Sarawak & Sabah restaurant reviews

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! ••

IG: @hummus_shack_sabah Tel: 6014-9445266

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Sabah

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 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! ••

IG: @2.1feb FB: @februaryfirst2.1 Tel: 6012-825 6828

June’s Ice Creams

Creator and purveyor of fine cakes, June Cakes and Desserts, has branched out into a different type of irresistible sweet treat—ice creams! Having built a sturdy reputation based on the amazing Swiss Meringue Buttercream frosted cakes that they churn out and often brimming with florals and foliage, fans of the boutique online bakery were rewarded with news that they would be launching their own handcrafted artisanal ice cream line in January of this year. And with more than 700 pints sold so far, it’s safe to say that the expansion has been met with open arms!

With a variety of flavours ranging from dark chocolate to brown butter and salted caramel pecan, Yvonne (of June Cakes and Desserts) also wows with surprising flavours such as her frozen take on well-loved traditional kueh apam balik and Chinese New Year favourite, pineapple tart. While cakes are still very much their main forte, June Cakes and Desserts does not shy away from whipping up others desserts, cupcakes, tartlets, cookies and now, ice cream—all of which can be purchased directly from their online store based on availability. Selling out like, well, hot cakes each time, we recommend keeping a lookout for new items on their menu so you don’t miss out on this goodness! ••

Dine with FED

If getting fed was an emotion, the culinaryobsessed folks behind Kuching’s FED have preserved it, put it in a jar and served it on a hearty platter with the ring of a serving bell. It’s a wholesome, fulfilling and satisfying sort of feeling, much like their delicious menu of freshly baked goods and hot dishes. What began as a series of interesting pop-up dinner parties eventually unfolded into today’s Dine with FED Bakery & Cafe where elevated classics are served with a twist, the good old fashioned way (no shortcuts!) to get the flavour and quality that feeds their customers hearts and souls—and stomachs, of course! Their signature items include loaded beauties such as the Reuben Sandwich— “layers of light rye sourdough, in-house brined Aussie corned beef, sauerkraut, jalapeno cucumber relish, mustard, orange cheddar & garlic aioli”—as well as their weekend sourdough pizzas and special pastries.

And for those of you who wished you had a taste of FED with you at every meal or if you’re looking for the perfect accompaniment to their famous pumpkin sourdough sandwich loaf, they also have amazing in-house dips and spreads that can be bought in 100g glass jars of goodness. Lemon ricotta cheese? Sundried cashew pesto? Smokey Baba Ganoush? Don’t mind if we do!

Pro tip: If you foresee an insatiable craving for FED’s dishes such as their sourdough pizzas, their conversation platters or anything under their Get Fed! At Home Series, they recommend placing preorders in advance to avoid disappointment.

The MCO may have slowed things down a little but this wholesome eatery definitely has plans for its returning fans. “The goal would be to continue FED as a ‘supper club series’ in the future making us a bakery by day and supper club by night!”, talented owner Hazel Tang says. So be sure to stay tuned! W: junecakesanddesserts.com E: info@junecakesanddesserts.com IG: @junecakesanddesserts Tel: 6016-8624022 eat, drink Sarawak

H Plaza, LOT 9913 BLK 16, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Baru, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak Open: 8.30am-7pm (Tues-Fri), 10.30am-8pm (Sat-Sun) Tel: 012-9983936 IG & FB: @dinewithfed