Sarawak, made of a flamboyant mixture of tribes and multi racial groups of Sarawak offers a top-class culinary experience.
The traditional food that is unique in taste, full of flavour and no frills in presentation will surely leave you in awe. If you’re a foodie, you shouldn’t miss the incredible gastronomic experience in Sarawak.
Even though the Sarawak cuisine slips under the Malaysian culinary radar, the uniqueness and simplicity of the dishes contributes to the preservation of its tribal heritage and provides an authentic Sarawak experience.The Sarawak food represents its cultural and ethnic identities.
I’ve listed below Top 5 eateries around Kuching, based on my own encounter with culinary experience here. These places were highly recommended by the locals. Don’t miss out the bonus highlights at the end of this article.
Here’s a little tip. The word for tasty or delicious in Sarawakian dialect is “Nang Nyaman.” Say this to the local after a meal and I’m absolutely certain it’ll make them smile.
1. KING LAKSA
Sarawak laksa, an aromatic broth in coconut milk, enriched with lemongrass, tamarind and other local herb and spices served with vermicelli and garnished with bean sprouts and chicken slices is a dish that ought to be on your ‘must haves’ list when in Sarawak. Even though not as popular as the Penang Asam Laksa or the Singapore laksa, it has successfully carved its name through Anthony Bourdain, who described it as ‘Breakfast of the Gods.’
I’m always a big fan of Sarawak Laksa. I used to look forward to my flights leaving Kuala Lumpur on Fridays either at the Malaysia Airlines Platinum Lounge for my international departures or Malaysia Airline Golden Lounge at the domestic departure, to have Sarawak laksa! I would arrive early at the airport just to enjoy this dish that is absolutely ‘Nang Nyaman!’ Just thinking about the unique combination of its creamy herbal flavour with a drop of Sarawak ‘sambal’ and a twist of lime juice made me drool!
The award winning King Laksa is definitely the best Sarawak Laksa I’ve had. It is rich in taste, full of flavour and the unique taste of herbs infused in this delicious dish made it taste like no other!
Icom Square
Ground Floor, Unit A101 & Unit 102
Block A, Jalan Pending, 93450 Kuching
2. DAPUR MELANAU
Melanau, an ethnic group, is one of the early settlers in Sarawak. They were known to scatter along the coastline of Sarawak and Rajang River, the longest river in Malaysia. Due to their inhabitants, their food is mostly based on the produce from the river and the sea.
Umai, raw and tangy fish, served with chillies and shallots is my favourite. It somehow reminded me of the Spanish ceviche. It is light and refreshing, great to have even on its own or with salad and rice.
The slimy and sticky ‘linut’ is an interesting dish at Dapur Melanau. Linut, made of sago flour, is eaten as a rice dish and can also be enjoyed as desserts. It is best consumed when it is still hot.
I had the opportunity to watch the Chef at Dapur Melanau preparing linut. It requires patience to cook this unique dish. Best served with fried fish, curry or sambal. I’ve spent 2 weeks in the mountains in Papua living with the local villagers, eating sago with salt and sweet potato leaves every day, having sambal and fried fish with it is considered luxury!
Another traditional dish I had at Dapur Melanau was Tumpik. Tumpik is a classic Melanau snack made with sago, freshly grated coconut and best served with Gula Apong, a type of palm sugar native to Sarawak.
3. MEE KOLOK @ MADAM TANG’S A TASTE OF SARAWAK
Mee Kolok, an all time Sarawakian breakfast favourite, is a noodle dish tossed with chicken or beef and shallots mixture, garnished with fried onions and served with clear chicken or beef broth.
Never underestimate this simple dish. There’s something mysterious about this timeless Sarawakian favourite. Perhaps because it is characteristically a light meal and can be enjoyed all day, or, maybe because of the contrast of its salty noodles served with sweet and crunchy shallots and spring onions. I can’t answer that question. Do me a favour, the next time you’re in Kuching, please ask a local and drop me a line in the comment section below to let me know! If there’s any Sarawakian reader here, please comment to let me know. Thanks!
Visitors to Sarawak often do not leave without having a plate of these authentic noodles. Some apparently ‘tapau’ or packed some back to their home country!
4. KANTIN BY GRANARY
Located in a neighbourhood steeped with pre-colonial history, Kantin by Granary, once upon a time St Mary’s boarding school is definitely one of Kuching’s gastronomic best kept secrets. It is located in the heart of Kuching, easy access from major hotels and attractions around the city.
Run by a few young, energetic and creative entrepreneurs, this restaurant serves both Western and Asian dishes with a touch of Sarawak influence in their dishes.
Rainforest fried rice and Nasi Kerabu are my favourite. It’s hard to place the experience in words. The rainforest fried rice was presented in such a way that it somehow resembles the Sarawak rainforests!
Not just this spacious canteen-style restaurant is an Instagram-worthy spot, even the food was so beautifully presented you’ll be clicking away before enjoying them!
5. SITI CAFE AND CATERING
‘Nang Nyaman’ is the best description of lunch I’ve had here. Variety of dishes like prawn sambal, terubuk masin (salted terubuk fish) chicken in sweet and spicy soya sauce and raw vegetables and Malay ‘ulam’ (raw herbs) were served. The food was so delicious I struggled to stop eating!
If you crave for delicious home-cooked Malaysian food, this is the place to go to! If you’re out and about exploring the Fairy Cave, Tasik Biru, Paku Rock Maze Garden in Bau (you can find these details in my article HERE) swing by at Siti Cafe and thank me later!
By the way, the photo here didn’t do any justice of how delicious the food was! Food in these plates were wiped-out in not time at all!
KEK LAPIS WARISAN
Kek Lapis, meaning layer cake, is seemingly gaining popularity in Peninsula Malaysia. Vibrant in colours, rich in taste and it is so moist, this unique cake is the pride and joy of Sarawak. Kek Lapis Sarawak has been broadcasted in the The British Bake Off, a famous British baking show.
Unlike any other conventional cakes, kek lapis Sarawak are baked progressively, popped in the oven once every 3-5 minutes after each layer is poured. This process is repeated until the layer is filled to the top of the square cake mould.
I was given the opportunity to get involved in this process. I was amazed by the staff who guided me, she didn’t need a timer, no recipes handy either. She layered the cakes and baked them so effortlessly.
I’ve been told Kek Lapis Warisan has sold approximately 900,000 cakes since it started operations in 2018! I’m not surprised, I bought 6 different flavours to bring home as souvenirs and they were all a hit! these cakes are decently priced between RM14 to RM34.
ZIZIE TERUBUK
Terubuk, also known as Chinese herring, is popular in Malaysia for its meat and eggs.
Terubuk Masin, meaning Salted Terubuk is a popular dish in Sarawak. It is almost a must in all dishes, served with rice. It is often served with fried shallots and chillies. You’ve got to try it for yourself to find out!
At Zizie Terubuk, Terubuk Masin are properly packed to maintain its freshness for visitors to bring them home. I bought 2 packets for my mum and she raved about it until today!
IG GULA APONG ICE CREAM
The perfect ending to warm, sunny days in Kuching, Gula Apong Ice Cream would make you go ‘oohh and ahh’ Nang Nyaman!
Delicious ice-cream made using Gula Apong, a traditional Sarawak sweet substance processed from the sap of palm trees that grow naturally in the mangrove forests along the coastal areas throughout Sarawak. This sugar substitute tastes like caramel.
IG Gula Apong Ice Cream is located in front of the bus stop of Kuching Waterfront. It is open from 11am-11pm.
A SPECIAL MENTION
A very special thank you to Tourism Malaysia for the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia Media Influencer Trip to explore off the beaten path Sarawak and its gastronomic experience. I’m truly honoured to be part of this amazing effort showcasing Sarawak to the eyes of the world.
If you enjoy this article head over HERE and my Instagram post HERE for more of my travel tales around Sarawak.
