Brunei cuisine was strongly influenced by Malaysian, Singaporean, Indonesian and partly Indian, Chinese, Thai and Japanese cuisine.

Basic foods are fish and rice. In view of the prevailing Islamic religion, food labeled “HALAL”, which is processed under Islamic law, has to be consumed here. Local people don´t eat pork here, but animals such as wild birds or deer are hunted in rural areas.

Dishes

Meals are often spicy and commonly consumed with either rice or noodles. Popular dishes are nasi lemak, Puteri nanas, and beef rendang.
Nasi lemak – rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf. Because this dish is widely spread in Southeast Asia, it can have several variants, but the most widespread is the Malay version. Rice is served with sambal, anchovies, peanuts, and boiled egg.

Typical dishes include:

Ambuyat – a sticky ball of starch, stuck on a stick and soaked in sour sauce.
Nasi katok (literally means “knocked rice”) – consists of rice, fried chicken and sambal sauce, prepared from ground chili and various secondary ingredients such as garlic, ginger, shallots, leek, palm sugar, lime juice, vinegar, and even grated cheese. The dish is traditionally wrapped in brown paper.
Daging masak lada hitam – boiled beef in a spicy sauce with potatoes and beans
Udang sambal serai bersantan – prawns with coconut milk
Serondeng pandag – fried chicken with garlic wrapped in pandan leaves
Ais kacang – sweet dessert, ice served with flavored syrup, jelly, red beans, corn, and peanuts

Chinese and Indian restaurants are also widely used in Brunei. Generally, Brunei people love eating outdoors.

Drinks

Common drinks include coconut milk, fruit juice, tea, and coffee.

Teh Tarik – sweet milk tea, which is poured from one cup to another to create a layer of bubbles, which brings out the aromatic scent of tea.

Alcohol – Brunei is “so-called” dry land “. Alcohol is not sold anywhere in the country and alcohol consumption is prohibited by law. Non-Muslim visitors can bring up to 2 liters of alcohol (wine or spirits), plus up to twelve 330 ml cans of beer, lager or cider every 48 hours. According to the laws of Brunei, this alcohol must be “stored and consumed at the importer’s place of residence” and “must not be sold or given to another person”. Alcohol may be consumed in the country from the age of 17, but the nearest place of purchase is in Malaysia, where it is 21 years old.

Gadong Night Market

Night market with local delicacies, vegetables, and fruit at great prices. Do not expect to see an open-air stall. The market is in the building.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Mayapuri Building, Lot 36 and 37, Jalan Sultan

Bandar Seri Begawan BS8611, Brunei