At this section, I’m just introducing some unique Sarawak foods only, which their unique taste are just simply can’t be found anywhere else outside of Sarawak. There are lots more foods in Kuching which are very common in Peninsular Malaysia or Singapore, such as Chicken Rice, Kuey Chap, etc, so they don’t really make it to the list below:

Kolo Mee – A famous Sarawak noodle, which can be found at any coffee shop in Kuching. Sometimes 2 to 3 stalls selling the same thing in just within the same coffee shop. Basically it’s just a noodle served in a light sauce with some condiments like sliced BBQ pork (Chinese call it as “Char Siow”), minced meat, & vegetable (sometimes). Request to add BBQ pork oil (called “Char Siow You”) & it will taste really delicious but it’s not so healthy though, however, it’s worth to compromise!

Sarawak Laksa – This is a “must try” Sarawakian dish. For those who have traveled to Peninsula Malaysia or Singapore, I’m sure you heard about the “Laksa”, however, Sarawak Laksa is very much different from those you can find anywhere else outside of Sarawak. It’s a rice noodle (Chinese called “bee hoon”) with a thick gravy base of sambal, various herbs, sour tamarind, garlic, galangal, lemon grass & coconut milk, topped with omelette strips, chicken strips, prawns, fresh coriander and optionally lime. You can find Sarawak Laksa at any coffee shop in Kuching. It cost approximately RM4 per bowl!

Mee Jawa – Mee Jawa in Kuching is somewhat different from the one served in Peninsular Malaysia, or even at its birthplace Java island. It is a thick egg yellow noodle served with tiny slice of chicken and a sprinkle of ‘daun sup’ (or bay leaves). Some coffee shops serve a ‘special’ type of Mee Jawa (which you need to add from 50 cents to RM1.50 extra) with an additional few sticks of Satay (Chicken and/or Beef). Mee Jawa is normally served at Malay/Mamak coffee shops only. It’s almost similar to “Mee Rebus” which you can find in Singapore.

Midin – The locals greatly indulge in jungle fern such as the midin (quite similar to pucuk paku that is popular in the Peninsular). Midin is much sought after for its crisp texture and great taste. Midin is usually served in two equally delicious ways – fried with either garlic or belacan. You can try Midin when you chance upon the ‘Nasi Campur’ (mixed rice) during lunch hours in Kuching. Most coffee shops, served Midin daily at ‘Nasi Campur’ stalls.

Umai – Umai is a raw fish salad popular among various ethnic groups of Sarawak, especially the Melanaus. In fact, umai is a traditional working lunch for the Melanau fishermen. Umai is prepared raw from freshly caught fish, iced but not frozen. Main species used include Mackerel, Bawal Hitam and Umpirang. It is made mainly of thin slivers of raw fish, thinly sliced onions, chilli, salt and the juice of sour fruits like lime or assam. It is usually accompanied by a bowl of toasted sago pearls instead of rice. Its simplicity makes it a cinch for fishermen to prepare it aboard their boats. Umai Jeb, a raw fish salad without other additional spices, is famous among Bintulu Melanaus. However, it is rarely prepared in Kuching. You can try umai when if you visit Malay ‘Nasi Campur’ stall during lunch hours in Kuching. Most coffee shops, especially Malay/Bumiputera-owned, served umai daily as part of ‘Nasi Campur’.

Tomato Mee – It’s a deep-fried noodle served with the special tomato gravy, topped with pork, prawn, squid (sometimes), & vegetable. Noodle is crispy, & the gravy taste sweet & sour. Besides noodle, you can order a flat rice noodle called “Kuew Tiow”. It will be stir-fried with dark soy source first before serving it with the thick gravy. Tomato noodle can be found at any Chinese coffee shop in Kuching.

Kacangma Chicken – Kacangma Chicken is a Chinese type of dish which has grown popularity among all races in Sarawak. It is a chicken dish that cooked with “Kacangma” herbs, ginger & wine, which normally to go with the white rice. You can try Kacangma Chicken when you chance upon the mixed rice stall during lunch hours in Kuching.

Oyster Egg Pancake – Generally the local in Kuching just called is as “or-luak” in Hokkien. It’s a Chinese type of fried oyster with egg, which tastes really good & crispy. It can only be found at local Chinese restaurant mostly during the dinner time only.

Oyster egg by byte