Kuching is known for its incredible variety of food, and locals don’t hesitate to defend their favourite food stalls. Ask any Kuchingite where to eat and you’ll get passionate, detailed recommendations because good food is part of the city’s identity.
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a mid-day snack, everyone has their go-to spots and personal must-try dishes.
For first-timers here to the Cat City, here is our list of must-try, affordable Kuching food when you are in town.
1. Kolo mee
Considered by many as Kuching’s poster-child for noodle dishes, kolo mee is an all time favourite among Kuchingites.
Though traditionally a breakfast staple, you’ll find it served well into lunch, dinner… and even as a post-clubbing comfort meal.
A classic bowl features springy yellow noodles tossed in a light seasoning, then topped with char siew, minced meat and chopped scallions.
Simple, comforting and endlessly satisfying, a bowl of kolo mee typically costs around RM5, depending on the toppings you choose.
2. Laksa
I may be biased, but I find Sarawak laksa is the best kind compared to other varieties of laksas around Malaysia, from the tangy Penang Assam Laksa to the rich Johor Laksa.
Even the late Anthony Bourdain sang its praises, calling it the ‘Breakfast of the Gods’ during his second visit here to Kuching in 2016, a visit that helped cement Sarawak Laksa’s reputation as the undisputed Queen of Malaysian laksas.
A typical bowl features bee hoon (rice vermicelli) layered with prawns, shredded chicken, omelette strips and crunchy bean sprouts, all submerged in its star component: a deeply aromatic, spicy broth. The dish is finished with a sprinkle of fresh coriander.
If you’re tasting Sarawak Laksa for the first time, take a moment to savour the fragrance of the broth, a complex blend of chilli, coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, aniseed, cumin and a medley of other spices that give it its signature depth.
3. Mee hijau/Spinach noodles
As its name suggests, Mee Hijau features vibrant green spinach noodles, often served with either char siew or roasted chicken depending on the stall’s style.
Spinach is blended directly into the noodle dough to create its signature colour, giving the noodles a naturally earthy aroma. At Chong Chon, the green noodles are delightfully chewy and springy, soaking up the savoury richness of the beef broth they’re served in.
Simply delicious, spinach noodles are also a great option for those who may not love vegetables but still want a tasty, fibre-rich meal. Bon appétit!
4. Mee sapi/Beef noodles
If kolo mee is the loud, attention-seeking sibling, then mee sapi, or beef noodles, is the calmer one of the two.
This simple yet hearty noodle dish is often overlooked when non-Kuchingites ask which local specialties they should try while in town.
Although it looks similar to kolo mee, mee sapi comes topped with tender slices of beef, bean sprouts and chopped scallions. It’s the perfect noodle dish for breakfast as it can be comforting, warm and satisfying.
You can enjoy it “dry,” with the noodles served separately alongside a bowl of steaming hot beef broth, or as Mee Sapi Sup, where everything comes together in one bowl.
Mee sapi is widely available across Kuching, but my favourite spot for a freshly prepared bowl is Green Hill (non-halal) in downtown Kuching.
5. Cha Kueh
Cha Kueh – white radish typically fried with egg and sweet soy sauce – is usually served in a generous portion, often as a shared side dish while everyone waits for their main orders to arrive.
(Or am I the only one who does that?)
Compared to the other dishes on this list, Cha Kueh is usually the fastest to reach your table, often taking just about five minutes depending on the queue at the stall.
6. Kueh Chap
If you love pork, you will love this classic Kuching comfort food.
Kueh Chap is a Teochew dish made up of a whole variety of piggy parts – pork belly, pork intestines, pork meat – served with a boiled egg and wide, flat rice noodle sheets, all drenched in a rich, aromatic herbal broth.
It’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out, perfect for a slow morning or a rainy Kuching afternoon.
7. Mani Chai Bee Hoon
Depending on which stall you visit, you’ll find a local vegetable called Mani Chai in Chinese, or cangkuk manis in Malay. This dark, leafy green is a Sarawak favourite, and Mani Chai Bee Hoon is one of the simplest yet most beloved ways to enjoy it.
In Sarawak, Mani Chai Bee Hoon is a rice vermicelli dish stir-fried with egg and Mani Chai. Since it’s practically a household staple, some places even serve it with sliced meat or fish cakes for extra flavour.
You can find this comforting Kuching dish in almost any coffeeshop across the city.
8. Nasi Goreng Dabai
Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) is a local fruit unique to Sarawak. Its outer skin is glossy black, while the bright yellow flesh surrounds a single elongated seed.
Preparing dabai is surprisingly easy – simply soak the fruit in hot water for about 15 minutes until they soften. Once tender, pull the flesh from the seed and enjoy it with a little soy sauce and salt.
9. Mee Tomato
Tomato noodles, or Mee Tomato, was my absolute favourite noodle dish when I was growing up.
Mee Tomato is typically made with either yellow noodles or crispy noodles, topped with chicken or char siew and drenched in a thick, tangy tomato sauce.
A plate of this reddish-orange goodness is pure comfort – sweet, savoury and nostalgic in every bite.
If you are looking for a more comprehensive list of Kuching food, check out this article.
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