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Brunei is one of the smallest and least-visited countries in Asia. However, it makes up for its small size with its rich culture, friendly people, and amazing culinary diversity. I recently traveled there and got to see Brunei’s cuisine firsthand, and was very impressed with how good the food was!
In this guide, I will list the top 11 foods in Brunei, as well as some information and tips for visiting Brunei.
Table of Contents
Where is Brunei?
Brunei is located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is located on the northern coast of the island, bordered by the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. While Malaysia and Indonesia also have territory on the island, Brunei is the only country completed located on Borneo.
The capital and largest city of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan.
How Big is Brunei?
Brunei is only about 5,265 square kilometers (about 2,000 square miles). That is about the same size as Trinidad & Tobago or the U.S. state of Delaware.
What Language Do They Speak in Brunei?
The official language in Brunei is Malay, also called Melayu Brunei. This language is mutually intelligible with the official languages of Indonesia and Malaysia.
English is also widely spoken in Brunei.
List of Brunei's Cuisine
Here are my top 11 foods to try in Brunei. These are foods that I have tried personally, as well as the top recommendations from a local.
1. Ambuyat
Ambuyat is Brunei’s national dish, and is one that I recommend everyone to try! This starchy food comes from the interior of the Sago Palm. It is sticky and almost has a glue-like consistency, and doesn’t have much of a taste. But it is often paired with sambal, a spicy sauce, to give it more flavor.
Overall, it is actually pretty good. Bruneians will appreciate you trying their national dish. When I tried ambuyat, a couple of people even filmed me to show their friends. That’s how much they appreciate foreigners trying their food!
2. Ayam Penyet (Squeezed Chicken)
Ayam Penyet is another traditional dish in Brunei. This dish, which means “squeezed chicken” in English, consists of fried chicken that has been smashed with a mortar and pestle to make it softer. It is often served with rice or fried tofu and vegetables.
3. Hati Buyah (Cow Lungs)
One of my favorite foods in Brunei was hati buyah. These are cow lungs that are often served on a skewer as sate. They are often quite cheap, and can be found in markets around the country.
While the idea of eating cow lungs may turn some people off, I encourage everyone to try it. I enjoyed this food so much, that I ate it every day that I was in Brunei!
4. Nasi Katok (Chicken and Rice)
Nasi katok is a simple, yet delicious, food to try in Brunei. This meal consists of rice and chicken, usually fried. This is one of the cheapest meals you can get in Brunei. Most vendors sell nasi katok for 1.50 BND ($1.12 USD in 2023, see current rates here) and will wrap the food up in a thick piece of paper for you to take with you.
5. Durians
Durians have a strong reputation, and for good reason: they smell horrible! But don’t let this deter you from trying this fruit. Once you get past the smell, durians actually taste fine. They weren’t my favorite food that I tried in Brunei, but durians play an important role in Brunei’s cuisine, so I’m glad that I tried them.
6. Pari Bakar (BBQ Stingray)
I originally though pari bakar was eel, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was actually stingray! I had only ever eaten (raw) stingray once before at Noryangjin Fish Market in South Korea and did not like the taste. However, it tastes way better once it is cooked!
I got this pari bakar at the Gadong Night Market. I recommend everyone visit this market to truly appreciate Brunei’s cuisine.
7. Pulut Panggang (Sticky Rice Packets)
Palut panggang is a common sight in Brunei. These are packets of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves. These go great with hati buyah or pari bakar. You can find them at markets and street stalls around the country.
Tip for foreigners: Don’t eat the leaves!
8. Ikan Bakar (BBQ Fish)
Fish are an important part of Brunei’s cuisine. While you are at the local markets, I recommend trying out the ikan bakar, or BBQ fish. This dish is cooked with different herbs and spices to bring out the rich flavor of the fish. It is often served with sambal for extra spice. I recommend eating it with pulut panggang.
9. Tongkeng (Chicken Tail)
Tongkeng was an interesting food for me. Bruneians told me it meant “chicken tail” in English, but I think the direct translation was slightly more vulgar.
I don’t think I had ever come across this part of the chicken dedicated to being its own food. But it tasted great! It is usually served on a skewer as sate, similar to hati buyah.
10. Kelapa Udang
I was lucky enough to try kelapa udang while in Brunei. This traditional food consists of shrimp cooked in coconut milk. Each region of Brunei has its own variation of the recipe. I tried this in Temburong and the dish was actually served inside of the coconut!
11. Laksa - Noodle Soup
Laksa is a popular food in Southeast Asia. The contents of this noodle soup vary across different countries. In Brunei, laksa is cooked in a coconut milk-based broth and usually has rice noodles, herbs, meat, and a spicy chili paste. This is a popular dish that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Where to Stay in Brunei
When coming to Brunei, I recommend staying in Bandar Seri Begawan. This is the capital city of Brunei and has the most options for accommodations.
However, don’t stay in the capital city the entire time you are there! You can either take a taxi or rent a car to get around. Unfortunately, the public transportation is a little unreliable.
One of the most popular options for travelers is Al Afiah Hotel. It is reasonably priced compared to some of the other luxury hotels such as the Radisson Hotel. If you are on a budget, Hostelworld has a couple of cheaper options.
Check out the map below to see available accommodations.
