Setiawan Gong Pian @ Cheong Cia | Foochow Biscuits

When I googled for Setiawan attractions, Tua Pek Kong Temple at Jalan Pasir Panjang in Seri Manjung was the one and only that appeared. The rest on the screen were actually talking about Setiawan food, Setiawan restaurants and nothing else, but Setiawan famous, best food. So, if you're heading to Setiawan for food hunting, then this is the real town to chow down!

Guang Biang - Gong Pia

Long Q at Cheong Cia Setiawan

Diligent bakers at work

Situated next to a bright yellow and a slight run down mall Wisma Ganda (Tackle City), Setiawan Cheong Cia Gong Pia is a quaint confectionery of an outback town of Perak. Opsh, did I say outback? Apparently, Setiawan has thrived, an economy hub of its neighboring towns such as Ayer Tawar, Manjung, Lumut and Pangkor. Don't expect cowboy scenes, things are pretty advanced in this coastal town judging from the education, services and commercial signposts lined up the streets. 

Setiwan Attractions: Foochow Gong Pia

For adventurous foodies, Foochow Gong Pian (Guang Biang, Gong Pia or Wikipedia labels it as 'Kompyang') is a must try. Labor intensive, manual processes, charcoal clay ovens, Cheong Cia is a traditional confectionery that is certainly worth to pay a visit. I brought along my almost 3 yo LO there. When I asked him what they were doing, he answered nonchalantly, 'They are making biscuits!'

Gong Pian Furnace

It was interesting to poke our heads, seeing how the dough was rolled, flattened and lastly poked before each of them were placed on the wall of hot clay ovens to bake. Reminds me a little of the traditional naan bread. Indeed, old fashioned.

Steel fans?

When we arrived  there was already at least 10 people queuing up. And, the biscuits were not yet baked. The lady baker would remind us from time to time to lower our expectation on the number of biscuits to order so that each of their customers get to taste a fair bit. She also yelled at the late comers to return at 4pm for the next batch. I did not want to give up thus, waited for my turn and asked for two dozens. And she gave me 25 pieces. I paid for 29.90 inclusive of a bottle of the famous Kampung Koh chili sauce and 2 packets of plaited biscuits. Aside from all these, Cheong Cia also has 'misua' (Chinese wheat noodles) and other variety of sweet biscuits to offer.

Harvesting Gong Pian

Foochow biscuits, Guang Biang

Do you know why Gong Pia is the Setiawan's food icon? Exotic, the biscuit is actually filled with minced onion and a tinge of lard. Instead of sweet that is common trait for cookies or biscuit, this unique biscuit offers a taste of savory thus appealing to most  palates. Unlike the typical crispy, crunchy cookies, the texture of Gong Pia is similar to bagel hence is best to toast before serving.

Equipments used to harvest Gong Pian

If you read Chinese, tell me ;)

Correct me if I am wrong but I doubt  there is anywhere else in Peninsular Malaysia that is selling this variety of savory biscuits. You may find Gong Pia in Sibu or Sarikei, the Foochow dominated areas in Sarawak though.

Address/Contact:

12, Jalan Tok Perdana,
Setiawan, Perak
Tel No : [phone]
GPS Coordinates: 4.214438,100.696732