34, Jalan Ban Hock, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
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Choon Hui Cafe

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An iconic Kuching kopitiam famous for its authentic Sarawak Laksa, praised by Anthony Bourdain and locals alike for its rich flavors and traditional a...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
34, Jalan Ban Hock, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Choon Hui Cafe

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An iconic Kuching kopitiam famous for its authentic Sarawak Laksa, praised by Anthony Bourdain and locals alike for its rich flavors and traditional ambiance.

"Experience the 'breakfast of the gods' that captivated Anthony Bourdain: rich, spicy Sarawak Laksa and delicious popiah."

TIP

Arrive Early for Parking

Parking is limited, especially during peak hours. Visit early to secure a spot.

Beat the Crowds

The cafe is popular, so expect a wait during peak hours. Go before 9 am for a more relaxed experience.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Friday 6:30AM

Cuisine

Malaysian

Price

$

Phone

+60 82-243 857

Address

34, Jalan Ban Hock, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Anthony Bourdain's Sarawak Laksa

Anthony Bourdain's Sarawak Laksa

Experience the 'breakfast of the gods' that captivated Anthony Bourdain. Rich, spicy, and flavorful broth with fresh prawns and chicken.

TikTokSavouring Tradition: Seven Must Visit Restaurants for Sarawakian Flavours | Daily Express Malaysia5 Best Food To Try In Sarawak And Where To Find Them+4
Authentic Popiah

Authentic Popiah

Freshly made popiah, praised for its flavor and tasty dipping sauce. A must-try local favorite, often mentioned alongside laksa.

TikTokGoogle Review+1
Nostalgic Kopitiam Ambiance

Nostalgic Kopitiam Ambiance

Step back in time in this traditional kopitiam with its bustling, no-frills atmosphere and the aroma of local coffee.

Google Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Choon Hui Cafe NON-HALAL Opens daily (except Mondays) 6:30am - 11am #choonhuicafe #cafehunting #cafe #foodspot #kuching #古晋 #FoodTok #foodtiktok #tiktokmalaysia #Foodie #kuchingtiktok #sarawaktiktok #sarawak #borneo #travel #anthonybourdain #noreservations #partsunknown #foryoupage #fyp #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fypシ゚ @This is Chanwoo
@aomedialabs
276 likes • 18.6K views

Arrive Early for Parking

Parking is limited, especially during peak hours. Visit early to secure a spot.

Beat the Crowds

The cafe is popular, so expect a wait during peak hours. Go before 9 am for a more relaxed experience.

Breakfast at Choon Hui Cafe, Ban Hock Road, Kuching #breakfast #laksasarawak #laksa #choonhuicafe #food #foodies #kuchingfoodie
@slyason
77 likes • 7.9K views
Different places offer different taste of Sarawak laksa. Personally, I favor Choon Hui, a small kopitiam featuring a handful of hawker stalls offering delights like mee kolok, popiah, pork porridge, and more. What stands out for me is the small yet flavorful portion of Sarawak laksa served here. It’s noteworthy that despite being at the non-halal kopitiam, Sarawak Laksa at Choon Hui does not inclu...
@rynzcaryn
36 likes • 1.5K views

Cash Payment Recommended

It's advisable to bring cash as some stalls may not accept cards.

Add Butter to Coffee

Enhance your coffee with a bit of butter for a smoother, richer taste.

When breakfast meet with history! 26 years of making popiah! 📍Mary Popiah 🌍 Choon Hui Cafe #makanlokal #foodie #streetfood #kuching #foodporn #kuchingfood #sarawakfood #popiah
@sarawak.foodie
1.7K likes • 60.6K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Arrive Early for Parking

Parking is limited, especially during peak hours. Visit early to secure a spot.

Beat the Crowds

The cafe is popular, so expect a wait during peak hours. Go before 9 am for a more relaxed experience.

Cash Payment Recommended

It's advisable to bring cash as some stalls may not accept cards.

Add Butter to Coffee

Enhance your coffee with a bit of butter for a smoother, richer taste.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Choon Hui Cafe is a beloved spot for authentic Sarawakian flavors, with its Laksa and Popiah drawing consistent praise. Diners appreciate the traditional kopitiam ambiance and reasonable prices, though some note the heat and potential for crowds. While many rave about the food, a few find certain dishes or drinks less remarkable compared to other local establishments.

"Been here recently, what a pleasing experience for the ambience and food culture. For me laksa here are there on my top three list. The popiah man, delicious. Not forget the kopi panas here. Try the original taste for laksa, kolo mee and popiah guys"

LUIS RAZORMAX

"If you’re into Sarawak Laksa, most people will point you to Choon Hui. In my humble opinion, they make a tasty bowl of laksa but not necessarily the best bowl.

Apologies to my Kuching friends but I truly believe the best bowl of Sarawak Laksa is to be had in Petaling Jaya at Lao Mao Cafe in Megan Rise Mall.

To be fair, it’s not an apples to apples compare as the bowl of Sarawak Laksa at Lao Mao cost slightly more than twice that charged by Choon Hui. So the quality of ingredients and spices used in the broth are at a different level.

For the price that they charge, I have no complaints about what Choon Hui delivers. A simple delicious bowl of noodles.

Had the Kolo Mee here too. Think the noodles are too soft and the dry mix is a little bland and needs the vinegared chillies to provide some complexity."

Whisky Dev

"Choon Hui Cafe in Kuching is a popular stop for tourists. The Sarawak laksa here is delicious, with a rich broth and well-balanced toppings that make it very satisfying. However, what stood out for me the most was the popiah — fresh, packed with flavour and served with a tasty dipping sauce that really elevates it. A great place to enjoy some authentic local favourites."

Joseph K

What People Like

Authentic Sarawak Laksa
Delicious Popiah
Nostalgic kopitiam vibe

What People Dislike

Can be hot and crowded
Parking can be difficult
Some drinks are diluted

Frequently Asked Questions

Choon Hui Cafe is most famous for its authentic Sarawak Laksa, which was hailed as 'breakfast of the gods' by the late Anthony Bourdain.

TikTokSavouring Tradition: Seven Must Visit Restaurants for Sarawakian Flavours | Daily Express Malaysia5 Best Food To Try In Sarawak And Where To Find Them+1

Besides Laksa, the Popiah and Kolo Mee are highly recommended and popular among diners.

TikTokGoogle Review+4

Yes, it's a popular stop for tourists seeking authentic local cuisine and a traditional dining experience.

The Best Food in Kuching, Sarawak, According to LocalsGoogle Review+2

The cafe typically opens early, around 6:30 am, and closes around 11 am. It's best to arrive before 9 am to avoid peak crowds.

TikTokGoogle Review+1

Parking can be limited and tricky, especially during busy hours. Visiting early is advised.

Google Review+1

It's a traditional, old-school kopitiam with a no-frills atmosphere, often bustling with customers and the sounds of a busy eatery.

Google Review+1

Reservations are generally not taken; it's a walk-in establishment. Be prepared for a potential wait during peak times.

Google Review

Mentioned in

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Under a large verandah and cooled by a fleet of helicopter fans, this cafe serves some of Kuching’s best Sarawak laksa. There are also stalls selling…

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Savouring Tradition: Seven Must Visit Restaurants for Sarawakian Flavours | Daily Express Malaysia

Last but not least, it’s impossible to list the best eateries in Sarawak without giving an honourable mention to Choon Hui Cafe. This kopitiam was propelled to icon status when American Chef and Television Celebrity Anthony Bourdain nicknamed their Kuching Laksa as the “breakfast of the gods” during his visit there on the popular CNN TV series ‘Parts Unknown’. With a darker soup richer in spices than its Penang counterpart but lighter than the coconut-milk infused Johor version, Sarawakian laksa is a seasoned blend of shredded chicken, fresh prawns, and bean sprouts bursting with flavours.

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As recommended by Lifestyle Asia Kuala Lumpur’s Editor-in-Chief Martin Teo, one would truly be remiss if they were to miss out on making a brief stop at Kak Bedah Cafe along Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce for a plate of mee kolok. A deceptively humble dish that is commonly found throughout the state, it is reminiscent of wonton noodles but is slightly springier in comparison. While this variation served at Kak Bedah Cafe is Halal (the original recipe calls for the use of minced pork), much of the noodle’s delectable flavour remains unchanged.

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You know they serve one of the best Sarawak Laksa in town when the late Anthony Bourdain is a huge, huge fan of this small little café. In fact, Bourdain, who first visited Choon Hui Café in 2005, has returned many times for their Sarawak Laksa, once even buying a round of meals for all the patrons in the café at the time. They serve the laksa filled to brim with spices you can only get in Sarawak, as well as king prawns, poached chicken and omelette strips.

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Sarawak Kolomee (second famous food in the shop) RM5.00 – dried thin noodles serves with red pork slices and prawn. The noodle itself is springy while covered with fragrant oily shallot and onion flavor, has a very smooth texture which makes you keep slurping for more similar like having a bowl of Indomee (but premium ones in this case), while the generous amount of pork slices and prawn toppings just made the overall kolomee even more enjoyable.

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To be called “Breakfast of the Gods” by arguably one of the most famous celebrity chefs who has ever lived is certainly a great compliment. Those of us who used to follow the adventures of the late Anthony Bourdain will fondly remember the episode in which he visited a little kopitiam in Kuching and fell in love with the bowl of Sarawak laksa that he ordered. That same bowl of laksa is still being served today in Choon Hui Cafe!

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Similar to the aforementioned cafe, Choon Hui Cafe is always brimming with customers, and serves local favorites like Sarawak laksa, kolo mee, and popiah (or spring roll). This place, however, tends to have more tourists thanks to a certain celebrity chef who gave the Sarawak laksa here his endorsement a few years ago. Honestly, we couldn’t tell the difference – it was just as tasty and fragrant as Chong Choon’s!

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foodadvisor.my

Best Sarawak Kolo Mee in Kuching — FoodAdvisor

Although this cafe is prominently known for its Sarawak Laksa, the Kolo Mee served here is also at the top of its game. The curly noodles which is one of the state's must-try is favoured by locals and tourists alike. Receiving lots of good reviews, the Kolo Mee here also comes in its Special variation - served alongside internal organs such as pork liver, pork balls, and lean pork.

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It is one of the most popular stalls in Kuching, and certainly one of its spiciest. The soup is rich, thick and full of flavour from the homemade paste, which is one of the defining elements in this luscious bowl. The food runs out quickly, so stragglers coming in after 10am for a bit of noodle comfort often leave disappointed.

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Kuching's Laksa Delights: Where to Find the Best Laksa in Kuching | GoTriip

Choon Hui Cafe in Sarawak has established itself as a staple in Kuching's Laksa scene. Their Laksa is celebrated for its balanced flavors and authentic preparation. The rich and creamy broth, combined with perfectly cooked noodles, fresh herbs, and a variety of toppings, creates a dish that is both comforting and satisfying.

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The Choon Hui Café is on everyone’s list of what to eat in Kuching as it’s Anthony Bourdain certified!. For the uninitiated, he is a well-known American celebrity chef who has visited this cafe and absolutely loved it. The must-try dishes here are Sarawak laksa, kolo mee, and popiah, which are all perfect for breakfast.

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Choon Hui was Bourdain’s top pick, though it is a bit of a walk and you can expect a wait. But Mei Xin Laksa stall at Lau Ya Keng opposite the Teo Chew Temple on Carpenter Street and Poh Lam Laksa at Chong Choon Café on Jalan Chan Chin Ann both give them a run for their money. In the end, it is a matter of taste.

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In honour of Bourdain, kicking-off this list is Choon Hui Café, where the laksa stall the chef fell in love with in 2005, still stands to this day. Since then, Bourdain has returned to the coffee shop off Jalan Ban Hock many times, even buying a round of meals for everyone in the restaurant during one visit.

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Choon Hui Cafe is renowned in Kuching for its exceptional popiah and Sarawak laksa offerings. Indulge in the unique laksa soup and delightful popiah which paired with their signature sauces for an unforgettable dining experience. Make sure to taste the classic kolo mee since it is a budget-friendly delight.

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Nestled in Jalan Ban Hock, Choon Hui Cafe once made headlines for being a favourite spot of Anthony Bourdain. In fact, it was Choon Hui’s laksa that captured his love for the cafe. Choon Hui Cafe is not only famous but also packed with crowds as a further testament to their quality and great success.

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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.

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Choon Hui Kopitiam serves the world famous Laksa Sarawak TV food host Anthony Bourdain loves. Anthony came twice to Kuching and went here on both occasions, with the second time ordering two bowls of laksa. The kopitiam is usually packed in the morning, and the laksa broth is just nice.

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We have four suggestions for you: Choon Hui Cafe (Anthony Bourdain-approved where the chef/TV personality has visited it twice and even called the dish the "breakfast of gods"), Poh Lam Laksa at Chong Choon Café, Mom's Laksa on Jalan Haji Taha, and Golden Arch Garden Café & Restaurant.

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This cafe is located at 34, Jalan Ban Hock, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. If you want GPS navigation to this Choon Hui Cafe, you can download Teaspoon app (link to download http://bit.ly/kuchingmusteat) or refer to the Google Maps we prepared http://goo.gl/zPHMGM.

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