Let's Gumpey!!

Eating places can be viral. Its presence can be known like wild fire. Or it infects a whole lot of people like an novel virus - with the effect of gastronomical satiety.

The famed TopSpot or the Buntal seafood areas that serves quality and rich sea food that ignites the rarely used taste buds are not unfamiliar to Sarawakian or Kuchingites. The cost, however, may be prohibiting for some and does not allow for frequent sinful indulgences.

Yet, once in a while we would just love to experience something out of the norm. Something simple and affordable that remind us of the much simpler ways of yesteryear. Something that our mom used to cook with love when we were sick. The juicy yet tasty piece of meat that our fathers used to bake in those makeshift grills made of used oil drums. 

That is what Kampung Gumpey (pronounce "goom-pay") has to offer. Located in the Simunjan district, about 1 hour drive from Kuching, it recently became the words of mouth among Kuchingites. The reason - a simple dish of Mee Udang Gumpey or Gumpey Prawn Noodle. Do not be mistaken, the village or the prawn noodle do not have any connection with Forrest Gump or Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, although they might share the same syllables.

To get to Kampung Gumpey, you will need to pass Serian town, drive a few kilomteres more before you meet the junction that leads to Gedong. Turn left at the junction, and drive straight on till the small town of Gedong. From there, ask around from the helpful locals for the direction to Kampung Gumpey.

If you have very tight lips, try locate Klinik Kesihatan Gedong. You cannot miss the prominent red crescent sign by the side of the road at the town "centre". Turn left at the clinic. Maneuver a few junctions till you get into what seemed to be like a village. You are not in Kampung Gumpey yet. Go on, till you meet a junction. The It-Taa'bin mosque is the main landmark at the junction. Turn right. A few kilometers down, you will pass a few houses. The Mi Udang Gumpey restaurant is on the left side of the road. Here is the structure of the building.

The shop.

The facade.

At this juncture, I just remembered that you will need to book the Prawn noodle. A walk in may leave you frustrated as all the prawn noodle may have been booked by yet to come customers. The "Supergrade A" cost RM35.00. The Grade A cost RM20.00 and Grade B cost RM15. "Supergrade A" consist of one piece of very large prawn, Grade A is slightly smaller and you are given three pieces of prawn to accompany your noodle. 

Grade A Mi Udang Gumpey - RM20.00.

Huge and freshly caught.

The dish surely is a huge challenger to the Penang Prawn Noodle. The only thing that might jeopardize its chance of beating the Penang Prawn Noodle is the noodle used. For me, its a bit soggy and not springy. The gravy works well for me. You might not like its gravy. But the best part of course, is the huge prawn. Its fresh, its tangible and oozing with fresh prawn "sweetness". 

So tempting was the meal that I over heard a daughter from the neighbouring table say "today, Ma don't have to think about the cholesterol. Just enjoy!".

Just the next day, the whole shop is booked by the former Head of State (Yang Di Pertua Negeri) of Sarawak to sit his 30 member strong entourage. Now, just imagine just how this place got so famous that it reached the ears of the previous Head of State? This place? Out of no where?

Closed on Monday.

This place is closed on Mondays. It has a Facebook account. The contact numbers are all listed on the site. Just Google them up for your next great Sarawak experience.