12km from the pineapple town of Sarikei is the Jakar Rest Stop. The rest stop consists of a few rows of shophouses and an awkward monument to symbolize the place’s main produce – Sarawak’s pepper.

Jakar (Zakar), is a Malay word that carries the meaning of a man’s sex organ. It’s still a mystery to what makes the pioneer in choosing such term to their little township, but I guess they’re just following suit. I mean, there’s fucking roads in Austria, why can’t they name their town Dick? right?

Or maybe it’s just the pepper plantations…

Will Chua was kind enough to guide us here for a peanut soup stop, at the expense of his working hour at his family-owned motorbike store.

The peanut soup. Will Chua’s favorite during his free time. Erm, someone said there’s better peanut soup elsewhere, I’ll review it when I had the chance to taste it.

Peoples stop-by here enroute to Sibu from Kuching, or vice versa. That’s why it’s called a rest stop. Usually they’ll get quick food here before continuing their journey.

The coffee shop even has its own mini mart!

The eggs and pepper. Still seen in some old kopitiams, some will put pulut panggang, some put karipap. But as for this one, it seems like their pepper is free. Put in such a big bottle. But it’s not surprising anyway cause they can always get from the Dick when they run out of pepper.

I went on a food hunt trip to Sarikei a couple of days ago. On the day the fuel was 40 cents cheaper than it was 2 months ago, the car was refuel-ed to the max and off we go to Sarikei, in search of the great Sarikei’s Asam Tom Yam Prawn Noodle.

Approximately an hour later, we found ourselves at the Saratok-Sarikei junction. Turn right to go to Sarikei with 9 more km to go. Jakar Rest Stop will be our next stop!

You won’t miss the welcome sign!

Welcome to downtown Sarikei!

Mirians might be familiar with this coffee shop’s name. Ya, the one just opposite of Boulevard Shopping Complex. It even has its own motel in Sarikei! I heard they’re of the same business proprietor.

Paris Hilton was here okay? Don’t play play.

So what brings me to Sarikei this time around?

Glory Cafe’s Asam Tom Yam Prawn noodle. Highly recommended by a few prominent bloggers in Sibu, I’ve gotta go taste it for myself. For something that costs RM14 a bowl, it better be good.

This is the typical kampua stall, guaranteed to be in every kopitiam (coffee shop) throughout Sibu and Sarikei. But we’re not here for that. Maybe next time, uncle.

As usual, the drink comes first. We ordered “San suan” (Three sour), a type of drink with combination of 3 acidic fruits, lemon, lime, and pickled salty plum. Good for washing away those fats after heavy meals

The tom yam soup (gravy?) is perfectly cooked with the essence of prawns, lemon-grass, tomatoes, onions, and a pinch of lime to enhance the flavor.

Generous portion of the River shrimp (Udang galah), sliced in half for easy consumption. Do handle with care if you’re wearing bright garments as the prawn juice will spill all over you, literally. But it is almost impossible to prevent even with extra precautions. Prevention is better than cure, so wear dark next time you’re here.

The tangy egg noodle.

and after a few moments…

We’re done. I’m sorry but I’ve to say this classic travel lines, if you haven’t tried this dish from Glory Cafe, then you haven’t been to Sarikei yet!

Oh ya, next stop will be Jakar Rest Stop. Stay tuned!

For the first time ever, Siburians can now enjoy Kokoberry drinks, without having to drive 6 hours from Sibu to Miri. By the way, fuel ain’t cheap nowadays. And if you’re asking, YES! That’s the famous brand from Miri! How good is that?

Thanks to Goolooloo lao ban niang who brought this brand over to Sibu. They serve over 100 types of beverages and you can conveniently get different kinds of junk food at their counter. Chupa Chup lollipop is one of them.

It’s now opened at Delta Mall and it’s strategically located at the left entrance. You won’t miss it, it’s just around the corner!

This is the feedback from the customers. Gabriel, Mary and Kelvin. You see their expression already know, so happy. No cheat you one! No try Kokoberry don’t tell people you’ve been to Sibu la! In fact, if you’ve tried the Kokoberry here, then you can tell people that you’ve been to Miri already! No kidding man!

Indulge yourself with the new Crepes. A type of crunchy and delicious thin pancake stuffed with either chocolate chips, Hazelnuts, or Peanuts. It’s your call! And it’s only RM2.80! Eh, the picture looks like ice cream in a cone hor? But it’s not. Go see the real thing. LOL!

Okay, say much useless, just go to Kokoberry Sibu and tell them Alexallied.com intro you guys go there. You’ll get FREE coupons!

Get 2nd cup at 99sen.Only valid for Pearl Milk Tea, Pearl Green Tea, Yoghurt Snow, Strawberry Ice Q, and Ice Cappuccino only. Offers valid until 13th June, 2008.

How to get the Free Coupon?

It’s easy. Just approach their counter. Mention “Alexallied.com” to get the free coupon. And if they ask you for the passcode, it’s “Goolooloo”.

I no bluff you all one. Just go to their counter and say “I wanna use Alexallied.com punya coupons.” No actual coupons needed. Save the papers, save the world!

Enjoy your coupon!

The first time I saw this type of Hello Panda biscuits was in Melbourne. When I came back to Miri, Malaysia, I didn’t find any of those. Only I heard that Brunei was selling them. But for the last few months, Hello Panda biscuits had been popping up in Miri’s supermarkets. With varieties of Milky, Chocolate, Peanuts, and Strawberry flavors. And now, they even come with an large, economy pack!

Hello my Panda!! Long time no see! How are you?

Chocolate Panda and Strawberry Panda together.

Panda mascot playing soccer.

The brand Meiji might sounds like it’s made in Japan, but in fact, it’s made in Singapore. To my surprise, frankly. But further reading is made understood that the parent company, Meiji Seika is based in Japan. So that make Hello Panda, a Japanese product, made in Singapore.

Each large pack contains 10 packets of Panda biscuits! Good for tea breaks and quick snacks!

I heard from the Bintulu folks that the 888 Bak Kut Teh at ParkCity Commercial centre serves the best bak kut teh in town.

So, I headed off to do some fact-finding for myself.

Bak Kut Teh RM5.50/person. 50 cents for additional rice. Very affordable for the masses.

2 pots of bak kut teh, a plater of vege, and yao zha guai to go with the rice. That’s our lunch for the day. Hungry yet?

The bak kut teh, with all the goodies, 3-layer pork, pork ribs, and the aromatic herbal soup. Although they could do better by serving larger portion of the soup.

Unlimited supply of Minced garlic. Something that shouldn’t be compromised when eating bak gut teh. I found out that there are some bak gut teh restaurants that are really stingy and gives you little of those and they only give more when you ask for it. Very inconvenient.

The Yao Zha Guai (Fried dough, oily). 50 cents per plate. No pun intended. If you’re looking for 50 Cent – the rapper, please go to www.50cent.com

Ya Really!!

I would say 888 serves the best bak kut teh in Bintulu, among the others which I’ve actually tasted. Though I’m not gonna compare them with Klang’s bak kut teh, where it all comes from, coz I think it would be an understatement to 888.

This is an O RLY™ moment brought to you by Alexallied.com

After so many repeated meals at the same old restaurants in the boring town of Bintulu, the only few place left un-tasted is the Palm Garden Snack House at Park City Commercial Centre.

This is the premise. It’s dark I know but at least you get to see the sign board.

This is their entrance door from inside.

I did not expect it to look like this when I first stepped into the snack house.

Fuah, fully air-conditioned with a widescreen flat planel TV showing Detective Conan, the cartoon show! The TV’s Not big enough, but better than nothing right? There’s uncles sitting on the bar drinking beer.

Got pool table also!

Anyway, I was darn hungry after work, so forget about all those entertainments and get something to fill up my stomach. The cook, who happens to be one of my customers, is nice enough to serve us personally. He recommended a couple of dishes that he consider is the best in the shop. I couldn’t care much ‘coz I’m so hungry I can eat anything!

Braised beef rice with kimchi. Loved their kimchi!

Kimchi Mee with Seafood soup. Generous bits of fish meat and prawns.

The meal cost about RM18+, which I think is reasonable for their standard. Would definitely come again!