Introduction: Beef rendang, a slow-cooked coconut and spice stew, is beloved throughout Brunei and is a fixture at weddings, Hari Raya celebrations and family feasts, often served alongside kelupis or plain rice. Cultural Background: Beef rendang, a slow-cooked coconut and spice stew, is beloved throughout Brunei and is a fixture at weddings, Hari Raya celebrations […]
Introduction: Crisp fried fish topped with a spoonful of chilli sambal is one of the most common side dishes served alongside ambuyat and rice across Bruneian tables. Cultural Background: Crisp fried fish topped with a spoonful of chilli sambal is one of the most common side dishes served alongside ambuyat and rice across Bruneian tables. […]
Introduction: Ulam-ulaman is a platter of raw and lightly blanched vegetables and fresh herbs, eaten across Malay households in Brunei as a refreshing counterpoint to rich, spiced mains. Cultural Background: Ulam-ulaman is a platter of raw and lightly blanched vegetables and fresh herbs, eaten across Malay households in Brunei as a refreshing counterpoint to rich, […]
Introduction: Ambuyat is Brunei's proud national dish and its most distinctive culinary symbol. Cultural Background: Ambuyat is Brunei's proud national dish and its most distinctive culinary symbol. Made from the starch of the interior trunk of the sago palm, it is mixed with hot water until it forms a glossy, glue-like paste with almost no […]
Introduction: Roti John is a night-market favourite across Brunei: a baguette split lengthwise, dipped in a savoury minced meat and egg mixture, then griddled until crisp and golden. Cultural Background: Roti John is a night-market favourite across Brunei: a baguette split lengthwise, dipped in a savoury minced meat and egg mixture, then griddled until crisp […]
Introduction: Nasi Katok — 'knock rice' — began as a humble late-night takeaway sold from a small flat in Bandar Seri Begawan in the 1980s, named for customers knocking on the window to order. Cultural Background: Nasi Katok — 'knock rice' — began as a humble late-night takeaway sold from a small flat in Bandar […]
Introduction: Ikan bakar, grilled fish rubbed with a fragrant spice paste, is a staple at Brunei's markets and riverside eateries, where whole fish are grilled over charcoal until the skin chars and the flesh stays moist. Cultural Background: Ikan bakar, grilled fish rubbed with a fragrant spice paste, is a staple at Brunei's markets and […]
Introduction: Satay stalls are a familiar sight at Brunei's night markets, where skewers of marinated meat are grilled over charcoal until lightly charred, filling the air with a smoky aroma that draws in passing crowds. Cultural Background: Satay stalls are a familiar sight at Brunei's night markets, where skewers of marinated meat are grilled over […]
Introduction: Manok pansoh is a treasured dish of Borneo's indigenous communities, in which marinated chicken, lemongrass and tapioca leaves are packed into a hollowed length of bamboo and slow-cooked over an open fire. Cultural Background: Manok pansoh is a treasured dish of Borneo's indigenous communities, in which marinated chicken, lemongrass and tapioca leaves are packed […]
Introduction: Wild fiddlehead ferns, known locally as paku or pakis, grow abundantly along Brunei's riverbanks and are gathered and stir-fried as a simple, everyday vegetable side. Cultural Background: Wild fiddlehead ferns, known locally as paku or pakis, grow abundantly along Brunei's riverbanks and are gathered and stir-fried as a simple, everyday vegetable side. Their tender, […]