What food should you try in Brunei? What is most commonly served in local restaurants?

Top cheapest hotels in Brunei

Brunei cuisine

The islands of South-East Asia are home to a diverse array of ethnic groups, tribes and nations, as well as a wide range of local and imported cuisines.

Despite this, the cuisines of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei retain a similar character.

As in mainland South-East Asia, the staple foods are rice and various types of noodles.

Unlike in mainland Malaysia, the influence of Arabic and Indian cuisine is much stronger here. It is also common for traditional dishes to be adapted to suit local tastes, which is precisely what gives them their unique, distinctive character.

The peoples of island Southeast Asia often favour hot and spicy dishes.

Brunei specialities

Despite strong influences from neighbouring countries, you can sample typical specialities unique to Brunei here.

One of the main local dishes is the rather unusualambuyat.

It is a sticky, starchy porridge extracted from the pith of palm trees,completely tasteless, which is wound around a bamboo skewer and dipped into a sour, spicy sauce.

In restaurants and markets, ambuyat is always sold on the menu alongside other side dishes such as beef, pumpkin, cucumber, carrots, green beans and much more.

Other popular Bruneian dishes include, for example, the following:

• Nasi katok – rice with chicken, fish and many other spicy accompaniments; this is the most common dish in Brunei
• Kuih Koci Gula Kelapa – a sweet rice cake filled with coconut
• Milk and fruit drinks – various fruit juices mixed with milk, tea or chocolate are very popular

How to eat like a local

It is safe to eat at local street stalls. Unlike in other Asian countries, hygiene standards are strictly observed in Brunei, even at markets.

There is also no shortage of chains such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Jollibee or Burger King. These Western or Filipino chains are particularly popular amongst the local youth.

It is recommended to drink bottled water, hot tea or coffee, or bottled soft drinks from international manufacturers, and to eat cooked food and fruit that you have peeled yourself.