I grew up in Kuching, Sarawak, on the island of Borneo: one of the best food cities in the world, if you ask me. When I moved to Melbourne, the cravings for food from home never went away, so I started teaching myself to cook the dishes I grew up with, often with a little help from my parents back home.
These are all my Sarawak and Kuching recipes in one place, from hawker favourites like Sarawak laksa and kolo mee to family recipes passed down from my dad. Most ingredients can be found at a good Asian grocer, and I’ve noted substitutes where I’ve had to improvise.
Sarawak and Kuching Favourites
Sarawak Laksa
Kuching’s famous breakfast noodle soup, made at home with Sarawak laksa paste, prawns, chicken and omelette strips.
Kolo Mee with Minced Pork and Wontons
For every Sarawakian overseas craving a big bowl of kolo mee: my homemade version.
Sarawak Tomato Kuay Teow
A Kuching kopitiam classic of flat rice noodles in a sweet and tangy tomato gravy.
Ayam Pansoh Tagine
My take on the Iban dish of chicken traditionally cooked in bamboo, made for Gawai in a tagine instead.
Foochow Mee Sua
Comforting chicken noodle soup with sesame oil, ginger and tea mushrooms over fine mee sua noodles.
Butter Sotong
Crispy fried squid in a sweet, peppery butter sauce, just like the Kuching seafood restaurants.
Sio Bi (Siu Mai)
Steamed pork and prawn parcels: the closest I’ve found to the sio bi from Kuching’s markets.
Ginger Chicken
A simple, comforting family recipe learnt from my parents, full of childhood memories.
Chinese Steamed Fish
Whole fish steamed with ginger, shiitake mushrooms and sweet yellow beans, cooked with Mum for Chinese New Year.
Steamed Fish Head with Ginger
Soft, silky fish steamed simply with minced ginger and light soy, just like the Malaysian restaurants.
Ayam Masak Kicap
My dad’s soy cooked chicken: a simple, comforting family staple that’s ready in 20 minutes.
More Malaysian Classics
Nestum Butter Prawns
A seafood restaurant favourite of crispy prawns tossed in buttery Nestum cereal.
What to Eat in Kuching
Heading to Kuching? Start with my Kuching Food Adventures series from a trip home, then see where I ate on my 2021 visit.
