Brunei's Bean Scene: A Culinary Adventure

Brunei Darussalam, located on the island of Borneo, is a small country with a rich culture and diverse cuisine. The country's food is heavily influenced by its neighbouring countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, and India. Brunei's national dish, Ambuyat, is a flavourless sago starch that is usually dipped in a spicy and sour gravy. While beans are not a prominent part of traditional Bruneian cuisine, they do feature in some dishes, such as the popular dessert-drink Air Batu Campur, or ABC, which combines ice with red beans, sago pearls, grass jelly, and noodles.

Popular dishes in Brunei

Brunei's cuisine is heavily influenced by its neighbouring countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, and India. Fish and rice are staple foods in Brunei, with beef being less common due to its expense. As the majority of people in Brunei follow the Islamic religion, the food is halal and pork is avoided. Alcohol is also banned in the country.

Ambuyat

Also known as Brunei's national dish, ambuyat is a sticky ball of flavourless sago starch, which is wrapped around a bamboo fork called a 'candas' and dipped into a spicy and sour gravy called 'cacah'. It is often served with other dishes, including fried fish, vegetables, beef lungs, and beef rendang.

Nasi Katok

Nasi Katok, which translates to 'knock rice', consists of plain rice, fried chicken, and sambal, a spicy relish made from ground chilli peppers and various other ingredients, such as shrimp paste, garlic, and ginger. It is usually served wrapped in grease-proof brown paper and is one of the cheapest meals in Brunei, costing around BND1 to BND1.50.

Ayam Penyet

Inspired by Indonesian cuisine, ayam penyet is a delicious and affordable meal consisting of a bowl of rice, a chicken leg, and chilli sambal. The chicken is typically marinated in spices and herbs and served with either cucumber or cabbage on the side.

Satay

A popular street food in Brunei, satay is grilled skewered meat, including chicken, lamb, beef, or occasionally rabbit. It is commonly served with a classic peanut sauce for dipping.

Roti

Roti is a popular breakfast option in Brunei and comes in various forms, such as roti kuning (yellow bread) and roti canai (Indian-style flatbread). Roti kuning consists of two fluffy buns filled with cheese, meat, and a sweet mixture of coconut milk, jam, sugar, and butter. Roti canai can be served with a dip and a choice of chicken, fish, or lamb.

ABC (Ais Batu Campur)

ABC is a sweet dessert-drink made with shaved ice, sago pearls, red beans, grass jelly, and corn. It is often drizzled with syrup and helps to combat the hot and humid climate of Brunei.

Influence of neighbouring countries on Brunei's cuisine

Brunei's cuisine is heavily influenced by its neighbouring countries, particularly Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, with additional influences from India, China, Thailand, and Japan. Brunei's national dish, Ambuyat, for example, is a flavourless, sticky ball of sago starch that is dipped in a spicy and sour gravy. This dish is also commonly found in Indonesia, where it is served with a sour fruit sauce.

Brunei's location in Southeast Asia means that, like its neighbours, it commonly uses fish and rice as staple foods. However, due to the influence of Islam, the food is halal, and pork and alcohol are avoided. Instead, common drinks include coconut milk, fruit juice, tea, milk tea, and coffee.

Brunei's cuisine also features a variety of spicy dishes, such as Nasi Katok (fried chicken with rice and a spicy relish), Beef Rendang (slow-cooked beef stew), and Soto (a bowl of slow-cooked soup with noodles and scallions). These dishes reflect the influence of neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, which are known for their spicy cuisine.

In addition to these influences, Brunei has also adopted elements of Chinese, Indian, and European cuisine. Chinese restaurants are popular in Brunei, and Indian and Pakistani restaurants offer customised fillings for roti, such as extra egg, cheese, onions, and meat. European influences can be seen in dishes like honey garlic pizza, which became popular in the early 2000s.

Brunei's open-air markets, such as Pasar Malam Gadong and Taman Selera in the capital, are great places to sample the country's delicious spicy delicacies. The complex and exotic ingredients used in Bruneian cuisine showcase the country's rich cultural influences and diverse flavours.

Brunei's national dish: Ambuyat

Brunei's national dish, Ambuyat, is a flavourless or bland starchy substance, similar to tapioca starch. It is made from the interior trunk of the sago palm tree and is sticky. It is usually served with a dip called cacah, which is a spicy and sour sauce.

Ambuyat is eaten with a special utensil called a candas, a bamboo stick or chopstick that is V-shaped or has two prongs joined at one end. The sticky substance is twirled around the candas and then dipped into the cacah. It is also served with other dishes, such as ikan goreng (fried fish), pakis or biring (vegetables), hati buyah (cow's lungs), beef rendang (slow-cooked beef stew), and other mains.

Ambuyat is an unusual dish, and few people outside of Brunei have tried it. It is said to have a glue-like appearance and texture, and it is typically swallowed without chewing. Despite its bland taste, the accompanying cacah and side dishes make it a unique and satisfying culinary experience.

The preparation of Ambuyat involves combining sago or potato starch with cool water, followed by the addition of hot boiled water to create the sticky texture. It is typically served hot with a shrimp-flavoured tempoyak or Durian sauce for dipping. The dish is also accompanied by various side dishes, such as cooked vegetables, fried belutak, fried fish fillets, and sweet and sour sauces.

Ambuyat is not just a culinary delicacy but also provides insights into Brunei's traditional culture. It is often served with multiple side dishes and a main course, emphasising the culture of sharing and the art of communication through food. The presence of multiple eating utensils and the practice of dining in groups reflect the communal aspect of Brunei's culinary culture.

Drinks in Brunei

Brunei's food and drink scene is heavily influenced by the cuisines of neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, and India. The country's predominant religion, Islam, also plays a role in shaping its culinary culture, with halal and pork-free practices in place.

When it comes to drinks in Brunei, there are several options commonly enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Here is an overview:

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

As alcohol is prohibited in Brunei, non-alcoholic beverages play a significant role in the country's dining and social culture. Here are some popular choices:

• Coconut Milk: Coconut milk is a versatile ingredient and beverage in Brunei, used in various dishes and drinks. It adds a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness to both savoury and sweet creations.
• Fruit Juices: Fresh fruit juices are commonly available in Brunei, reflecting the country's tropical climate and abundant fruit offerings.
• Tea and Milk Tea: Tea is a popular beverage in Brunei, often served hot or cold. Milk tea, in particular, is a favourite, combining strong tea with milk and sugar for a refreshing drink.
• Coffee: Bruneians enjoy their coffee, and it is typically served hot and paired with a sweet treat or dessert.
• Air Batu Campur (ABC): ABC, or "mixed ice" in translation, is a unique dessert-drink that combines shaved ice with sago pearls, red beans, noodles, grass jelly, and sometimes corn. It is a perfect treat to cool off in the hot and humid climate of Brunei.

Alcoholic Drinks

While alcohol is banned in Brunei, small quantities of alcohol may be imported for personal consumption if reported to Customs. However, the sale and public consumption of alcohol are strictly forbidden.

Brunei's food and cultural history

Brunei Darussalam, a small country located in the heart of Borneo Island, is steeped in traditions, culture, and food. Bruneian cuisine is heavily influenced by the culinary traditions of neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, and India. The country's strong ties with these nations have resulted in a diverse and appetizing array of dishes.

Bruneian cuisine shares similarities with Malay cuisine, and dishes are often quite spicy. Some of the most popular foods in Brunei include "Nasi Katok", "Beef Rendang", "Nasi Lemak", and "Pajeri Nanas". "Nasi Katok", literally translated as "knock rice", consists of plain rice, fried chicken, and "sambal", a spicy relish made from ground chilli peppers and various secondary ingredients such as shrimp paste, garlic, and ginger. The name originates from the practice of knocking on vendors' doors to place an order. Another unique dish peculiar to Brunei is "Ambuyat", the national dish, which consists of a sticky ball of flavourless sago starch dipped in a spicy and sour gravy. It is consumed using a special bamboo utensil called "candas".

Brunei also has its share of delicacies and snacks, such as "wajid Temburong", a glutinous sticky rice dish with a dark brown colour achieved by cooking coconut milk and sugar to a dark caramel consistency. "Kueh lenggang" is a traditional sweet snack, a light pandan-coloured crepe filled with grated coconut and sugar, known by various names throughout Southeast Asia. "Kueh Pancut" are small, round chewy cakes covered in shredded coconut, with a filling of melted palm sugar. "Kueh kusui or kusoi" is a soft cake made with gula anau (a sweetener made from sago or nipah tree sap), giving it a distinctive dark caramel colour and subtle nutty flavour.

In addition to these unique dishes, Brunei also offers a variety of street foods and barbequed meats, such as satay (grilled skewered meat) and "Ayam Penyet" (spicy fried chicken with rice and sambal). The influence of other cultures is evident in dishes such as "Roti Canai" (Indian-style flatbread) and "Murtabak" (an Arabian-originated omelette-filled pancake). Brunei's food culture also includes traditional snacks like "Pulut Panggang" (grilled glutinous rice with spicy sambal filling) and "Kelupis" (sticky rice steamed in a leaf).

Bruneian cuisine reflects the country's cultural diversity and rich history, offering a delightful blend of flavours and traditions.

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