Sarawak has long been a melting pot of cultures, but in culinary terms, that pot has recently been stirred by a reawakening in the F&B business. Fresh flavours are being imported, old traditions revived, and new combinations tested to create a new culinary landscape for Kuching. We are a hybrid nation, happy to appropriate from around us and welcoming to any new faces who long to make Sarawak their home, whether that has been a Rajah, a tea grower or a spice trader, and this has long affected our food. Perhaps it is this very array of choice that has made food a national obsession, from the Nyonya blending of flavours to Dayak jungle fare. Somehow though, we Sarawakians always manage to make it our own. The food heritage of our past still stands strong, from hawker scene to high-end hotel, but new faces are bringing it forward into the future. So we at KINO, confirmed foodies all (isn’t everyone in Kuching?), are paying tribute to some of the bright new stars as well as the firm favourites in our Sarawak skies.
ZINC Restaurant & Bar
38 Tabuan road. ground floor
011-3690 6675
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ zincKuching
Zinc’s motto should be that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well. If you want to renovate a dilapidated old shophouse, then strip it back and rebuild brick by brick, bring in enormous belian beams and decorate with elegant simplicity. If you want to serve mediterranean food, then source it from the source, bringing in the best air-dried ham from spain, the choicest cheeses from france and a Chef from Cata- lunya! If you, as the owner, are worried about your standards of service, then show them how it should be done yourself. add in some entertain- ment and the result is likely to be perfection! (Tues-sun/5pm-1am)
D’Sea Restaurant
Damai Central, Pantai Damai Santubong
013-847 3486
https://www.facebook.com/ SarawakCulturalVillageOFFICIAL/
Sarawak Cultural Village has been serving its visitors from their Sar- awak Ethnic kitchen in Restaurant Budaya for decades but now patrons can enjoy the same traditional Highlander cuisine right next to ‘D’Sea’. Seafood has long been popular on the Santubong peninsula but, at D’Sea, the food of the mountains takes centre stage. Guests can enjoy such delights as tempoyak with fresh prawns and Bario rice with wild mushrooms to a backdrop of commanding views of the ocean, magical Mount Santubong and Sarawak’s incredible sunsets. A short drive from Kuching, the scents and flavours of the highlands have a new home! (Daily except Tues/11am-2pm, 5pm-9pm)
Razzmatazz Bistro Pub Lounge
Jalan Canna (behind gIaNT stutong) ground floor
016-889 0600
www.facebook.com/ razzmatazz-Bistro-Pub-lounge
The chef at Razzmatazz is clear on his concept – no fusion, only 100% authentic Western. swiss-born and trained, george germann is bring- ing his skills to the task, offering the full range of innovation in ‘West- ern’ cuisine – the ultimate European tour. The specials board is the key, with new dishes supplementing an already substantial menu so there is always something new to try. however, his special skill is as a multi- ple award-winning pastry chef so save room for something sweet, from delicate parfait to fruity sorbet. This swiss man is even making his own chocolate, with handmade truffles on offer, midnight black and full-flavoured with an exploding Bailey’s centre. Not to be missed! (Daily: 4pm – 12pm)
China House
Jalan Tun abang haji Openg Old Courthouse
082-417601
The Old Courthouse is brought back to life as China house brings in a cafe, restaurant, live music, shops, art galleries and events, to the beauti- fully restored Waterfront Precinct. Built by sir Charles Brooke, the rajah of sarawak, the Courthouse is once again open to all, from 9am to mid- night. Please come in and add your thoughts, doodles or just enjoy the buildings over cake and coffee at Kopi C, the cafe. BTB the restaurant is open in the evenings from 6pm. Events are our speciality, and we have many venues for everything from simple teas to lavish wedding dinners. (Open Daily)
KOPI O CAFE
Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg Old Courthouse
082-417601
Kopi C Café at China House loves cakes! Everyday, you will be greeted by a table groaning with goodies – 30 different cakes daily and a fur- ther 10 in the chiller cabinet. These are all exclusive to Kopi C, baked on site, deftly treading that perfect line between high-end and home- made. Whatever your pleasure, there is a cake for you – sticky fruit, sinful chocolate, tangy lemon or tropical coconut – you’ll never have to have the same taste twice! The café has a full menu of delicious bistro dishes but make sure you save room for dessert! Or just sip tea and nibble cake in the courtyard. The pleasure is all yours! (Open Daily)
LAMIN DANA Cultural Boutique Lodge
Kampung Seri Tellian Mukah
019-849 5962
www.facebook.com/Lamin-Dana- Cultural-Boutique-Lodge
Mukah is the heartland of the Melanau and Melanau life is at the heart of Lamin Dana. This cultural guesthouse experience offers to share ‘a thou- sand years of cultural intelligence with the world.’ Lamin Dana translates to ‘traditional house’ in archaic Melanau and this house aims to keep Mel- anau traditions alive, creating a sense of pride for the culture among the community itself through the revival of culture, arts and crafts within the tourism industry. Food is the heart of every home and every culture and this homestay lays it all out on a plate, from umai to sago in every shape and form to the infamous sago grub itself. Live Melanau, love Melanau at Lamin Dana! (Daily: 9am-5pm)
Payueeh
No. 465, Lot 1488, Block 17, KCLD, Kota Sentosa
014-395 2199
www.facebook.com/payueehrestaurant/
Payu’eeh is steeped in tradition – offering authentic Dayak food cooked in truly authentic style. The restaurant is named after the rack where fire- wood would be placed, common in traditional longhouse kitchens. The venue is decorated to a high standard using bamboo mat (“kasah” & kayu “serumah”), Dayak “terabai” (shield) and an artist’s impression of a Nibong tree. Try Dayak favourites – Kasam, tempoyak, young corn & cucumber leaves, bamboo shoots and tapioca leaves – some cooked in bamboo for the ultimate Dayak Bidayuh culinary and cultural experience. On Fridays and Saturdays, and from time to time, a live band performs, bringing the best of kampung life to the big city. (Daily: lunch & dinner/10am-10.30pm)