WHERE TO EAT IN SARAWAK

Malaysia is being labeled as food heaven, due to its numerous culinary jewels. There are plenty of options in the country to tickle any foodie ‘s imagination, from the beloved laksa sarawak to the similarly famous Manuk Pansuh. However, Sarawakak is one destination that seems to have fallen under the radar.

BREAKFAST

Today, as we’re talking about Malaysia as a foodie paradise, you’re going to be shocked to hear that West Malaysia doesn’t lose its popularity as a foodie ether. With these hotspots, find the best breakfast haven in Sarawak and be able to salivate in the town of fuzzy kitties!

1. Laksa
Sarawak Laksa is much more different with other lake which made with sambal belacan, coconut milk, sour tamarind, garlic, galangal, and lemongrass. Served with rice vermicelli noodles and topped with strips of chicken and prawn, this Bornean iteration of the laksa is beloved by all Sarawakians and is ate together by families and friends no matter the time of the day.

Where you can eat:

Choon Hui Café (come early to avoid long queue)

Location: 34, Jalan Ban Hock, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak
Operationhour: 7am – 2pm (Closed on Mondays)
Kopi O’Corner

Location: 139B, Bangunan MARA, Jalan Satok, 93400 Kuching, Sarawak
Operation hour: everyday 7am – 12pm

2. Popiah
Popiah is another top pick. Essentially it is a spring roll but a far cry from the deep-fried, vegetable medley, straight from the freezer variety. This one features thinly sliced jicama (bangkwang), French beans and beansprouts, wrapped in a lettuce leaf and then that wrapped in a delicate pancake, as light as tissue. Crushed peanuts, prawn paste and chili all add additional, optional flavors, and then it is served with a sweet, dark sauce on the side.

Chong Choon Café

Location: Jalan Abell, Kuching 93100 Malaysia
Operation hour: 7am – 2pm (Closed on Mondays)
Choon Hui Café

Location: 34, Ban Hock Road, Kuching 93100 Malaysia
Operation hour: everyday 6:30am – 5pm

LUNCHTIME ALREADY?

Sarawak has their own unique dishes. In fact, some of these dishes can only be found in the Land of the Hornbills! If you’re wondering what these dishes are that are perfect for lunch, sit back and prep your tummies, because we at NextTrip.Travel will be sharing ‘em with you now:

1. Rumah Hijau Café
Location: Jalan Rubber, 93400 Kuching Sarawak
Operation hour: 8am – 4pm, 6pm – 10:30pm (Closed on Friday)

Another popular menu in Sarawak is ayam penyet. This dish comes from the people of Kalimantan which is very synonymous with their best ayam penyet. The taste of this ayam penyet lies in the marinade of the chicken spices, the way the chicken is fried and most importantly, the sauce.

2. Lepau Restaurant
Location: Persiaran Ban Hock, Kuching
Operation hour: everyday 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm

According to the owner of this restaurant, Lepau which means farm hut is inspired by the interior decoration of the restaurant with a traditional wooden concept along with the traditional decoration of the Kanyan community makes your dining atmosphere like being in the village.

The menus are very creative and unique because they highlight the fusion of traditional recipes of the Kanyan community that are increasingly forgotten along with modern cuisine nowadays. Special menus to try are steam tempoyak fish, manuk pansuh (chicken dish) and umai fish.

DINNER

Kuching sits on the island of Borneo, surrounded by tropical jungle. With a diverse ethnic and cultural make-up, the city is also home to some of the most exciting cuisines in Malaysia, many of which fuse recipes from around Asia with centuries-old local specialties. Here are ten of the city’s best restaurants.

1. My Village Barok
Location: 7, Jalan Brooke, Kampung Boyan, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak
Operation hour: everyday 4:30pm – 11pm

This restaurant is not only famous for its delicious food but also because of the traditional village-style concept that is displayed enough to captivate customers.

What is more interesting, in the past, to get to this restaurant you have to take a miner but now, there is a newly built bridge to further facilitate your journey. If you come here, you need to try Manuk Pansuh which is chicken with herbal soup and
midin goreng belacan and umai udang which are guaranteed to be delicious. Definitely fun to eat while being greeted by the village atmosphere which is quite peaceful.

2. Top Spot Food Court
Location: Jalan Padungan, Kuching
Operation hour: everyday 5pm – 11pm

Ask a local for the best place for a seafood dinner, and they’ll most likely tell you to head for Top Spot. This food court lives up to its name with a dazzling selection of stalls for you to choose from, each neon sign vying for your attention.

The environment is dim but airy and always buzzing with activity. If you are staying in the hotels along the Kuching Waterfront, Top Spot is reachable on foot within minutes.