EATING OUT IN KUCHING

GRADE A

1. PIZZA HUT, JALAN SEMARIANG

2. PIZZA JUNCTION

3. KYROS KEBAB

4. STONNE ICE

5. KAFE 75

6. DAPUR NIDA ZIRHA

7. SUGAR & SPICE CAFÉ

8. KFC, WISMA SABERKAS

9. SUGAR BUN FAST FOOD RESTAURANT

10. ORIENTAL KITCHEN

11. SWEETIE CO.

12. KFC HOPOH

13. KFC (SARAWAK PLAZA)

14. ROADHOUSE GRILL

15. THE COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF

16. H20 FOOD COURT

17. KFC SDN. BHD. JALAN SATOK

18. KFC SDN. BHD (JLN. KHOO HUN YEANG)

19. SUGAR BUN FASTFOOD CENTRE

20. THE BRIDGE

21. ROBATA YAKI

22. KOREANA RESTAURANT

23. STONNE ICE

24. ANJUNG SELERA

25. THE JUNK RESTAURANT

26. BLA BLA BLA

27. HAVANA

28. DELI CAFÉ PATISSERIES

29. SUGAR BUN FAST FOOD CENTRE, JALAN SATOK

30. JOHN CAFÉ

31. HARTZ CHICKEN BUFFET, JALAN SATOK

Kuching has a reputation for its smorgasbord of gastronomic local fare. Just ask any locals around town and they'll be glad to point out to you the best places to grab a bite of must-have Sarawakian delicacies that truly distinguish the Malaysian State's multi-cultural culinary delights.

Kolo Mee

Kolo Mee of Kuching is worth a try. Cooked to perfect softness and coated with an effective bland of oil and vinegar, it is savoury and piquant.

Kolo mee or 'koh-loh mein' (egg noodles, flash-boiled and then served with sliced roast pork), This noodle dish comprised of dry egg noodles, which have been quickly blanched and tossed with seasoning such as shallot oil, pork oil and vinegar/ before it's topped with generous servings of sliced char-slew (barbecued pork), minced pork or beef and some leafy greens. Other variants of toppings include prawns, cuttlefish, pork ball and even wanton dumplings.

A bowl of this hearty dish usually starts from RM2.50 and can be found practically everywhere in kopi Ham (coffee shops) and hawker centers.

A few of Kuching's popular Kolo Mee can be found at KY Cafe (Sekama Road), #40 Teck Huat (Open Air Market), Ah Ping Mee Stall (Siang Siang Food Court, Tabuan Jaya), Min Kuan (Carpenter Street), Sin Lian Shin (Green Road) and Ah Pi Kolo Mee (4th Mile Expert Food Court).

Spicy coconut belacan (fermented prawn paste) - based broth is poured over ingredients comprising of beehoon (thin rice vermicelli), prawns, shredded chicken, omelette strips and taugeh (bean sprouts), the mouth-watering Sarawak Laksa is a must-have for first-time visitors of Kuching.

Once served, it is best to enjoy it while the dish is still piping hot. For those who would like an added zing or heat, squeeze some lime juice and add belacan to the your bowl of laksa which is readily available for breakfast, lunch and even dinner at most kopi Ham (coffee shops), hawker centres and even hotels.

The aromatic Sarawak Laksa is available at Chong Choon Cafe (Abell Road), Foody Goody (Stutong Road), Chong Hui (Ban Hock Road), Spring Cafe (Palm Road) and Barett's Laksa (Bormill Estate).

On the other hand, the State is also known for some traditional dishes made popular by the indigenous people of Sarawak. One of these dishes includes the popular Manok Pansoh which has become a regular dish item at various social functions around town.

Originating from the Ibans - the largest ethnic group in the State, Manok Pansoh or Ay am Pansuh (which literally means Bamboo Chicken) is cooked whereby chunks of chicken pieces are stuffed into a bamboo along with other ingredients such as lemongrass, tapioca leaves, mushrooms and even the optional rice wine, and cooked over an open fire.

Through this method of cooking, the bamboo seals in the flavours and imparts a distinctive aromatic flavour to the tender chicken pieces.

To try this tantalising dish for yourselves, Manok Pansoh is available at Aroma Cafe (Tabuan Road), The Cottage (Bukit Mata Road), Nori 10 Cafe, My Village Baruk (Kampung Boyan) and various hotels in Kuching.

FOOD CENTRES

These are the most popular eating places amongst locals. There is always a wide selection of value-for-money stalls and you can select food from as many as you like. If you are not familiar with a dish, just be adventurous and try it.

Recently middle-class restaurants/cafes are booming in Kuching, several of such outlets are established, each competing hard in providing innovative dining atmosphere and food presentation

NK FOOD NETWORK

Start the day right with nutritious breakfast at NK Food Network! Located in the heart of Kuching, you can get both western and local breakfast menus ranging from nyonya kueh and pastries to favorites such as omelettes, pancakes and toasts. Local food like fried noodles in Cantonese style is also available. The place is an ideal spot for a relaxed breakfast where local coffee/tea and ice-blended drinks are offered. Open daily from 8.30am-10.30pm.

Nasi Padang Selera Bunda

Having lunch here is usually a jostle with others as the place is quite crowded most of the days but the plus point is that the food is great! With over 25 dishes of authentic Indonesian style cooking to choose from, you can understand why the crowd is here. Reasonably priced too, the food is fresh, cooked daily by the experienced chefs so quality is assured. Among the hot favorites are beef rendang, udang galah, asam pedas ikan, sambal udang petal, kari kepala ikan, sotong tumis, sayur nangka masak lemak, umai ikan, ulam- ulam and many more. The nasi campur is priced from RM5.50 depending on your choices and you should try out as many as possible.
The place starts as early as 8:30 in the morning where you can get drinks and food will be served from 10:30 till 3:00 in the afternoon. It is open daily and this is one place where lunch is always a tempting affair for many. Located at lot 145, Section 62.No 301 Jalan Datuk Wee Kheng Chiang, KTLD 93450 Kuching. (6) 082 252581

Tomato Mee (crispy noodles served with tomato sauce, vegetables, and meat)

Chinese Food Centre, Jalan Carpenter (opposite temple). A wide range of Chinese food stalls. One sells excellent fish balls (afternoons only), while another sells superb fish and prawn soup from late afternoon until late at night.

Kubah Ria (across river near suspension bridge). A bit difficult to get to unless you have transport. If you can make it, try the delicious Sop Kambing (mutton soup) at Doreen Abdullah's, served with noodles, rice or crusty French bread.

Medan Pelita Food Court, Basement of Star car park complex, Temple St/Wayang St. Air conditioned food court with stalls selling the full spectrum of hawker favorites. Convenient location near Main Bazaar.

Open Air Market, (near Electra House) Jalan Market. Oddly named, as the whole area is covered. A wide selection of Chinese and Malay food stalls. Some very reasonably priced seafood and noodle stalls operate late into the evening. Famous for beef noodles, rice porridge and fresh soya bean milk.

Petanak Central Market, Jalan Petanak, above the central wet market. Head here early in the morning to soak up the previous night's liquid refreshment. Light snacks, full seafood indulgences, it's all here. While the night-owls tuck in and attempt to stay awake, the market comes alive and a new day begins. Good atmosphere, best at 4 am. Take a taxi - at that time you'll need to!

Sarawak Plaza Food Court (next to Holiday Inn). Good selection of Malay, Chinese, Japanese and Western food stalls in the basement of this busy shopping centre. 10 am to 10 pm.

Satok Bridge, on river front below Satok bridge (any Petrajaya bus or take a taxi). Excellent barbecued chicken and seafood.

Satok Road, left side of road heading out of town. Lots of Malay food stalls - busiest during the Weekend Market. Evenings only.

Saujana Food Centre (5th floor of the car park near the Mosque). Take the lift to reach the food centre. Mostly Malay cooking with some stalls selling seafood.

Top Spot Food Court, Jalan Bukit Mata Kuching. A wide range of food stalls set in landscaped surroundings on the breezy top floor of a car park. Choices include Malay curries, Malay and Chinese seafood, claypot dishes, satay and even steaks. Unusual and very popular.

Tun Jugah, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Modern food court on the 2nd floor, with a good choice of food including a selection of Chinese dishes and Malay hawker-stall favorites.

CHINESE

Kuching has a huge selection of Chinese food outlets, from simple noodle stalls to full-blown banqueting palaces. Many of them feature regular food promotions - see local press for details.

Cafe Harapan, Harbour View Hotel. As well as the usual hotel coffee shop favorites, Cafe Harapan serves an interesting selection of Foochow-style noodle dishes originating from Fuzhou in Southern China.

Fook Hoi in Jalan Padungan is an old-fashioned coffee shop, famous for its Sio Bee and Ha Kau (pork dumplings). Daytime only.

Jong Siang Teng, 68 Carpenter St. Serves Hokkien-style pork leg rice and chicken rice. Daytime only.

Juat Siang Cafe, 34 Carpenter St. Good beef noodle soup. Daytime only.

King Top Cafe, Taman Sri Sarawak. Noodles, grills, satay, barbecued chicken and fish served until early morning. Also delivers to surrounding pubs.

Li Garden, 1st Floor, Hock Lee Centre, Tel: 340785. Famous for its Peking Duck and other high-quality Cantonese dishes served for lunch and dinner. Booking essential in the evening. Take a taxi.

Life Cafe, 108 Ewe Hai Street, Tel: 411754.11 am-lOpm (closed Tuesdays). Chinese tea house serving inexpensive food (RM 4-6) plus wide range of coffees and teas. Good place to stop whilst exploring Old Kuching.

Life Kopi Tiam, 8 Leboh Temple. Busy air-con coffee shop serving a variety of tasty claypot dishes, noodles and fried rice. Mornings to early evenings.

Lok Thian Restaurant (Kuching) Sdn Bhd
No. 317 - 319, Bangunan Bee San, Jalan Padungan, Kuching Sarawak 93100 Malaysia
Telephone : 082-331310,082-333878
Fax : 082-337736

Lok Thian, 1st Floor. 11 am -2 pm, 6-10 pm. Gourmet Chinese cuisine, pleasant surroundings and good service. Thai and Japanese restaurants on ground & top floors. Booking advisable, especially weekends. Take a taxi.

Well known and one of the oldest restaurant. Manu on Japanese, Thai, Chinese, and local cuisines. Price for Malaysians is considered a little above average.

Meisan in the Holiday Inn is an old Kuching favorite, offering high quality Halal-certified Szechuan cuisine.

Min Joo, corner of Carpenter & Bishopsgate St. Small but very popular coffee shop selling Chinese noodle dishes. At breakfast time the place is packed.

Ming Heng Cafe, 6 Carpenter St (Next to Wah Tat Bank). This old-style Chinese coffee shop is another popular breakfast hang out. A choice of laksa, chicken satay and kolo mee.

River Palace in the Crowne Plaza Riverside is the place to go for Halal-certified Cantonese banquet fare.

Ting Noodle House, 117B, Lot 132 Ban Hock Road. This lunchtime favorite serves spicy Taiwanese beef noodles, dumplings and a range of noodle and rice dishes. 8 am - 8.30 pm. 8 am - 2 pm on Sun.

Toh Yuen in the Hilton serves Cantonese Dim Sum at lunchtimes and gourmet Szechuan cuisine in the evenings.

Isui Hua Lau, Lot 321-324 Jalan Ban Hock. Tel: 414560. Serves dim Sum breakfast in the morning, and Shanghinese and Cantonese cuisine for lunch and dinner. Booking advised at weekends.

CONTINENTAL / WESTERN

All major hotels serve continental cuisine, usually in their coffee houses. Diners ave a choice of a la carte or all-you-can-eat buffets. Most also feature high tea buffets on Saturdays or Sundays. Look out for food promotions advertised in the local press. Some coffee shops and food centers have stalls selling Western food. continental or American Breakfast is normally served in hotel restaurants, but most Chinese coffee shops will serve eggs with toast and jam or honey if you ask for them.

Aha, Lot 326, Jalan Ban Hock. Tel: 414104. Inexpensive western food with a healthy eating slant, plus excellent juices and specialty coffees. Open all day. Merdeka Palace Hotel. Beccari's chef prepares authentic dishes from all over Italy, including proper Italian thin-crust pizza. The consistently food and friendly and efficient service add up to a very pleasant dining experience. Open 12 noon -11 pm daily.

Bla Bla Bla, Tabuan Road (opposite Fata Hotel). Tel: 233944. Popular new restaurant with an interesting mix of Chinese and fusion dishes. Booking advised at weekends. 6 pm -11.30 pm. Closed Tuesdays.

The Cottage, Jalan Bukit Mata Kuching, the biggest espresso machine in Sarawak, eastern grills and snacks, plus local specialties including pansoh manok (chicken ooked in bamboo) and tempoyak (fried fermented durian). Open 11 am -1 am food served until 10 pm). Closed Sundays

Dulit Coffee House, Telang Usan Hotel, a pleasant terrace cafe serving generous portions of western and local food, including delicious French oxtail stew and the only genuine chicken kebabs in Kuching.

Eagles' Nest, Jalan Bukit Mata Kuching, shares its kitchen with the next-door Cottage above) and offers the same tasty selection of food and wines. ani's Bistro, Jalan Chan Chin Ann. Asian and Western cuisine in a cafe-style environment.

Jambu, 32 Crookshank Rd, Tel: 235292. Sprawling colonial style bungalow conceals stylish restaurant offering Mediterranean cuisine with local ingredients and modern Borneo cuisine" plus a rather pleasant garden terrace cum tapas bar for hilling out. Live jazz on Fridays (8.30 pm to late). 15 mins walk from city centre, or take a taxi. Open 5.30pm -12.30 am, closed Mondays

The Junk, 80 Wayang St., Tel: 259450. Rustic Chinese ambience and Italian-influenced cooking. Chef George's signature dish, lamb shanks with smashed potatoes, is justifiably famous. 6pm -12.30 am daily. Booking advised at weekends,

GRADE B

1. FATA CAFÉ, JALAN TABUAN

2. WILLY CAFÉ, KUCHING PLAZA

3. JENGGO CORNER, DEMAK LAUT COMMERCIAL CENTRE

4. DAPOR KAK LONG, DEMAK LAUT COMMERCIAL CENTRE

5. REX CAFÉ, JALAN MATANG

6. SHENG WAN FOOD COURT, JALAN MATANG

7. SELERA ASAM PAYAK

8. SHENG WAN FOOD COURT, JALAN SEMARIANG BARU

9. KUCHING CHICKEN PORRIDGE, JALAN TABUAN

10. JUBILEE CAFÉ, DEMAK LAUT COMMERCIAL CENTRE

11. FAZSYA CAFÉ, DEMAK LAUT COMMERCIAL CENTRE

12. KOPITIAM YEN SHAN, DEMAK LAUT COMMERCIAL CENTRE

13. LIM HOCK ANN SEAFOOD, KAMPUNG BUNTAL, SANTUBONG

14. BEACH SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, KAMPUNG SANTUBONG, SANTUBONG

15. KAFE H. ABG. BADAWIE

16. TERATAK D’KAM

17. TZE WEI FOOD CORNER

18. CITY CAFÉ

19. HONG KONG NOODLE HOUSE

20. AZREEN CAFÉ

21. KAFE SRI ALAM

22. ABADI CAFÉ

23. CAJUN CAFÉ

24. HARTZ CHICKEN BUFFET

25. KOPI-O-CORNER

26. GRAND MALAY RESTAURANT

27. SI PINANG SARI

28. KOPI MADU

29. DAPUR PIOTZ CAFÉ

30. FAMILY CAFÉ

31. COFFEE SHOP LIZA’S

32. JUBILEE RESTAURANT

33. KIONG KOPITIAM

34. LAN TANZA CAFÉ

35. SCR FOOD COURT, JALAN RUBBER

36. I CAFÉ, JALAN RUBBER

37. PETERSON CAFÉ, JALAN SATOK

38. FUNG YAN CAFÉ, JALAN RUBBER

39. YONG HUA CAFÉ, JALAN SATOK

40. SYARIKAT BUHARI CAFÉ, JALAN SATOK

41. POINT ONE SATOK, BANGUNAN SATOK

42. FRIENDSHIP CAFÉ, JALAN NANAS

43. LYN’S TANDOORI RESTAURANT, JALAN SATOK

44. ANCHOR HOUSE RESTAURANT

45. LL BANANA LEAF

46. BOMBAY MASALA

47. SATAY HOUSE

48. NAM SENG CAFÉ

49. BOON CHAI ROJAK & COLD DRINK

50. CHENG PUNG HUI

51. JOY’S CORNER

52. MIN HUAT CAFÉ

53. MENG CAFÉ

54. KAMSIAH CAFÉ

55. AROMA CAFÉ

56. JAMBU RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

57. SIN HWA TEN CAFÉ

58. ASIA ICE SHOP

59. CHIP PUNG HUI CAFÉ

60. HANDSOME COURT

61. SNOW HOUSE

62. LEE CAFÉ

63. THE BIG SHOW KOPITIAM

64. KAFE SAHABAT

65. KUOK POH CAFÉ

66. AH KA SU SEA FOOD

67. MAKANAN RASA RAMAI

68. LIFE CAFÉ

69. KHENG LEE CAFÉ

70. JUAT SIANG CAFÉ

71. BOLLYWOOD CAFÉ

72. CAFÉ IDAMAN

GRADE C

1. WANNEY FOOD COURT, JALAN SATOK

2. H20 FOOD & BISTRO, WISMA SABERKAS

3. BAN CHONG CAFÉ, WISMA SABERKAS

4. KASEH CAFÉ, JALAN SATOK

5. PHRABA CAFÉ, JALAN SATOK

6. DANG WANGI CAFÉ, WISMA SATOK

7. AMMAH CURRY HOUSE, JALAN TUN AHMAD ZAIDI ADRUCE

8. MAN CORNER, JALAN SATOK

9. HIAP YAK TEA SHOP, KAI JOO LANE

10. MALAYA RESTAURANT, LEBUH INDIA

11. LAILA CAFÉ, JALAN AJIBAH ABOL

12. KAFE D’SATOK, JALAN RUBBER

13. MARINA CORNER, JALAN RUBBER

14. DIDI RESTAURAN, JALAN KULAS

15. INAMAS CAFÉ, JALAN KULAS

16. NASI LEMAK SHIMA CAFÉ, JALAN TUN AHMAD ZAIDI ADRUCE

17. SISTER CAFÉ, JALAN TUN AHMAD ZAIDI ADRUCE

18. 88 NINE CAFÉ, JALAN HAJI TAHA

19. CAFÉ ABDUL, JALAN AJIBAL ABOL

20. R & R CAFÉ, JALAN HAJI TAHA

21. HAJI UMAR CAFÉ, LEBUH JAVA

22. LITTLE LEBANON, JALAN COURT HOUSE

23. D’AMBROSIA CAFÉ, JALAN P. RAMLEE

24. DAILY CAFÉ, JALAN P. RAMLEE

25. MOLY’S PLACE, JALAN P. RAMLEE

26. CENTRAL POINT CAFÉ, JALAN ONG KEE HUI

27. MOSS CAFÉ, JALAN SATOK

28. JAMES BROOKE BISTRO & CAFÉ, JALAN TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

29. KHATULISTIWA CAFÉ, JALAN TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

30. AH HUAT CAFÉ, DEMAK LAUT COMMERCIAL CENTRE

31. MING CAFÉ, DEMAK LAUT COMMERCIAL CENTRE

32. MING CAFÉ, DEMAK LAUT COMMERCIAL CENTRE

33. RIA CENTRE, JALAN MATANG

34. FOO SAN CORNER, JALAN MATANG

35. D’TASTE, JALAN SEMARAK

36. MOSS CAFÉ, JALAN SATOK

37. RAIN FOREST SPRING CAFÉ, LEBUH WAYANG

38. MAGIC LAMP, JALAN SATOK

39. CELEBRITY CAFÉ, JALAN GREEN

40. LOCK ANN CAFÉ

41. KUCHING CHICKEN PORRIDGE

42. FOO LOK CAFÉ, JALAN NANAS

43. YEE SONS CAFÉ, JALAN JAMBU

44. KAFE MAHKOTA, JALAN SULTAN TENGAH

45. ALIF’S CAFÉ, JALAN SEMARIANG BARU

46. MOH HUAT YUEN CAFÉ, JALAN SEMARIANG BARU

47. ROHIM AND FAMILY CAFÉ, JALAN SEMARIANG BARU

48. TAIWAN FRIED CHICKEN, JALAN PISANG BARAT

49. WESTWOOD CUISINE, JALAN TABUAN

50. FOO LOK CAFÉ, JALAN NANAS

51. DAILY JAY CAFÉ, DEMAK LAUT COMMERCIAL CENTRE

52. D’ MELINDO CAFÉ, DEMAK LAUT COMMERCIAL CENTRE

53. DAYANG SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, KAMPUNG SANTUBONG, SANTUBONG

54. BUNTAL SEAFOOD 88, KAMPUNG BUNTAL, SANTUBONG

55. SRI BUNTAL SEAFOOD, KAMPUNG BUNTAL, SANTUBONG

56. TEO SEAFOOD, KAMPUNG BUNTAL, SANTUBONG

57. GOH AH BENG, KAMPUNG BUNTAL, SANTUBONG

58. SPRING CAFÉ

59. HIAP CHEN HIAN SATAY HOUSE, JALAN RUBBER

60. PEE JAY CORNER, JALAN RUBBER

61. JAYA CAFÉ, JALAN SATOK

62. HAJI CAFÉ, JALAN RUBBER

63. SELERA LAKSA (RESTORAN JAMA’AH), JALAN RUBBER

64. LEVEL 4 FAST FOOD, BANGUNAN SATOK

65. KUEH FAH CAFÉ, JALAN SATOK

66. AH LIANG KOPITIAM, JALAN RUBBER

67. SIANG-SIANG CAFÉ, JALAN NANAS

68. RUBY CAFÉ, JALAN RUBBER

69. HIONG MON LOW CAFÉ, JALAN SATOK

70. SUNFLOWER CAFÉ, BANGUNAN SATOK

71. BAN CHUAN CAFÉ, JALAN NANAS

72. FU XIANG CAFÉ, JALAN RUBBER

73. BUAN HIAN CAFÉ

74. CURRY HOUSE

75. OLD REX CAFÉ

76. EVERSPRING CAFÉ

77. AH THONG CAFÉ

78. HONEY WELL CAFÉ

79. MUI CHIN CAFÉ

80. TING’S CAFÉ

81. NEW HONG KONG CAFÉ

82. SPOON CAFÉ

83. SIN SHIN

84. KIT SIANG CAFÉ

85. SIN LIAN

86. KIT SIANG CAFÉ

87. SIN LIAN SHIN CAFÉ

88. KEDAI KOPI TIGA RODA

89. BISMILLAH CAFÉ

90. JIT YANG CAFÉ

91. JUMBO CAFÉ

92. YING WAH YUEN CAFÉ

93. PALM CAFE

94. KING TOP CAFÉ

95. KUONG CAFÉ

96. EVERYBODY’S GOOD CAFÉ

97. ALL JOY CAFÉ

98. SG21 CAFÉ

99. HAI HAW CAFÉ

100. CLIFFORD CAFÉ

101. POH KWONG CAFÉ

102. SENG LEE CAFÉ

103. XUAN YE DELICIOUS FOOD

104. SIN WEI THONG

105. HONG GARDEN CAFÉ

106. SATOK FAST FOOD CENTRE

107. CHONGLIN FOOD JUNCTION

108. BOON ZHAO CAFÉ

109. SENG KWONG CAFÉ

110. KIM LAI HENG CAFÉ

111. SAN EE CAFÉ

112. CHOP THYE FATT

113. ORIENTAL PARK CAFÉ

114. SCR FOOD COURT

115. CHIN HENG CAFÉ

116. ZHUN SAN YEN VEGETARIAN FOOD CENTRE

117. CHOP KIM JOO

118. SIN MEI CAFÉ

119. GREEN HILL CORNER

120. ALADIN CAFÉ

121. NYAN SHIN CAFÉ

122. LOONG WIN CAFÉ

123. BERIYANI CAFÉ

124. MIN HENG CAFÉ

125. JONG SIANG TENG

126. D’ALIF RESTAURANT

127. BISHOPGATE COFFEESHOP

128. MIN JOO CAFÉ

129. RAMAI CAFÉ

130. AWAD CAFÉ

131. THE STATION

132. SUNCO FOOD CENTRE

133. DAYANG CORNER

134. BAH-D’ CAFÉ

135. CERIA CAFÉ

136. HAIDA CAFÉ

137. YAN’S CAFE