Tarator (Cold Cucumber Yogurt Soup)

Introduction: Tarator is a refreshing chilled soup of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill and walnuts, eaten throughout the hot Bulgarian summer as a cooling start to a meal. Cultural Background: Tarator is a refreshing chilled soup of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill and walnuts, eaten throughout the hot Bulgarian summer as a cooling start to a meal. […]

Shkembe Chorba (Tripe Soup)

Introduction: A rich, garlicky, paprika-spiked tripe soup long regarded as a hangover cure and cold-weather staple, Shkembe Chorba is served in traditional Bulgarian eateries with vinegar, chili oil and garlic milk on the side to season individually. Cultural Background: A rich, garlicky, paprika-spiked tripe soup long regarded as a hangover cure and cold-weather staple, Shkembe […]

Beef Rendang Brunei-Style

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 […]

Ikan Goreng Bersambal (Fried Fish with Sambal)

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. […]

Soto Brunei (Spiced Beef & Noodle Soup)

Introduction: Soto is a warming, fragrant noodle soup found in coffee shops throughout Brunei, built on a clear spiced beef or chicken broth ladled over a choice of yellow noodles, rice vermicelli, or both together (known locally as kahwin, 'married'). Cultural Background: Soto is a warming, fragrant noodle soup found in coffee shops throughout Brunei, […]

Murtabak Brunei (Stuffed Savoury Pancake)

Introduction: Murtabak is a thick, stuffed relative of roti canai, filled with a spiced minced meat and egg mixture before being folded and pan-fried until crisp on the outside and richly savoury within. Cultural Background: Murtabak is a thick, stuffed relative of roti canai, filled with a spiced minced meat and egg mixture before being […]

Nasi Katok (Rice, Fried Chicken & Sambal)

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 […]

Ikan Bakar (Grilled Spiced Fish)

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 […]

Satay Brunei (Grilled Meat Skewers with Peanut Sauce)

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 […]

Manok Pansoh (Bamboo-Cooked Chicken)

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 […]