63 Cafe is a large corner coffee shop spanning two shop lots. The tropical morning sun beats down on it, so it is better to sit deep inside 😅
They have Sarawak Laksa and also a chicken rice stall. Most folks are here for their Sarawak Laksa. Luckily they have fried chicken which kept boy boy happy 😁 Actually, they also have kolo mee, wanton mee, etc.
We had bee hoon (rice vermicelli) which were under a thick fiery looking curry garnished with peeled prawns, shredded fried egg, fried fishballs and chopped coriander.
The laksa came with a lime and belacan spiked with chili.
First things first, the curry. It is thick with fresh coconut milk but not cloying. (I don't really appreciate those curries made with boxed santan or evaporated milk as they tend to be too rich, too sweet for me, though many people prefer those.)
The coconut milk is blended with prawn stock, the same kind made with prawn heads and shells as Hokkien style prawn noodle soup.
This umami rich concoction is then spiked with over 20 different spices. Full of all kinds of spice flavours and aromas, plus a bit of spicy heat.
One of the allures of Sarawak Laksa is I can't make out what spices they use beyond turmeric, galangal, lemongrass, chili pepper, tamarind, and if I ask anymore, I always get the reply that it is "secret" 😅 🤔
The slender bee hoon (rice vermicelli) was relatively thick, soft, slurpy smooth, and had curry clinging to the strands. The vermicelli was subtly savoury sweet and carried the curry's spice flavours. We enjoyed the bee hoon's taste and texture.
The fried egg shreds, fried fish balls, and prawns added textures and their own flavours to the dish. But, the soul remains the curry that held everything together.
The belacan and chili boosted the spiciness and umami of the curry, if you need it. I like the belacan even on its own as it was not too salty.
They have a tricolour tea of aromatic black tea, evaporated milk and fragrant gula apong which is worth the calories and sugar.
If you need a representative Sarawak Laksa, try this one at 63 Cafe which even Miri locals endorse.
Eating Sarawak Laksa is just one of many interesting to do and try in Miri, Sarawak's second largest city (after Kuching). I will be sharing more from my Miri trip in future posts.
I was in Miri for the annual Miri Country Music Fest. The atmosphere of MCMF 2022 at Eastwood Golf & Country Club was electrifying. If you are a country music fan, you will regret it, if you miss the grand Tenth Anniversary celebrations of MCMF in 2023.
Where to get Sarawak cuisine in Singapore 👈 click
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