Brunei - Food
Brunei's food reflects Malaysian and other influences, featuring rice and noodles with many spicy dishes, influenced by its Muslim population, which means pork is banned. The national dish is ambuyat, a flavourless sago starch, eaten with a special bamboo fork and dipped into a savoury sauce. Other popular foods include Nasi Katok ("knock rice"), a beloved dish of fried chicken and rice, and sweet treats like Jelurut.
National Dish: Ambuyat
- What it is:
Ambuyat is the national dish, a sticky, flavourless ball made from the starch of the sago palm tree.
- How it's eaten:
It is served with a traditional V-shaped bamboo stick called a candas, used to twirl the starchy ambuyat and dip it into cacah, a sour and spicy sauce.
Other Popular Dishes
- Nasi Katok: This popular dish translates to "knock rice" because customers would historically knock on the seller's door to order it. It consists of rice and fried chicken.
- Kelupis: These are packets of glutinous sticky rice, half-cooked with coconut milk and salt, then wrapped in banana leaves to be steamed and served with fresh mango or sago.
- Beef Rendang: A popular beef dish with spices, common in the region.
Cultural Influences
- Bruneian cuisine is similar to its neighbours like Malaysia and Singapore, blending influences from Indian, Chinese, and Thai cuisines, as well as local flavors.
Dietary Rules & Staples
- Halal Food:
Most food in Brunei is halal because the majority of the population is Muslim, meaning pork is not eaten.
- Staples:
Rice and noodles are the main staples of meals, often served with spicy curries or seasoned with belachan (shrimp paste).
Sweets and Fruits
- Jelurut:
A unique conical sweet treat made from palm sugar and rice flour, it is known for its sweet, long shape that locals "unravel" to eat.
- Tropical Fruits:
Sweet tropical fruits like mango, papaya, and lychee are popular and often enjoyed alongside meals.