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.

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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.

Restaurants List

Top Spot Food Court

Located on the 6th floor of the Taman Kereta building in the center of town, be prepared to explore all the 36 different stalls offering a variety of seafood dishes, beverages and local delicacies cooked Malay, Chinese and Indian style.

Type : Seafood

Address : Jalan Bukit Mata Kucing, 93400 Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia, Borneo.

Phone : 6082-412150, 6082-238730

Fax : 6082-255964

Email : info@saraurusharta.com

Website : http://www.sedctourism.com/top_spot.asp

Opening hours : 18:00 to to 22:00

Ah Yew Laksa Stall

Ah Yew Laksa Stall serves one of the best Sarawak Laksa in the suburbs of Kuching and is very popular among the locals. Even though this local dish is available commonly at most of the other coffee shops around town.

Sarawak Laksa is a concoction of Vermicelli rice noodles or bee hoon in a shrimp-based broth thickened with coconut milk. The noodles are served with shredded chicken, bean sprouts, boiled prawns and shredded omelet. It is served with sambal paste on the side for those who like an extra kick to their laksa, and to make it tangier, add a squeeze of lime-juice to it.

Type : Chinese

Address : 3rd Mile Bormill, Jalan Sekama, 93000 Kuching.

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 13:00

Bla Bla Bla

Ranked as one of the Top 5 Restaurants in Kuching, Bla Bla Bla offers a variety of dishes, ranging from Pandan Chicken stuffed with cheese to Thai Mango Chicken. It is also popular among the locals because of its contemporary and modern feel, making the atmosphere very relaxing. Bla Bla Bla is a restaurant to look out for if you want good food and a place to just put your feet up and chill. Experience this Chinese restaurant with a twist!

Type : Chinese

Address : 27 Jln Tabuan, Jln Wayang Area, 93000 Kuching.

Phone : +6082-233944

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 23:00

Oriental Park Cafe

Oriental Park is a restaurant serving Hokkien and local style dishes. It is famous for its kolo mee, a savoury delicacy, which is egg noodles served with minced chicken or beef meat, garlic, shallots, onion leaves, white vinegar and vegetable oil.

Type : Chinese

Address : Ground Floor, Bangunan Oriental Park, Lrg Gartak, 93000 Kuching.

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 14:00

Waterfront Restaurant, Hilton

Sample the world's cuisines at this lighthearted buffet-style restaurant. Relax by the window and experience the scenic view of the Sarawak River as you enjoy local dishes such as Pansoh Manuk, an Iban chicken dish made with bamboo and fragrant rice. Also recommended is the tuak rice wine, a sweet alcoholic beverage.

Type : Buffet

Address : Hilton Kuching Hotel, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, 93000 Kuching.

Phone : 082-248200

Fax : 082-428984

Email : kuching@hilton.com

Website : http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/KUCHITW-Hilton-Kuching-hotel/dining.do

Opening hours : 06:00 to to 23:00

Little Lebanon

Located in the center of town, Little Lebanon serves a wide variety of Middle Eastern dishes. Highly recommended dishes include the Lebanon Cheese Bread (pita bread with special filling, consisting of cheese, onion, sour cream and herbs); Kiftah Halabi (mixture of minced beef and lamb burger); Sheesh Kebab (lamb or beef kebab) and Sheesh Tawuq (chicken kebab). For meat lovers who cant decide which kebab dish to pick out, you are able to order the mixed kebab plate which includes beef, chicken and lamb kebab.

Type : Lebanese

Address : Ground Floor, Old Court House, Jalan Barrack, 93100 Kuching.

Phone : 082-247523

Opening hours : 11:30 to to 22:30

Deli Cafe

Located nearby to one of the best shopping spots in town, Deli Cafe serves a variety of pastries and coffee beverages. Highly recommended beverages include their assorted pattern cappuccino drinks, which give you an extra zing. Unlimited WiFi is provided for visitors who have their own computers, if not you are welcomed to use one of the public computers available but limited to 20 minutes per person.

Type : Western

Address : Lot 88, Main Bazaar, 93000 Kuching.

Phone : 082-232788

Opening hours : 09:00 to to 18:00

Grand Malay Restaurant

Grand Malay Restaurant offers a variety of Malay dishes including the Assam Pedas Fish (fish with sour brinjal and tumeric broth); Midin Belacan (jungle fern with shrimp paste); Sup Ekor Kerbau (ox-tail soup) and Ayam Masak Merah (chicken cooked in tomato sauce). All of the dishes come with white rice, the staple food in most Asian countries.

Type : Malay

Address : No. 201, 1st Floor, Jln Kulas, 93400 Kuching.

Phone : 082-424554

Opening hours : 09:00 to to 21:00

LL Banana Leaf

LL Banana Leaf serves South Indian cuisine. It is famous for its banana leaf rice where visitors can choose from various dishes served in banana leaf. Visitors will be able to choose from white rice, yellow rice, chicken curry, mutton curry, fruit salad, vegetable salad and multiple sauces. It is a 10 minute walk from the Sarawak Museum.

Type : Indian

Address : Lrg Rubber 1, Rubber Road, 93000 Kuching.

Phone : 082-239404

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 21:00

Minangkabau Nasi Padang

Offers spicy Padang food such as the Beef Rendang, Soto, Bakso, Indonesian Fried Chicken, Mango Kerabu, Begedil and Chicken Curry. It is a favourite for the locals because of the reasonable pricing and good quality.

Type : Indonesian

Address : 168 Jalan Chan Chin Ann, 93100 Kuching.

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 14:00

Life Cafe

For those who are keen on vegetarian food, Life Cafe offers numerous dishes to tickle your taste buds. It is located nearby most of the waterfront historical attractions, which makes it the perfect place to rest your tired feet from a long day of walking. Dishes offered include an array of rice dishes, noodles and healthy clear soup served with fragrant rice.

Type : Vegetarian

Address : No. 108, Ewe Hai Street, 93000 Kuching.

Phone : 082-411754

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 22:00

Restaurants in Kuching

Food & Cuisine in Kuching

Hawker Stalls

Local Delicacies in Kuching

Local Seafood

Global Food Outlets

Restaurants List

Top Spot Food Court

Ah Yew Laksa Stall

Bla Bla Bla

Oriental Park Cafe

Waterfront Restaurant, Hilton

Little Lebanon

Deli Cafe

Grand Malay Restaurant

LL Banana Leaf

Minangkabau Nasi Padang

Life Cafe

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