SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

Satok Weekend Market

 

11 Dec 2011.

It was our third and last day in Kuching. We went to Pasar Satok first day in the morning before catching up with the flight back to KL in the afternoon.

 

There is nothing extra-ordinary about meandering through the crowded market, and it could get really hot and stuffy under the canopies. In fact, Pasar Satok is like any other typical morning market throughout Malaysia. I won’t miss it nonetheless, as some of the products sell here are uniquely Sarawak. Starting its operation from Saturday afternoon until Sunday the next day, the market hosts traders from various parts of the region making it a one-spot-centre for getting local products and handicrafts.

 

Flowers, at Pasar Satok. The market is divided into sections - wet market, dry market, plants and livestocks, clothes and handicrafts etc.

 

A hawker waiting for customer.

 

Non-dried, salted Herring fish are the must buy if you are visiting Kuching. An appetizer; the fish has to be rinsed and deep fried, and best eaten as condiment with hot rice and other local dishes.

 

Apart from getting it raw, there are also grilled version of the fish.

 

The Dabai fruits (Sibu olive), a rare and seasonal fruits only found in some part of Borneo such as Sibu. The fruits have to be immersed with hot boiled water (to soften the skin) before it could be eaten, either by itself or as an ingredients for local dishes.

 

The market is also a place to look for local delicacies, such as Tapai Sarawak and local kuih.

 

If Bandung, Indonesia is famous with brownies, Kuching on the other hand is famous for its colourful and sweet layered cakes.  We bought a handful of various flavours from this uncle, and turned out his layered cakes taste better than the famous Dayang Salhah. We also bought some Kuih Cincin and Tebaloi, Melanau traditional cracker made of sago powder.

 

Leaving the food section we arrived at the pet section, and saw these gold fish in the plastic bags.

 

Rooster, Satok Market.

 

Not far from the pet section is a row of stalls selling local handicrafts and souvenirs. From my observtion, the price here is cheaper than from the shops at main baazar, though the choices are limited.

 

Coin box made of bamboo, with local ethnic motifs.

 

Sarawak sarong, also in local motifs.

 

Colorful wristbands, Pasar Satok.

 

We had our breakfast at a nearby eatery, and I ordered this Teh ‘C’ Peng Special, a popular three-layered tea only found in Kuching. The layers are combination of tea (top), evaporated milk (middle) – denoted as ’C’ in its name (later learned that it actually derived from a local evaporated milk brand name Carnation) and gula apong, a local version of palm sugar (dark colored liquid at the bottom), while peng is a Malaysian slang for ‘iced’.  In simple English it is actually iced milk tea, and obviously to drink you have to stirr the concoction with straw until it forms a smooth light brown color.

 

To compliment, I also ordered the Sarawak Laksa - rice vermicelli in thick spicy soup, garnished with thin strips omelette. After a mouthful intake, I think I like the Penang assam laksa better.

 

We left the market and headed to the Sarawak River. I intended to visit the Dayang Salhah Cake House at Kampung Gersik, after reading so much about its popularity of delicious layered cake. We parked the car at the roadside in front of the Main Bazaar and walked to the jetty next to Hilton. 

 

Unoccupied perahu tambang, seen from across the river.

 

 

Spotted some anglers on a boat. Sunday, and a great day for a little diversion out of the ordinary routines for these village folks.

 

Kampung Gersik is located at the other side of the river, so we took the perahu tambang to get across.

 

 Fishing boats docking at a jetty, as seen from Kampung Gersik.

 

A man repairing his boat, at Kampung Gersik.

 

A girl looking for a cake at Dayang Salhah Cake House. The price ranging from RM10 for a simple cake up to RM35 – RM40 depending on the ingredients and designs. The making of the cake involves a rather tedious process of baking and layering, thus explain the price. After sampling a few, frankly I still prefer the one I bought earlier at Pasar Satok as it is soft and moist. 

 

Leaving Kampung Gersik and on our way back to the car, we saw a small booth selling Gambir Sarawak manned by a young lady. The plant is famous as a pain relief for tooth ailment, a traditional remedy for small cuts, fever  and mostly sought after by local man for its ’potent’ power.

 

An obligatory photo by Acha; a visit to Kuching is not complete without a pose with the city mascot.

 

The End.