Apr // Jun 2019
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Editor’s Note I
f there’s one thing that we have in common with the rest of the world, it’s food and the increasingly creative way in which we cook it, display it, present it and eat it. And this feels especially true of our dessert culture as of the past few years. Brunei’s pastry chefs are masters at their work: producing intricate and elaborate edible works of art that aren’t just beautiful to look at, they’re delicious to eat too. Over in Sarawak, we highlight three establishments making waves with their delicious and unique desserts. While in Sabah, we set our sights on a self-taught home baker and some mad delicious brownies! What best complements a good dessert, in our humble opinion, is a good cup of coffee, and in this issue, we had the real pleasure to meet with some of Brunei’s coffee culture’s movers and shakers at one of our favourite coffee locations: Kapra Coffee. We also asked them to ‘spill the beans’ on their businesses and their personal coffee profiles. Read up more of our conversation with them on our website: www. borneoinsidersguide.com. Also in this issue, we were very honoured to meet with Ambassador Yoon Hyun-bong, High Commissioner Mr Richard Lindsay and High Commissioner Mr Ajaneesh Kumar and ask them a rather personal foodie question: what’s their favourite restaurant in Brunei? But it’s not all about food. As highlighted in this issue’s BiG Getaway, we were very fortunate to have been invited to be part of a media trip around the cultural city of Kuching. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Royal Brunei Airlines and the Sarawak Tourism Board for the invitation and for being fantastic hosts during our stay. And so, dear readers, it has been a delicious issue for us, and we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed producing it. We’ll see you again in three months!
@b.i.g.magazine BIG: Borneo Insider’s Guide @bigborneo Publisher
CHMP MEDIA Editor-At-Large
Wan Zainal Shazali Editor
Intan Abu Daniel Assistant Editor
Sheyenne Siah Designer
Novri Rinaldi Assistant Designer
Aqilah Hj Abu Bakar Editorial
Pamela Fletcher Irene Chan Brunei | biG
biG stands for Borneo Insider’s Guide. It is a quarterly magazine that aims to entertain and share with readers the best there is to offer on lifestyle and travel in enigmatic Borneo and beyond. It is distributed at travel fairs, international events and Brunei high commissions abroad. biG is available at the arrival hall of Brunei International Airport, Brunei Tourism offices, Royal Brunei Airlines business class, all hotels, popular food and beverage outlets and foreign missions in Brunei. biG has a distribution network in the neighbouring states through the Sabah and Sarawak Tourism Boards as well as via prominent hotels in the respective capitals. Besides being Brunei’s very own publication for bridging its residents with a myriad of commercial and cultural offerings within the country, each issue also serves as the world’s window into the rich tapestry of Borneo’s life and culture. www.borneoinsidersguide.com 4
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contact@borneoinsidersguide.com T: (673) 2331031 F: (673) 2231031 Unit 49, Second Floor Haji Munchit & Hajah Dayang Rapiah Complex Kg Jaya Setia, Berakas, BB2713 Brunei Darussalam
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various writers in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of biG Magazine.
If you haven't already heard, you'll soon be seeing more from us. You may have heard a little about our latest venture through our support of The Bungsu Story, Hari Minggu Yang Ke-Empat, and the Brunei Film Blitz. These projects are just a sample of where we’re going to support and grow the local film and content industry as well as bringing you content from around the world. Stay tuned for more exciting local and regional content coming your way, brought to you by Progresif Media!
events
UNICEF Borneo Marathon Sabah
TO look
This is one of the longest series of marathons to take place in Sabah with the first dating back to 1984. Available in three categories (42km, 21km and 10km), the full marathon will have participants running a gruelling trail around Kota Kinabalu, starting and finishing at Likas Stadium. Since 2008, the Borneo Marathon has contributed to 25 charitable organisations and causes around and outside of Sabah, and until today remains a marathon with a cause.
out FOR 24-27 Apr Asian Development Tour (ADT) Tournament
Australian High Commission
this quarter
25 Apr
Brunei Also known as the Brunei Championships 2019, the ADT returns to put the best golfers in the region to the test. Held at The Empire Hotel and Country Club, expect to see champions and aspiring champions go up against each other for the grand prize.
Anzac Day Brunei
A yearly celebration in honour of the men and women who have fought in the war, the ceremony of Anzac Day takes place at the Brunei-Australia Memorial in Muara Beach, which marks the site where allied forces led by Australia’s 9th Division landed in Brunei in their campaign to liberate Borneo.
6 May First day of Ramadan Brunei, Sabah, SarawaK
2-5 May Miri City International
Deep Sea Fishing Tournament 2019 Sarawak
Entering its 12th year, this tournament will see anglers from around the region fishing competitively off the shore of Miri waters at the Luconia Shoals. The tournament saw over 135 anglers participating last year and is expecting another great turnout for this year’s event.
As one of the five Pillars of Islam, Ramadan is compulsory for all Muslims around the world. This is a sacred month where Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, and it’s also considered a time for charity, religious devotion and spiritual reflection.
5Hari Raya Jun Aidilfitri Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak The holy month of Ramadan culminates in this month-long occasion, which sees Muslims around the world celebrating this time of togetherness and forgiveness.
www.bruneitourism.travel | www.sabahtourism.com | www.sarawaktourism.com
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28 Apr
25-27 Apr ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) Sarawak The fourth edition of the ASEAN film festival that shines a spotlight on the best of filmmakers around the ASEAN region, this year the three-day festival will feature a variety of events including exhibitions, movie marathons and Café Crawls. The event will end on a high note with a glamorous Gala Night.
Contents biG scoop Presenting our scoop on things to love and desire
biG buzz We put our ears up and find out what’s buzzing in town
biG feature Stories so unique it can only be from Borneo
biG talk We chat with personalities and discover their specialities
biG focus See who and what we’re pointing our cameras at biG trail Follow our trails and discover what is on the island
biG getaway Near or far, we go on holiday for your benefit biG appetite We try the food so you can follow suit
biG listings Where to eat, drink and chill? Come with us and see biG essentials Helpful tips for visitors arriving on our shores biG navigator Find your bearings with our walking maps biG screen See what’s playing in the cinemas around town
SilkAir Launching Direct Flights to Busan in May It has never been a better time to visit Busan, the second largest city in South Korea, than in the month of May. With the commencement of SilkAir’s non-stop flight between Singapore and Busan on 1 May 2019, which will see the regional wing of Singapore Airlines operating four weekly flights to Busan, it’s a great time to put this beautiful cultural city on your list of travel destinations.
S
ilkAir will be delivering a full-service experience for passengers choosing to travel to Busan, which includes in-flight meals, wireless in-flight entertainment on SilkAir Studio, complimentary baggage allowance as well as through check-in if they are connecting to or from another SilkAir or Singapore Airlines point via Singapore. “We are pleased to introduce services to Busan,
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offering customers in Singapore and around the region yet another vibrant and charming destination to explore in our network,” said SilkAir Chief Executive Mr Foo Chai Woo. “For Koreans travelling from Busan, the new route will also offer greater access and connectivity with the SilkAir and Singapore Airlines network in Asia-Pacific and beyond.” Nestled among mountains, the bustling city of Busan, known
to some as the San Francisco of South Korea, is a city full of things to see, visit, do, and eat. Alongside its spectacular seaside beaches, historic sites and markets, it’s the host of numerous festivals, a paradise for seafood lovers, and home to hip arts districts. For such a vibrant city, it’s hard to believe that there’s also a gorgeous beach at its edge. Haeundae Beach is considered one of South Korea’s most beautiful beaches. Visit on a sunny day, and stay until the magnificent sunset. Busan is steeped in history and culture and no visit will be complete without a visit to the colourful and Instagramworthy Gamcheon Culture Village, which has a number of quirky storefronts up its meandering hill, and the Haedong Yonggung Temple – a beachside Buddhist temple overlooking the sea. Learn and view over 250 different species of fish at the Busan Aquarium, an edutainment-based aquarium
with state-of-the-art facilities. Over at Songdo Beach, the Busan Air Cruise offers passengers an eagle eye view of the city and the sea via cable car. If you’re looking to learn more about the city you’re in, indulge in some of Busan’s history at the Busan Modern History Museum. And for those who enjoy scouring markets for treasurable finds, there is no shortage of market-hopping in Busan. Gukje Market is one of South Korea’s largest markets, and there is plenty to find here! Busan is also home to South Korea’s largest seafood market, the Jagalchi Market, a definite must-visit for seafood lovers! And don’t forget the food! Market trawling will bring you a host of specialty Korean street fare, from eomuk to ssiat hotteok to the famed puffer fish soup – all definitely worth a bite or two!
For more information about SilkAir, visit: www.silkair.com.
Photos: Korea Tourism Organization
advertorial
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BiG scoop
Sounds of the Brotherhood
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Download/stream the album at https://levelmusic.Ink. to/iLXBOT
“Game On!”, the first track off Sounds of the Brotherhood, lays the groundwork for the rest of the compilation album. It’s the perfect choice to start off this freshman album produced by Bruneian duo Kueymo & Sushiboy, because it leaves no room for doubt in the listener’s mind: are our locals truly talented? You betcha. Just keep listening – you’re about to get real impressed. Kueymo & Sushiboy are no strangers to the Electronic Dance Music scene in Brunei, being producers and hosts of the ‘The Kueymo & Sushiboy Show’ on Kristal FM, showcasing original remixes by local DJs since September 2015. Back in August 2018, after the duo celebrated their 150th episode live at Avenue 41 and then hosted their inaugural Electronic Music Conference with Wired Music Week, the duo hosted a ‘Producer weekend’ with
the aim of meeting with other local producers and producing tracks together. Over 20 finished originals, collaborations and remixes culminated from that weekend, and by the time the second ‘Producer weekend’ in September wrapped up, they had over 40 completed tracks. The album opens up with the aforementioned “Game On!”, and from that point on, the tracks veer from high energy to subtly sublime. Listeners will be taken on an effortless journey through an assortment of electrifying beats and notes, but the most exciting thing about this album is more than the stellar tracks featured on it – it’s the promise of more to come from Brunei’s talented pool of EDM producers. Sounds of the Brotherhood is a compilation album with 18 tracks from local talents such as Qwamii, Basshowlers, A12sounds, Wiju, Krystalll, Reinegades, Freezone and Khairoy & nskO, AKA The Brotherhood.
•• Connect to Kueymo & Sushiboy on: Website: www.kueymosushiboy.com FB: @kueymosushiboy IG: @kysbofficial
War Paints So games and paint brushes don’t exactly make for the most obvious pairing in the world, but as far as Mystic Miniatures is concerned, it is! The online store is a haven for local Warhammer players, housing a wide selection of Games Workshop products including miniatures, painting kits and other hobby items to enhance the gaming experience. With plans to open their first physical branch in Kiulap this year, Mystic Miniatures owner
Damian Wong hopes to expand the Warhammer community by providing a platform for customers to hold matches, paint and engage with fellow gamers. So if Warhammer sounds like something that floats your boat, Mystic Miniatures offers a portal leading to a whole new world and experience. •• Tel: 673-8893968 FB: @MysticMiniatures IG: @MysticMiniatures E: mysticminiatures@gmail.com
biG scoop
From the Garden to the Kitchen Siti Kaprawi is no stranger to local ingredients, or publishing. Amid her many successful publishing projects which includes a book on orchids in Brunei with botanist Dr Idris Said, her first cookbook, ‘Flavours & Colours’, was awarded The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2012 in Paris. She published a second cookbook ‘Spice of Life – Recipes & Remedies’ in Malaysia in 2015. Continuing this tradition of producing colourful and insightful cookbooks with local and regional ingredients at its heart, Siti Kaprawi’s love for nature and food comes together perfectly in ‘Flowers & Fruits in Cooking’ – a cookbook that incorporates cooking with a treasure trove of natural ingredients from fruits to flowers. Using fresh ingredients such as tropical fruits and edible flowers such as papaya blossoms, hummingbird flowers and banana flowers to add texture, colour and unique flavours you wouldn’t find in store-bought products, the book also highlights the importance of presentation in a dish in order to make it look appetising. Offering both tried and true regional recipes and fresh ideas to enjoy nature’s bounty, the cookbook features 29 professional chefs, cooking enthusiasts and individuals from the region contributing to 80 delectable recipes, from soups to desserts and preserves to drinks. •• Flowers & Fruits in Cooking was edited by Siti Kaprawi and Dr Shahrim Karim and published by Astera Consultant. Flowers & Fruits in Cooking can be found at Nolly Book and Best Eastern bookstores across Brunei. The book is also available for purchase online at www.amazon.com. 12
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biG scoop
On-The-Go Juices for A Healthier Lifestyle With today’s “on-the-go” lifestyle that keeps people constantly on their toes, we don’t consume nearly as much of the nutritious fruits and vegetables that our bodies need to function healthily. Pure Nectar’s solution to the problem is their all-natural, cold-pressed juices made only with the finest and freshest
fruits, vegetables and herbs, and without any additives or preservatives. With a fantastic line of products available in select stores and on their website including their cold-pressed juices, yogurt blends, green tea with juices and detoxifying cleanses, the brand stays true to its motto and its customers -“Nourishment for a Happier You”. To find out more, connect with them on: •• Website: https://brunei. purenectarjuice.com IG: @purenectarbrunei FB: @PurenectarBrunei
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biG scoop
Design Purr-fection Amy Amin’s specialty lies in her love for drawing cats. Officially, it’s visual arts with a secondary skill set in mural design. But even before she could walk, Amy found her lifelong muse in the felines around her. “The art of cats speaks for itself,” she mentioned and indeed there are no words needed when it comes to the mesmerising cat portraits that she creates for her brand Prints by Amy Amin. Designing, printing and sewing her own tote bags, cushion covers, and mini pillows with the help of a sewing course and the internet, feline fans will definitely want to hop on Instagram to get their hands on the designs. •• IG: @amy.amin
Turbans by Neng Kho Razali La Petite Maison A cheeky French translation of “The Little Abode” which was the name of Rev Chai’s previous macaron brand in Los Angeles before he relocated back to Kuching, La Petite Maison is the epitome of the phrase “quality over quantity”. A one man’s show through and through, from designing every gift set to sourcing only the best natural and organic ingredients, each detail is carefully curated down to the T. While the good news is that his bestselling madeleines are available all year round (and soon the pineapple cheese tarts!), we also recommend checking out the seasonal menu items such as the Oolong Red Bean Shanghai Mooncake from the Mid-Autumn Festival gift box or the Earl Grey Biscotti from the incredibly festive Christmas gift set. If you think the baked goods look too good to eat, wait until you get a look at the gorgeous packaging they come in. •• FB: @lpmkuching IG: @lpmkuching 14
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Neng Kho Razali is someone who understands exactly what it takes to make a fashion statement. Rocking turbans and serving colourful head gear in her everyday looks, it was never her intention to create her own fashion line of head accessories. But caving in to many enquiries from interested parties including cancer patients and survivors, Neng officially began creating customised turbans of all kinds for her new customers. From expressing her creativity through shawl turbans, head wraps and ready-to-wear head gears to participating in events such as the Rainforest Fringe Festival: Sarawak Theatre of Clothes and representing Malaysia in the World Ikat Textile Fashion Show, it seems that there’s nothing you can’t do with the confidence boost a wellcoiffed turban by Neng Kho Razali gives you. •• 1st Flr, Lot 14299, SL 14, Block 6, Metrocity, Matang Road, 93050 Kuching IG: @neng.kho.razali
biG scoop
Beyond Camping This family-run campsite located in Kota Belud, about two hours drive north of Kota Kinabalu, has been chalking up high ratings for its location, facilities and friendly hosts. Located by the Panataran River that tumbles down from Mt Kinabalu, Polumpung Melangkap View Camp Site has got everything you need for rent to set up camp, fire up a barbeque and have fun on the river. Entrance and rental fees are so affordable you’d think they would charge extra for the magnificent views of Mt Kinabalu from here but that is all free which makes Polumpung Melangkap one of the best camping spots in Sabah to enjoy the great outdoors. •• Tel: 6016-8246529/6014-6504122 FB: @pmvcs
Food for Thought Living well can be a lot of work especially when it comes to buying the right products for your healthy meals. Surrounded by coffee shops selling calorie laden grub for the hungry masses, Flour & Co. is an absolute contrast with its menu of organic multigrains, raw pressed juices and homemade rice and almond milk. Grab a gluten-free meal or stock up on their range of fresh and packaged whole foods that include green banana flour, Moringa tea and wild honey grown locally in Sabah as well as all the usual super foods that will keep you glowing with good health. •• Blk A, Lot 5, Grd Flr, Damai Plaza Phase 4, Luyang, 88300 Kota Kinabalu Tel: 6088-230328 FB: @flourandcokk
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biG scoop
Mantanani Magic The beautiful island of Mantanani just off the northwest coast of Sabah has been given a real boost of luxury with the newly operational Sutera@ Mantanani by internationallyrenowned Sutera Harbour Resort. Featuring a high raftered timber ceiling at the entrance and well-appointed rooms with balconies to take advantage of the island’s tropical breeze and sunshine, the beach
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resort is a rustic and charming addition to an already popular island getaway. The LumbaLumba Island Cafe offers air-conditioned comfort as well as outdoor dining with loads of water sport and beach activities to work up an appetite. •• Tel: 6088-303900/60178331099 E-mail: sutera_mantanani@ suteraharbour.com.my
BiG
special
What’s Your Favourite Restaurant? This might come as a surprise to no one but we at BiG love our food. It feels like a real blessing that part of our job involves going to new restaurants, trying out different types of food, having conversations about food, and meeting and making new friends in the process. This issue of BiG, we felt especially privileged to talk about food with three of the nicest people we’ve had the pleasure to meet with in our tenure with this magazine: the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei, the British High Commissioner to Brunei and the High Commissioner of India to Brunei. They were kind enough to let us into their office, take some photos, and ask them a question burning in our minds: What’s your favourite restaurant in Brunei? Brian Teo
A
mbassador Yoon is a fan of Senja Restaurant, the long-time restaurant known for its excellent steaks and Western cuisine. And one of her favourite things to eat when she comes to dine at this local favourite haunt is the Spinach and Mushroom stuffed Ravioli in tomato-based sauce. •• Her Excellency Ambassador Yoon Hyun-bong Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Senja Lounge Unit 8 & 9, Seri Q-Lap Complex, Spg 88, Jalan Komersial Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan Tel: 673-2235313
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biG special
I
ndian High Commissioner Mr Ajaneesh Kumar is an admirer of the works of Chef Devesh and his team from Radisson Hotel Brunei, and has frequented their new upscale restaurant, Riwaz, plenty of times since it opened its doors to the public. His favourite dish from here is the melt-in-yourmouth Galouti Kebab – a seasoned lamb mince patty served with a mini paratha. •• His Excellency High Commissioner Ajaneesh Kumar High Commissioner of India to Brunei Riwaz Radisson Hotel, Jalan Tasek 2203, Bandar Seri Begawan Tel: 673-2244272 ext 8873
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biG special
B
ritish High Commissioner Mr Richard Lindsay leads a healthy lifestyle, so it’s no surprise that his favourite restaurant in Brunei is Fuel’d! “I love eating at Fuel’d because their food is always so fresh and healthy. You can choose from a huge selection of superfoods which set me up for the rest of the day – whether I am working in the office or running in the jungle. It is also great for my gluten-free diet, as I know exactly what I am eating and can be sure no flour has got into my meal.” “I think Fuel’d is a doing a great service by encouraging healthy eating and a more sustainable lifestyle. I love that their take-aways don’t use plastic.” •• His Excellency High Commissioner Mr Richard Lindsay British High Commissioner to Brunei Fuel’d Unit A4, Setia Kenangan 2, Block A, Kg Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan Tel: 673-8749881
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feature
s t r e ss e D The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. But these days, it helps if it’s in the presentation as well. We at BiG are always up for a carb-load at any time of day, and there are plenty of places to go for quality confectionaries in the sultanate. And man, do they look good. Far gone are the days of buttercream on sponge cake and cursive greetings in sugar icing. Today, the dessert on the table is the star of an event. In this issue of BiG, we highlight three chefs in Brunei who specialise in creating handcrafted desserts for every occasion. And very importantly, these fantastic creations taste really, really good too. Intan Abu Daniel
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z i b h s u r a Su g You might think it’s a big leap from nonya kuih to meticulously crafted confectionaries, but for Caroline, it was an easy transition. With roots in the art of making nonya kuih, Caroline’s apprenticeship in the kitchen began when she was a child in her grandmother’s kitchen, helping her with simple tasks in making desserts and nonya cakes. After a career in banking, Caroline went into business as Sugarushbiz only to go on hiatus to tie the knot and focus on her family. But it has now been three years since Caroline donned her apron again, going stronger than ever creating her own beautiful desserts while keeping the legacy of her grandmother’s nonya cake business alive. In a time when artisan cakes flood your Instagram account, Caroline’s cakes stand out with her authentic designs and creative flair, veering easily from bold concepts to darling creations. And if you’re worried about how it tastes, Caroline breaks it down for us, “I believe a dessert should taste as good as it looks.” Which means, dear readers, that it tastes fantastic. •• Check out more of Caroline’s beautiful desserts and nonya cakes on her Instagram page (@sugarushbiz) and contact her at 673-8742800 or 7165544 for inquiries.
Bu tt e r gs a n d Eg From elegent three-tiered wedding cakes with stunning flowers cascading from top to bottom to quirky gold-themed creations, if there’s a cake you need for an event, chances are Eileen will be able to bake it for you. Aside from being incredibly stylish, ‘artistic’ also perfectly describes her desserts considering Eileen’s previous day job was as a full-time graphic and motion graphic designer. She just moved her artistry from the screen to the oven. Growing up in the kitchen, her grandmother would prepare her then-famous prawn crackers and her older cousin would spend time baking. Baking was always a side hobby and job for Eileen to kill time with, but she took it to
the next level by quitting her day job and enrolling in a Pastry Chef course at the famed Le Cordon Bleu in London. And the rest, as they say, is sweet history. “To me, creating a dessert is an art form,” Eileen explained. “Instead of creating virtual artworks, I’m creating edible artworks that not only are visually pleasing but also delicious to taste. Each one having been thoughtfully crafted to be unique with a combination of what I enjoy in a dessert as well as what other people like.” •• Check out Eileen’s other works of edible art and confectionaries on her Instagram page (@butter.n.eggs) and email her for inquiries at elxy@hotmail.com.
De li ci e ux Eggs With her desserts, Nicole takes the simple concept of flowers on cake to a whole other level. We were gobsmacked the first time we laid eyes on Nicole’s desserts. It seems nearly impossible (particularly for un-crafty people such as ourselves) to believe that something as intricately designed as the blooming flowers on her cakes and the tiny delicate succulents on her cupcakes could be done by hand. It’s a surprise to no one that Nicole is a fan of art, and the reason why she turned to baking in the first place is due to her love of turning art into something to eat! Beautifully designed cookies, mirror glazed cakes, luscious flowers and succulents on cakes and cupcakes can be found on her Instagram feed. In fact, you’ll also often find Nicole’s favourite dessert there: Wagashi nerikiri is a type of traditional Japanese confectionery which is 100% vegan and absolutely
beautiful to look at. Nicole confesses making it is a form of therapy for her. Her Instagram account describes her confectionaries as ‘Edible Arts’, and this is true on every level. Artistically, her cakes are so beautiful to look at that you almost don’t want to eat it, but we encourage you to ignore that inner voice and take a bite – you won’t regret it. •• Check out Nicole’s fantastic creations on her Instagram page (@delicieux_eggs) and Whatsapp her at 673-87271721 for inquiries.
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Sweet on Sarawak
Sarawak has long enjoyed an eclectic array of culinary influences from both East and West. In this issue of BiG we take you on a journey to experience a few must-try dessert destinations and explore the stories behind these delights. From Mediterranean classics to traditional Punjabi treats, humble childhood favourites to haute cuisine confectionery, who knew there was such diverse range of sweetmeats to be savoured here in Sarawak? Irene Chan
1 ZINC has a solid reputation for the quality of its cuisine – lovingly curated dishes that marry Mediterranean favourites with an Asian influence. The establishment offers a selection of decadent, whimsical and unexpected sweet treats - a result of the collaboration between Catalonian chef, Chef Jordi, and Servane Lo, the French co-founder and designer of the restaurant. The resulting dessert menu incorporates sophistication into traditional Mediterranean desserts, in keeping with the restaurant’s playfully chic vibes. The crowd-pleaser is indubitably the French Profiteroles. The delicate choux pastry comes filled with a luxurious Chantilly cream and a drizzle of a ganache of dark chocolate. ZINC’s Tiramisu offers a playful take on the classic Italian cake. Prepared with traditional Mascarpone cheese, coffee and Amaretto, it came in the unexpected form of a pot plant with chocolate “soil”, garnished with a sprig of fresh mint.
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biG feature
ZINC My personal favourite was the Crema Catalana, which is Catalonian in origin. Similar to the crème brulee, this dessert came served in a cazuela (a terracotta cooking dish). From the brittle caramel crust to the creamy insides, it differs distinctively with the addition of the spicy warmth of cinnamon. For those who prefer a fruity take on dessert, there is the citrusy Crêpes Suzette, thin pancakes served with a slice of fresh orange and smothered with a flambéd orange liqueur sauce. Lovers of tart flavours will favour the Passionfruit Cheesecake, a Spanish-styled soft cheesecake topped with passionfruit puree – a tangy flavour very much the favourite of Servane. •• ZINC opens daily from 6pm to 1am except for Mondays Tel: 6011-36906675 FB: @ZincKuching IG: @zinckuching
Helmed by MasterChef Asia 2015 finalist Jasbir Kaur, Thaali serves an assortment of well-loved Punjabi fare. Punjabi sweets are usually rare treats traditionally served on special occasions. However, after her move to Sarawak, Jasbir began craving these traditional sweets reminiscent of her childhood. Undaunted by the non-existent local supply, she called up her mother for the family recipes, and then set about recreating these old favourites. For customers new to Punjabi desserts, Thaali offers a Mithai Set which contains gulab jamun, barfi, ladoo, and coconut candy. The Gulab Jamun, deepfried balls of milk solids which are then soaked in rose syrup, is an ancient dessert and Thaali’s most sought after confectionery. Also part of the set is another milk-based morsel, the Barfi, made from full-cream milk and spices. Every Punjabi family has their own rendition of traditional confections, and Jasbir’s was no different. Ladoos are made with
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chickpea flour, sugar, and spices, often with dried fruit mixed in. Jasbir’s father enjoyed black peppercorns in his, and the version served at Thaali is a loving tribute to their family recipe. Completing the set is the Coconut Candy which are a childhood favourite of Jasbir’s, made from simple ingredients that come together in an indulgent representation of beloved South Asian flavours.
Batches of desserts at Thaali are rolled out on a weekly basis, and are only available in limited quantities to avoid spoilage, so do place a pre-order with the restaurant to guarantee a taste of your favourite Punjabi confections. •• Thaali opens daily from 10am to 10pm Tel: 6082-532653 FB: @thaali.kch IG: @thaali.kch
Madeleine
Cafe
Many Kuching residents experienced a gustatory epiphany upon the opening of Madeleine Cafe. Taking a haute cuisine approach with his baked goods, Chef Liew’s work is predominantly Westerninspired, and impeccably presented. Most would never guess that he began his career making simple traditional Chinese pastries. Indeed, he started off with running a humble home business - a vastly different direction from the elaborate French confections he crafts today. Working 12 years overseas as a pastry chef, Chef Liew came back to Malaysia equipped with the technical know-how acquired from his experience abroad, and formulated a menu tailored for the Sarawakian market. The highly popular Praline is a testament to this. A chocolate creation
topped with premium chocolate shavings and gold praline, it is indulgent yet never too cloying. Traditional French pastries tend to be sweeter and richer than what local palates are used to, and Chef Liew has taken cues from the Japanese approach to dessert-making, toning down the flavours of his creations so as not to be too overwhelming. A favourite flavour combination of the chef, a bite into the Ivory Raspberry yields the texture of white chocolate, balanced perfectly with a robust burst of fruit. Finally there is Red Berries, a vision of delight in pink, cream and gold. Here, the tart sweetness of strawberries and raspberries are combined with the tangy creaminess of yogurt. This trio of ingredients serves as an invigorating departure from some of the richer offerings, but is as wonderfully complex as all of the items on Madeleine’s menu.
•• Madeleine Cafe is open from 8am to 10pm daily, except Tuesdays Tel: 6082-529295 FB: @madeleinecafegreenheights IG: @madeleine.greenheights
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biG feature
Putting on the glitz From cookies to cakes, fruity trifles to just fresh fruits, desserts are those decadent treats to end each meal on a high note. But nowadays desserts aren’t just a little something to sweeten up a meal – oftentimes they are the “star” of an event. Whether it’s the taste or the decor, or both, these two home-bakers have put the glitz and glamour, and love, into traditional desserts to make them the talk of every party. Pamela Fletcher
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A Cake Affair Jessica Teo isn’t your typical baker. She graduated with a Masters in molecular biology and worked as a lecturer for almost 6 years before she tripped and fell into the business of baking. It was her son’s first birthday and she wanted to bake him a cake and decorate it herself. She never imagined that this decision, made on a whim three years ago, would literally change her life and career. With no baking or cake decorating experience, Jessica sifted through the internet for recipes, then tried, tested and tweaked them before coming up with her first masterpiece: a simple butter cake decorated with clouds, airplanes, and a garden full of flowers, bumblebees and ladybugs. For someone who had never taken an art class in her life, Jessica’s first attempt was nothing short of impressive. Her dogged determination to capture every detail to make her creation look as realistic as possible was the result of many failed attempts but the end result was worth it. It was an instant hit at the party, not only because of the decoration but also because the cake actually tasted good. Really good! It may have been just a birthday cake for her son at a
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The typical brownie is a cross between a cake and a soft cookie that is all fudgy and chewy on the inside and just slightly crusty on top. Some like it plain and screaming for a glass of milk to dunk it in, and some like it all dressed up and ready to hit the town. Seberena Sahriza was busy managing a boutique with her mum and freelancing as a unit trust consultant when her passion for baking brownies took her down a different path. A big fan of all things chocolate, Seberena has been baking brownies for friends and family since young, but as her brownies became more refined, the orders started coming in. Her friends, and clients, started calling her a mad woman for trying to juggle everything in her life and hence Madwoman Kinabalu was born. Conceding that there is no secret to making the
home party but Jessica was determined to go the whole nine yards when it came to baking the cake itself, choosing to use only premium quality ingredients to get the right texture and flavour. In fact, it took almost a year from that day before she finally got her butter cake recipe just right and, perhaps being a tad nostalgic, this remains her favourite sweet treat. As a self-taught baker and cake decorator, Jessica relies almost completely on video tutorials, pictures and TV shows for inspiration. Her hidden talent as an artistic genius is quite astounding as her creations have quantumleaped over the last few years into bigger and more elaborate designs. From simple and sophisticated to bold and colourful, every cake is crafted to taste as good as it looks to make sure her clients get the
perfect sweet sensation to top off a special occasion. Apart from the traditional butter cake and cheesecake recipes, Jessica is starting to experiment with local flavours and giving them a new twist. Her onde-onde cupcake is a pandan cake flavoured with concentrated pandan extract for that natural light green colour. It’s then filled with gula melaka and shredded coconut in the middle and topped with coconut whipped cream, more shredded coconut and drizzled with gula melaka. It would be interesting indeed to see how she incorporates these unique flavours into her more elaborate cakes and cake decoration. Jessica started her home-based online business, A Cake Affair, last year and now works full-time churning out amazingly delicious works of art to glam up any occasion. •• FB: @ACakeAffairbyJessicaTeo
perfect brownie except putting in a lot of time and love into it, Seberena made sure to use the highest quality ingredients and perfected the technique to produce that melt-in-your-mouth texture her brownies are famous for. Her cut slices topped with caramel sauce, cream cheese, nuts, fruits, or any other topping desired by her clients, are the most popular but when it comes to special occasions, her brownies are dressed up to stand out. Other sweets using bitter and dark chocolate include her truffles which are made from 100% Belgian dark chocolate, and nutty bark which are getting as much attention as her brownies. •• FB: @Madwoman.Kinabalu
It’s a mad, mad world
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BiG focus
BREW Café & Bakery
Artisan pastries, cakes, breads and sandwiches, paired with a cup of premium coffee – welcome to BREW Café & Bakery! Starting out as Mr. Baker’s Cafeteria – a dine-in option for the well-known local franchise Mr Baker’s Bakeshop – the venue saw a renovation in 2015 and emerged a trendier version of its former self. The values remained the same: Mr Baker’s Bakeshops are well-known for serving quality pastries for the health conscious, and BREW continued that tradition, with the added bonus of contributing to Brunei’s coffee culture by serving premium-grade coffee. Keep up to date with BREW Café by following them on Instagram (@brewcafebakery) or calling them at 673-2427554. 26
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Caffé Bene Hj Mohammad Zulkifli and his wife, Hjh Aminah, chose to open Caffé Bene due to their own passion for coffee, but the famous Korean franchise has always been more than just coffee. Their slogan “More than Coffee” means they also offer a wide variety of desserts, waffles, pastries and pies, all of which will be paired perfectly with their fresh, good quality coffee. Their coffee is exceptional for many reasons: different raw coffee beans are all separately roasted before blending; coffee beans used are roasted using a medium air-roasting technique that helps preserve the richness in coffee flavor and aroma; a signed contract with the Ipanema Brazil farm means all coffee beans used here are grown through particular quality management; and fresh milk is always used. Keep up with them for updates on Instagram (@caffebenebn) and Facebook (@caffebenebrunei) or call them at 673-2340836.
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Brewing in Brunei for over 17 years, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf were one of the first in Brunei to introduce the idea of coffee beyond your average cup of black coffee from the nearby coffee shop. At The Coffee Bean, nothing is done halfway. Flavours are handcrafted and coffee beans are roasted in small batches in their facility in California, where diligent work is put into finding the roast that best suits the beans and captures the essence of what makes each country’s coffee unique. Follow them on Instagram (@coffeebean_brunei), Facebook (@thecoffeebeanbrunei) or Twitter (@coffeebean_bn) for updates.
Coffee by Dil Coffee appreciation has always been a hobby for Shaikh Fadilah, and the leap from coffee connoisseur to entrepreneur was just a matter of time. Coffee aficionados have always turned to him for information, thanks to his home barista skills and his detailed coffee trails on his Instagram account (@Dilcoffeetrail) where he documents his coffee travels, conversations with baristas, and shares his knowledge and tips on coffee brewing techniques. Aside from offering his brews and baked goods at pop-up events, he also conducts coffee appreciation classes at home to teach local coffee students skills and knowledge on coffee brewing. Follow him on Instagram (@Dilcoffeetrail) and DM him for inquiries.
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Brunei’s coffee culture has seen many changes since the first coffee shop served its first cup of latte to the public when all we knew about good coffee were iced mochacinnos with whipped cream on top. Not that we’re complaining (we love our iced mochacinnos), but the coffee scene has evolved since those days. These days the coffee culture caters to every kind of coffee drinker – and we’re all the better for it. We set our sights on some of the movers and shakers of the local coffee scene, and ask them to share some personal insights about-what else-coffee! Brian Teo Image was taken at Kapra Coffee. Want more? Head on over to our website at www.borneoinsidersguide.com for more of our conversation with Brunei’s movers and shakers in the coffee industry.
The Collective Wildflower Shinny Chia’sobsession with flowers and a desire to one day own a café (from her experience of working in a café in Australia) brought about The Collective Wildflower, which Shinny sees as more than just a place that sells flowers, food and coffee. To her, her café is also about building a community of people with shared interests and values about food ethic, creativity in food, design, presentation, and even kindness. The creativity is evident from their food menu to their superfood lattes. Shinny frequently brings home unique coffee beans from her travels so it’s safe to say, their coffee is pretty good too! Follow them on Instagram (@thecollectivewildflower) for updates.
Kapra Coffee The step-up in Brunei’s coffee culture from having to import roasted coffee beans to being able to purchase freshly roasted coffee beans locally was due to the two friends behind Kapra Coffee who saw the gap in the market and worked toward providing freshly roasted beans for local cafés and restaurants. Kapra also serves their own unique house blends, and are strong supporters of the local coffee culture - fostering relations with others to help the industry develop positively. Follow them for updates on Instagram (@kapracoffee) or contact them at info@ kapracoffee.com or 6732342850.
TwentyFive Brunei When the coffee culture in Brunei was beginning to boom, Firdaus Omar was already foreseeing the kind of hard work it would entail to build a local industry from it. A café needs support, and Firdaus stepped up to the plate with TwentyFive to fill that gap by providing secondary support to local coffee players and supplying raw material, equipment and training. A man with vast experience in the coffee industry, what he wants for our local coffee culture is to take the necessary steps to develop into a full-blown coffee industry. Follow him on Instagram (@twentyfive.bn and @ noicebn) for updates.
Two Sons Coffee Husband and wife team Alex and Sal did the local coffee aficionados a favour when they decided to move back to Sal’s hometown of Brunei, bringing with them their vast experience of working in a number of Birmingham’s specialty coffee shops and working with many amazing coffee roasters in the UK. They started off in March 2018 as a home business in Kuala Belait before taking part in their first popup in April and ever since then, their business has been escalating non-stop. The pair also takes time to educate and compare brewing techniques with other local coffee players. They would highly recommend their filter coffee, as they use numerous types of coffee beans from different roasters from around the world. Follow them on Instagram (@twosonscoffee) and Facebook (Two Sons Coffee). Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
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10 BiG trail
Ngiu Chap Literally meaning ‘mixed beef’, this noodle soup has a mixture of beef and its organs, so vegetarians, stay away! A signature dish from Sabah, it’s said that no trip here is complete without a taste of this beefy treat, typically prepared in a beef broth soup with your choice of yellow noodles or mee hoon, and a dash of fiery hot chili.
MUST Tuaran Mee E A TS
The food culture in Borneo is wideranging with indigenous flavours from the cooking pots of the ethnic tribes to imported cuisines borrowed from the various races around the region who have settled on the island. With such a multi-cultural and multi-racial background, and a fertile rainforest that has provided many of the endemic ingredients unique to this island, it’s no wonder that many of the local food of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei have a distinct quality, placing them in a class of their own. In this issue of BiG, we highlight just ten of the dishes around Borneo that you should try. 28
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Kolo Mee
AROUND BORNEO
A sign of a good plate of Tuaran Mee begins with its yellow egg noodles, which is handmade using only egg yolks, which should be springy to the bite. It is then topped with barbecued pork, greens, and egg rolls. Considered the ‘must-eat’ noodle dish of Sabah, Tuaran Mee originates from the town of Tuaran – a 45-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu – but can now be found in many restaurants around Sabah.
While Kolo Mee (or ‘Kolok Mee’) can be found throughout Borneo, it is actually a signature dish from Sarawak. The key to this dish is its delicious simplicity: boiled egg noodles with a light soy sauce mixed with oil, topped with minced meat or pork, chopped green onions and fried shallots, and served with a bowl of clear soup. A bowl of kolo mee will taste great in any part of Borneo!
Laksa Hinava Kuching
Belachan Bee Hoon Uniquely Sarawakian, you will be hard-pressed to find a restaurant outside of Kuching that serves this dish. The soup base of this noodle is made with belachan (shrimp paste), and is served with bee hoon (rice vermicelli), garnished with shredded cucumbers, bean sprouts, sliced cuttlefish and century egg. The resulting taste is tangy, spicy and sweet, and if you’re fan of belachan, then you must try this dish!
This spicy noodle soup dish has hints of spices such as cumin, coriander and nutmeg as well as fresh herbs like lemongrass, galangal and chili, which are blended together to make a paste which is then used as a base for the soup. Coconut milk is added when the stock is ready, the broth is then ladled over noodles and served with a wedge of lime and a dollop of sambal. A true Sarawakian delicacy!
Hinava is the quintessential traditional dish of the Kadazandusun community. Made from thinly sliced raw mackerel fillet mixed with ginger, sliced chilli, red onions, grated bambangan seed and lime juice, which literally ‘cooks’ the fish, hinava is usually eaten as a side dish. Raw bittergourd is sometimes added to balance the tangy taste with a shot of bitterness.
This curious looking dish is made by slowly adding hot water to ambulung (otherwise known as sago) and skilfully stirred into a glutinous mass that has the texture and appearance of starch. It’s eaten with the help of a chandas (a twopronged bamboo stick), which is used to twirl the ambuyat and then dipped into a spicy and sour sauce called cacah, and then swallowed in one go. Ambuyat is typically served with an assortment of side dishes of meat, fish and vegetables, and is a humble dish that remains hugely popular to this day.
Big fat wriggly beetle larvae harvested from the trunk of a sago palm? It definitely doesn’t sound like something for the faint-hearted, and putting a wriggling bug in your mouth is surely a testament to your bravery, but the taste of this Sabah delicacy has actually been described as creamy and buttery. Take the easy way out and try a cooked one first!
Nasi Katok
Ambuyat
Butod Manok Pansoh Manok Pansuh is a traditional Iban dish that is typically served during festivals like Gawai. Pieces of chicken are marinated with organic ginger and lemongrass and stuffed into a hollow green bamboo, which is then sealed with a banana leaf and cooked over an open fire. The result is tender chicken with a light gravy, perfumed with the scent of lemongrass and bamboo which cannot be replicated by today’s conventional cooking methods.
A simplified form of the popular Asian dish Nasi Lemak, there are many varieties of nasi katok in Brunei these days but basically it takes the form of white rice, a cut of fried chicken and sambal wrapped up in brown paper. But what makes the Nasi Katok so Bruneian in nature has nothing to do with its ingredients, rather the story behind it. The nasi katok was first created for the hungry souls in need of a cheap and quick meal at midnight – the idea being that a patron would go up to the house, knock on the door, and get a few bundles of nasi katok for a few dollars. Hence the name nasi katok was created (katok means ‘knock’ in Malay and nasi means ‘rice’).
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BiG
A Soulful Evening with Joss Stone
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he British High Commission brought life to soul music fans with the hosting of a Charity Gala Evening on February 25. The event, which benefits the Children’s Cancer Foundation (YASKA), saw soul sensation Joss Stone take the stage as part of her “Total World Tour” with three local talents. Syasya Sahira, Naqibah Fadzil and Amin Nordin, who were personally chosen by Joss Stone and her management, warmed up the crowd by singing a set of two songs each followed by Stone’s acoustic set of 15 songs. With her mission to be the first singer to perform in all 193 United Nations registered countries, Joss Stone also collaborated with Syasya Sahira in performing a duet of the local singer’s hit single “Ingkar”. Managed by Relentless Entertainment and held at the
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JIS Arts Centre Theatre, the evening was a huge hit as tickets, priced from BND45 to BND85, flew off the shelves as long-time fans geared up at the prospect of experiencing the internationally acclaimed soul singer performing live. The event was supported by Royal Brunei Airlines, Baiduri Bank Berhad, Progresif Cellular and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
YASKA (Yayasan Kanser KanakKanak) is a non-governmental organization which focuses on raising awareness and supportive communities for children diagnosed with cancer as well as their families by fostering understanding and providing funding for childhood cancer advocacy and outreach programmes.
Brunei Gastronomy Week 2019 Transforming Humble Local Cuisine into Fine Dining
The Brunei Gastronomy Week returned for its third consecutive year, showcasing local Food & Beverage establishments’ efforts in elevating local cuisine to luxury fare. This year’s theme was ‘turmeric’ (kunyit) – a local ingredient commonly found in Brunei’s cuisine.
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he launch of the Brunei Gastronomy Week saw a showcase of many variations of cuisine with this humble ingredient at its core, from a Deconstructed Laksa by Radisson Hotel Brunei, Pais Daging from The Longhouse Training Restaurant run by IBTE students, Prawn Herba
Bidasari from Eco Ponies Garden, and desserts such as Turmeric Butter Cookies from Rizqun International Hotel and a Mango Crumble Turmeric Chilled Cheese Cake from Anjung Saujana Restaurant. The event was officiated on 13 February 2019 by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awg
Haji Ali bin Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism. The annual event, this year held from 23 February to 10 March 2019, continued to realise its objective in celebrating Brunei and creating an awareness of Brunei’s local cuisine, and to encourage hotels and restaurants to elevate local cuisine in terms of taste and presentation and thereby serving local cuisine as part of a fine dining experience within and outside of the sultanate, and to provide a uniquely local gastronomical experience for visitors. As was the process in the previous Brunei Gastronomy Week events, the cuisine served specially for this event will be rated by a small team of judges, using
a rating system that will measure each participants’ signature cuisine in terms of presentation, taste, innovativeness, wholesomeness and creativity. The winners will be announced at the launch of Brunei Gastronomy Week in 2020. Participants of the Brunei Gastronomy Week 2019 included Anjung Saujana Restaurant and Horizons Seafood Restaurant as managed by Royal Brunei Catering, Eco Ponies Garden, Radisson Hotel Brunei, Rizqun International Hotel, Royal Brunei Airlines, Sumbiling Eco Village, The Brunei Hotel, The Empire Hotel and Country Club and The Longhouse Training Restaurant from the School of Hospitality and Tourism, Sultan Saiful Rijal Campus. The Brunei Gastronomy Week 2019 was supported by members of the Brunei Tourism Board, the Brunei Association of Hotels, the Association of Travel Agents Brunei, CHMP Media, Eko Kampung, Royal Brunei Airlines, Radio Television Brunei (RTB) and local media.
Website: https://bruneitourism.com FB: @BruneiTourismBoard IG: @brunei.tourism
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B i G getaway
Cat
ching up with Kuching
For those looking to explore Bornean culture, a trip to Kuching should definitely be on the cards. Taking advantage of Royal Brunei Airlines’ recently launched direct flights to the city, we decided to hop onto the next plane and embark on a staycation of sorts; a cultural adventure exploring this tropical island we call home! Sheyenne Siah
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or first-timers to Kuching, we recommend a whirlwind city center tour to get your bearings and visit iconic landmarks such as the Tua Pek Kong Temple, the old Colonial Law Court House, and the Old State Mosque. The mosque, which was reconstructed in 1968, is a calming vision of pink and gold, and is best viewed from the river with the sun gleaming off its minarets. Our accommodations were at the Grand Margherita Hotel, which to our delight is strategically located on the lively Waterfront Promenade that stretches to almost one kilometer long along
the Sarawak River, and is a popular spot for the locals on weekends. Speaking of rivers, the Sarawak River Cruise is one for the romantics as you are carried down memory lane by way of the Sarawak River to get the best perspective on some of Kuching’s pivotal landmarks, with The Astana, Fort Margherita and the Brooke Dockyard being just some of the historical sights gracing the water’s horizon. Traditional tribal dances are also performed during the 90-minute cruise making it a full cultural experience as passengers enjoy the panoramic view of the riverbank.
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There are many Instagramworthy locations around Kuching, and the iconic Cat Statue at the Waterfront intersection (situated right in front of The Grand Margherita Hotel) is definitely on that list. With Kuching directly translating to “cat” in the Malay language, there are a number of cat monuments around the city so be prepared to get a lot of feline feels during your trip! If you’re searching for a more in-depth look into Sarawak’s colourful history, what’s a better place to turn to than the national museum? However, the Sarawak State Museum
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1. Just one of the many
cat statues in Kuching 2. Traditional dancers on
the Sarawak River Cruise 3. The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building 4. Sarawak Cultural Village 5. The Sarawak Laksa Special from Mom’s Laksa on Jalan Haji Taha 6. An art installation at the Sarawak Art Museum
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recently announced its twoand-a-half year closure as it undergoes a major multi-million dollar facelift and prepares to emerge as one of ASEAN’s finest museums in 2020. But, fret not! The neighbouring Sarawak Art Museum is just as insightful an exhibition with its exquisite displays, multimedia exhibitions and captivating artwork. But if you’re a sucker for more interactive activities, the Sarawak Cultural Village is definitely one for the books. Set on a 17-acre site, the living museum allows visitors to visit authentic replicas of the seven tribes’ houses as well as a
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chance to meet with the natives themselves. Provided with a “passport” to be stamped at every house stop, witness and engage in actual tribal activities such as blow pipe shooting with the Penans, eating deep fried rose cookies hot off the wok at the Iban house and watching ang koo kueh made from scratch at the Chinese house. The twice-daily cultural shows are also a must, so turn up at the theater at 11.30am or 4pm for a show you won’t want to miss! With Sarawak being a minefield of culture, tradition and history, be sure to pay a visit to the Fairy Caves located
just 22km away from the city center. With plenty of history and myths surrounding its mass of stalactites and stalagmites, the challenging hike through the caves isn’t your average walk in the (national) park. Further up the road, the Serikin Market, which spans a kilometer, beckons to the bargain hunter in you. Best known for its interesting location on the border separating Sarawak and Kalimantan, make your way here for some amazing market finds. And when you’re done stocking up, replenish at one of the many neighborhood restaurants nearby for some on-point chicken rice or a sip of refreshing three-layer ice tea. While we didn’t get a chance to borrow a cup of sugar from our Bornean neighbours, we
For more places to visit and discover in Kuching, go to www.sarawaktourism.com to learn more.
did get offered a sip of their special homebrewed tuak or rice wine upon purchasing entrance tickets to the Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse in Padawan. The longhouse provides a peek into the day-to-day life of the Bidayuh community today and provides a chance for visitors to buy some homegrown products. With all there is to see and do in Kuching, there’s no doubt that you’ve been working up an appetite. Feast on local indigenous cuisine at the popular Lepau restaurant on Ban Hock Road or at Restoran Budaya Sarawak located in the Waterfront’s Steamship Building for authentic Kayan cuisines such as ayam pansuh, terung dayak and nuba laya. A visit to Kuching isn’t complete without a taste of its famous ice desserts from the legendary Swee Kang Ais Kacang on Jalan Haji Taha, which has been feeding the local sweet tooth community since 1963. While you’re there, take the opportunity to try out the hot, savoury dishes on the menu as well! Rojak, classic buttery toasts, char kway (Chinese yam cakes), beehoon belacan and laksa; the only thing standing between you and Sarawak street food is a briskly placed order. We suggest you get cracking! All in all, our trip to the heritagedriven capital of Sarawak was a fulfilling one which ticked all the right boxes, leaving us wanting for nothing but a lazy cat nap under the sun to process the highlights of our stay. Brimming with culture, a tradition-infused culinary scene, shopping, culture and sightseeing, Kuching represents a hub of Bornean heritage that we can truly say is a pleasure to visit. Our trip to Kuching was part of a media trip organised by Royal Brunei Airlines. Offering direct flights to Kuching four times a week, start planning your own trip by visiting www.flyroyalbrunei.com.
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advertorial
Eat, Share and Enjoy at Jerudong Park Food Court Brunei’s Biggest Open Food Court
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Location, location, location
The Jerudong Park Food Court is in a highly accessible location, right next door to the Jerudong Park Playground (the only theme park in Borneo!) and close to the much-used MuaraTutong highway.
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Fuss-free dining
Ample parking spaces catering to the large crowds that flock to Jerudong Park Playground on the weekends means it’s never difficult to find a good parking space, and if you’re looking to take out rather than dine in, swing into the McDonald’s drive-through for a quick and delicious meal! There are also ATMs available for Baiduri Bank and Standard Chartered Bank account holders.
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Where can you go for a taste of great local and international food at reasonable prices? Head on over to the Jerudong Park Food Court! With plenty of dining options, a great location and a lively atmosphere, here are just a few reasons why we think you should pay a visit to the largest food court complex in Brunei. 34
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Food, food, and more food!
From local delights like ambuyat to freshly cooked seafood to your pick of international franchises such as McDonald’s and Pondok Sari Wangi – their wide and varied food offerings will have something to tempt even the pickiest of eaters. And don’t forget the drinks! A variety of drinks can be found at most stalls but drop by Soto Pro for a delicious coconut shake!
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Where there’s smoke, there’s barbecued chicken!
The Food Court has 10 barbecue and grill stations that will always have sticks of barbecued chicken sizzling on the grill in the late afternoon and evenings. Buy a stick fresh off the grill, or go ahead
and line up at the long queue of patrons vying for some fantastic hot wings and lamb at Summayah (M. R. BBQ & Grill) on any night.
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International dining
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A clean and spacious food court
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Safety first
Brunei is a country full of foodies, and while we love our local food, we sure do love our international fare as well. Dine on Tteokbokki and other Korean fare at Cocojam Restaurant, dip into divine Indonesian fare at Pondok Sari Wangi, eat Indian cuisine at Ya Nur Restaurant and Catering, dig into a claypot bowl of Moroccan Kofta and other Mediterranean delights at Kofta Diva, bite into a slice of pizza at Q Real and enjoy some tacos and Mexican fare at Ricardo’s!
Cleanliness is highly monitored in JP Food Court, and coupled with an open-air concept amid green surroundings, you’ll be dining in a clean, airy and relaxing atmosphere. Because the food court opens at 8am and closes at midnight, this is the goto venue for a lot of early risers and late diners. For those dining out late, there’s little to fear here: the JP Food Court has security patrolling the area 24/7 and CCTV surveillance.
Interested in becoming a vendor? Contact us at 673-2612364 or email plo.admin@jpcc.com.bn for inquiries. -
Follow Jerudong Park Playground for updates on: IG: @jerudongpark FB: @jerudongparkplayground W: www.jerudongpark.com
B i G appetite
Sweet Mother of Pearls In a place where coffee timelessly reigns supreme, there is another drink that has taken the beverage world by storm. We’re talking about the drink that, in the past thirty years or so since its inception in Taiwan, has revolutionized the daytime drinking game. Nowadays “getting a drink” is no longer limited to sitting in hipster cafés with your adult dose of caffeine in a cup, but has now grown to include the fun younger sister of decadent drinks; the bubble tea. Bubble tea or “boba tea”, as it’s affectionately known, is known to be the object of many a person’s obsession (present company included!) with its basic key ingredients of tea, milk and chewy tapioca pearls thrown together to create hundreds of different combinations, perfectly customized to quench your tea thirst. So to get you started on your very own boba journey, we’ve come up with a list of some boba joints around Brunei and what we love about each of the menus. Sheyenne Siah
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Gong Cha
A crowd favourite, there’s always something so fulfilling about Gong Cha drinks. Whether it’s their Alisan Tea with Ai-Yu jelly, Earl Grey Tea with Herbal Jelly or their Mango Smoothie with White Pearls, there’s nothing that can’t be made better by adding a layer of their special milk foam topping to the mix. But if you’re looking for something that hits the spot just right, their signature Pearl Milk Tea with Milk Foam may be overkill to some but to us it’s a savoury-sweet dream come true. •• IG: @gongchabn FB: @GongCha.Brunei
Share Tea
Let’s get down to it. No one does a Rock Salt & Cheese Foam like Share Tea. Paired with their crisp Wintermelon Tea, the combination perfectly balances out the luxe creaminess of the foam, thanks to the mildly savoury undertones the cheese factor brings. Some people understandably find it difficult to grasp the idea of cheese in their drinks, but to that we say, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! •• Tel: 673-2338559
LiHo
The newest player in the sipping field and the first to come in strong with the Brown Sugar Pearl, LiHo is a Singaporean franchise which promises only the freshest in your cup. While we love the richness of their Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea (we enjoy ours with little to no ice for full flavour), their Brown Sugar Pearl with Fresh Milk is also a crowd pleaser for its lighter consistency— and yet there is simply no mistaking its rich flavour. •• IG: @lihobrunei FB: @LiHO Brunei
Infinitea
Infinitea stays in their own lane and what a delicious lane that is. In the vein of doing things once and doing things right, the Bruneian-born brand stands firmly by what they know best which is their tried-and-true menu of drinkable local delicacies. From their Gula Melaka Milk Tea to their Bandung Ice Blended to their Milo Dinosaur drink, there is no shortage of local flavours to enjoy. As difficult as it is to choose a favourite, we simply cannot get enough of their intriguing Ice Blended Black Sesame drink— there’s really nothing like it! Order it with white sago topping for an incredible mouthfeel and enjoy the concert of flavours running through your taste buds. •• IG: @infinitea.bn FB: @infinitea.bn
Easy Way
The only advice we can give when it comes to the franchise that’s been around since the beginning is to order your drinks in a size Large because that’s the best way to enjoy an Easyway drink. Whether you order their iconic full-bodied milk teas in classic, taro or any of their many, many flavours, be sure to enjoy it with their lusciously silky and chewy pearls. And on a blazing hot day, you’ll be hard put to find something more refreshing than their Honeydew Relish Tea with Green Apple Coconut Jelly. With a “no frills” take on their drinks menu, you always know what you’re getting. Easyway is fussfree and easy-breezy when it comes to quenching one’s thirst. •• IG: @easywaybrunei FB: Easyway Brunei
Ochado
Ochado’s strengths lie in their intriguing toppings. Konnyaku Jelly, Coffee Crystals, Ice Jelly and Azuki Beans are just some of the selections that complement their bestsellers such as their Oolong White Peach tea and their Okinawa Matcha Milk Tea. But we especially love ordering their Pop Egg topping paired with a simple base of Milk Tea. The Pop Egg does exactly what it says it does by bursting to release a lovely coffee-flavoured surprise which mingles perfectly with the tea to create a taste unlike any other. •• IG: @ochadobrunei FB: Ochado Brunei
Teabox
Another born-and-bred Bruneian brand, Teabox has been standing strong for more than a decade, yet another testament to our love for the drink. While we love trying new things, it’s hard to want to experiment when you already have a fast favourite. And for us, that drink is their heavenly Malacca Milk Tea with a side of their irresistibly soft pearls. The Malacca Milk Tea uses Gula Melaka, a special type of palm sugar originating from Malaysia, often described as having smokey caramel and butterytoffee undertones. YUM. Oh, and another reason to indulge in their menu? Teabox’s drinks and snacks are incredibly reasonably priced. Talk about a win. •• IG: @bruneiteabox FB: Tea Box Brunei
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Armash Open in Tutong for the past two years, it was only last year when Armash finally branched out to the city center. An unassuming restaurant in looks, it offers a hefty menu comprising North and South Indian cuisine, all of which are reasonably priced, plentiful in quantity, and downright delicious. A vast selection of naans, rotis and dosais is sure to appease the curryheads, and its mains offers hearty choices of tandoori, lambs and beefs, seafood, kebabs, and a large vegetable menu. A special shout-out has to go to the biryani options. Our Chicken Biryani was served in a little pot and was plenty enough for two, and it’s a dish we would come rushing back for. While there is a large variety of Indian cuisine across their menu, there is a spotlight on Indonesian cuisine and Asian fare as well. Along with many options of fried noodles and fried rice, Indonesian favourites such as Ayam Penyet, Gado-Gado and Ayam Bakar are available, a variety of soups and soto, and Asian mains that include Tango Prawn, Chinese Dhak Chicken and other delectable dishes. But what Armash does, it does very, very well, and our delicious selection of meals from India and around Asia was a cultural integration of a delicious sort that we would highly recommend to anyone.
Brunei Pamela Fletcher
All restaurants in Brunei are closed for prayers between noon and 2pm on Fridays.
Tarindak Ungkayah Graduan The latest offering by the Tarindak chain of restaurants, Tarindak Ungkayah Graduan (or “Tarindak by Graduates” in English), opened its doors in January 2019 to much fanfare. Understandably so: this is an eatery run by a group of young graduates - an initiative funded by His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei to support the nation’s efforts to help unemployed youths find experience in different fields. Located at the Departure Terminal of the Brunei International Airport, the little eatery is a well-designed outlet with smiling and helpful staff ready to take your order. An informative menu offers a small but solid selection of breakfast items, and a nice mix of Asian and Western cuisine that features some of your standard go-to kopitiam fare. Their signature meals include their Nasi Lemak options, which was delicious, served with a side of sambal with just the right amount of a spicy kick to bring the dish together. If you’re there just for some afternoon tea, we highly recommend their selection of fritters – served with a caramel dipping sauce, it goes great with a cup of their Tarindak Coffee. Departure Terminal, Brunei International Airport, BSB Open daily: 7am-midnight Tel: 673-2337220 Website: https://tarindak.com IG: @tarindak_brunei FB: @tarindak
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#5, Grd Flr & 1st Flr, Lot 56672, Bangunan Tian & Chuan, Kg Kiulap, BSB Open daily: 7.30am-10pm Tel: 673-2672574 IG: @armashrestaurant
M.r. Bbq & Grill A recent outing to the Jerudong Park Food Court held a number of pleasant culinary surprises for us, but we paid special attention to M.R. BBQ & GRILL. And it’s impossible to miss from the a long queue of customers patiently waiting to place their orders. And apparently, this is
a regular occurrence for them. It’s not hard to understand why. Barbecue grilled chicken and lamb are their specialty, served with sweet corn and a selection of butter rice, mashed potato or French fries as a side, and doused with hot sauce. How hot, you ask? Three options are offered: Hot,
Original, and Below Original. We chose the Hot level for our lamb cut and chicken wings, and they were downright delicious. There is no question that their chicken wings and lamb cuts are the stars of the show here, and the rest of the menu offers additional side dishes such as cheesy fries and lamb skewers, and a few but satisfactory Kids Meal options. The venue is also a win: Jerudong Park Food Court has seen great improvements in the recent years, and you couldn’t find a cleaner outdoor venue to enjoy your chicken wings in. And if you’re not in the mood to eat out, they also do delivery!
P3-18 (Summayah Restaurant & Catering), Phase 3 Jerudong Park Food Court, Jerudong Park Playground, Kg Jerudong Open daily: 10.30am-1.30pm (Lunch times from Mon-Thurs)/5.30pm-10pm (Dinner times from Mon-Sun) Tel: 673-8251149 IG: @mrbbqandgrill
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The Merchant BBQ & Coffee House at Meritin Hotel is a hidden gem tucked on a historical street, right at the very heart of Kuching City. In keeping with the hotel’s commitment to offering affordable luxury, premium dining is served at competitive prices here. From 11.30am to 2pm, only a buffet spread is available. However, at RM15, the all-you-can-eat option featuring hearty, well-prepared mains offers impressive value for money. The ala carte menu, available 3pm onwards serves a keto-friendly selection, including excellent steaks – customers are spoilt for choice with Angus and Wagyu options. A must-try is their signature BBQ Meat Platter which offers a smorgasbord of quality meats, beautifully grilled to perfection.
Sarawak Irene Chan
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The Merchant BBQ & Coffee House at Meritin Hotel
ROOTS NON HALAL
The latest F&B outlet to open at Kuching’s iconic Old Courthouse, ROOTS follows a movement called ‘bistronomy’, offering cuisine usually served at fine-dining establishments at an affordable price, within a casual and relaxed setting. ROOTS serves contemporary Spanish cuisine, combined with tantalisingly eclectic influences from Japan, Korea, and of course, Kuching. A distinctly familiar local flair is seen in the appearance of dabai fruit on their Valentine’s day menu, and their Beef Marmalade – beef cheek glazed with red wine and Coca-Cola, a cheeky reference to the local usage of the beverage. The Salmon Tartare is just as unexpected – the fresh fish is elevated with the addition of soy sauce aged with ginger, finished with a tart burst of yuzu. Their signature dish, the seafood paella is a delight of fresh locally sourced seafood over shortgrain Japanese rice, yet another Asianinfused take on Mediterranean fare.
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Old Courthouse, Jln Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93000 Kuching Open: 6pm-10pm (closed Mondays) Tel: 6017-4176322 FB: @rootsbyfj IG: @roos_byfj
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Eating healthy is a burgeoning trend that has been gaining traction in Kuching, and Ono Poké is a new eatery that has opened to cater to the demand for healthful and nutritious meals. “Ono” means “yummy” and “Poké” means “to slice or cut”, the latter referring to the raw, marinated fish slices which is served over rice and topped with vegetables and sauces, a dish ubiquitous throughout Hawaii. The café serves bowls packed with hearty proteins, fresh vegetables and wholesome grains. Currently, there are five standard poké bowls on the menu including a vegan option. However, customers are encouraged to personalise the bowls to their own preferences.
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Grd Flr, G25 Emporium, 93250 Kuching Open daily: 10.30am-10pm Tel: 6010-8000777 FB: @onopokekch IG: @onopoke_
Ono Poké
The Meritin Hotel, Lot 135 Jln Padungan, 93100 Kuching Open daily: 6.30am-11pm (ala carte menu available from 3pm onwards) Tel: 6082-550800 FB: @themerchantbbq
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eat , drink S a b a h Pamela Fletcher
White Orchid If there is one thing Thailand is known for, other than its smiles, is its food. White Orchid at Imago Shopping Mall is the latest restaurant to offer the quintessential sour, spicy, salty and sweet flavours of Thailand, complemented by a liberal dash of herbs and spices to tickle the palate. The restaurant is elegantly decked out with subtle hints of its namesake and ample space to accommodate families out on a shopping trip to the mall. Expect to see typical Thai favourites on the menu such as Tom Yam, Pad Thai, Thai Green Curry, Pineapple Fried Rice, and more. Try their plain rice crackers with minced chicken before digging into their spicier dishes which include a version of the local Penang assam laksa called Siam Laksa but with a creamier consistency. The decadent sweets on the menu offer the ubiquitous mango and sticky rice but why settle for the conventional? Go for the coconut-ty Cham Cham Parfait with slices of jackfruit, jelly and chendol in thick coconut cream and coconut gelato or the Thai Tea Kakigori, a mountain of strong milky Thai tea shavings with a trickle of cream flowing down its sides. There are no huge surprises but if you’re craving Thai flavours, White Orchid has that covered with a modest but tasty selection. •• G105, Aramaiti Street Walk, Imago Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu Tel: 6088-218866 Open daily: 10am–10pm FB: @whiteorchidimago
Russian food doesn’t usually come to mind when choosing a place to eat, but not anymore. Medovik Coffee House is at the club level of Bay 21 condominium along the Likas Coastal Highway, an amazing location with gorgeous views from the deck. The cosy interior offers plush chairs to sink into as you enjoy your coffee and cake with a few dining tables to sample more of the menu. Yelena, one half of the couple who runs the café, has brought her favourite traditional Russian recipes and a few secret family recipes to introduce the unique flavours of Eastern Europe to Kota Kinabalu. Like the Chinese wonton, Zakuska Pelmeni is a Russian dumpling topped with cheese, sour cream, homemade pickled chillies and tomatoes for a flavourful snack. Love doughnuts? Try
Medovik Coffee House the savoury Belyash, a chewy fried doughnut filled with chicken, beef or lamb. The Shuba salad is a riot of colours with layers of carrot, beetroot and potato separated by a thin layer of mayonnaise and mashed boiled eggs on a bed of smoked salmon. Similar tasting, the Mimosa salad comes without the beetroot but tastes just as good. Medovik’s cakes are exceptional. The traditional Russian layered honey
Station 13
cake with caramel cream is a signature offering but check out their Facebook page to see what other seasonal goodies they have available. •• Lvl 8, Bay 21, Jln Bayu 21, Off Jalan Istiadat, Likas, Kota Kinabalu Tel: 6012-8022719 Open daily: 8am–8pm (2pm–8pm on public holidays) FB: @medovikcoffeehse
One of the go-to lunch hangouts for office workers and shoppers at City Mall, Station 13 offers a variety of hearty noodles and rice meals. It’s located just outside of the main mall and while the restaurant isn’t air-conditioned, it offers a relatively calm ambience to enjoy a quiet meal away from the shopping crowd and a convenient location for a quick fuel-up mid-shopping! Lunchtime favourites include the fresh prawn wonton noodles, Hong Kong-style beef noodle soup, Hong Kong dumplings and porridge, but for dinner, among the other dishes available, diners get to choose their famed porridge steamboat. Lunch or dinner, Station 13’s main focus is on freshness of ingredients and flavour, and all the dishes have a very appealing homespun feel to it.
•• Lot S-0-13, Grd Flr, Blk C, City Mall, 88200 Kota Kinabalu Open daily: 11am-2.30pm, 6pm-9.30pm Tel: 6088-488613 FB: @Station13CityMall
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biG listings Aminah Arif 2 & 3 Blk B Grd Flr Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kiulap (673 2236198) – Call for other branches
Brunei
Guidelines: The restaurants and eateries listed are arranged by food types, and not in order of our preference. Reviews are written from a typical diner’s perspective and written based on actual visits to the establishments listed, without the prior knowledge of the restaurants. Information given on menus, hours or prices may change and should be checked. In Brunei, all restaurants are closed between 12 noon and 2 pm on Fridays.
Our Picks Ranging from quick & easy meals to lobster & caviar, these are our favourite haunts around town!
Restoran Makan & Soto Rosmini Our favourite soto hang-out 1 Spg 15, Jln Gadong (673 8719946)
Amulya This North Indian restaurant serves our favourite briyani in town. Grd Flr Jln Setia Square Berakas, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2339230)
Mei Kong Coffee Shop A trip to Brunei isn’t complete without sampling their famous kolo mee 108 Jln Pemancha, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 2240688)
Chop Jing Chew Freshly made Roti Kahwin perfectly paired with a teh tarik 10 Spg 5 Jln Gadong, Kg Menglait (673 2424132)
Kaizen Sushi served fresh on your table plus a variety of other Japanese cuisine Yayasan Complex Waterfront Side, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 2226336) – call for other branches
Thien Thien Restaurant Purveyors of arguably the best Nasi Ayam in town 10 Grd Flr Mas Panchawarna Complex (673 2222435) – call for other branches
Aneka Rasa Blk A #16 & 17 Grd & 1st Flr Bgn Begawan Pehin Dato Hj Mohd Yussof, Kg Kiulap (673 2231728) Anjung Layar Luncur (Nur Wanita Serasa Branch) Simpang 287, Pantai Serasa (673 2771879) Ar Ruhma Restaurant 329 Blk D Bgn Gadong Central, Kg Menglait (673 2427847) Axtivo Restaurant #12, Grd Flr, Hj Uthman Complex, Spg 13, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2335642)
Ximply Chriz Café Divine desserts, great coffee and scrumptious meals Babu’s Kitchen 8 Blk A Regent Square, Kiulap C44 Blk C Grd Flr Gadong Central, (673 2234918) Kg Menglait (673 2457868) Taste of Asia Vietnamese pho, Thai tom yam, Japanese sushi, Korean kimchi and Bruneian ambuyat – this list covers most of our favourite Asian delights.
Ahan Thai 10 Blk B Abd Razak Complex, Gwad Basha Arabian Pondok Sari Wangi Restaurant Gadong Restaurant Arabic cuisine at its finest Serving the best of Indonesian (673 2452852) cuisine #1A&1B Heng Thai Property Centre Spg 22 Jln 12-13 1st Flr Blk A Abd Razak All Seasons Restaurant Complex, Gadong 17 1st Flr Times Square Dato Ratna, Kiarong (673 2445043) (673 2450009) Shopping Centre, Kg Jaya – call for other branches – call for other branches Setia (673 2338068)
Armash Armash has been serving the residents of Tutong for two years before branching out to the capital. Serving a variety of North and South Indian cuisine, and Asian fare. OPEN DAILY 7.30am-10pm; No 5, Grd Flr & 1st Flr, Lot 56672, Bangunan Tian & Chuan, KG KIULAP (673 2672574)
Bali Pit-Stop 15 &16, Spg 150 Grd Floor, Block A Bangunan Habza, Kiulap (673 7209992) Chatterbox Kopitiam 2 Grd Flr Bgn Hasbullah 2, Gadong (673 8201212)
OPEN DAILY 8am-10pm; 49-50 Wisma Raya, Jln Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien, BSB (673 2220215)
Eco Dermaga Kafé 2 Building, Waterfront, Jln McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 7295999) Farmbasket Snack Bar A1, Grd Flr Blk A, Urairah Complex, Spg 88, Kiulap (673 2234666) – Call for other branches
Gratitude Café Grd Flr Serusop Complex, Kg Delima Satu (673 2341123) Great Taste Restaurant Grd Flr Setia Kenangan II, Kg Kiulap (673 2233913) Happy Dean Restaurant No 3, Grd Flr, Zainuddin Complex, Spg 11, Anggerek Desa, Berakas A (673 2340885) – Call for other branches Impian Rasa Restaurant #5 Bgn Pg Hjh Rafiah Spg 607 Jln Jangsak, Gadong (673 2653858) – Call for other branches Iron Chef Unit 5&6, Lvl 1, HuaHo Manggis Mall (673 2338888) Kaka Restaurant 2 & 3 Spg 100 Jln Jerudong (673 2672333) – Call for other branches La Mee #1B & 1c Grd Flr Spg 41-1-12, Jln Kiarong (673 2430113) Lee Loi Fatt Blk A #7 Grd Flr Serusop Complex, Kg Delima Satu (673 2342384) – Call for other branches Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
GALLERY
Burger King The Home of the Whopper and the second largest hamburger chain in the world, Burger King is serving your favourie burgers in seven branches across Brunei.
Gurkha Palace 47 Jalan Bunga Melor, Seria Town (673 3221474)
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ADVERTISERS
Caffe Bene This coffeehouse giant from Korea opened its door to Brunei in 2017, and is serving your favourite Korean beverages, desserts and coffee at their cosy location in the Airport Mall! OPEN DAILY 9am-11pm; Patio 8, Grd Flr Airport Mall, KG JAYA SETIA (673 2340836)
Casbah London Kebab Pick lamb, chicken, beef or fish and have it dressed and wrapped your way – tikka, kebab, doner or shawarma style! A quick and deliciously meaty meal for hungry diners on the go. OPEN DAILY; #G2a Grd Flr Times Square Complex, KG JAYA SETIA (673 2343001) (Times Square Branch) or #204 Spg 210 Kg Lambak, JLN BERAKAS (673 8803183) – Call for other branches
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Despite new coffee shops popping up around town, the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf undoubtedly remains the most popular purveyor of caffeine in Brunei with 12 branches throughout the country. This global coffee chain continues to brew their specialty coffee and their ever-popular Ice-Blended coffee drinks for the masses. OPEN DAILY 8am-11pm; G26 Grd Flr Times Square Shopping Centre, Jln Jaya Setia, BERAKAS (673 2337358) – call for other branches
biG listings
Matcha Mana If you thought we were already living in a matchacrazed society as it was, Matcha Mana is here to elevate your obsession to more refined heights. As one of the first places in Brunei to specialise in craft matcha and Japanese tea, the small but ambitious café serves up all kinds of elegant notes in their menu, whether you opt for their everyday, premium or ceremonial blend. Their Matcha Tarik and the two-toned MangoNut Usucha especially aims to please with simple yet flavourful undertones. But fine-grade green tea isn’t all that they’re good at; Matcha Mana also boasts a great set of coffee brewing skills up their sleeves with a refined Batavia blend as their go-to. #2, Grd Flr, Bangunan Haji Ahmad, Jln Sultan, BSB Open daily: 8am-9pm/6am3pm (Sundays) Tel: 673-2222095 FB: Matcha Mana Co IG: @matcha.mana
Mangrove Paradise Resort Spg 912 Kg Sungai Belukut, Jln Kota Batu (673 2786868) MY Favoureat Restaurant 9 Grd Flr Bgn Hj Munchit & Hjh Rapiah, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2232828) MyTown Eating House Grd Flr The Crown Princess Complex, Jalan Tutong (673 2241880) Nyonya 3 Grd Flr Bgn Hasbollah, Gadong (673 2447090) Old Time Kopitiam G2 Grd Flr Bgn Hj Ibrahim, Kg Menglait (673 244 282) PappaRich Blk G Grd Flr Abd Razak Complex, Gadong (673 2432333) Pho Hoa Restaurant #6 Grd Flr Blk B Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kg Kiulap (673 2236218) Pho Real 1st Flr Times Square Food Court, Kg Jaya Setia Rice Bowl 72 T.C.Y Building, Batu Bersurat (673 8630665)
Sapphira Cake House 3 Grd Flr Seri Anigma, Kiulap (673 2232021) Seasons Restaurant Lvl 2 The Centrepoint, Gadong (673 2422291) Seafood Palace #1, 2 & 3 Blk B An-Nuha Building, Kg Tanjung Bunut (673 2671299) Seaworld Neptune 8 Spg 791, Jerudong (673 2612613) Sate House Unit B9, Block B, Setia Kenangan II, Spg.150, Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 2231017) Sulbingsoo Korean Dessert Cafe Unit B7, Grd Flr, Shakirin Complex, Kiulap (673 2234271) Spicy Curry & Wraps from Arabic to Indian cuisine, check out these restaurants if you like a spicy kick to your meals. Sugar ‘n’ Spice Unit B1, Grd Flr, Purnama Complex, Kiulap (673 2303930)
Serving North & South Indian and Asian cuisine Tel: +673 2672574
IG: @armashrestaurant
Address: Unit No 5, Ground Floor & First Floor Lot 56672, Bangunan Tian & Chuan, Kg. Kiulap BE1518 Negara Brunei Darussalam (Opposite Hua Ho Kiulap) Address: Unit 31&32 Central Mall Kg Petani Tutong Negara Brunei Darussalam
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biG listings
Amsarra Shawarma 1st Flr, Annajat Complex, Beribi, Gadong B, BruneiMuara (673 7318545)
Rajah’s Restaurant 3 Grd Flr Blk A Bangunan PAP Umi Kalthum, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 2240379)
Armash Restaurant No 5, Grd Flr, Bangunan Tian & Chuan, Kg. Kiulap (673 2672574) – Call for other branches
Saffron Restaurant 8 Blk C Shakirin Complex, Kiulap (673 2235888)
Bombay Palace Restaurant #9 Grd & 1st Flr Blk B Bgn Pg Mainuddin & Anak2, Batu Bersurat (673 2427313) C’Fu Curry House Restaurant Spg 103 #5 & 6 Grd Flr Bgn Hj Md Salleh, Gadong (673 2457000) Delhi Darbar Restaurant & Catering Spg 38 Jln Jerudong (673 2672826) Le Taj 2-3 2nd Flr Seri Kiulap Complex, Kiulap (673 2238996) Lotus Family Restaurant 27B Grd Flr Delima Jaya Complex, Berakas (673 2342049)
Sameer Restaurant & Catering G1 Grd Flr Sg Akar Sentral, Berakas (673 2336613) Spices Restaurant #1 Grd Flr Blk A Aman Complex, Jln Muara (673 2330081) Sweet Buttons Café & Catering Unit 4, Grd Flr, Spg 98, Kpg Delima Satu, Berakas A (673 8285235) Ya Nur Restaurant #6 & #7, 1st Flr, Kompleks Hj Tahir 2, Gadong (673 8719986) Zaika Restaurant A4 Lot 308 Bgn Maju Jln Bunga Raya, Kuala Belait (673 3347430) Gwad Basha Arabian Restaurant 1A & 1B Heng Thai
Property Centre, Spg 22, Jalan Dato Ratna, Kiarong (673 2450009) Western Food Italian pizzas, American steaks and burgers, British cottage pies – we list down the restaurants that serve the best from the west.
De’ Olde Cottage 2 Grd Flr Blk C Sempurna Complex, Batu Bersurat (673 2426982) – Call for other branches Deli-Bites Royal Brunei Recreation Club (Poolside Terrace), Jln Terunjing Lama, Berakas (673 877928)
Bello Café L1/12 Seri Kiulap Mall, Kiulap (673 2233989) – Call for other branches
Flapjack House #6 Bgn Majid Mohamad Jln Pasar Baharu, Kg Kiarong (673 2450987)
Buccaneer Steak House 92-93 (B) 94 Grd Flr Jln McKerron, Kuala Belait (673 33 0406)
Magnum Café 18 & 19 Grd Flr Citis Square, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2392555)
Charcoal BBQ & Grill Restaurant Grd Flr Le Gallery Suites Hotel, Jln Tutong (673 2221171) – Call for other branches Cheezbox Café External Café, Ramp A, The Mall, Gadong (673 2425506) Countrypatch Café 3 Grd Flr Blk D Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kiulap (673 2232368) – Call for other branches
Fleur-de-lys L1/1 Seri Q-Lap Mall, Kiulap (673 223 1777) – Call for other branches Fratini’s Restaurant #1 Grd Flr The Centrepoint Hotel, Gadong (673 2451200) – Call for other branches Home Kitchen by Tree-Bit Café D8 & D9 Lot 11620 Grd Flr Jln Gadong, Kg Mata-Mata (673 2429366) Kitchen of Jasmine by Aranda Café #17, Blk E, Atiya Complex, Spg 100, Jln Jerudong (673 8997333) Magherita Pizzeria #5 Blk A Scout Complex Jln Gadong, Kg Mata-Mata (673 8688884) Paddington House of Pancakes 3&4 Blk C Spg 58, Jln Berakas, Kg Serusop (673 2331668) Pastamania #9 Grd Flr Blk H Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong (673 2457441) – Call for other branches Pepper Lunch Brunei C9/10 Grd Flr Setia Kenangan II, Kg Kiulap (673 2253000) Qasehmaisara Café House #206-209 2nd Flr Plaza Athirah, Jln Kubah Makam DiRaja (673 2789898) RMS Diner A5 Lot 308 Bgn Maju Jln Bunga Raya, Kuala Belait (673 3347455) RBC Lifestyle Cafe Waterfront, Jln McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 2220815)
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ADVERTISERS
GALLERY Riwaz A contemporary Indian restaurant that serves up traditional Indian cuisine with a modern twist! OPEN 6.30pm – 10.30pm (closed Mondays); Radisson Hotel Jln Tasek, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (673 2244272 ext 8873)
Tasek Brasserie A perfect spot to dine with family and friends in the heart of the city, Tasek Brasserie provides casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Customers can enjoy light snacks and a cool mocktail while lounging at the outdoor pool, or dine on the variety of cuisine from their ala carte menu or sumptuous buffets. OPEN DAILY 6am-6pm; Radisson Hotel Jln Tasek, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (673 2244272) Royal Brunei Catering
Anjung Saujana As ever, Anjung Saujana offers travelers a unique dining experience before their onward journey out of Brunei. The restaurant features a la carte and buffet menus, taking inspirations from around the world. OPEN DAILY 7am-10.30pm (7am-12noon, 2pm-10.30pm on Fridays); Departure Hall, Level One, Brunei International Airport (673 2331853/2339207)
Dynasty Dynasty restaurant boasts an expansive menu of 50 dim sum pieces and the famous roasted duck. A welcoming Chinese restaurant located on the ground floor of Centrepoint Hotel. OPEN DAILY 9am-2pm, 6pm-10pm (Mon-Thurs)/ 8am-12noon, 6pm-10pm (Fri)/ 8am-2pm, 6pm10pm (Sat)/ 8am-5pm, 6pm-10pm (Sun); Grd Flr, The Centrepoint Hotel, GADONG (673 2430185/6)
Express Fast Food Take a bite out of history with this fast food flashback! Express Fast-Food has solidified itself in the heart of the population and the fast-food scene. Known for their classic Fried Chicken and Seasoned French Fries. OPEN DAILY 8am-10pm (2pm-10.30pm on Fridays); Grd Flr, #1, Blk A, Bgn Hj Awg Matussin HA, KG KIULAP (673 2237253)
biG listings
The Burger King Whopper® The idea of Burger King’s iconic Whopper® first came about in 1957, and that idea was to take their famous flame-broiled burgers and make them really big! Needless to say, that big idea was a whopping success, because 62 years later the Whopper® remains an international favourite among Burger King patrons. This hearty meal comprises a very meaty flame-grilled Whopper® beef patty topped with tangy pickles, freshly sliced tomatoes, crispy lettuce, fresh onions, a ring of ketchup and finished with creamy mayo on a 5” sesame seed bun. Pair it with a side of hot, thick cut fries, spicy Mexican drumlets and an ice-cold soda, then treat yourself to a Taro Pie for dessert, and you’ve got yourself a real whopper of a meal! The Double Whopper® with Cheese, the Western Whopper® Jr and the Whopper® Jr burgers are all widely available throughout all Burger King branches in Brunei. Website: www.burgerking.com.bn IG: @burgerkingbrunei FB: /bkbrunei Twitter: @burgerkingbn
Rovansil Restaurant #36-38 1st Flr Citis Square, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2337129)
Another Café #2 Grd Flr Blk A Bgn Hj Abd Rahman & Hjh Siti Ajar, Kiulap (673 2233593)
Countrypatch Café 3 Grd Flr Blk D Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kiulap (673 2232368)
Red Canopy Café #5 Blk C Sempurna Complex, Batu Bersurat (673 2453878)
Baristas by Modesto Grd Flr Food Arena Seri Q-Lap Mall, Kg Kiulap (673 2237771)
E.A.T. Bakery Grd Flr Blk B, Little Soho, Spg 73-5-8, Jln Batu Bersurat, Kg Pengkalan Gadong (673 8664608)
Ricardo’s #19 Jerudong Park Food Court Phase 2, Kg Jerudong (673 7276455) – WA only
Beanery & Co #81 A/1 Grd Flr, Jln Bunga Rambai, Kuala Belait (673 3347772)
Fleur-de-lys L1/1 Seri Q-Lap Mall, Kiulap (673 2231777) – call for other branches
BELLUNO Café #2 Blk C Kiarong Complex, Kg Kiarong (673 2429010)
Full Haus Coffee Grd Flr Riverview Medical Complex, Jln Gadong, Kg Kumbang Pasang (673 2240456)
Sorriso Restaurant & Pizzeria #14 Blk B Grd Flr Regent Square, Kiulap (673 2233030) Swensen’s #2.34-2.36 2nd Flr The Mall, Gadong (673 2451864) Wing-It #16 Grd Flr Citis Square, Kg Jaya Setia (673 7224999) Coffee & Cafes Gourmet, premium-grade, specialty coffee – this list accommodates the best of the burgeoning local coffee industry.
Brew Café & Bakery #47 Grd Flr Blk C Gadong Central, Menglait (673 2427554) Caffé Bene Grd Flr Patio, The Airport Mall, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2340836)
100% BEEF PATTIES NO FILLERS, NO PRESERVATIVES, NO NONSENSE VEGGIES ARE FRESHLY CUT IN OUR KITCHEN EVERYDAY.
Games & Lattes Café #E9 Grd Flr Blk E Setia Kenangan II, Kiulap (673 2235200) Geo Eats No. 13, Spg 381, Kg Jerudong (673 8271381)
Caffé Verve #6A Spg 68, Jln Batu Bersurat (673 8757382)
Gloria Jean’s Coffee G17 Citis Square, Berakas (673 2338452)
The Collective Wildflower Café Grd Flr Royal Brunei Recreational Club (RBRC), BSB
Happy Cream Unit 1, 1st Flr, Bgn Majid Mohd, Jln Pasar Baharuddin, Gadong (673 8158587)
CALL
2462656 RIMBA 2236486 KIULAP 3229050 SERIA
PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW!
For more info, visit: www.burgerking.com.bn @burgerkingbrunei
Burger King Brunei
Delivery service available only at Rimba, Kiulap and Seria area (within 15km radius) with a minimum order of $9.50. Terms and conditions apply.
Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
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biG listings High Frequency Lifestyle Café 1st Flr Unit 5 Blk B Sempurna Complex, Batu Bersurat (673 2428262) It’s a Grind Coffeehouse 1, Grd Floor, Bgn AlWarasah, Muara Town (673 2772424) – call for other branches Kapra Coffee #26 Grd Flr Blk C Spg 440, Jln Muara (673 2345656) Kitchen of Jasmine by Aranda Café #17 Blk E, Atiya Complex, Spg 100, Jln Jerudong (673 8997333) Ner Dee Café #F11 1st Flr Setia Kenangan II, Kiulap (673 7214977)
Peppermint Café #209B, 2nd Flr, Wisma Jaya, Jln Pemancha, BSB, BS8811 (673 8622848)
The Krema Coffee #D31 Lim Eng Ming Complex Blk D, Kg Kiulap (673 8973600)
Piccolo Café #11 Jln McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 2241558)
The Library Café #6 Blk C, Bangunan Setia Kenangan II, Kiulap
Durian By Pulp Lvl 1 Annajat Complex, Kg Mata-Mata, Gadong
Sweet As Sara Unit 1, Grd Flr, Blk A, Spg 150, Wisma PH Apong, Kiulap (673 8889169)
Rack & Brew #9 Blk H 1st & 2nd Flr Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong (673 7299668)
Divine Dining Exquisite meals in beautiful settings – perfect for special occasions
Rafia’s VK Café G13 Citis Square, Kg Jaya Setia (673 8906990) Ran’s Coffee 1st Flr the Centrepoint Hotel Abdul Razak Complex Terminal 1 T1-05, Gadong (673 8697700)
The Horizons Seafood Restaurant Waterfront, Jln McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 2233400) I-Lotus 20 Spg 12-26 Perumahan Rakyat Jati, Kg Rimba (673 2422466)
Dynasty Restaurant Grd Flr Centrepoint Hotel, Gadong (673 2430185)
GALLERY
Le Keris L2/22, 1st Flr, Seri Q-Lap Mall (673 2230149) Lobby Lounge The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Jerudong (673 2418888)
Atrium Café The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Jerudong (673 2418888)
ADVERTISERS
Pantai Restaurant The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Jerudong (673 2418888) Savy’s Brasserie 204 Lvl 2 Mabohai Shopping Complex, Mabohai (673 2240829)
SEASONS RESTAURANT Located in the Centrepoint Hotel, Seasons Restaurant offers the best in contemporary Asian cuisine and buffet spreads. Whether it’s a family feast, an unplanned get-together, or a team lunch with your colleagues, one can never go wrong with Seasons Restaurant’s renowned buffets. On weekdays, the restaurant offers a Mini Lunch Buffet serving a spread of local specialties and familiar international classics. The restaurant’s highly popular High Tea Buffet is served every Friday, Saturday & Sunday. The dessert section is one of many highlights of this buffet — diners can choose from six different flavours of ice cream alongside many different toppings, as well as an array of cakes and tarts. Open daily: 6.30am–10.30pm (2pm–10.30pm on Fridays) Tel: 673-2422291/ 673-2422292 IG: @seasonsrestaurantbrunei FB: Seasons Restaurant
Horizons Arguably the most breathtaking restaurant in the Brunei capital, Horizons at the waterfront gives a panoramic view of the iconic Kampong Ayer with an array of fusion cuisine from Thai, Western to Chinese dishes and succulent seafood. Talk about dining with a view! OPEN DAILY 10.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm (2pm10.30pm on Fridays); Waterfront, Jln McArthur, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (673 2233400/2233401)
Seasons Restaurant Located on the 2nd floor of Centrepoint Hotel, this eatery offers the best in contemporary Asian cuisine and buffet spreads. OPEN DAILY 6am-10.30pm (2pm-10.30pm on Fridays); 2nd Flr, The Centrepoint Hotel, GADONG (673 2422291/2422292) The Empire Hotel & Country Club
Atrium Café The Atrium Café is located on level 3 of the main Atrium building, nestled amidst The Empire’s signature grand marble columns and offering a spectacular view of the sea. Buffet breakfast and á la carte lunch are available from Monday to Friday, offering a variety of international and local cuisine. OPEN 6.30am-10.30am (buffet breakfast) / 11.30am-3pm (à la carte lunch) / 2pm-4pm (à la carte lunch – on Fridays only)
Lobby Lounge The perfect place for casual or formal get-togethers or just to enjoy a cup of tea – the Lobby Lounge offers a selection of refreshments throughout the day and their popular traditional English High Tea in the afternoons. OPEN DAILY 8am-10pm / 2pm-6pm (Daily Afternoon Tea)
Pantai Restaurant Offering semi buffet meals combined
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Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
Senja Restaurant 8&9 Grd Flr Seri Kiulap Complex, Kiulap (673 2235313)
My Fried Chicken Grd Flr, Freshco Food Junction, Times Square, Kg Jaya Setia
Spaghettini The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Jerudong (673 2418888)
Nasi Katok Mama Express No 3 Blk A Grd Flr Kompleks Madang, Madang (673 8641681)
Tarindak d’Polo Royal Brunei Polo & Riding Club, Jerudong (673 2612500)
Pan & Wok #28A Grd Flr Airport Mall, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2342836)
Tarindak D’Seni Brunei Arts & Handicrafts Centre, Kota Batu (673 2240422)
Pelicana Chicken Unit C7, Blk C, Setia Kenangan ll, Kiulap (673 2239933)
Go Green Healthy and vegetarian friendly options
RBC Express Fast Food #1 Grd Flr Blk A, Bangunan Hj Matussin, Kg Kiulap (673 2237253)
Brunei Detox Bar 9 Grd Flr, Abdul Razak Complex, BE3519 Mituo Vegetarian Restaurant Grd Flr Pg Anak Puteri Norain Complex, Batu Satu (673 2222821) The Energy Kitchen Grd Flr, Fitness Zone Kiulap, Palm Garden Hotel, Kg Kiulap BE1518 (673 2233323) TCVH Vegetarian House B3, Grd Flr, Blk B, Spg 150-5-13-18, Bgn Setia Kenangan II, Kiulap (673 8665952) Pureland Vegetarian Restaurant #15 Blk B Grd Flr Bgn Hj Awg Ahmad bin Hassan & Anak-anak, Kiulap (673 2236503) The Healthy Habit Blk A, Setia Kenangan II, Kg Kiulap BE1518 (673 2231030) TienSing Vegetarian & Catering Restaurant 21-22 Bangunan Hj Hassan II, Jln Gadong, Kg Menglait (673 2454988) Quick Eats Fast and delicious meals for those on the go Bento Brothers #B19 Blk B Bgn Habza Spg 150, Kg Kiulap (673 2236800) Burgers & Grills F20, Jln Tengah Bangunan, Bowling Alley Seria, Kpg Pekan Seria (673 3221434) Chickilicious Unit 20, Grd Flr, Blk B, Spg 150, Regent Square, Kiulap (673 823 7518)
Non-Halal Options Danes Café #102, Bgn Batu Bersurat, Jln Batu Bersurat (673 2428914) Golden Leaf Coffee House Blk 1 Grd Flr PAP Hjh Norain Building, Jln Batu Satu (673 2220422)– Call for other branches Phongmun Restaurant 2nd Flr Teck Guan Plaza Jln Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 2229561) Sui Heng Restaurant Grd Flr Hj Munchit & Hjh Rapiah Complex, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2338321) Hua Hua Restaurant Grd Flr, Blk B, Bangunan Urairah, Kiulap
ADVERTISERS
GALLERY with daily specials, the elegant Pantai Restaurant offers a Daily Asian buffet dinner from 6pm to 9pm with a wide variety of tantalising options to choose from, or enjoy a midday meal with the family at their popular Weekend Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. OPEN 6.30pm-10pm (closed Thursdays) / 11am-3pm (Weekend Brunch)
Pool Deck Located at the Beachfront on Level 1, enjoy the breeze from the beachside while you sip on cool beverages and enjoy light snacks in view of the swimming pool. OPEN DAILY 7am-9pm
Spaghettini Fine dining at its best, this restaurant offers authentic Italian and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine in divine settings, with a Daily Mediterranean à la carte dinner from 6pm to 10pm. A private room is available upon request for special occasions. OPEN DAILY 6am-6pm
Zen Pavilion Located just beyond Pantai Restaurant on Level 1, Zen Pavilion offers customers an exclusive dining experience, watching chefs prepare excellent dishes on the teppanyaki grill with flare and offering some of the most authentic Japanese cuisine. Daily à la carte dinner is available. OPEN 6pm-9pm (closed Thursdays) – advance booking is required
Zest A stylish café located at the Atrium on Level 5, enjoy a hot beverage with a selection of pastries, cakes, savoury treats, confectionary and chocolates, made fresh daily with the finest quality ingredients. OPEN DAILY 24 hours (midnight-6am for Empire Hotel residents only)
biG listings
Sabah & Sarawak The restaurants and eateries listed are arranged by food types, and not in order of our preference. Reviews are written from a typical diner’s perspective and written based on actual visits to the establishments listed, without the prior knowledge of the restaurants. Information given on menus, hours or prices may change and should be checked. Credit Cards : AE | American Express MC | MasterCard V | Visa
Eat (Sabah) Borneo Wild Treasure Lot 27-0 Blk C Lrg Bundusan Square1D, Kota Kinabalu (6088 732 222) Brass Monkey Lot 1-0 Lorong Lintas Plaza 4, Kota Kinabalu (6088 61 543) Café De Vie Lot D-0-6 Lorong Metro Town 3, Kota Kinabalu (6088 393 863) Café Haru 7, Lorong Gunung Juo, Taman Far East Kota Kinabalu (6010 935 1233) – Korean café, serves all-day brunch Circle Restaurant Le Meridien Hotel, Kota Kinabalu (6088 322 222) Emperor’s Delight Lot 6 Grd Flr Jln Pantai, Kota Kinabalu (6088 288 686) Fong Ip Café Lot 100 Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6088 213 618) Gam Tong Hong Kong Recipe Lot G-823 1Borneo Hypermall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 488 833) Grandchamps Cave & Shop Unit S3A, Ground Floor, Block B, The Peak Vista, Kota Kinabalu (6088 261 886) – Gourmet French restaurant with an extensive selection of cheeses and wines, a wine bar and delicatessen (non-halal) Hana Japanese Restaurant Lot S21&S22 Blk E City Mall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 538 178) Hut Steak House & Restaurant 29 Blk E Damai Plaza, Kota Kinabalu (6088 238 558) Jothy’s Fish head Curry & Banana Leaf Blk 1 Lot G9 Api Api Centre, Kota Kinabalu (6088 261 595) Kirishima Japanese Restaurant Cititel Express No 1 Jln Singgah Mata 1 Asia City, Kota Kinabalu (6088 217 868)
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Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
Kohinoor North Indian Restaurant Lot 4 The Waterfront Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu (6088 235 160) Korean Club Restaurant 4 Jln Aru, Kota Kinabalu (6088 232 213) Little Italy Grd Flr Hotel Capital Jln Hj Saman, Kota Kinabalu (6088 232 231) Mad Ben Café Lot 121, Jalan Gaya, 88000, Kota Kinabalu (6088 255 073) – classic western food Mai Yai Thai Orchid Restaurant Lot 13 KK Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu (6088 234 841) Mdm Ing Fish Noodle Lot 21 Towering Koidupan Perdana Jln Tambunan, Penampang (6016 831 8726) Mr Ho’s Fine Foods L-72-G Grd Flr Blk L KK Times Square Phase 1, Kota Kinabalu (6088 222 623) Nagasaki Japanese Restaurant No 19 Grd Flr Bangunan Harrison Jln Hj Saman, Kota Kinabalu (6088 216 623) Nam Chai Restaurant Bah Kut Teh 10 Blk D Bdr Nam Tung, Sandakan (6089 612 603)
– Asian food incorporating health conscious ingredients Pancake House Concourse Flr 1Borneo Hypermall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 448 110) Lot G94-94A Karamunsing Complex, Kota Kinabalu (6088 319 168) Party Play 117 Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6088 311 210)
I Love Yoo! Yoo tiao, also known as Chinese fried dough or Chinese crullers, is a breakfast favourite that you can find in many coffee shops and cafés. They are light and airy with a slightly chewy texture and a thin outer crust for a crunchy bite, and are usually served with a bowl of porridge and a glass of fresh soya bean milk for a satisfying breakfast. I Love Yoo! is a popular Taiwanese franchise that has set up shop in many of Kota Kinabalu’s shopping malls, priding themselves for using superior quality ingredients not only in their yoo tiao but also other sweet and savoury snacks such as yam, sweet potato and tapioca balls, and curry puffs. I Love Yoo! also serves herbal chicken to go with your porridge for a hearty lunch or dinner. You can find I Love Yoo! outlets at City Mall, Suria Sabah Shopping Mall and Imago Shopping Mall in Sabah. Website: www.iloveyoo.com.my
Pasta Pasta 108 Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6014 371 4665)
Seng Hing Restaurant Ruang Sinsugan 2, Kota Kinabalu (6088 211 594)
Yoshimi Japanese Restaurant Bismi Restaurant Warisan Square, Kota Kinabalu 27 Jln Sommerville, Bintulu (6088 488 388) (6086 331 835)
Peppermint Vietnamese Cuisine No. 85 Grd Flr Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6012 802 4582)
Seremban Seafood Restaurant Lot 126 Blk O Plaza Permai, Kota Kinabalu (6088 484 922)
Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh 74, Jln Gaya, 88000, Kota Kinabalu (6088 221 192) – All pork dishes served in herbal soup
Suang Tain Seafood Restaurant Lot 12 Blk A Grd Flr SEDCO Complex, Kota Kinabalu (6088 223 080)
Eat (Sarawak)
Port View Seafood Village Lot 18 The Waterfront Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu (6088 221 753) Pusas the Smokehouse Ground Floor, S6, Jalan Signal Hill The Peak Vista, Kota Kinabalu (6088 299 199) – Serves burgers, hotdogs and sandwiches with locally produced premium bacon and sausages (non-halal) Restaurant Baba & Nyonya Recipe Blk E Grd Flr Grand Millennium Plaza, Penampang (6016 810 8206)
Nan Yang Chic Kut Teh Grd Flr Lot 47 Jln Pantai, Kota Kinabalu (6016 833 5722)
Restoran Makanan Sedap No 1-0-1 Blk B Jln Kolam Centre Phase 2 Jln Lintas, Kota Kinabalu (6088 247 459)
Natural Kitchen Lot No B10 & B11, Suria Sabah Shoppin Mall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 487 180)
Sailors Lot 36 1st Flr Grand Millennium Plaza, Penampang (6088 731 960)
Nishiki Japanese Restaurant Shop 4 Grd Flr 63 Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu (6088 230 582) October Coffee House Blk B The Peak Vista Lorong Puncak 1 Tjg Lipat, Kota Kinabalu (6010 346 954)
Sakura Japanese Restaurant G-23A & G-25, Oceanus Waterfront Mall, Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, 88000 Kota Kinabalu (6088 273 604) – Japanese cuisine
Open Kitchen Grd Flr, Unit 8, Blk 1, Metro Town, 88300, Kota Kinabalu (6088 254 161)
Santola Café Lot 14 Blk B Damai Point, Kota Kinabalu (6088 260 188)
Supul Korean BBQ Restaurant Lot S-1-8 1st Flr City Mall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 448 844) Toscani’s Lot 14 The Waterfront Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu (6088 242 879) The B.E.A.N Café Lot 8-1, Lido Plaza, Jalan Nosoob, Penampang (6088 703 884) Café with a sofa lounge serving coffee and drinks, sandwiches, toasts, waffles, and desserts The B Side Lot 21, Ground Floor, Lido Plaza, Jalan Nosoob Penampang (6088 715 453) – Hipster café offering all-day dining and specialty coffees Vino Vino Bistro Unit J-57, 1st Flr, KK Times Square, 88100, Kota Kinabalu (6088 486 363) – non-halal European fare with extensive wine collection Wah San Restaurant D2-G Blk 17 Jln Pryer, Sandakan (6089 212 626) Yamagoya Ramen Lot 109 Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6088 253 701)
A One Seafood Restaurant Lrg Chew Siik Hiong 1, Sibu (6084 215 803) Absolute Tribal Restaurant Hills Shopping Mall, Kuching (6082 237 468) Alfian Restaurant 52 Pekan Marudi, Marudi (6085 755 215) All Joy Café 8-1 Jln Khoo Hun Yeang, Kuching (6082 243 535) Apollo Seafood Centre 4 Jln Yu Seng Selatan, Miri (6085 420 813) Apple Restaurant 78 Jln Tun Ahmad Zaidi, Bintulu (6086 333 377) Aroma Café 126 Jln Tabuan, Kuching (6082 417 163) Asian Express Restaurant G40 The Spring, Kuching (6082 414 088) Bee Hiong Restaurant Café 157G Jln Muhibbah, Lawas (6085 285 137) Beei Jing Restaurant Sdn Bhd 157 Jln Kg Nyabor, Sibu (6084 330 955)
Bites by the Batik 38 Jln Pandungan, Kuching (6082 422 845) Bla Bla Bla 27, Jln Tabuan, 93000, Kuching (6082 2330944) – Chinese-inspired fusion dishes Black Bean Coffe & Tea 87, Ewe Hai Street, 93000 Kuching (6082 420 290) – Most aromatic shop in town with the finest brews Boardriders Café Plaza Merdeka Jln Pearl, Kuching (6082 237 526) Boulevard Restaurant 2228 Jln Saberkas, Lutong (6085 653 175) Buenas Filipino Lechon & Restaurant 329 Jln Tj Batu, Bintulu (6086 310 860) Café Café at Original Carwash Low 211-214, Section 9, KTLD, Rubber Rd, Kuching (6082 256 396) – Asian and western fare including Nyonya and Foochow cuisine Café Min Xin Lot 1126-27 Riam Comm Centre, Miri (6085 628 839) Capital Restaurant 86 Jln Keppel, Bintulu (6086 331 160) Carvery Restaurant Jln Abell, Kuching (6082 239 449)
biG listings Casabella Mediterranean Restaurant Crown Square, Kuching (6082 346 612)
Escobar SF3 Damai Cenral Pantai Damai Santubong, Kuching (6014 288 1160)
Chef at Home Lorong Green 1 Blk 10, Kuching (6016 858 5159)
Fac Bravo Restaurant 7778 Jln Sultan Iskandar, Bintulu (6086 316 920)
Chuan Hong Restaurant 123 Jln Council SAman (6083 322 466) Crown Dynasty Restaurant Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Bintulu (6086 335 908) Cuppa-kap Coffee Jln Song, Kuching (6019 8869636) Da Mi Xiang Gu Tou Bao Restaurant Tabuan Hts Comm Centre, Kuching (6082 458 952) Dynasty Chinese Restaurant Oil Town Comm Complex, Miri (6085 424 000) Earthlings Coffee Workshop Coffee shop, roaster, academy Lot 45, Grd Flr, No. 1, CityONE Megamall, Jln Song
Farley Restaurant 1721 Jln Salim, Sibu (6019 816 3052) Feast & Furious Café 244, Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman (6016 2620916) Fisherman Restaurant 4 Jln Chew Geok Lin, Sibu (6084 316 888) Fratini’s Restaurant 2512 Jln Boulevard 3, Miri (6085 431 115) Fu Lai Siang Restaurant 108 Jln Pekan Bt Niah, Bt Niah (6085 737 168) Golden City Restaurant 87, Jln Ong Chu Seng, Saratok (6083 436 139) Highlands Seafood Restaurant 298 Jln Tj Bt, Bintulu (6086 318 828) Hock Chu Leu Restaurant 28 Jln Tukang Besi, Sibu (6084 316 524)
East Court Chicken Rice 867 Jln Club SAman (6083 326 818)
Imperial Duck Restaurant 313 Jln Padungan, Kuching (6082 336 313)
Eden Everise Wisma Nation Horizon, Block C, Kuching (6016 888 4522)
James Brooke Bistro & Café Western and signature local cuisine by the waterfront
Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman 93100 Kuching (6082 412 210) Jubilee Restaurant 49G Jln India, Kuching (6082 245 626) Khan’s Bilal Restaurant 229-G Jln Maju, Miri (6085 418 440)
Lyn’s Thandoori Restaurant 7 Jln Song Thian Cheok, Kuching (6082 234 934)
Portico 17A Lorong Park Lane, Kuching (6019 819 8046)
Teo Seafood 787 Jln Kg Buntal, Kuching (6082 846 532)
Mango Tree Restaurant Jalan Crookshank, Kuching (6082 235 353)
Pot & Grill Restaurant 9 Jln Tun Abd Rahman Yaakub, Kuching (6082 425 525)
The Banquet 4560 Jln Datuk Tawi Sli, Kuching (6082 451 414)
Map Restaurant Kim Bay HK Macau Restaurant Bang Terminal, Kuching Boulevard Shopping Mall (6082 459 087) Jln Datuk Tawi, Kuching (6082 239 308) Marco Polo Restaurant Koreana Restaurant 116A BDA Shahida, Bintulu 10002 Jln Tun Jugah, Kuching (6086 332 458) (6082 575 072) Medan Seafood Kuching Noodle Restaurant Porridge House 56, Jln Mdn Setiaraja, Mukah 115-1 Wisma Saberkas, Kuching (6084 874 145) (6082 426 005) Merry Restaurant 187 Jln Song Thian Cheok, L.L. Banana Leaf Kuching (6082 240 118) 7G Lorong Rubber 1 Jln Rubber, Kuching Metro Café (6082 239 404) 781 Jln Bangkita, Limbang (6085 215 488) Li Garden Restaurant Hock Lee Centre, Kuching Min Hua (89) (6082 340 785) Restaurant G 13 Jln Bintang Utara, Lim Hock Ann Bintangor 96 1 Jln Kg Kuntal, (6084 693 240) Kuching ( 6082 846 533) Momoyama Wisma Phoenix, Kuching Lok Thian Restaurant (6082 420 561) 317 Jln Padungan, My Little Kitchen Kuching (6082 3313 310) Home cooked style Scandinavian food inspired by Lu Lai Vegetarian the owner’s grandma’s recipes 3641, Lrg 2 Off Jln Rock, 56, Upper China Street, Kuching (6082 242 863) D’tea Pavilion, Friendship Park, Jln Song, Kuching Lucky Restaurant (6016 858 6669) 65C G Pekan Marudi, Marudi (6085 755 562) Nam Hoi Restaurant 110 Jln Penrissen Bt 7, Kuching (6082 612 379) Orion Tropical Jln Merpati, Miri (6085 417 417) Padungan Restaurant 268 Jln Tunku Abd Rahman, Kuching (6082 233 417)
Mee Ngar Established in the 1950s, Mee Ngar is one of the most established bakeries in Sandakan on Sabah’s east coast with a reputation for creating the cult favourite UFO tart, a fluffy sponge cake topped with a swirl of custard and meringue. These delectable sweet treats are available at Mee Ngar coffee shops in Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu, and have even ‘landed’ in Kuala Lumpur much to the delight of Sabahans living there. Also known as ngau si dui or ‘piles of cow dung’, a less than savoury moniker by all means, it has amassed quite a following with shopping mall kiosks selling them by this name to locals and visitors alike. Mee Ngar also serves other cakes, pastries, meat buns, sweet soups and noodles throughout the day. Find a Mee Ngar shop near you by using a GPS Navigation App. Mee Ngar is typically open between 7am to 6pm.
Patz Dayak Home Cook Special New Full 3 Foodcourt, Stutong (next to Giant Hypermart, Tabuan Jaya) (6016 864 4763) Pin Pin Café 18 Jln Krokong Bau (6082 763 486) Pinang Nyonya Non-halal nyonya cuisine 18, Grd Flr, 2nd Precinct, Jln Setia Raja 93450, Kuching ( 6082 459 162) Popular Corner Seafoods Restaurant Bda Shahida Commercial Centre, Bintulu (6086 319 688)
Rejang Restaurant 6 Lrg Lanang 2 Sibu (6016 860 2636) Robata Yaki 493 Jln Rambutan, Kuching (6082 235 372) Rock Road Seafood Restaurant 1230 Jln Rock Bt 2½ , Kuching (6082 241 575) Sajian Warisan Restaurant 537 Jln Gartak, Miri (6085 429 911) Salleh’s Corner Café RPR Phase 2 Shoplot Jln Astana Petra Jaya, Kuching (6012 807 8033) Sea View Restaurant G Pusat Tmn SDagang, Bintulu (6086 334 929) Seventy2 Restaurant 894 Jln Permaisuri, Miri (6085 366 318) Shabu-kun Restaurant 253 Jln Tj Bt, Bintulu (6086 317 311) Sheraton Restaurant 37 Psn Brooke, Sibu (6084 336 341) Sin Lung Sheng Fu Tiao Qiang Restaurant 10788 Jln Simpang Tiga, Kuching (6082 231 260) Sin Soon Chin Restaurant 2415 Jln Boulevard 2, Miri (6012 808 5456) Sri Menanti Coffee House Restaurant 15 Lrg Pahlawan 7b, Sibu (6084 218 196) Surabaya Restaurant 288 Jln Bendahara, Miri (6085 411 239) Sushi Kin The Spring, Kuching (6082 245 355)
The Dyak Restaurant Indigenous Dayak cuisine Sublot 29, Grd Flr, Panovel Commercial Complex, Jln Simpang Tiga, 93300, Kuching (6016 868 0071) The Junk Western fare 80, Jln Wayang, 93000, Kuching (6082 259 450) Tian Xian Relish Restaurant 313 Jln Melaka Raya, MC (606 288 1120) Tong Lok Restaurant 1367 Jln Buangsiol, Limbang (6085 216 188) Tong Xin Court Restaurant 151 Lrg Datuk Abang Abd Rahim 5a, Kuching (6082 482 252) Topspot Bukit Mata Seafood Centre Halal seafood centre with seafood fresh off the boats Jln Padungan, Bukit Mata, Kuching (6019 889 9838) Tribal Stove Blk H Jln Borneo Taman Sri, Kuching (6082 234 873) Wang Hin Restaurant 1 Soon Hup Comm Complex, Miri (6085 413 129) Warung Nasi Kuning Jln Tun Jugah, Kuching (6016 809 1286) Wei Thian Restaurant Golden Square, Siburan (6082 862 968) Xin Tsui Siang Kitchen Wisma Nation Horizon Blk D, Kuching (6082 414 616) Yun Yan Restaurant Stutong Comm Centre, Kuching (6082 366 115) Zhun San Yen Vegetarian Food Lot 165 Jln Chan Ann, Kuching (6082 230 068)
Sushi Tie-tts Wisma Sanyan, Sibu (6084 342 875) Ten-Ichi Japanese Restaurant 317 Jln Padungan, Kuching (6082 331 310)
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BRUNEI Banks Banks in Brunei Darussalam are usually open Mondays to Fridays, 9am - 4pm and on Saturdays, 9am 11am. Some banks have branches with later closing times. Islamic banks follow the same operation hours except on Fridays when they are closed for prayers between 11am - 2.30pm. Cash withdrawals and deposits can be made from Automated Teller Machines (ATM) that can be found in various shopping complexes and bank branches all over the country. ATM cards affiliated with the international Plus or Cirrus systems are accepted at most ATMs.
Credit cards VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards in hotels, restaurants and major shopping complexes. Some establishments accept American Express.
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50
Money Changer Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, hotels, various shopping complexes and banks. To cash or exchange travelers cheques, visit major international banks in the capital.
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Telecommunications Friday Prayer Time
All retail, food and beverage outlets and business offices are closed between 12 noon and 2pm on Fridays to observe the Friday prayer time for Muslims.
Islamic Etiquette Although Islam is the state religion of Brunei Darussalam, it is also a country that prides itself on the diversity of its people – including their religions. Visitors are welcome to mosques, provided some etiquette is followed. In general, proper attire is required; women are required to cover their head, shoulders, and knees. Some mosques will provide simple robes and shawls to meet these standards. Shoes are to be removed before entering a mosque. Please do not pass in front of people in prayer, and do not touch the Al-Quran. Please ask for permission before taking photographs – particularly inside! Mosques are usually closed on Thursday and Friday, and during prayer times – your hotel, tour guide, or Muslim locals can help you determine a good time to visit.
Most public phones operate on prepaid calling cards which can be obtained in all major shopping areas and retail stores. Mobile prepaid SIM cards are also available for purchase at DST Communications Sdn Bhd (DST Com) and Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd (PCSB) service counters as well as the respective authorised vendors’ stores.
Taxis Information
Centre
Located at the Art Gallery at the Royal Wharf. Visitors can obtain information about Brunei and related pamphlets and maps free from here during working hours (Mon-Thurs & Sat from 9am-12.15pm & 1.30pm4.30pm).
B u ses There are six bus routes servicing the BSB area. Normal operating hours are from 6am-8pm. Bus fares start from B$1.00. Buses heading to other towns in Brunei such as Tutong, Kuala Belait and Seria depart from the bus terminal located at the multistorey carpark on Jalan Cator in BSB.
Water
Smoking Smoking is prohibited in both air-conditioned and non airconditioned areas in Brunei Darussalam. Smoking is banned in specific places, including government buildings, hospitals, recreational and educational centres, public transport and restaurants. Offenders could be fined.
Metered taxis can be found at the airport, hotels, shopping centres, and the central bus station in Bandar Seri Begawan. Alternatively, grab a Dart Taxi using the ‘Dart’ app - a taxi booking application that can be downloaded at the App Store and Google Play.
Taxis Unique to Brunei, the water taxi is the most common means of transportation in Kampong Ayer. You can hail a water taxi from the numerous jetties along the banks of Brunei River. Fares are negotiable but usually a standard ride costs about B$1.00. Regular boat services to Temburong operate between 6am-4.30pm daily and a one way trip costs B$7.00.
Ferry Services Passenger ferry services to the Malaysian island of Labuan operate from 7am to 4pm and departs from the Serasa Terminal in Muara town. The journey takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
USEFUL local Malay words Good morning Good afternoon Goodnight Thank you You’re welcome What is your name? My name is … Excuse me Yes No How much? Where is the toilet? I want to go to … Turn right Turn left
Selamat pagi
Jalan terus
Selamat petang
Lapangan Terbang
Go straight Airport Selamat malam Town Terima kasih Home Sama-sama Shops Siapa nama awda? Eat Nama saya … Drink Maafkan saya Walk Ya Chicken Tidak Beef Berapa? Seafood Di mana tandas? Vegetables Saya mahu pergi ke... Rice Belok ke kanan 1, 2, 3... Belok ke kiri
NUMBERS TO NOTE EMERGENCY Police 993 Fire 995 Ambulance 991 Directory enquiries 113 Darussalam Hotline 123 FLIGHT INFORMATION General 2331747 AIRLINES Royal Brunei Airlines 2212222, 2240500 Air Asia 2333045 Singapore Airlines 2244901/2/3/4 Cebu Pacific Air 2222666, 2227965, 2239888 MEDICAL SERVICES RIPAS Hospital 2242424 Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) 2611433 Gleneagles JPMC 2611212 Tutong Hospital 4221336 Ext 991 Kuala Belait Hospital 3332366 Ext 991 Temburong Hospital 5221526 Ext 127
Bandar Rumah Kedai Makan Minum Jalan-jalan Ayam Daging Makanan laut Sayur-sayuran Nasi Satu, Dua, Tiga...
biG essentials
Tourist Information Centre
SABAH Banks
Banks open from 9am to 4pm from Mondays to Fridays and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. ATM machines are available 24 hours. Major shopping malls also have ATM machines and are available during operating hours.
Credit Cards Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards at hotels, restaurants and major shopping malls. Some establishments do accept American Express.
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Money Changer
Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, shopping malls, hotels and major banks.
SARAWAK Banks
Banks open from 9.30am to 3pm from Mondays to Fridays and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. ATM machines are available 24 hours. Major shopping malls also have ATM machines and are available during operating hours.
Credit Cards Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards at hotels, restaurants and major shopping malls. Some establishments do accept American Express.
Telecommunications
Buses
There are three main bus terminals that operate regular services. The terminal along Jalan Tun Razak provides services within the city and its outskirts. For destinations south of the city (Papar, Beaufort, Tenom, Tambunan, Keningau), use the terminal near Padang Merdeka. For any other destinations north of the city and all the way to the east coast towns of Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Semporna, you have to take a bus to the Kota Kinabalu North Bus Terminal in Inanam and from there proceed to your destination of choice. Kinabalu Park is located en route from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.
Air Travel
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is the second busiest airport in Malaysia and is the main terminal for Malaysia Airlines, MASWings, Firefly, Royal Brunei Airlines, Dragonair, Silkair and Asiana Airlines.
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A free city-tram service is available for sightseeing around Kuching with pick up points at designated hotels. A daily bus service between Kuching and the airport operates from 6am-7pm and takes 40 minutes. The main intercity bus terminal is at Penrissen Bus Terminal southeast of Kuching. Ask Tourism Information Centres for bus timetables; a ‘green bus’ in the Kuching area goes to Santubong (SCV).
Air Travel
Kuching International Airport services airlines to destinations within Malaysia and overseas via Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Firefly, Tiger Airways, Royal Brunei, Silk Air and Batavia Air (Pontianak, Kalimantan). A network of services using smaller aircrafts provides access to remote destinations within Sarawak such as Bario, Mulu and Ba Kelalan.
Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, shopping malls, hotels and major banks. Some money changers may not accept foreign currency in small denomination or notes with a date or serial number that they don’t approve of.
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Taxis
Taxis are available at the airport terminal and cost about RM30.00 to get to the city. The journey takes between 10-15 minutes. Within the city, taxi stations are located next to major shopping malls and hotels. Long distance taxi services can be found next to Padang Merdeka.
Buses
Money Changer
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It is possible to make IDD phone calls at payphones using coins or call cards. Prepaid calling cards are also widely available by authorized dealers at shopping malls. Most major hotels have WIFI facility either in their guest rooms or public areas. An increasing number of restaurants now have WIFI zones too. Cybercafés offer very affordable rates for internet services.
Telecommunications
It is possible to make IDD phone calls at payphones using coins or call cards. Prepaid calling cards are also widely available by authorized dealers at shopping malls. Most major hotels have WIFI facility either in their guest rooms or public areas. An increasing number of restaurants now have WIFI zones too. Cybercafés offer very affordable rates for internet services.
Sabah Tourism Board Jalan Gaya Tel: (6088) 212 121 Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sinsuran Complex Tel: (6088) 232 121 Tourism Malaysia (Sabah) Api Api Centre Tel: (6088) 211 732 Visitors’ Information Centre Terminal 1 Tel: (6088) 413 359 Visitors’ Information Centre Terminal 2 Tel: (6088) 447 075
Ferry Services Jesselton Point is the main terminal for boats to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands and to Labuan Island. If you wish to drive to Labuan, use the ferry terminal at Menumbok south of the city where car ferries are available.
Express Boats and Ferry Services A boat service locally known as tambang is available for the short trip across Kuching River to the riverside villages on the other side and along the river for sightseeing. Fast and comfortable express boats connect coastal towns (Kuching, Sibu, Kapit) and villages on the major rivers in Sarawak. The Express Ferry Terminal in Kuching offers trips to Sibu and onwards to Kapit for upriver journeys. Take a bus from Sibu to Miri for ferries to Brunei and onwards to Labuan island and Kota Kinabalu.
Taxis
Taxi fare from Kuching Tourist airport to the city cost about Information Centre RM22.00 per way. Taxies are easily found at large hotels, or at taxi stands in all the major towns in Sarawak. Taxis don’t use meters so always negotiate the fare before getting into a cab!
Kuching Visitors’ Information Centre Tel: (6082) 410 944/2 Miri Visitors’ Information Centre Tel: (6085) 434 181 Sibu Visitors’ Information Centre Tel: (6084) 340 980
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food in
films Food may be the centerpiece of this list of mouth-watering films, but really it’s just the vehicle in which to translate unexpressed emotions and desires. A lovelorn Mexican woman pours her heart into her creations, a strict father uses food to show love for his daughters, and a rat cooking in a Parisian kitchen is just a means of communicating the notion that anyone can achieve their dreams. Read on for more, but be prepared to get real hungry.
Ratatouille (2007)
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011) Starring Jiro Ono and Yoshikazu Ono Directed by David Gelb
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Sushi is as much a culinary art form as it is something to eat, and this beautifully made documentary pays homage to the meticulous art of making sushi, along with Jiro’s lifelong pursuit of perfection for this craft. Owner of the Michelinrated restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro, the 85-year old chef constantly pushes the boundaries of innovation in Japanese cuisine, and his restaurant (that seats ten people at any given time) located in a Tokyo subway has had international A-list celebrities and world-renowned chefs dining here for a taste of Jiro’s perfect creations. Watch it with some sushi on your plate, chopsticks in your hand, and an appreciation for sushi chefs and their staunch commitment to this culinary art.
Voiced by Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm and Lou Romano Directed by Brad Bird “Anyone can cook!” insists Remy the rat’s favourite chef Auguste Gusteau, and the movie sets out to prove just that by literally dropping Remy in a Parisian restaurant’s bustling kitchen and then turning a disastrous pot of soup into something delicious. And yes, anyone can cook, even an idealistic rat like Remy, whose alliance with a garbage boy in Gusteau’s restaurant gives him the chance to pursue his culinary passion. This is a Pixar film that may not rank at the same level as their other masterpieces, but Brad Bird’s Ratatouille is a glorious testament to how anyone can achieve their dreams if you put your head and heart into it, no matter who you are (or in this case, what you are) or where you come from.
Like Water for Chocolate (1992) Starring Lumi Cavazos, Marco Leonardi and Regina Torné Directed by Alfonso Arau In revolutionary Mexico, Tita is condemned by a family tradition to never marry and to care for her mother all her life. This is the perfect set-up for a forbidden love plot, which comes in the form of Pedro, who loves Tita so much that he marries her sister so he can be close to her. Amid all of this romantic drama is Tita’s gift: her cooking, and how her emotions seep into the dishes that she prepares. A wedding cake baked while she weeps reduces guests to a puddle of tears while quails bathed in rose petal sauce gifted to Pedro become an aphrodisiac. But for all the magical realism in this beautiful movie, the idea that food and emotion are closely allied is grounded in truth. And the food – as is Tita’s preparation of it – is as enchanting as Tita and Pedro’s love for each other.
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Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) Starring Sihung Lung, Yu-Wen Wang, Chien-Lien Wu and Kuei-Mei Yang Directed by Ang Lee The opening scene lays the groundwork of what culinary sights you are about to witness in this Ang Lee film, and the patience, care and devotion the chef puts into the preparation of this amazing meal is mesmerising. The food is laid out elegantly on a family dining table – this is the glorious family banquet a father prepares for his three daughters every Sunday. What is otherwise unexpressed by this stiff traditionalist father is shown in the meticulous way he prepares this weekly Sunday meal for his daughters: three headstrong individuals who take turns challenging and disappointing their father with their life choices. But underneath all of the strife is a common touchstone: their father’s weekly exquisite meals, representing stability and a nurturing family, regardless of the drama.
The Lunchbox (2013) Starring Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur Directed by Ritesh Batra A mix-up of dabbawalas (a lunch delivery system for office workers in India) sets in motion a touching relationship between two lonely souls in this movie from India. Ila prepares a fantastic lunch for her distant husband, but her meals are mistakenly delivered to Saajan, a widower, and an unlikely pen-pal friendship is struck by hiding letters in the lunchbox. This is a movie that is deeply rooted in India’s food culture, and the meals that Ila prepares will set a rumble in your belly. But ultimately, this is a very sweet and underrated film about two lovely characters, fantastically played by Irffan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, and their need for human connection.
Julie & Julia (2009) Starring Amy Adams, Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci Directed by Nora Ephron
The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014) Starring Helen Mirren, Om Puri and Manish Dayal Directed by Lasse Hallström Based on a best-selling novel, director Lasse Hallström – whose previous foodiefilm effort was the Johnny Depp movie Chocolat – returns to the food genre with this pleasing, predictable and very pretty film. The film follows a grieving widower who has decided to move his entire family to a rural French village to open up an Indian restaurant. But the raucous fun that comes with his restaurant isn’t meshing with the genteel sophistication of the Michelin-starred French restaurant across the road. Rivalry ensues, and of course soon after comes friendship and love. It’s a feel-good film that manages to hit the right notes with insights into French and Indian cuisine and a little message about how the acceptance of multiculturalism into one’s cuisine can broaden the horizons of culinary arts.
So here’s a secret behind French cooking: use lots of butter! Or so says the great Julia Child; the American chef who wrote the iconic cookbook ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’. The film is based on two true stories: the early years of Julia Child’s career in the 1950’s (played by the charming Meryl Streep) intertwines with the life of discontented New Yorker Julie Powell in 2002, who decides to take on the behemoth challenge of preparing all 524 recipes in Julia Child’s landmark cookbook. And it is on this delicious journey that Julie finds the recipe to solve her discontentment. Taking inspiration from her mentor, she decides to live her life the same way Julia Child conquered French cuisine: with enthusiasm, passion and absolute fearlessness (and copious amounts of butter).
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M o v ies t o l o o k o u t f o r t h is q u a r t e r MAY
JUN 20
APR
16
Toy Story 4
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John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack
Starring Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry and Ian McShane
It’s been almost a decade since we last checked in on Woody and the gang, and now here they are again in another movie no one asked for. Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Rex, Slinky and Hamm are back to win your hearts, and there’s a new toy-nottoy named Fork, and a possible return of Bo Peep? No one asked for this movie, but we’ll still be lining up to watch it.
Poor John just can’t catch a break. The peaceseeking ex-hit man is back on the screen taking down baddies in extremely stylised violence, only this time he’s fighting for his own life. A $14-million contract on his life has made him a target for the world’s top assassins, putting his killing skills to the test, once again.
Avengers: Endgame
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson
A fitting title for the last of the Avengers movies, events unfold from where the last movie left off; Tony is adrift in space while the remaining Avengers on earth regroup to figure out a way to defeat the powerful demigod Thanos.
JUN APR
14
MAY
5
10
JUN 7
Shazam! Starring Zachary Levi,
Mark Strong, Asher Angel and Jack Dylan
Based on the comic book superhero from the DC Universe, this film tells the story of a streetwise 14-year old foster kid whose encounter with The Wizard gives him the ability to turn into an adult superhero by shouting out: SHAZAM! It’s all fun and games until he meets the evil Dr Sivana and his new powers are put to the test.
POKÉMON: Detective Pikachu
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith and Ken Watanabe
The Pokémon universe comes to life in this movie that takes place in the fictitious Ryme City, where Pokémon creatures and humans live side by side. One fateful evening, a young man realises that he’s the only one who can understand a trash-talking Pikachu, who also happens to be a detective, and together the two set out to solve the mystery of his father’s disappearance.
APR 12
Hellboy
Starring David Harbour, Ian McShane and Milla Jovovich
Believe it or not, it’s been over a decade since Hellboy graced our screens, but this 2019 remake has Big Red returning with a new cast. Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, our favourite demonic monster with the powerful right hand needs to save the world by going into battle with an ancient vengeful sorceress. 58
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The Secret Life of Pets 2 Starring Patton Oswalt, Eric
Stonestreet, Lake Bell, Jenny Slate, Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish
We’re back to finding out what our pets get up to when we’re not at home, and the second run of this 2016 summer blockbuster has our favourite pets regrouping for a new mission while welcoming a new adorable pet named Daisy into the fold.
Men in Black: International Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Liam Neeson
Welcome back to the Men in Black universe, where men and women in black suits and shiny high-tech weaponry keep the coexistence of aliens and humans in harmony. This time they’ve gone international, with Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson donning the shades to battle mischievous aliens on earth.
THE MALL CINEPLEX @ LEVEL 3, THE MALL, GADONG 2422455 www.themallcineplex.com TIMES CINEPLEX@EMPIRE, EMPIRE HOTEL AND COUNTRY CLUB, JERUDONG 2610001 www.timescineplex.com/empirePSBdualplex TIMES SQUARE CINEPLEX @ 4TH FLOOR, TIMES SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE, BERAKAS 2341122 www.timescineplex.com The Arena Cineplex @ Seri Qlap Mall, Kg Kiulap 2230138 www.arena-cineplex.com One Cineplex @ One City Shopping Centre Tel: 2338250 onecineplex.com Aman Hills Cineplex @ Aman Shopping Centre Tel: 2335000 onecineplex.com TUTONG TIMES CINEPLEX @ BERJAYA COMPLEX, TUTONG 4220422 PSB DUALPLEX, SERIA @ F19, JALAN TENGAH, SERIA 3221437 www.facebook.com/PSBdualplex
riwaz
the Indian culinary journey 2244272 ext 8873 | 6.30pm - 10.30pm | Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays radissonbrunei #RiwazBrunei #RiwazRadisson Riwaz cuisine has been inspired by the state banquets from the days of yore and from heirloom recipes from the kitchens of India. Each dish is crafted with attention to detail using traditional and nouvelle culinary techniques to ensure tastes remain authentic and awe-inspiring. featuring Patthar ka Gosht Escalope of lamb, 48 hours marinade, cooked on hot stone, red chilli jam and many more
Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam Jalan Tasek, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8211, Brunei Darussalam. RADISSON.COM/BRUNEI