When I heard about this place via my Malaysian Cari Makan in Melbourne FB Group, I knew I had to try it! Growing up in Sarawak (that’s in Borneo, btw.. lol) these dishes are so nostalgic to me. So, allow me to introduce them all to you!

Let’s start with the classic Sarawak Laksa. This take on the popular Laksa soup noodle dish is unique because nowhere else in the world does it like in Sarawak. Call me bias, but the distinct herby flavours in the Sarawak Laksa is the best! The soup is just so fragrant. This laksa came 90% close to the ones from home (although the toppings are a bit extra… we don’t get as many toppings back home). It is also creamier than the ones I am used to, but the flavours are definitely there and it is so good!

Next up, I couldn’t believe I was eating Butter Prawns in Melbourne! Whenever I am back home in Kuching, I would always post pictures of Butter Prawns or Butter Chicken on social media. That’s simply because they are so tasty, and my go-to dish whenever I go to a restaurant back home. It is definitely one of my all-time favourites and Taste of Borneo do a really good job with this dish.

This was actually the dish I was super excited to try, but sadly the chicken ribs were just a tad dry which was disappointing, because it could’ve been absolutely amazing. The sauce itself wasn’t bad, but again.. I know what a good Butter Chicken should taste like, so admittedly I have set the bar REALLY high! Hehe.

First of all, let me just say that my dad has cooked a lot of steamed fish in my lifetime. Tilapia is one of the most common fish back home, and yet I never even thought of buying Tilapia here and cooking it for my family here in Australia. So once again, so nostalgic. Delicious sauce and just such an amazing steamed fish dish.

The Kuay Teow was really good! Great smokey flavours, as they should be, perfectly stir fried in a hot wok. The flat rice noodles had the perfect texture and the flavours were really tasty. Very satisfying Char Kuay Teow fix, I must say!

And finally, last minute decision to order the Ais Kacang, when literally translated means “Ice Beans” lol. To most people, this is the strangest dessert. I mean, someone once upon a time decided to chuck random things onto a lump of shaved ice – beans, grass jelly, lychees, sweet corn, evaporated milk, syrup, peanuts, etc. Also, there are so many variations of shaved ice desserts in Malaysia it’s quite amusing! In saying that, this Ais Kacang was YUM. Reminded me so much of my childhood.

A couple of random things to share:

So, Borneo is the third largest island in the world and comprises of three countries. It is shared by the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, Indonesian Kalimantan and the tiny nation of Brunei. Taste of Borneo is about the food from Sabah and Sarawak, I waited for people to leave their tables to capture some of the displays on their wall. The orang utan is an obvious choice for their mural, being a very protected species only found in Borneo.