Hola foodies! This time around, I’m bringing you food from the beautiful cat city, Kuching, Sarawak. The place we went this time around is a place that iykyk (if you know, you know)! We went all the way to Kampung Samariang Haji Gobel, to a place called Bakso Nusantara Kuching or more well known to the locals as Bakso Ibuk.
I said Bakso Nusantara is an “iykyk” place because not many know this place. Despite being around since 2008, Bakso Nusantara Kuching is only well known to the community around Kampung Haji Gobel and others who know this place from the local community.
History of Bakso Nusantara Kuching
Madam Aisyah or better known as Ibuk to the locals have been selling Bakso for 12 years now! She is from Jawa Tengah, Indonesia and she actually started selling Bakso at a stall somewhere in Sukma, Kuching , where she sold Mee at as low as RM2.50 and also Sup Bakso at only RM0.20/pcs. Those were the days. After her husband passed away, she decided to open home-based only since it’s easier for her to take care of her kids too.
Ibuk said that she was one of the first few people who sells Bakso in Kuching, Sarawak! Back then she used to just sell Bakso, but now she has many other dishes on her menu. For our visit at Bakso Nusantara Kuching, we decided to try her legendary Mee Bakso Putih and Mee Bakso Kuah Merah! Without wasting any more time, let’s get right into it!
Mee Bakso Putih Special @ Bakso Nusantara Kuching
Mee Bakso can be found all across Indonesia, from street vendors to posh restaurants, you name it. Today, mee bakso can be found all around the world. In Kuching, we have Bakso Nusantara. If you don’t know, Bakso is an Indonesian meatball or a meat paste made from beef surimi. Its texture is similar to a Chinese beef ball, fish ball, or pork ball. Mee Bakso is bakso served with either yellow noodles, kuey teow, and rice vermicelli.
For this one, we chose to have the Mee Bakso with kuey teow, cos you know, we felt like having something a little different from the usual. I am not a big fan of Bakso. That being said, am I a foodie if I don’t give it a try? I think it’s mainly because my first experience having Bakso years back in Kuching wasn’t that good. So, I tried the Bakso here with very little expectation but still hopeful!
Boy, was I surprised? I like the Bakso here, it was nothing near to the first one I had. It was delicious! As for the noodle, I think I would prefer having it with soo hoon instead of Kuey Tiaw. The mee bakso here is best paired with their homemade sambal.
Mee Bakso Kuah Merah Special
This was the most recommended by a friend of mine. She would usually order Bakso kuah merah with thin mee soo hoon and without bean sprouts. I didn’t mind the bean sprout, so I requested for the normal one with it. Now, remember Bakso is not really my jam, BUT this made me re-think a little. Mee Bakso Kuah Merah Special is definitely a MUST TRY! I truly recommend this dish for those who never had Bakso but wants to try. Also, if you don’t want any noodle, you can just order Bakso Kuah Merah.
Here’s a little sneak peak on how Ibuk prepares her Mee Bakso Putih and Mee Bakso Merah.
Before when she used to make her own Bakso, she would use fish. After the passing of her husband, she had to continue managing the business alone, so she wouldn’t have time to make it herself. So, now she gets her bakso right from the factory in Bintawa or at local supermarkets.
Kukubima Anggur and Original ExtraJoss
For the drinks, we also referred to the locals for their favourites from Bakso Nusantara Kuching. They have many drink options, but we opt for these two beverages which is quite popular amongst the locals. On the left we have the Kukubima Anggur and Extra Joss original.
The Kukubima Anggur was okay for me. It has an acquired taste because my first sip was a lot of question – mainly “What is this taste? Where have I tasted this before? Do I like this? Is it supposed to taste this way?” hahah. It tastes like the purple vitagen but slightly lighter. I’ve read somewhere that it’s actually not healthy to mix an energy drink with sweetened milk, so be wary of that! You can drink it, but not excessively.
The Extra Joss original on the other hand was prepared how it is, so it was refreshing to have! It was super sunny in Kuching that time, so that drink quenched our thirst and gave us the energy needed after a long day. I fancy this more than the Kukubima Anggur.
Verdict of Bakso Nusantara Kuching
Overall, our experience at Bakso Nusantara Kuching was amazing! Not just because of the delicious, warm Bakso that Ibuk serves, but also because of her warm welcome and friendliness that made us feel just at home. If you have not been to this place, be sure to try it, you won’t regret it!
Price
Mee Bakso Putih Special – RM10.00
Mee Bakso Merah Special – RM10.00
Kukubima Anggur – RM 4.00
Location
Shop Name :Bakso Nusantara
Address : 1696, Jalan Temenggong Haji Gobil, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak
Operating hours : Monday – Saturday (10.00am – 10.00pm, CLOSED on Sundays)
Waze/ Google Maps : 1696, Jalan Temenggong Haji Gobil, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak
Status : Muslim-friendly
Here are some other places you can check out in Kuching too!
16 Must Try Muslim Friendly & Halal Kolo Mee in Kuching
