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ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
Dining
Discovering good food is arguably one of the
highlights when you are exploring a new country.
Treat yourself to Bruneian dishes and you will
find that Brunei is indeed a food paradise.
Bruneian delicacies overlap with those found in
neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Indonesia
and Singapore, drawing inspiration from Malay,
Chinese and Indian cuisine.
Rice and noodles are the staple food on most
menus, whereas chicken, beef and seafood
form the base of a variety of local dishes.
Visitors looking for sweet healthy treats will
enjoy seasonal tropical fruits such as papaya,
rambutan and durian – also affectionately
called the king of fruit, native to Southeast Asia.
Brunei’s love for international cuisines is far
from a secret. Asian cuisines ranging from
Indian and Thai to Japanese and Korean are
relatively easy to come by in Brunei. Western
food, particularly Italian, is also a popular option.
WHERE TO EAT
Kopitiams, gerais, hawker centres
and food courts
Temporary food stalls are called gerai in Malay.
They pop up during special occasions such as
His Majesty’s birthday, Ramadan and Hari
Raya Aidilfitri, offering an abundance of food
choices at affordable prices. Gerai are seen as
more than just an eatery, but an integral part of
Brunei’s food culture and identity.
Roti john, nasi lemak and mee goreng are the
most common fare found at gerai. Follow the
waft of smoke and you will see freshly prepared
ikan panggang (grilled fish), tongkeng ayam
(grilled parson’s nose), hati buyah (grilled beef
lung) and satay (grilled chicken or beef skewers)
atop most barbeque pits at these stalls. Various
local kueh (cakes) are available, as well as
revitalising drinks like sugar cane juice, air
kelapa (coconut juice), milo and air bandung
(rose water).
Popular gerai in the Muara district include
Tamu Selera, the Gadong Night Market, Gerai
Makan Jalan Residency and Gerai Ramadhan at
the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium. Other
eating areas are Tudung Saji, Gerai Bunga
Rambai and Gerai Simpur in Kuala Belait and
Tamu Muhibah Aneka Rasa in Temburong.
Kopitiam are traditional coffee shops found
in Brunei. The word kopi is Malay for coffee