If you are one of those impulsive, adventurous travellers seeking for a new place for a random tour, here is a KajoMag-worthy suggestion.
Why not make a quick trip to Bakun wharf on a Saturday morning?
Bakun wharf is located at Bakun dam’s reservoir lake, about a three-and-a-half hour drive from Bintulu town.
It is actually not a public jetty but belongs to Sarawak Energy (SEB) which is within the security area of the power station.
Every Wednesday and Saturday morning, however, the wharf turns into a trading post attracting buyers from Bintulu, Sibu, Miri and even Kuching.
Here you can find various types of freshwater fish including Mengalan, Semah, Tengadak, Baung, Labang and even the famous Empurau.
While most of the fish buyers are restaurant owners and middlemen, a number of visitors also buy these fish for personal consumption.
Prices usually range from RM15 onwards per kg.
According to some of the traders, the bigger the fish, the tastier its meat.
And if you were to pick a size, choose one which weighs at least 1kg.
There are also other traders selling their jungle produce such as paku (a type of local fern) and rebung (bamboo sprouts).
In the midst of hustle and bustle of the market, take in the beauty of Bakun lake. Do you know the man-made lake is about the same size as Singapore?
Where to go after Bakun wharf?
After a visit to the wharf, you can go to nearby Bakun restaurant about 10 minutes’ drive away and let the professionals do their magic on these fishes.
They can cook the fish according to your preference and usually charge the price by weight.
Since the fish are so fresh, the best way to enjoy them is to steam them. Then you can taste the tenderness of the meat minus the fishy smell.
There are other ways to cook them too such as asam pedas (Malay-style sour and spicy dish) or the Teochew style of steaming with Chinese salted vegetables.
Spending a morning on the wharf and having a scrumptious lunch at a restaurant later… isn’t this is one of most authentic ways to spend your Saturday in Sarawak?
