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Food
Ethnic cuisine
at its best
Bunga Kantan Salad
Labo Senutuq SM
Mashed Red Rice Wrapped In Leaf
Cinnamon Tea (left) & Cinnamon
Coffee flavoured with Bario
Highland-grown cinnamon (right)
What’s a visit
to Sarawak
without
sampling its
indigenous
food
Homemade Low-Fat,
Low-Cholesterol Ice-Creams
Abeng
Tapioca Cakes
A
melting pot of various cultures,
Sarawak offers a wealth of
cuisines from different races
and ethnic groups. From Malay food
to Western dishes, the variety will
leave you spoilt for choice. But for
those who are in search of truly unique
gastronomic offerings, cuisines of the
indigenous groups of this wonderful
state are simply not to be missed.
One place that’s a definite must-try is
Tribal Scoops Restaurant and Snack
Bar. The main highlights here are the
traditional Orang Ulu dishes of the
Kelabit Highland community and also
the homemade ice creams and gelatos
that are low in both fat and cholesterol.
The cooking style at Tribal Scoops is very
much influenced by the owner Esther
Balan’s Kelabit mother and aunts, whom
she said are brilliant cooks and make
excellent traditional desserts. Her love
for Sarawak has lured her to share the
rich heritage of various ethnic food, art,
music, product and social culture with
visitors coming to Sarawak in a true
1Sarawak spirit, which you will see vividly
reflected at the restaurant and amongst
her staff. Served a la buffet, guests are
offered a selection of meat and fish
dishes, as well as vegetables and soup
of the day, all on rotation basis. The one
item that is a must-have, and is always
in the daily menu, is the Ayam Pansoh or
chicken cooked in bamboo, a traditional
chicken soup flavoured with tapioca
leaves and some fragrant spices, then
simmered in a bamboo cane for added
flavour and aroma.
Another highlight is the Nubaq Layaq,
which is traditional leaf wrapped red or
white mashed rice. The isip leaf in which
the rice is wrapped lends it an inviting
aroma. The leaf also doubles as a plate.
Also a traditional favourite is the Labo
Senutuq which is Kelabit for beef floss
/ serunding daging. There’s also fish
floss (A’beng) for those who are not a
big fan of meats. Besides these, there
are plenty of others to choose from - all
with their unique set of flavours and
wonderful colours, and all made with
natural ingredients, many of which are
found in abundance in the jungles of
Sarawak. Varieties include Udung Ubih
(tapioca leaves), Bunga Kantan Salad,
Pumpkin with Daun Timun Soup and
Fish with Terung Asam. All these are
lightly seasoned with all-natural Bario
Highland salt, rich in trace minerals and
is believed to have healing properties.
Also available for sale at Tribal Scoops.
There are a variety of drinks you can
order, but why not try the traditional
cinnamon ice tea or cinnamon
coffee Traditionally enjoyed by the
communities of the Kelabit Highlands
and also used as a cure for hangovers,
these beverages are pleasantly
refreshing. The cinnamon used in these
beverages also lend them their natural
sweetness - no sugar required. There
are also desserts such as light and fluffy
tapioca cakes, healthy flourless fried
banana, delicious Kek Lapis selections
and ice creams of various flavours. The
interior is kept simple yet it is able to
give you a sense of what Sarawak is
all about. Its walls are adorned with
traditional handicrafts of the Dayak and
Orang Ulu communities. One section
in particular boasts paintings inspired
by the indigenous communities of
Sarawak, and are available for purchase.
Tablecloths with traditional Sarawakian
designs are used to decorate the tables
while a cluster of traditional fishing
devices hang down from the ceiling,
used creatively as lamp shades instead.
Tribal Scoops also offers free wi-fi,
which is a plus for those who just can’t
part with their Facebook or twitter.
For tourists who want to take home
a piece of Sarawak with them, there
are traditional music CDs, handicrafts,
paintings and other Sarawakian items
available for sale at Tribal Scoops. Tribal
Scoops does not serve pork, neither
uses lard nor MSG in all its dishes.
Meats and fish are obtained from Halal
suppliers. What sums up Tribal Scoops
cooking is pure healthy cooking serving
the freshest organic jungle vegetables,
no garlic and uses only vegetable stock
where even the strict vegetarian would
be happy. Meanwhile, Tribal Scoops also
hosts private parties and functions, with
customisable menus to suit customers’
wants and needs. Outside catering is
also provided, complete with tablewares
and kitchen helpers who will do all the
cleaning up afterwards. All customers
literally need to do is entertain their
guests and have a great time. So for a
taste of authentic ethnic cuisines, head
to Tribal Scoops when you come down
to Kuching.
Tribal Scoops Restaurant & Snack Bar
No.10, 1 st Floor, Block H, Jalan Borneo, Taman Sri Sarawak 93100 Kuching, Sarawak (opposite Hilton Hotel). T: +6019 8181717 F: +6 082232539
E: embgala@gmail.com (Opening Hours: 11am-9.30pm, Monday to Thursday | 11am-10.30pm, Friday to Saturday & Closed on Sunday)
www.tribalscopps.com
Apr-Jun2012BorneoTalk | 49