ASK anyone in Kuching where to find a truly authentic bowl of beef bak kut teh or mee kolok, and one name comes up time and again: Yong Hua Cafe.
Tucked in the heart of Satok, this kopitiam has been serving comfort in a bowl for more than half a century. But what makes it stand out is not just the noodles – it is the people, the memories, and the way it has quietly become part of Sarawak’s social fabric.
Among its most familiar regulars is Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, the eighth Head of State, who enjoys his breakfast here just like any other patron.
For him, Yong Hua is not simply about food – it is a taste that has held on to its roots, the warmth of old friendships, and a place that feels like home no matter how much the world outside changes.
When paths first crossed
For Chong Nyap Lai, fondly known as Uncle Alai, the third-generation owner of Yong Hua Cafe, his connection with Wan Junaidi goes back almost four decades.
“I first met him around 1988 or 1989,” Uncle Alai recalled.
“He was still a police officer then, a very busy man, but he always made time for his family. I often saw him here with his late wife and children, and that left a strong impression on me,” added the 67-year-old kopitiam owner.
Over the years, that impression grew into a bond. Even as Wan Junaidi moved from one role to another – lawyer, Member of Parliament (MP), and eventually the Head of State – his Sunday ritual rarely changed.
“He would come with his family for breakfast here before heading to the Satok Tamu to buy vegetables. That routine continued even after he became Santubong MP,” said Uncle Alai with a smile.
One memory stands out most vividly.
“The biggest surprise was when he had just been appointed as Head of State. Out of nowhere, he turned up here – breaking protocol, really. None of us expected it. It shocked not just me, but also his friends who were having breakfast as usual,” he recounted.
Bonds beyond bowls
For Uncle Alai, Wan Junaidi’s loyalty to Yong Hua Cafe is rooted in familiarity and comfort.
“Maybe it’s a habit, maybe it’s the sense of ease he feels here. He is also a regular for our mee Jawa, just like his kaki lima friends,” he said.
The loyalty goes both ways.
“As a non-Muslim cafe owner, I feel grateful and touched that he still supports us and never forgets this little shop.
“What’s even more special is his generosity – he would quietly pay for everyone in the cafe, and he still does to this day. I will never forget that,” Uncle Alai added.
Long-time customers like Wan Junaidi are more than patrons – they are friends who share life’s milestones.
Uncle Alai (middle row, right) with his wife (front row, right), the ‘mee Jawa’ stall owner (front row, left), and their hardworking team.
“We’ve celebrated birthdays, doa selamat before he went for hajj, and other occasions. They’re part of our extended family,” he said.
That same respect for tradition and community guides Uncle Alai’s approach to all his guests: everyone is welcome, but non-halal food should stay outside.
“I’ve always made sure the food here follows Muslim-friendly practices, and protecting that trust has been my principle from the start,” he emphasised.
Consistency is also key. Their spice recipe, Uncle Alai said, has never changed, even though costs keep going up. Quality must remain the same – that is why the taste of their beef bak kut teh or even noodles are still close to the original.
For Wan Junaidi, that authenticity is exactly what keeps him coming back, and for many other families, the cafe is just as meaningful.
“Yong Hua has become a meeting point for generations. Tun brought his children, now his grandchildren. Our old customers who moved away still return during Hari Raya. This place holds memories across time,” Uncle Alai said.
As for the future, he hopes his family will carry the torch.
“I want the next generation to keep this tradition alive – a place not just to eat, but to strengthen friendships. My wish is that they continue the legacy of good food and good company,” he said.
Once a simple kopitiam, Yong Hua has become a living memory for Satok – a place where families gather, and where even leaders like Wan Junaidi find a taste of home.
Day after day, as the morning crowd gathers, this cafe reminds us that the best places are not only where food is served, but where memories are made – and where home is always just a table away.
