24 March 2014| last updated at 10:39PM
By OLIVIA MIWIL
FOH Sang, Luyang. What's not to like about the three rows of shops in the heart of the Kota Kinabalu suburbs?
Sitting on what used to be a rubber estate, it was developed in the mid-1970s and grew to become the haunt of food lovers.
Foh Sang was one of the first few commercial areas built outside of the state capital to complement the new housing developments.
Located in Jalan Kolam which used to end at Bukit Padang, where the main mental hospital was located, Foh Sang has remained largely unchanged, though the same cannot be said of its neighbours.
Nearby swamps and rubber plantations are now known as Bornion, Damai, Lintas and Hilltop -- bustling commercial areas popular with city dwellers.
More than 20 housing estates and hospitals or medical centres have sprung up around Foh Sang.
The road network has also expanded. The Jalan Kolam route is now linked to the next district, Penampang, with bypasses that connect to other suburban areas such as Likas, Lido and Kolombong within Kota Kinabalu.
Foh Sang means harmonious community in Chinese, and it sure looks that way, despite all the hustle and bustle and its reputation as the busiest street in Luyang.
It is a popular with those looking for special treats for breakfast, lunch, tea-break, dinner, late night supper and early morning "hangover" meal (Foh Sang prawn noodles are particularly favoured for the last).
The shops are also known for "economy noodles", Shantung dumplings, traditional cakes, fresh fruits, roasted meats, seafood porridge or just plain old kopi-O.
Developed to serve the nearby housing estates that mushroom around it decades ago, Foh Sang continues to justify its existence as a centre of not just food but also fresh vegetables, meats and groceries, all sold by traders from the back of their vehicles.
It has also grown into something of a tourist attraction, appealing especially to the foodies.
Tour buses can be seen disgorging passengers on the main road, who traverse the streets on foot in search of choice fare to fill their bellies.
Foh Sang's popularity has also benefited nearby commercial centres, which are tenanted by fast food companies, banks, supermarkets and franchises.
It's not just the business-minded who have capitalised on its popularity.
Politicians have also made it the centre of their activities. The Sabah Progressive Party headquarters is located there and at one time, the Kota Kinabalu DAP office, too.
During election time, these politicians campaign on its streets and coffee shops. They also regularly organise major events during the festive seasons that require the closing of the road to vehicles.
But Foh Sang has not let all of this go to its head.
It is as endearingly plain as ever, home to family-run coffee shops that offer homemade goodies made from recipes passed down from one generation to the next.
Comments
Post a Comment