there is a nice overhead bridge), so a shopping/movie date can be planned in conjunction with the laksa trip. Secondly, I looked at my picture of the stall again and again but couldn't find a name for the shop, so let's just call it "Laksa Stall at Jia Yan Cafe".
The beauty of this laksa is in the broth - intense with laksa flavour without being too rich or viscous, good to be slurped till the last drop.
See, no name right?
Beautiful bowl of laksa
Pro tip: The Teh Tarik and Kolo Mee Tai Mak in the same coffeeshop are excellent as well.
With effect from 29 October 2025, Ah Mui Laksa has moved from Foody Goody Cafe to its own coffeeshop called Madam Mui Laksa and Kopitiam on Jalan Rubber. More to come after I visit the new location in December!
Foody Goody Cafe beside the current Kuching Specialist Hospital (it's moving soon) is a place known for having slightly pricier products due to the steady clientele from the hospital. Looking past the prices, it also houses my favourite laksa of the moment, Ah Mui laksa.
Everyone has their own laksa preferences, and I like mine with a wholesome seafood broth and strong spicy flavours, without being too viscous at the same time. Ah Mui hits the spot.
Ah Mui Laksa: Take 1
Ah Mui Laksa - Take 2
Pro Tip: Suck up the remaining broth with some crispy dough fritters from the same coffeeshop.
This is the laksa I 'grew old eating', as I must have been already 20 when I started having it, as it's literally within walking distance from my apartment.
The owner obviously didn't grow much older after all these years, what happened to me?
A very good bowl of Sarawak Laksa
Honestly, it's hard to find fault in this bowl of laksa, as can be seen from the sheer popularity of it. Then again, I feel it has lost a bit of magic over the years. Because they cook vermicelli in bulk to speed up the cooking process (reduce waiting time), the hot broth is added to a bowl of cold vermicelli these days, resulting in a lukewarm bowl. If I had my way, I prefer a bowl served piping hot.
Pro Tip: Order the Teh C Peng Special, which must be one of the very best in town.
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3. Poh Lam Laksa at Chong Choon Cafe - The OG of the Laksa I "grew old eating"?
The OG of the laksa and Teh C Peng Special at Sin Chong Choon? I need to dig deeper to give you a better answer, but there are definitely similarities!
If you are a tourist living downtown in Kuching and only have time for 1 laksa, this should be the one you go for. It has the well-balanced characteristics of the one at Sin Chong Choon, but feels hotter and fresher when served.
Closed on Tuesdays!
Another great bowl.
Pro Tip: The Teh C Peng Special as well. After having them at Chong Choon and Sin Chong Choon, you will struggle to find a better glass of Teh C Peng Special in Kuching.
Supporters of deceased culinary legend Anthony Bourdain will have to walk this rite of passage to understand what he meant describing Choon Hui's laksa as the "Breakfast of the Gods". He confirmed his love for this dish by visiting Choon Hui not once but twice during his rare voyages into Kuching.
Highest base price of them all.
The richest of them all too.
I have to say, I understand why a non-local will really really love Choon Hui's version of Sarawak Laksa. It's rich, heavy, thick and packs a really good punch, giving you high levels of every sensation Sarawak Laksa is supposed to provide.
That said, I find it very difficult, if I live long-term in Kuching, to have this version of Laksa frequently, as it's a little bit of an overkill, but don't misunderstand me, it's still an excellent bowl, made for the occasional indulgence.
Pro Tip: Don't leave Choon Hui Cafe without trying their Popiah.
Also a very worthy item in the famous coffeeshop.
I've actually tried many more laksas during my last visit to Kuching.
Sad to say, things don't always remain the same. Some of my old favourites were not what they used to be.
After much deliberation, I've decided to only include the stalls that I am confident will give you a good laksa experience, so that's all for now. I will continue updating this list with new worthy candidates though, so do stay tuned!
