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16 Feb 2024 - 4 min read

Sarawak Food Trail: 18 Dishes Worth Flying to Sarawak For

No visit to Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysia is complete without savoring its local cuisine. Kuching was awarded the title as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2021. Sarawak boasts 31 different ethnicities, each with their own cultures, heritage and food. As such there is no shortage of food to try for those visiting Kuching. This article shares 18 Sarawak food recommendations that you must try when you visit. Check them out!

1. Kolo Mee

Many say a trip to Sarawak is not complete without enjoying a plate of kolo mee. This dish is made of noodles served with char siew and minced beef in a clear sauce.

Restaurant recommendation: Noodle Descendant (No. 188, Jalan Padungan, 93100 Kuching)

Price: RM 12.5

2. Sarawak Laksa

Sarawak laksa is a suitable dish to eat during the day or night. It contains noodles in a spicy and refreshing broth made from prawns. Meanwhile, the condiments are shredded omelet, prawns, boiled chicken, and bean sprouts.

Restaurant recommendation: Choon Hui Cafe (34, Jalan Ban Hock, Kuching)

Price: RM 7 (small), RM 9 (medium), RM 11 (big).

3. Kacang Ma (Motherwort Chicken)

Kacang ma, also known as motherwort chicken, is a dish served with ginger broth and rice wine. For those trying it for the first time, they may find its taste quite unique. However, for those who have often eaten kacang ma, they describe it as having a soft and slightly sweet taste.

Restaurant recommendation: Number 6 Kopitiam (Tabuan Heights, 93350 Kuching)

Price: starts from RM 12

4. Nasi Aruk

Nasi aruk is fried rice from Sarawak that does not use oil. The rice in this dish is steamed continuously and roasted in a dry wok with minced garlic, shallots, and other side dishes. The taste of aruk rice is delightful.

Restaurant recommendation: Rumah Hijau Cafe (24A-24D, Jalan Rubber, Kuching, Malaysia)

Price: starts from RM 17.4 (depending on the side dishes)

5. Nasi Goreng Dabai

Dabai fried rice or nasi goreng dabai is quite unique and different from fried rice in general. The main ingredient is a fresh creamy paste or preserved flesh of the dabai fruit. The taste of this fried rice is a little savory but very delicious.

Restaurant recommendation: Pinggai Cafe (No. 37, Ground Floor Upper China Street, , Kuching, Malaysia)

Price: RM 24

6. Durian Flower

This dish made from durian flowers has a delicious taste with a smooth and crunchy texture. The aroma produced by durian flowers makes the food more exciting. Food from durian flowers is generally cooked by stir-frying, but some are served with belacan sambal.

Restaurant recommendation: Lepau Restaurant (99, Persiaran Ban Hock, Kuching 93400 Malaysia)

7. Terung Dayak Soup

Dayak eggplant soup is a very popular Sarawakian dish. This food is made from wild eggplant that has a round shape and is bigger than an orange. Dayak eggplant soup can be processed into soup alone or served with smoked fish.

Restaurant recommendation: Lepau Restaurant (99, Persiaran Ban Hock, Kuching 93400 Malaysia)

Price: RM 21.90. If you add smoked fish (ikan salai), the price will be RM 26.9.

8. Belacan Beehoon

Belacan bee hoon is bee hoon doused in belacan sauce and served with bean sprouts, century egg, sliced cucumber, and squid. The taste of this dish is slightly sweet but also savory. For those who like spicy, belacan seasoning is perfect for their tongue.

Restaurant recommendation: Song Kheng Hai Ground Food and Recreation Centre (No. 121 of 544 restaurants in Kuching)

Price: RM 7. If you add a century egg, the price will be RM 8.

9. Crispy Tomato Mee

Crispy tomato mee is a dish that looks like kung fu cho or thick gravy egg noodles. However, as the name suggests, these noodles are served with a sweet tomato sauce, capturing a unique taste of Sarawak.

Restaurant recommendation: Nusantara Cafe (Bandar Serian, 94700 Serian, Sarawak, 94700 Serian)

Price: RM 10.2.

10. Umai

Umai is a popular traditional dish in Sarawak. This food is made from sliced raw fish with onions, vinegar, chili peppers, salt, and lime juice.

Restaurant recommendation: Basaga (69 Jalan, Kuching 93100 Malaysia)

11. Ayam Pansuh (Chicken Cooked in Bamboo)

Ayam pansuh, a specialty of Sarawak, is chicken cooked and served in bamboo. The chicken pieces in this dish is marinated with ginger, garlic, lemongrass, and more. Then, they are put in bamboo and grilled.

Restaurant recommendation: Aroma Cafe (Jalan Tabuan, Kuching Malaysia)

Price: RM 11

12. Tebaloi

Tebaloi is a traditional snack in Sarawak known as sago snack because it is made from sago flour. This food is processed by baking. There are several flavors available, including original, chocolate, and pandan.

Restaurant recommendation: Tebaloi Mukah Sarawak

Price: RM 6.3

13. Oyster Pancake

Oyster pancakes are a dish famous for their savory taste. This food is very popular in several Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia. Oyster pancakes have many variants that can be adjusted according to taste.

Restaurant recommendation: Sin Soon Lee Seafood (No. 9 Kampung Muara Tebas Jalan Bako, Kuching 93050 Malaysia)

14. Teh C Special (3 Layered Tea)

Teh C Special is a tea concoction presented in a three-layer presentation. This Sarawakian favourite is generally served in cafes and coffee shops. Teh C Special is made from red tea, evaporated milk, and gula apong (palm sugar unique to Sarawak).

Restaurant recommendation: Fresh Three Layer Food Court (Ground Floor, Lot 386, Block 46 Lorong Liu Shan Bang 3B/2 7th Mile, Penrissen Road, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak)

Price: RM 3.2

15. Mani Chai with Eggs

Mani Cai - also known as Cangkok Manis - is a popular vegetable dish in Sarawak. Many restaurants serve this food. Mani chai dishes are generally cooked with eggs.

Restaurant recommendation: Li Garden (1st Floor, Hock Lee Centre, Jln Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, Kuching Malaysia)

16. Kek Lapis

Sarawak Kek Lapis is a layer cake that is generally served on special occasions, such as Eid, Christmas, and birthdays. The cake comes in a plethora of flavours with attractive colors and design, a favourite for souvenirs when you visit Sarawak.

Restaurant recommendation: Zahayu Kek Lapis (Waze Zahayu Kek Lapis Sarawak Jalan Bukit Setiawangsa)

Price: starts from RM 15

17. Sago Worms

You must taste Sarawak's sago worm, which is savory and delicious. Sago worms are grubs that eat the essence of rotting sago trees. It is said that these foods are rich in protein. They can either be eaten grilled or taken raw.

Restaurant recommendation: Rumah Asap Tabuan Dayak (Jalan Tabuan Dayak, Kuching 93350 Malaysia)

Price: RM 10

18. Ais Krim Bergula Apong

Gula Apong flavoured ice cream is a fan-favourite originating from Sarawak. This ice cream is served in a modern style, then topped with traditional gula apong (palm sugar).

Restaurant recommendation: R.G. Ais Krim Bergula Apong (No. 11 Tower Market Hawker Centre (Open Air Market), Kuching, Malaysia)

Price: starts from RM 3.2

These are 18 foods in Sarawak that you must taste while you're here. You can use Traveloka for an easy travel trip application!

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