In honour of fresh starts and a new year, this issue’s BIG APPETITE has got us craving something that can be a little difficult to find in Borneo; wholesome food that not only considers taste, nutritional value and how the dish impacts you, is something of a rare bird but we’ve scoured the island and discovered some hidden gems — some of them in our favourite local spots! From veggie packed bowls that are honestly downright delicious to heart and belly-friendly plates of pasta, proteins and more, these are our top picks for wholesome eating around Borneo!
COCO CAFE
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You know a place is good when the entire table has barely anything to criticize, and if you haven’t eaten at Coco Cafe yet, this is probably going to be an all-around favourite. Focused on Western and fusion cuisines, there’s great variety in the menu to pique interest and quality plates of food to keep you coming back. Want a guaranteed dose of goodness in your meal? The Grilled Lamb Rack with pomegranate and chimichurri is delightful with all the essentials on one plate including the dreamiest mashed potato that is clearly made with real potatoes and butter! Freshly made chimichurri adds a zing to the sweet-tart flavours of the natural pomegranate sauce, cutting through the richness of the lamb meat.
Seafood lovers will find joy here; The Coco Cafe’s Baked Salmon Fillet is an Omega-3 powerhouse that comes with mash and sauteed vegetables, drizzled with their own in-house teriyaki sauce that has a wonderful balance across the tangy, smoky and sweet notes. Need some extra carbs in your life? The Basil Pesto Spaghetti with Prawns is worth every calorie with its flavourful house pesto that is moreish but not overly pungent to overpower the sweetness of the fresh prawns. The chef’s own recipe, this pesto pasta is another example of the high quality that Coco Cafe offers!
IG: @cococafebn | Tel: 673 242 4566 | No.1, Block E, Sempurna Complex, Kg Batu Bersurat
RIZQUN INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
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Even with an international focus for their menu, Rizqun International Hotel also serves up an incredible gastronomic exploration of Bruneian food that you don’t want to sleep on! Their talented local chefs Ak. Khairuzaman and Muiz Akram along with head chef Nova, bring a world of finesse and elevated class to some of our nation’s most humble dishes. This set menu can be orders at the Coffee House a day in advance and you can be sure it’s a meal worth waiting for! The gastronomy teasers is an appetisers that features incredible use of flavoured ‘masam-manis’ flavour profiles.
Smokey roasted eggplant mash with nutty pistachios, a moreish and creamy grilled salmon with Durian Salsa (yes, you read this right!) and Prawn toasted with Asam (tamarind), whet your appetite for the rest of the meal and if you’re not a durian fan, rest assured this is surprisingly light and palatable. A humble tribal dish, Ayam Pansuh, gets the royal treatment here as the main; there’s a lot of fresh and funky herb flavours here thanks to the addition of Torch Ginger salad, that marry so well together and make you want to lick the plate clean.
With all this healthy, flavoursome food, there’s room for a little something sweeter at the end. Blraksa is a Kueh Bingka’s better cousin and loaded with healthy fat and antioxidants from the caramelised, toasted coconut shred and a thick pudding texture from steamed rice flour. It’s the perfect dessert to end a stellar dining experience!
IG: @rizquninternationalhotel | Tel: 673 242 3000 | Abdul Razak Complex, The Mall, Gadong
HUNGRY HIPPO
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It’s good to be a hungry hippo, at this adorable kid’s playground cafe! With a fantastic play area for the kids, and space for mums and dads to relax, the nutrition packed menu is an extra reason to bring yourself here. Focused on Asian and Western favourites, we love their rice bowls as a great dish that big kids will love! There’s heart-healthy chunks of chili-marinated Salmon pan fried to flaky perfection, topped off with house made Kimchi that’s got a tangy, spicy kick and Nori sheets for a little extra salty crunch. Paired with their version of a spicy fried rice, it’s the easiest way to perk yourself up if you’re having a long day!
If you’re not a fan of fish, the beef teriyaki version at Hungry Hippo is a great choice for adults and kids with its sweet and smoky flavour with an added nuttiness from sesame sauce. It’s mild enough to appeal to picky eaters and packed with the right ingredients to make sure its nutritious. Need to fit more veggies into the diet? A Veggie Supreme pizza is a clever way to do so! Homemade pizza dough is topped with melty mozzarella, homemade tomato sauce and brightly coloured veggies for a fun way to feed kids! It’s cheesy but healthy, and you might just find yourself sneaking a slice or two.
IG: @hungryhippo.bn | Tel: 673 245 7333 | Ground Floor, No.7-9, Block A, Little Soho, Spg 73-5-8, Jalan Batu Bersurat
BELLUNO
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Oh what a beautiful meal you’ll have at Belluno! This adorable cafe in the heart of Kiarong has a wonderful reputation and wholesome food that satisfies bellies and brains. Their standard menu has great items like the Mediterranean rice bowl which is piled high with juicy, grilled chicken that’s lightly spiced with herby cumin, tangy lemon and paprika. Fluffy, light Basmati rice is the perfect conduit here for the thick chicken slices and pillowy yoghurt-mayo sauce with wisps of smokiness. The result is a warm and filling bowl of fresh and savoury goodness that has the right elements to keep you fueled for your day, while delivering hard on flavour and affordability.
Want something on the go? Their Mexican Fiesta wrap is a homemade delight that features great produce like their house-made wheat wraps, tons of delicious veggies, creamy homemade avocado dressing, protein -packed kidney beans and crunchy nacho bits. It’s a BIG bite that won’t even make you wonder where the meat is! Wrap it all up with one of their delicious coffees or special Belluno drinks for a meal to make any day better.
IG: @bellunocafebn | Tel: 673 242 9011 | No.2, Block C, Kiarong Complex, Kg. Kiarong
COMFORT GREENS
Growing up with a family that focuses on fitness and healthy eating. Dilys Chai created a space called Comfort Greens where people can come to enjoy a variety of healthy dishes, from breakfast to dinner, and even outdoor dining after a workout. Their menu is made as vibrant as possible to be appetising and flavourful while remaining wholesome and nutritious. We tried their Chicken Salad Sandwich with Micro-greens; the chicken is nicely cooked and the micro-greens adds a sliver of freshness, while the whole grain sourdough provides a satisfying crunch.
If you are looking for a protein boost, then Mango Salmon Salsa is the best choice; a refreshing dish that combines that flavourful taste of veggies and fruits with the savoury taste of grilled salmon. Not to mention their Chicken Avocado Salad; a balanced mix of protein and healthy fats, topped with a generous serving of locally sourced veggies from Rimba Garden Central. The chicken is cooked to perfection and mixed with creamy avocado, crunchy veggies, and a drizzle of homemade hummus dressing — a great option for those looking for a filling and nutritious meal. And who said you can’t consume desserts in a healthy diet? Taste their popular Moringa Loaf; a soft and tasty bread made with locally sourced Moringa, which adds a subtle earthy flavour (not as strong as matcha!). The Moringa Loaf is perfect for those looking for something that is indulgent and delicious, yet good for your body!
IG: @comfortgreens.bn | Tel: 673 737 3688 | No. 4, Spg 88, Block C, Bangunan Hj Abdul Rahman dan Anak-Anak
ROOTS
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be bland, nor borning. At least that’s the ethos at Roots. This friendly restaurant serves delicious DIY ‘Nourish’ bowls alongside a stellar menu of healthy breakfast options and desserts, that are truly joyful to eat. Only good stuff here! Select from a variety of tasty options that also change frequently, like nutritious red rice, grilled prawns or a fresh apple coleslaw for your base, protein, veggies and toppings with sauce, for their affordable base price.
Feeling a little extra? Add on a premium selection or more anything for equally decent prices. Almost everything is made in house, down to the moreish sauces like a toasty Roasted Red Pepper Miso dressing or in-house Blueberry Vinaigrette, and while this takes much time to prepare it’s clear that there’s no substitute for quality at Roots.
Sweet treats are a wonderful surprise here, with a wide variety of desserts that either vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free or all of the above! If you don’t know where to start, let it be the Vegan Yam Cake or the Strawberry Matcha Cake. It’s hard to believe there are entirely vegan with their soft and most sponge cake crumb and deliciously fluffy icing. If you’re after something hearty for breakfast, they’ve also got a dedicated menu that also includes in their signaturer Kolo Mee!
IG: @roots_bn | Tel: 673 737 6688 | Brunei Tennis Club, Jalan Komersial Jaya Setia, Berakas
AURA BY TIENSING
Get ready to embark on a vegetarian adventure at Aura by TienSing! This restaurant is a foodie’s paradise that highlights healthy-eating and how it helps to nurture your “aura”. The current owner, Hui, is a vegetarian and self-proclaims to be a picky eater. This influences how she designs the menu; only the best quality ingredients are used, and a lot of thought and care is put into every dish and its processes. We enjoyed their Taiwanese Braised Rice; a dish that replaces the traditional protein of chicken with an in-house imitation meat. The result is something smoky, chewy, and even a ‘fried’ feeling to it – you won’t believe that it’s actually made from tapioca starch and coconut milk! Their Three Egg Congee can warm your belly and heart, with a rich rice porridge that fills your mouth with flavours of the perfect comfort food.
Most of the dishes do not have onions and garlic, ensuring a clean feeling in your mouth and there will be no strong smell of food sticking on your clothes after eating! They’ve made the menu affordable so more people can try vegetarian food without worrying about the price. Quoted from Hui herself, running Aura feels like a “labour of love”!
IG: @aura_bytiensing | Tel: 673 823 5454 | #21 & 22, Ground Floor Bangunan Haji Hassan Abdullah II, Same block as Le Apple, Pengkalan Gadong, Jln Menglait
AVOCBAR
Avid about Avo? Or just want to eat somewhere where it’s guaranteed your meals will be fresh, healthy and full of nutrition without being bland? The popular Malaysian franchise is back in Brunei and better than ever, their fully halal certified menu boasts an impressive range of the great Avocbar dishes the brand became famous for, with a little tweak to truly match the Bruneian palate! The brains behind the local outlet is well known for being passionate about living a healthy lifestyle – so much so that the affiliated gym on the next floor up offers member discounts across the menu so you can train and eat well! Not sure where to start on the menu? The Signature AvocBar Salad is a nutrient dense bowl of goodness chock full of healthy proteins and veg like homemade beef patties, chicken, boiled egg, black beans, roasted corn, and of course, sliced creamy avocado!
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to snack on, you can’t go wrong with their Keto Burger option and you don’t even need to be on the diet to enjoy this wholesome and flavourful dish. Opt from a variety of fillings like butter and avo or protein boosts, for a satisfying meal.
IG: @avocbar.bn | Tel: 673 737 2288 | #11, Ground Floor, Block B, Spg 88, BSB
YAM YAM KOREA
If you want to be satisfied and kanyang (full), Yam Yam Korea doesn’t disappoint. The Korean restaurant is practically an institution in the local restaurant scene thanks to their tasty food and huge portions. For something heart-warming and soulful, it’s hard to beat a bowl of Bibimbap or Samgyetang! Loaded with health benefits found in most Korean food, these are packed with lots of protein, vegetables and helpful herbs to heal. Dolsot Bibimbap is one of those dishes where not only do fresh veggies like crisp red cabbage, seaweed and cucumber, playing a starring role, but they make a beautiful symphony of flavours when mixed altogether with the requisite minced meat, egg and gochujang — a spicy red pepper paste that is a key link in giving this dish its warming, slightly spicy and umami kick.
The quintessential Korean soup, Samgye-tang, is a stuffed chicken soup that is perfect for boosting immunity and vitality. There’s Korean ginseng and red jujube dates to get your blood flowing while the whole chicken has been cooked to fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Slurpalicious and good for you? That’s a winning combo right there. Yam Yam has two versions for you to try — the traditional style and a simpler version with just ginseng and glutinous rice-stuffed chicken.
IG: @yamyamkorea_bn | Tel: 673 8315589 | No. 19,20, 21, 22, 23, Little Soho, Jalan Batu Bersurat, BSB
T’S COFFEE
Fresh and funky flavours abound at this hidden gem in Sungai Hanching that offers great Vietnamese fare like noodles, banh mi and strong coffees;T’s Coffee started with the owner’s desire to fill what she saw was the lack of traditional cuisine in the country at the time. The keen womenpreneur has since refined her own recipes to make the business a standardised franchise with a second branch in The Mall, Gadong.
We love the unexpectedly addictive Bun Cha Gio for its perfect balance of springy rice noodles, lots of fresh condiments like crunchy lettuce and cabbage shreds, pickled cucumber and carrots, chunky spring rolls, and herbaceous lemongrass chicken that marries altogether with spicy, sour and salty dipping sauce. It’s the kind of dish you have multiple servings of and still feel good about yourself.
Sammier lovers will find joy with their Banh Mi selection! It’s affordable and accessible meal that guarantees unique flavour profiles. Cap your meal off with a good strong Vietnamese coffee or a wholesome homemade yoghurt drink, and rest assured you’ve done one good thing for yourself today.
IG: @tcoffee_bn | Sg Hanching Branch: Basement Floor, The Promenade, Spg 561, Sg Hanching, Jln Muara Tel: 673-7302527 or 7171089 (hotline) | Gadong Branch: #2.08B, 2nd Floor, The Mall Gadong Tel: 673-7294799
PEACHY SALAD BAR & RESTAURANT
It’s not hard to see why Peachy has garnered a loyal following; the build a bowl restaurant has some serious sway when it comes to flavour bombs and couple with the adorable aesthetic of the venue, it’s such a nice place to come get a healthy lunch or dinner! The best thing is that you get to customise your meal just the way you want to — whether you want 3 proteins or just a big bowl of veggie and protein, the choice is truly yours at Peachy. Inspired by her travels and what she eats at home, the passionate entrepreneur behind Peachy has put lots of love and heart into creating each menu item, including the curated browls!
These curated bowls are wholesome, delicious and best of all, filling without feeling excessive. Almost everything is made in-house and we love the savoury goodness thanks to the key ingredients of roasted chicken, sweet potato mash and veggies; fish are friends, and delicious food, in the Teriyaki Salmon bowl packed with flavourful brown rice and Japanese inspired side; The Earth Bowl brings together heavy hitting nutrition in this all-veggie bowl that’s tied together by a beautiful beetroot hummus.
IG: @eat.peachy | Tel: 673 2390711 | No.4, Ground Floor, Wisma Ibrahim, Lot 35830, Kg Lambak B
THE DAUN
Head to The Daun for a guaranteed veggie feast that delights the palate and the body! This vegetarian and vegan haven is a creative fusion of Eastern and Western culinary influences that caters to everyone. Start your morning right with The Daun’s Big Breakie, a wholesome twist on the traditional English Breakfast. This nutrient-packed plate features plant-based ham and sausages that are surprisingly satisfying. Add in juicy grilled mushrooms, perfectly charred tomatoes, sauteed local spinach, tempeh bacon, a crispy hash brown, and fluffy folded eggs served atop sourdough toast, and you’ve got a balanced meal loaded with protein, fibre and essential vitamins to keep you energised all day long.
For a light yet hearty option, try the Vegan Bowl — it’s a powerhouse of plant-based goodness, featuring vibrant beetroot-stained rice as a base, creamy pumpkin hummus, homemade baked beans, seasoned tempeh, roasted pumpkin, edamame, and buttery sliced avocado. Set on top of seasonal salad, this bowl not only satisfies but also provides a boost of antioxidants, healthy fats, and fibre. Locally sourced ingredients make every bite as fresh and nourishing as possible, ensuring you’re eating food that’s good for both your health and the planet.
IG: @thedaun.bn | Tel: 673 8628888 | No. 1 & 2, Block A, Wisma P H Apong, Spg 150, Kiulap, BSB
WONDERBOOM (KUCHING, SARAWAK)
Kuching’s original brunch spot has been going strong thanks to a killer menu that serves up hearty and wholesome eats consistently. This light filled and airy restaurant is a wonderful place to come for any meal, and with an extensive range of Asian and Western styled dishes, there are so many choices for you to eat food that makes you happy inside and out. We love the Wonderboom Parisienne Tartine for an easy nutrient packed breakfast option. This open-faced sandwich is piled high with fresh chunks of smoked salmon and pickled radish on delicious homemade sourdough that’s been slathered with an addictive herb and garlic cream cheese spread and served with a side of fresh salad. You’ll be full, but not too full to indulge in more food! Those needing a little more oomph in their meal will enjoy The Frenchie, Wonderboom’s version of a vegetarian sandwich. This is an irresistible French Onion and Sauteed Mushroom Grilled Cheese Sourdough sandwich served with Sweet Potato Fries for a hearty, and heart-healthy meal any time of the day.
The freshness of the ingredients sing in harmony with the generous slab of imported cheese and of course, who doesn’t love
sweet potato fries with their crunchy, almost caramel like flavour? If you’re in need of a sweet pick-me-up that won’t put you down with guilt, go for the Dragon’s Breath Wonderbowl — packed with antioxidants from red dragon fruit and papaya, it just get better with the additions of fresh berries, potassium-rich bananas and chia seeds. It’s certainly a wonderful feeling to dine at this Kuching establishment!
IG: @wonderboomkch | Tel: 6082-571396 | Green Heights Mall, 1st Floor, Lorong Lapangan Terbang 2, 93250, Kuching, Sarawak
CAFE PONDLES (KALIMANTAN)
Cafe Pondles is the kind of place where you’ll want to eat all the food you see. This rustic cafe on a small islet off the coast of North Kalimantan has obviously got lots of great seafood and non-seafood options on the menu. Indulge in super fresh catch from the sea, perfectly grilled and spiced, to share. Or take a big bite out of their grilled chicken plate which has heaps of classic Indo flavours to satisfy! This is one restaurant worth taking the trip to Tarakan for.
