Family recipes, culinary inspiration fuel Ah Fook’s growing barbecue following at C3 Cafe in BDC

Chong and his stall at C3 Cafe, BDC, in Kuching.

By Wilfred Pilo

Chong Teck Fook, affectionately known as Ah Fook, has been delighting patrons at C3 Cafe in the BDC Commercial Centre with his succulent and flavourful signature barbecue dishes.

A barbecue specialist and food enthusiast since his youth, the 43-year-old has spent more than a decade honing his culinary skills and perfecting his recipes.

Chong said his barbecue dishes reflect the culinary knowledge passed down by his parents and family members, who taught him how to create flavours that appeal to local palates and keep customers coming back.

“I also draw a lot of inspiration from food-related documentaries, which have influenced how I prepare and present my dishes with simple yet elegant plating,” he told DayakDaily.

Chong said he never tires of preparing barbecue dishes. Since opening his stall at the cafe several months ago, he has seen a steady increase in loyal customers who consistently praise the quality of his food.

Chong’s barbecue sesame chicken and bok choy, drizzled with gula apong.

As his popularity continues to grow, he remains focused on expanding his customer base while preparing only a limited number of dishes each day to ensure optimum quality and minimise waste.

By keeping production limited, Chong believes customers can enjoy each dish at its best and fully appreciate the flavours and attention to detail that go into every meal.

As a relatively new vendor at the establishment, he hopes to build closer relationships with patrons and encourages residents in the surrounding area, particularly those living in BDC, to visit his stall and sample his offerings.

Chong said maintaining quality is more important than producing food in large quantities, a principle he intends to uphold as he grows his business.

He also hopes his culinary creations will continue to hold a special place in the hearts—and palates—of his customers.

Chong serves his signature barbecue sesame chicken with rice and a side of light, salted broth.

Although he specialises in a variety of barbecue pork dishes, Chong recommends his succulent barbecue chicken, served with crisp bok choy and finished with a drizzle of his signature gula apong (palm sugar) sauce.

He believes the dish has the potential to become one of the stall’s signature offerings in the future.

With a laugh, Chong added that his sesame barbecue chicken is currently the most popular item on the menu, with latecomers often finding it sold out.

However, he noted that customers are welcome to place advance orders, allowing him to reserve their preferred dishes for collection upon arrival.

Chong remains optimistic about growing his customer base, noting that the BDC Commercial Centre is a vibrant and bustling area where many patrons regularly dine at local eateries.

“I have operated stalls at many eateries across the city, but I am truly comfortable here at C3 Cafe. I continue to serve my dishes with the same passion I had when I first started in the culinary trade, fuelled by the support and guidance of my family and the many employers who have helped me along the way,” he said.

Ah Fook BBQ Stall is located at C3 Cafe in the BDC Commercial Centre. It operates daily from 9am to 4pm, except on Thursdays.

For enquiries, contact 012-396 6212. — DayakDaily