Ethnic eats

Atrip to the Land of the Hornbills is not complete without a sampling of its ethnic eats. And with so many different ethnic groups living together harmoniously as Sarawakians, you can also expect many different variations of dishes that will take you on a journey to discover unique ethnic Sarawakian flavours. For authentic ethnic food, a trip to the deeper reaches of the State is highly recommended. But if you’re just on a short trip, these hotspots for ethnic food in the city are great alternatives for the gastronomically curious.

1 Lepau

With a name that translates as farm hut in the Kayan language, Lepau is one of Kuching’s topmost visited restaurants for ethnic food. Kayan cuisine is the highlight here, although the restaurant generally serves Halal Orang Ulu and Dayak food. Every dish is cooked with love and a passion for sharing their traditional cuisine with their customers that come from near and far. Midin, paku and tempoyak are among unique offerings here. Their tapai ice cream, made from fermented rice cake or tapai, is a unique dessert to end your meal with. Winner of the “Best Innovative Ethnic Restaurant Awards” at the 20th Malaysia Tourism Award in 2018, Lepau is a must-visit.

2 Summit Café

What’s unique here is that almost everything is served with Orang Ulu wrapped rice known as nuba’ laya. It’s soft mashed local rice (Bario rice would be best) wrapped in isip or itip leaf while still piping hot. The heat will help bring out the aromatics from the leaf and infuse it into the rice at it cools down. At Summit Café, this rice dish can be enjoyed with different kinds of Kelabit dishes available. Try their labo senutuk (wild boar) or wok-fried pounded tapioca leaves among many other things.

3 Mummy Patz Dayak Café

Formerly known as Patz Dayak Home Cook Special, this popular Dayak food joint has been serving mouth-watering Dayak food since 2011. Expect authentic Dayak delicacies that will have you coming back for more, prepared using fresh ingredients from local markets selling jungle produce around Kuching city. You cannot come here and not try the signature Iban dish manok pansuh, babi pansuh and udang pansuh (chicken, pork or shrimp cooked in bamboo, Iban style). Their pork curry is exceptionally delicious!

4 Aroma Café

With most ethnic cafés and restaurants serving pork and alcoholic beverages, it’s good to know that there’s a dining outlet that caters to Muslim customers but still serving outstanding Dayak food. Aroma Café dishes out Bidayuh cuisine that’ll knock your socks off! No fancy adornment on their plates. Just pure authentic, home-style Bidayuh food. Their chicken soup in terung assam is a must-try! If you want something less traditional, they have it too.

5 Selihah Café & Catering

This join prides itself in serving real Melanau food. And their customers love it! Here you get signature Melanau dishes like Linut, which is made from sago flour and best enjoyed dipped in sambal belacan, umai (you cannot leave without trying this delicious ceviche-like dish) and tumpik (Melanau pancake made from sago). The café is still going strong a decade after opening its doors to customers.

6 Katu Café

Famous with the locals, Katu Café focuses on Dayak and Orang Ulu food, specifically Lun Bawang cuisine. The dishes are cooked here as they are traditionally in any Lun Bawang household, so expect authentic home-cook style food minus all the fancy garnishes, which are sometimes just unnecessary. Stir-fried cucumber leaves, fish soup with terung assam and pig intestine with pineapple are just some of the splendid offerings here.