biG appetite
The Hummus Shack Whether you see it as a dip or a spread, there’s no denying that hummus is a staple, especially if you’re a fan of Middle Eastern or Indian cuisine—with a twist. Selling some of that plant-based goodness using natural ingredients and rareto-find flavours (we’re talking dessert hummus as well—but more on that later!) is The Hummus Shack, a home-based business in the Kota Kinabalu vicinity. While their savoury hummus flavours are worth salivating over as it is (cottage cheese masala, caramelized onion and miso shiitake purple carrot are among some of the flavours listed), their dessert flavours are what really piqued our interests. Versatile in nature and enjoyably eaten as a fruit, vegetable or cookie dip, as a healthy alternative to cupcake frosting or just plainly spread on toast, the world is really your oyster with this one. While dark chocolate, snickers, Lotus Biscoff cheesecake (!) and orange hazel white chocolate are the only dessert hummus officially listed in their menu, keep an eye out for more seasonal flavours that they release limitedly from time to time. If you ever run out of things to dip into, the Hummus Shack also has your back with a variety of sides such as falafels and flat breads. While their menu is available only on a pre-order basis, it’s officially “time to stock your fridge with hummus” o’clock!
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IG: @hummus_shack_sabah Tel: 6014-9445266
eat , drink S a b a h
February First
February First, or 2.1 FEB if you came from Instagram, has been making waves on our pastry radar with its intriguing desserts, the likes which we’ve only mostly seen from Japanese bakeries. But bringing it to Kota Kinabalu is the passionate local online business which first caught our eye when they launched their Valentine’s Day special this year with a “love piñata” complete with a wooden hammer, a special rose tart and charming craft paper flowers. An absolute vision! Their ongoing menu is no less impressive with offerings such as their bestselling kinako soy mochi tarts from the Japanese series collection—a combination of jiggly soft kinako soy mochi and buttery tart shell. February First’s latest collection of oriental lattice motif 38
Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
tarts, namely “Tartastic Mooncakes”, “imbues oriental elegance” with four different flavours; earl grey dark chocolate, 3Q matcha, hojicha and dark goma. With such elaborate flavours so intricately presented (we find their fun dessert breakdowns on Instagram especially helpful!), we as eager amateur bakers ourselves sought for some words of wisdom from the person behind the elusive bakery brand. “Do not be afraid of failures as it is part of the learning process. We have a strong sense of community amongst home bakers especially in Kota Kinabalu where we are constantly learning from each other, do reach out to them and support each other”. We love this!
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IG: @2.1feb FB: @februaryfirst2.1 Tel: 6012-825 6828
