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ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
DINING
A paradise for food lovers, 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 various 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.
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 and the whole month
of Ramadhan, offering an abundance of food
choices at affordable prices. More than just
an eatery, gerai are an integral part of Brunei’s
food culture and identity.
Roti john, nasi lemak and mee goreng are
some of the local dishes commonly found at
gerai. Follow the waft of smoke and you will
see freshly prepared ikan panggang (grilled
sh), 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 also available, as
well as revitalising drinks like sugar cane juice,
air kelapa (coconut juice), milo and air bandung
(rose water).
Popular gerai in the Brunei-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 and
tiam is Hakka/Hokkien for shop. Typical breakfast