MY · Sarawak · 2.29°N 111.83°E

sibu

Foochow food capital: kampua mee, kompia and a big riverside night market.

Best time
Any time of year. The wettest months are roughly November to February, and Chinese New Year is a lively time to visit.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Direct flights from KL take about 2 hours. From Kuching it's a 45-minute flight or about 5–6 hours by road on the Pan Borneo Highway.
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MY · Sarawaksibu2.29°N 111.83°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Foochow food capital: kampua mee, kompia and a big riverside night market.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingSibuMY, Sarawak
KLsibu
≈ 1,130 km from KL, as the crow flies
This is a photo of a monument in Malaysia, identified by ID

Photo: Wingsancora93 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Sarawak's Foochow heartland, where the Rajang and Igan rivers meet. Sibu is a working river town with a big central market, a riverside pagoda and a noodle breakfast culture all its own. It's also where express boats head up the Rajang into the interior.

Makan

  1. Kampua meeSpringy noodles tossed in lard and shallot oil and topped with char siu. The town's signature breakfast.Map ↗
  2. KompiaSmall Foochow bread rings baked in clay ovens, eaten plain or filled with meat.Map ↗
  3. Red wine chicken mee suaFine noodles in a broth of chicken and Foochow red rice wine.Map ↗
  4. Dian bian huA Foochow soup of rice-batter noodles cooked on the side of the wok.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Sibu Central MarketOne of Sarawak's biggest markets, full of jungle ferns, river fish and native produce.Map ↗
  2. Tua Pek Kong TempleA riverside temple with a seven-storey pagoda you can climb for views over the Rajang.Map ↗
  3. The night marketHawker stalls and snacks in the town centre after dark.Map ↗
  4. Sibu Heritage CentreA small museum on the town's Foochow, Iban and river-trade history.Map ↗
  5. Express boat up the RajangRide the fast river boats upriver to Kapit for a taste of Sarawak's interior.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Classic kampua uses pork lard and char siu. Halal versions with chicken or beef are easy to find; look for the halal sign.
  • Go early. The noodle shops do their best trade at breakfast.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.