Food & Cuisine in Kuching

Food info sections | Eating locally

A unique city of contrasts and contradictions, tranquillity and bustle, Kuching was chosen by the World Health Organisation as an exemplary model of a healthy city. Kuching is a melting pot of many races - Indians, Chinese, Europeans, Malays and the very special indigenous people. It is thus rich in culture, heritage and cuisine. There are innumerable eating places in Kuching, from hawker stalls to five-star restaurants, which serve a host of international cuisines and also Sarawak's traditional food.

Eating out is a fun thing to do in Kuching. While the varieties of food are overwhelming, the prices are incredible. For a modest sum, one can eat a meal fit for a king.

We have provided some details on the ins and outs of Malay cuisine and listed a number of Kuching restaurants we are sure you will love. There are a number of great dining options surrounding the Kuching shopping districts, so be sure to savour the fine taste of Malaysian cuisine between shopping sprees.

Food & Cuisine in Kuching

Malaysia's traditional food is very spicy. Those who enjoy hot food will love what Kuching has to offer. The dishes are predominantly rice or noodle based. They are served in small bowls with a soup. Some of the dishes require people to eat with a small spoon held in the left hand and chopsticks in the right hand. Typical Kuching dishes are Nasi Lemak, Kolo Mee, Laksa (also known as Laksa Sarawak or Sarawak Laksa), Chicken Rice, Kopa Ayam (Chicken Wings) and Roti Canai. At the small food stalls, this food is available for about 2 to 4 Malaysian Ringgits.

Hawker Stalls

Hawkers selling drinks, food or fruits in mobile stalls or push-carts are quite common in Malaysia. However, their presence in the cities has been considerably reduced due to the increasing number of government-sponsored hawker complexes and centres in the suburbs. These complexes and centres have permanent stalls where each hawker serves something special. These venues are allowed to remain open till late, catering to those who work on early shifts and those looking for supper after a late night party.

Most hawkers in the major towns, including Kuching, are licensed. Enforcement officers from the Municipal Councils and Health Department conduct frequent checks to ensure cleanliness and hygiene.

For those who are wondering about the freshness of the food available in these hawker stalls in Kuching, there's good news. Hawker food has many takers (considering the price) and thus is always freshly prepared. Many varieties of the same dish can be had at different stalls because hawkers, while they follow the basic recipe, love to improvise a little.

Local Delicacies in Kuching

A dish that is very popular among the local population is called Kuching Kolo mee. Served in classic style, it is flash-boiled egg noodles with garlic, white vinegar, minced pork, shallots and pork oil. A variation of the same dish uses sliced barbecue pork and peanut oil.

Sarawak Laksa is a spicy prawn and coconut paste-based broth that is served with rice vermicelli, prawn, egg, deep friend tofu, chicken and, sometimes, clams. Asam laksa is a different dish altogether.

The most well-known dishes that the hawkers serve are called Tomato Sauce Mee, which is crispy noodles served with tomato sauce, meat and vegetables, and Tomato Sauce Kuay Teow, which is flat rice noodles served with tomato sauce, meat and vegetables.

Bubor cha-cha is concentrated mixed syrup of agar-agar, sweet potatoes and sago.
Kueh-Chap is a dish of flat rice noodles served with tofu, egg and pig entrails.

Specials, or custom-ordered dishes, are available on request. Most hawkers serve a variety of the above three dishes, but the locals can often be seen engaging in vigorous debates about where one can get the best variety. Tourists should note that portion sizes are small - almost half of what one gets at the China towns in the West.

Local Seafood

There are excellent seafood restaurants in Kuching that serve the local shellfish. These restaurants, where prices are very reasonable, are mostly run by Chinese residents. There are several such establishments around the city, particularly on the way to the popular resorts located on Santubong Island.

Global Food Outlets

While outlets of global chains such as McDonald's, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, KFC and Starbucks are widespread, especially in prime commercial complexes, a Malaysian fast food chain called Sugarbun also serves local food in a Western style with brightly lit menus, plastic trays and uniformed staff.