Baku Kitchen! An independent reference of traditional food

Brunei

Brunei’s food is built around malay-rooted cooking of grilled fish, festive kuih and the unique sago staple ambuyat. Look for Ambuyat (gluey sago starch twirled on bamboo forks, dipped in sour cacah), Nasi Katok (plain rice, fried chicken and sambal in paper; beloved cheap meal) and Kelupis (glutinous rice steamed in nyirik leaves, eaten with rendang). Starch scraped from the sago palm trunk and stirred with boiling water into a translucent paste, twirled on a bamboo fork called a chandas. This atlas has 26 Brunei dishes catalogued below, from everyday cooking to food kept for festivals and special occasions.

26 dishes.

Air Batu CampurAir Batu CampurShaved ice heaped with beans, jelly, sweetcorn and coloured syrupsAir KatiraAir KatiraMilk drink thickened with gum tragacanth, basil seeds and malva nutsAmbuyatAmbuyatGluey sago starch twirled on bamboo forks, dipped in sour cacahBambanganBambanganWild mango pickled with salt and grated seed until sour and fibrousBelutakBelutakFat beef sausage fermented in its own casing, then fried in thick slicesBeriani GamBeriani GamSpiced rice baked with chicken or mutton until the gravy is absorbedBubur PedasBubur PedasToasted rice and coconut porridge with many herbs and vegetables, served at RamadanBudu KupangBudu KupangMussels fermented with salt into a pungent paste eaten with riceCacahCacahSour dipping sauces of tamarind, chilli, shrimp paste or fermented durian for ambuyatCucur PisangCucur PisangBanana fritters fried to order at tamu marketsKelupisKelupisGlutinous rice steamed in nyirik leaves, eaten with rendangKuih BahuluKuih BahuluSmall egg sponge cakes baked in fluted moulds, dry and lightly crispKuih BingkaKuih BingkaBaked tapioca or cassava cake with coconut milk and egg, dark and chewyKuih CelorotKuih CelorotCoconut and palm sugar batter steamed inside a rolled palm-leaf coneKuih CincinKuih CincinRing-shaped deep-fried rice-flour and palm-sugar biscuitKuih MorKuih MorCrumbly biscuit of ghee and flour that dissolves in the mouth, made for Hari RayaKuih SapitKuih SapitThin coconut wafers pressed in an iron mould and folded while still hotMee GorengMee GorengFried yellow noodles with soy, egg and vegetablesNasi KatokNasi KatokPlain rice, fried chicken and sambal in paper; beloved cheap mealPenyaramPenyaramFried rice-flour cake with a thick centre and crisp frilled rim, sweet with palm sugarPulut PanggangPulut PanggangBanana-leaf grilled sticky rice rolls with spiced dried-shrimp fillingRendangRendangSlow-cooked coconut beef, festive table essentialSirap BandungSirap BandungRose syrup with evaporated milk over ice, bright pink and very sweetTeh TarikTeh TarikFrothy pulled milk tea served at kopitiamsUdang Sambal Serai BersantanUdang Sambal Serai BersantanPrawns cooked in coconut milk with lemongrass and chilli pasteWajidWajidGlutinous rice cooked down with coconut milk and palm sugar, wrapped in leaf

  • Ambuyat

    Gluey sago starch twirled on bamboo forks, dipped in sour cacah. Ready in 20 min prep and 15 min cooking.…

  • Air Batu Campur

    Shaved ice heaped with beans, jelly, sweetcorn and coloured syrups. Ready in 40 minutes prep and 30 minutes cooking. Serves…

  • Air Katira

    Milk drink thickened with gum tragacanth, basil seeds and malva nuts. Ready in 15 min prep and none cooking. 6…

  • Bambangan

    Wild mango pickled with salt and grated seed until sour and fibrous. 30 min to prepare. Fills a 1-litre jar.…

  • Beriani Gam

    Spiced rice baked with chicken or mutton until the gravy is absorbed. Ready in 45 minutes prep and 1 hour…

  • Belutak

    Fat beef sausage fermented in its own casing, then fried in thick slices. A charcuterie & cured recipe from Brunei.

  • Budu Kupang

    Mussels fermented with salt into a pungent paste eaten with rice. A fermented & pickled recipe from Brunei.

  • Bubur Pedas

    Toasted rice and coconut porridge with many herbs and vegetables, served at Ramadan. Ready in 1 hour prep and 1…

  • Cacah

    Sour dipping sauces of tamarind, chilli, shrimp paste or fermented durian for ambuyat. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 15…

  • Cucur Pisang

    Banana fritters fried to order at tamu markets. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 20 minutes cooking. About 20 fritters.…