BiG Magazine January/March 2026 Issue

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Editors note

H

ello everyone! Wow, we’ve reached 2026 already. As I reflect on the past events that have defined 2025 globally, and the beginning of our next one together, I’m left with huge gratitude that the publication has reached this incredible milestone of 20 years. Happy Birthday to us! From the early days of biG as a one-man show pulling together issues every quarter, to the building of our core team who do such an immense job to make all this magic happen, we’re grateful for your support and proving the beauty and necessity of print publications! It feels a little surreal to say we are the only Brunei-based lifestyle magazine publicly available in print and digital, across Borneo island.

From figuring out how to design page layouts that captured the eye, to penning articles that showcased how diverse and beautiful Borneo and the wider world can be, this is a glow up that we are fully invested in and as you can see, there’s a few changes that are already noticeable. On our cover is the new matcha house, KYO, who have also recently had their own revamp and are an office favourite for a caffeine treat. At heart we are still focused on our core business of representing Borneo and over the last few years have grown to widen our lens beyond the borders of the island, incorporating global events, news and products that we feel best represent the kind of stories you’d want to see. With that intention in mind, we’ve arrived at our first issue of 2026 – and with a big appreciative heart, are looking forward to putting our best foot forward and sharing at least another 20 years of great content that will help you discover beautiful Borneo, and beyond.

@b.i.g.magazine BIG: Borneo Insider’s Guide @bigborneo Publisher

CHMP MEDIA Editor

Ying Chia Designer

Aqilah Hj Abu Bakar Marketing Manager

Yasmin Jamal Contributor

Izzah Mokhtar Brunei | biG borneoinsidersg@gmail.com T: (673) 2331031 F: (673) 2231031 Unit 2&3, First Floor Wisma LCY Gadong, Spg 92, Jln Gadong, Kg. Pengkalan Gadong Mukim Gadong B, Bandar Seri Begawan BE 3719, Brunei Darussalam

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various writers in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of biG Magazine.

Borneo Insider’s Guide magazines are distributed to:

You can also find Borneo Insider’s Guide magazines at the Brunei International Airport

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PEP TALK REFILLABLE LIPSTICK KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK �KKKKKKKKK�KKKK�KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKK�KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

contents

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BiG Buzz

13 6

BiG Scoop

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11 - 15

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BiG Beyond

18 - 22

36 - 39

40 - 42

54 - 55 56

BiG Calendar

Upcoming events this quarter BiG Anniversary

The BiG 20 Anniversary Special BiG Buzz

All the latest happenings around Borneo BiG Focus

Becoming KYO 2.0 BiG Feature

Best Foot Forward: Our Wellenss Picks BiG Talk

Danston Chua Jonathan Ooi and Chian Mei Ang BiG Appetite

Cater To You: Crowd pleasers and festive feasts BiG Screen

Here's To You, Good Lookin'!

Movies to look out for this quarter

www.bruneitourism.travel | www.sabahtourism.com | www.sarawaktourism.com

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28 BiG Beyond

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BiG Appetite

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calendar

FEB

DANUM MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE LAHAD DATU, SABAH Get ready for the Danum Bike Race, an international-standard cycling event organized by the licensed event specialist Eventfinder. This thrilling race, suitable for gravel bikes and mountain bikes, takes riders through the stunning terrain of Sabah in the Danum Valley Conservation Area.

JAN 31

DEC 31 - JAN 4

THE ACG CONCERT

STADIUM PERPADUAN, KUCHING Get ready for Borneo's largest full orchestra Animation, Comics, and Games (ACG) live stadium concert, featuring a two-hour show of anime music and a performance by the Japanese dance group Avantgardey.

JAN 17

FEB 13-146 -8

MIRI ARTS FESTIVAL

MIRI CITY INDOOR STADIUM

KARNIVAL KONGSI RAYA

Ringing in the new year with arts and crafts, why not? The five-day festival will take place at the Miri City Stadium (Indoor) and its adjacent car park area, offering a comprehensive celebration of Sarawak’s artistic and cultural Sarawak’s artistic and cultural identity.

SABAH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE The carnival will feature a variety of events including an attempt to break the ASEAN record for the longest Yee Sang Muhibbah, a fashion competition, cultural performances, special sales, and lucky draws!

MAR 21 - 23 NEW YEAR'S DAY ISRAK MIKRAJ This religious event marks the 2 stages of the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) night journey, when he was whisked from Mecca to Jerusalem, before ascending to heaven. Conduct prayers at your neighbourhood mosque, and enjoy good food and company afterwards.

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A day of rest, restoration and looking hopefully towards the year ahead! While many countries associate New Year's Day with hangovers or recovering from a night of partying, Brunei celebrations are wholesome with barbecues by the beach the norm.

1 JAN

HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI With a flourish of colourful fabric and a whiff of the month-long feast to come, Hari Raya Aidilfitri arrives this March, marking not only the end of Ramadan but also a time for forgiveness and great bonding with loved ones.

RAMADAN

FEB

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FEB

BRUNEI’S NATIONAL DAY

CHINESE NEW YEAR All over the world, the Chinese will welcome the Year of the Horse on the first day of the new Chinese month with traditional lion dances, feasts and firecrackers crackling through the night!

Celebrations will continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is at its brightest point.

Celebrating 42 years of independence, citizens nationwide dress up in vibrant colours and uniforms, as they mark this special day with patriotic marches of unity throughout the capital, while wearing wide smiles beneath yellow and black flags that ripple in the wind.

Muslim communities all around the world come together as one as they anticipate the holy month of fasting, prayer and religious devotion.

While Muslims abstain from food and drink in the day time, the amount of culinary bazaars and food markets that pop up during Ramadan more than make up for lost time.

FEB

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AVAILABLE BY ORDER. CONTACT US AT +673-8729928

Fruits of Borneo'sTamu

The tamu (market) is a crucial part of life in Borneo.

Also known as pasar tamu, this weekly or daily fresh market is each kampong's heartbeat, where all walks of life find sustenance which to the untrained eye or

@Izzah Mokhtar

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TARAP Oh, tarap! Once you’ve discovered this relative of the breadfruit and jackfruit, it’s one you’ll likely search for in every tamu or kampong backyard. With a similarly blunt spiked skin to its fruit cousins, the tarap has white sectional pieces of fruit with an inner seed and creamy, soft and sweet flesh. It’s quite easy to polish off a whole rugby-sized fruit to yourself! Tarap is also native to the Philippines and is known as Marang there.

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MAMBANGAN/BAMBANGAN

KAPULASAN

KEMBAYAU / DABAI

Borneo’s native mango – the mambangan (or bambangan) is the modern mango’s wild and slightly stinkier cousin. The outer skin is brown and mambangan grows in a round shape rather than the curved cashew shape that other mangoes are known by. Mambangan is endemic to Borneo, and like other mangoes, has a thick sour-sweet flesh that’s very fibrous.

Mambangan is an important ingredient for many traditional indigenous recipes including cacah binjai mambangan which is a popular condiment dip to accompany a meal of Ambuyat.

If you’ve seen a Pulasan fruit in the tamu, you’ve probably mistaken it for a type of rambutan. It’s not far off, being in the same botanical family with a similar looking white and sweet rounds of seeded fruit. The outer skin is covered in a blunt spiked skin that’s deep purple-red. Its name is a combination of the Malay word pulas (twist), related to the Visayan pulas (take off, remove) and Tagalog pilas (rip, tear). The fruit is opened through the act of twisting the fruit with both hands, hence pulasan.

Known as the Asian olive, the Kembayau or Dabai as its known in the MalaysianBorneo communities, is a black-purple skinned stone fruit that is often sold pre peeled revealing stripes of the yellow flesh underneath. The fruit has a deliciously creamy and buttery texture, described as a mix between an avocado and olives and can be eaten raw although it’s now being popularly incorporated into cooked food. Dabai Fried Rice is a favourite amongst Kuchingites and uses a preserved version of the Dabai fruit.

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nose, can be delightfully fruity experiences! From the unassuming mambangan which looks like the dusty exterior of a dried coconut, to the indigenous and unusual Asam Aur Aur or Brunei Cherry, you're sure to find something you've probably never heard of before.

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MIDIN A unique vegetable indigenous to the ASEAN region, Midin is beloved by Borneans as a nutritious and widely available vegetable. The distictive curled fronds of new fern shoots are often served cooked typically with a good dousing of pungent sambal belacan, or in a tangy ‘salad’ with crunchy onions and lime juice. Midin or Pakis, is also traditionally used in Borneo as a medicinal plant to treat fevers, stomachache, ulcers and skin diseases.

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TERUNG ASAM Also known as the Iban eggplant, this exotic fruit is a vitamin powerhouse full of antioxidants and purported skin whitening capabilities. Terung Asam has also been used in Chinese traditional medicine to cure everything from cavities, headaches, coughs and even bruises. The fruit itself is used often in traditional cooking in Borneo and has a pleasantly sour taste as per its name.

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JELAYAN / SALAK

ASAM AUR AUR / KUNDONG

LIMAU MANIS

This fruit of a palm tree originated in Indonesia, and aside from the distinctive outer shell that looks like the back of an armadillo or a snake, the Salak fruit is known for its incredibly sour taste – one you’ll have to try to believe!

Some types of salak have a dry and crumbly fruit texture, while some have a moist and crunchy fruit similar to an apple, with a hard pip in the middle of each section, much like a rambutan or longan does. The fruit is actually found throughout Southeast Asia, and is said to be packed with vitamins.

The whole of the Kundong tree is useable by humans, although in Brunei and Borneo, it’s the small pinkish-red fruit known Asam aur aur. It’s eaten raw or dried, with a sour taste and inner white pulpy fruit that looks and tastes similar to a mangosteen. The dried and processed skins are typically used in Malay and Asian cooking to impart a sour note to pungent foods like curries and the famous Asam Pedas combination. Asam Aur Aur is also used in the preparation of meat or fish in the same way as ginger, as the astringent qualities ‘wash’ away any strong smell on the produce.

Literally translated as “Honey Lime”, this species of citrus has fragrant flowers, and uniquely, will not ripen after being picked. So named after the village of Limau-Manis in Brunei Darussalam, this variety is loved for the sweet and juicy fruit that is essentially Borneo’s version of the more commonly sold Mandarin orange. The skin is deep emerald and is especially fragrant when peeled. The fruit is also named after the kampong (village) of Limau Manis, which legend says had a fruit tree bearing very sweet oranges hence the name Limau Manis.

Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

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biG anniversary

Y E A R S !

As the age of digital-everything nearly ran print magazines into the ground, and phone reading relegated publications to the hypnotic glow of screens, it seems almost unbelievable that Borneo Insider’s Guide magazine is not only still running but that it’s the only remaining publicly available print magazine. In the entire country. As we come to celebrate our incredible 20th anniversary this year, it’s one of those wonderfully nostalgic full-circle moments where a trip down memory lane leavers nary a dry eye in the house! Founder Wan Zainal saw the huge gap for a Borneo-based publication that gave our community a space to share and connect and in its original conceptions was launched as the Brunei Insider’s Guide, expanding to incorporate to the Borneo Insider’s Guide magazine after two year; he many hours singlehandedly writing, producing and getting the first issues out and knew quickly that this was a road worth walking – especially now, more than ever!

“There really wasn’t anyone in Brunei or Malaysia-Borneo doing this seriously, and while that in some ways made it easy for people to see our value, it was also risky! We’re so quick to sort of talk ourselves down sometimes, coming from 10

Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

Borneo. I wanted people to see that Brunei and wider Borneo was exciting, and even innovative!” explained Wan, who is originally a Kuching native but now calls Brunei home. Living on the third largest island in the world that nobody knows about, or has a ton of preconceptions of, can be difficult especially when you’re exploring the world and wondering where you fit in. Wan’s determination and passion led others of a similar mind to work together over the years and it’s become a welcome home for budding writers, designers and creative folk who want to hone their craft in a real-world working environment.

From one magazine to almost 20,000 printed every quarter, and a connected presence that extends across Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan, we’re also keeping tabs on what’s happening beyond in the wider globe. With a revamped look and fresh direction, it’s a new era for this humble magazine which continues to be a space of connection, sharing and celebrating Borneo and its inhabitants.

buzz

Green, Green Grassy Notes There was much ado about matcha at the bustling ‘Brew and Bloom’ event thrown

by Thryffy last October, in Brunei’s first pop-up focusing on both matcha and coffee beverages! With the fresh green tea drink all the trending rage in the sultanate, it seems that matcha has officially entered the chat when it comes to the drinks industry. Featuring wellknown matcha makers such as Hanya Matcha, Harumo Café, and Matcha DHH, and more, Brew and Bloom was the place to be if you wanted to be highly caffeinated and well-dressed. Thrift shopping was a highlight with plenty of second-hand goodness showcasing the beauty of buying used, and we’re almost certain we didn’t mean to leave with full bags of goodies but it’s hard to resist a great deal especially when it comes to vintage

clothes and items! “We’re passionate about creating meaningful events that bring communities together,” explained Thryffy reps, who have been hosting events since 2023. They added that a key element of their values also lies in fostering the entrepreneurial community while helping Small to Medium Enterprises develop their business acumen in retail environments. Want to get involved or check out the next Thryffy event? Drop the team a message at any of their social accounts!

•• IG: @thryffybn

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biG buzz

Star Power in Sabah What do Sabah and Jamaica have in common? Jephina Lueche, a viral social media influencer known for her informative videos in which she shares about her Hakka Chinese-Jamaican heritage. “The only reason I believe we made it here to Borneo is because of the Hakka ngihn in Sabah!

From people commenting on my social media posts, telling me that the same dialect of Hakka is spoken in Sabah, to actually being here now-it feels surreal,” shared Jephina Lueche who was hosted in Sabah for a five-day trip courtesy of the Sabah Tourism Board. Jephina and her manager were able to experience some of the sights that make Sabah so special for Borneo, including a visit to the

Labang village, Sapulut; staying in a traditional longhouse and exploring the caves at Pungiton; sunset paddle boarding, and island hopping around the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Actively interacting with Hakka speakers in Sabah has been a great experience for Jephina, who added that everytime she gets to speak Hakka with a local here “It warms my heart.

And to be here on my PoPo's (grandmother) fifth anniversary of her passing-I can't help but feel like she had a hand in all of this. The hospitality of the people here speaks volumes.”.

•• IG: @jlueche

biG buzz

Bisaya and

By Bilang

Sharing a Sustainable Future Together Asia Inc Forum’s annual Sustainable Future Forum successfully brought together thought leaders and changemakers once again at last year’s event themed *“Building Sustainable Communities”. The one-day forum attracted approximately

Bruneian fashion brand,

By Bilang, debuted their Spring/Summer 2025 at the Borneo Fashion Week held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with a focus on Bisaya heritage influences in the

200 participants, including corporate leaders, local entrepreneurs and students, creating a dynamic platform for cross-sector dialogue and collaboration. The forum was graced by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Dr. Abdul Fattaah ibni Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar Pengiran Muda Mohamed Bolkiah, whose attendance underscored the importance of collective action in building resilient and inclusive communities. His presence also highlighted national support for initiatives that promote sustainable development and longterm social and economic well-being. Designed as an interactive platform, the Sustainable Future Forum facilitated meaningful dialogue on how individuals, organisations and institutions

new collection. Known for incorporating indigenous heritage into their clothing, the team behind the brand shared that celebrating Brunei’s diverse cultures and heritage has always been important to them. “This season, we drew inspiration from the Bisaya community - a group close to our hearts and to many of our friends, who have long hoped to see their heritage represented on the runway,” co-founder Zoul explained adding that in Brunei, there’s still limited awareness of the many puak

(tribes) and indigenous cultures that shape the nation’s identity. The brand has also previously showcased other puak like Dusun and Iban in previous collections, taking what Zoul says is their responsibility to “share these stories with respect, collaboration, and authenticity (and) remind everyone that Brunei’s culture is rich, layered, and worth celebrating in all its forms”.

•• IG: @bybilang

can actively contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Discussions focused on fostering responsible business practices, empowering local communities and nurturing the next generation of sustainability leaders.

•• IG: @asiaincforum

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biG buzz

Meeting Aya Fans of local indie publishing house, Parabelle Studio, rejoice! They’ve launched a new kid’s book titled ‘AyaThe Can-Do Kid’ in a new collaboration with Yayasan Kanser Kanak-Kanak Brunei (YASKA) that features a young protagonist who shows the world around her that a can-do attitude can help make even the toughest days a little easier. Tina Afiqah authored the book while Cynthia Thjin, an IndonesianChinese illustrator based in Jakarta, created the fun and whimsical images that brought the story of Aya to life. “insert quote about hiring Cynthia”.

The new publication was

Mouthfuls of Madness Brunei was in total Havocmania as the famous Malaysian food festival touched down in the sultanate recently. Trasnforming the Jerudong Park Amphitheatre area into a bustling, crowded feast for the eyes, ears and tastebuds, it was fast hands and loose cash with queues galore as people waited to try some of Malaysia’s viral food vendors. The five-day event garnered a whopping BND1 Million in revenue on its first day alone, with many of the vendors selling out almost every day, according to reports online. From traditional Nasi Dagang by TGSK Kuala Lumpur, Shawarma Malaya and Mr. Yogurt, over 90 street 14

Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

food vendors served the hungry public. Want to follow the madness? Check out @ havocfoodfestival on social media!

•• IG: @havocfoodfestival

celebrated with a launching at the recent Children’s Cancer Day event organised

by YASKA. Parabelle Studios was founded in 2020, and strives to provide every individual and community the opportunity to showcase and appreciate their traditional culture, heritage and stories, through the works produced. Using progressive storytelling and visual arts, the company hopes to promote representation and inclusivity, facilitate empathy amongst the new generations, and raise awareness about particular themes, issues and morals. A percentage of the proceeds from sales of “Aya The can-do kid” will go to funding the important programs that will benefit children of cancer.

•• IG: @parabellestudios @yaskabrunei

biG buzz

Kulinari Kreatifs Steeped in conversations about heritage, entrepreneurship and healing ourselves with tradition, the Ruang Kulinari: Tutong x Cherokee Nation event (cohosted by the U.S. Embassy in Brunei Darussalam and Kitani Kreatif) had attendees buzzing with excitement and consideration at Mori Farm in Tutong recetnly. Attendees also got to sample some local and Cherokee fare, prepared by local chef Ony of Mian and Mumba, and Nico Albert Williams of Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness – a 100% Native women-led and community-driven nonprofit dedicated to restoring wellness through Indigenous

ways of knowing. The NGO addresses the root causes of health inequities and cultural loss by reconnecting their people with the ancestral knowledge, values, and practices of Indigenous tribes, and is the first time a Native American has been to Brunei to share cultural knowledge.

Many attendees praised the event saying they hoped there would be other sharing sessions or opportunities to learn from other Native American figures.

•• IG: @burningcedartulsa @usembassy_bsb

Marathon Club. There A Nicefolk’s Half was also a beach clean up activity led by the Beach Seastroll Bunch, and it was a morning

Totally Abstract Talented artists are something Borneo is in no shortage of, and the FOUND KK exhibition that took place in

was a refreshing look at the world of abstract art and reimagining. “I hope it sparks curiousity in the audience and inspires other artists to experiment and expand their creative approaches,” explained Alan, founder of the art and artist platform based in Sabah.

•• IG: @found_kk

Local run club, Nice Run Club, held their first CSR initiative at the Pantai Jerudong area which included a donation drive where participants dropped off pre-loved running items such as shoes or clothing which would later be distributed to those in need by the Brunei

of cheerful cooperation as members of the Nice Run Club and affiliated parties came together to help the environment and their community. They were joined by friends from Salt Coffee and Mindscape Studio, with Red Bull keeping everyone energised throughout the morning.

•• IG: @nicerun.rc

Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

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biG buzz

details like the cosy alcove, warm wood details and Japanese style sitting area, which tug at you quietly inviting you to take a moment whether that be to reflect in silence or in conversation. The space is artfully crafted to honour the essence of these essential yet unassuming spaces and embodying the philosophies of Wabi-sabi and omotenashi that call for attention and gratitude for the simply imperfect and deep thoughtfulness.

focus

Becoming

Kyo 2.0 It’s an unassuming place in the new KYO has decided to open; tucked into a second-floor corner of a quiet building on one end of Gadong proper, it’s distinctly reminiscent of a Japanese tea house but perhaps uniquely in that the air here even feels like Japan. The team affirm that a lot of design inspirations were taken from Kyoto’s historic teahouses – like the original ones in Japan, KYO echoes with emotion and stories.

We wanted to create a space that slows people down, like a kind of calm at the end of a busy week where you can just breathe, explains its founder pointing out

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Looking around, you’ll almost certainly find more than one space to cosy into for a bit of quiet thanks to a pared down aesthetic and seating arrangement.

There’s been serious consideration about all of this, and as founder Zaim notes, the space itself is like an extension of what making matcha means to the team.

“That’s why we designed the seating to feel a little more personal, almost like private corners for reflection. The choice for minimalism was less to do with allowing emptiness, but more about focus - allowing our guests to really see, feel, and taste what’s in front of them. Even the way the light hits the wood, and how the sun shines through the blinds, all of it is meant to make our guests feel more aware of the moment.” When shadows are allowed to exist, people slow down, he posits. “Conversations become quieter, and moments feel longer. That’s the kind of atmosphere we wanted.” It’s a conscious deviation from the usual bright and many windowed café design that’s so easily replicated, which I imagine to be somewhat risky. While unconventional, KYO 2.0 is inimitably personal where guests feel like they entered into another rhythm here – one that’s quieter, slower, and maybe even a little sacred.

scoop

and texture to packaging, presentation, and storage guidance, ensuring every detail meets their exact standards. “Word of mouth helped us grow and we are grateful to have loyal regulars who have supported us from the beginning since 2017”, she adds.

LOUIE PÂTISSERIE A creative child at heart, Jennie Kooh knew she wanted to run her own business from an early age. After life in her 9 to 5 job became too comfortable, she decided to take on a new challenge for herself and try something new. After landing on the world of baking and pastries, she packed her bags for culinary school and she’s never looked back since. “I’m blessed to have learned from talented chefs who helped form the foundation of my pastry techniques but over the past nine years, most of my growth later came from continuous trial, error, and refinement.”

Kooh calls it the best decision of her twenties and we really have to agree! Her love for the finer details and gifting has built LOUIE Pâtisserie into the elegant and luxurious brand it is today. Their menu is intentionally kept thoughtful rather than extensive, with each product undergoing a careful process of research, testing, and refinement before being introduced.

Quality over quantity has always been at the core of the brand, from flavour balance

LOUIE's specialties are artisanal desserts created for gifting; their annual festive collections for Chinese New Year, Hari Raya as well as Mid-Autumn Festival, are the perfect way to show someone you care (especially if that someone is yourself!). With quality at the heart of her creations, Kooh says she wants people to feel the thoughtfulness and care that went into the product, even before they open the box. Each festive season has special products baked to invoke the essence of the celebrations; Chinese New Year menus feature the traditional Pineapple tart, and buttery sablè cookies, are thoughtfully developed with subtle floral and aromatic notes, giving traditional treats a nice twist while staying true to cultural flavors. Hari Raya gifting options include a curated mix of festive treats like pineapple tarts, cookies, fudgy brownies and tea cakes, all packed thoughtfully to be gifting-friendly while reflecting the festive spirit. Their gorgeous Madeleine Tower is a special treat great for a unique gifting option – imagine seeing this towering delight especially on a hantaran tray! Mad for Mid-Autumn goodies? You’ll fall in love with LOUIE’s well-loved varieties: Classic Baked Mooncakes, Rainbow Pastry mooncakes, and Snowskin mooncakes.

•• IG: @louie.bn www.louiepatisserie.com

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feature

escape from the daily grind and recenter on yourself. All done in style, of course. the owner’s own journey and love affair led her to Pilates classes and STOTT Pilates training overseas, with a goal to open her own studio one day.

Reformed Pilates House Fitness

If you’re looking for a new way to work out, we bet you’re going to love the new Reformed pilates house tucked in the back of busy commercial Sunway Centre. It’s a welcome respite, a sleek minimalist enclave of dark tones and warm wooden accents inspired by a desire to create an ambience of calm introspection. The result is an elegant and modern boutique studio that still manages to feel like home the moment you step through the doors – true to its name, you come here to be reformed, 18

Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

Reformed Pilates House is rooted in a philosophy of precision and contemporary pilates practice, with STOTT Pilates-trained instructors dedicated to helping you build control and grace in the way you move. You can rest assured that you’re being guided by those with the knowledge and passion to help you grow, whatever your end goal with Pilates might be.

Plus, everyone is welcome here; there are separate classes and facilities for women and men including some very swanky shower and change rooms, which are so welcome especially if you’re looking to grab a post-workout shower in the early morning before heading to work.

The studio has a dedicated Reformer pilates space, with state-of-the-art machines and accessories including their own adorable brand of grip socks, and a separate room for mat pilates with infrared heating, that also has serious meditative zen vibes if you really want to get in the zone!

Whether you’re a seasoned pilates practioner or a newbie, you’re in for a real transformation at Reformed Pilates House.

#52 & 53, 1st flr Blk G, Sunway Centre @reformedbn

Ladies Beauty Saloon Beauty and Health

Tucked away on a corner of Seria’s main town center, you’ll find a charming oldschool beauty saloon; originally started by the owner’s uncle, and later bought back, it’s a family business that holds over 50 years of heritage and history.

With a new face at the helm it’s set to become your one-stop beauty shop for ladies living in the Seria and Kuala Belait districts. Heck, even Tutong isn't that far when you can get everything done in one shop. As a pharmaceutical chemistry graduate, Zin Chee hadn’t planned to follow in her family’s footsteps with the saloon but eventually found her way back to the shop, with determination and a beautician’s certificate under her wing ready to take the business into a new era. While the saloon still currently retains much of its original fittings – retro Instapics anyone? – revamps are on the way, including a new spa space so you can fully zen out. But of course, ladies don’t go to saloons just for aesthetics (pun intended) and LBS has got the goods.

You’ll be in good hands as Zin Chee is passionate about helping clients look and feel their very best, and makes sure that she invests in top quality products like the viral Mae.Rewind haircare range.

With a keen interest in how products and ingredients affect skin and aging, her knowledge of what works for who is definitely going to help if you're not sure where to start with facials and beauty

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self care. Drop them a message on their social media or pop in for a quick consultation. Want to try something different? With a roster of skilled aesthetcians and using high quality Halawa wax, you'll get to experience smooth skin like being born again - it's the longer lasting way to keep your face and body looking like you stepped out of the salon. That's money well spent!

Did we mention the ultimate level of convenience at Ladies Beauty Saloon? With a full roster of services available, you could literally do a full body pampering session and get you hair, skin, lashes and nails done, plus a massage, all without leaving the venue!

Who needs to go all the way to Miri or Bandar to get your glow on, when you’ve got the quality and convenience of your one-stop beauty shop in Seria. #59, Jln Bunga Kuning, Seria Tel: 673-832 3228 @ladiesbeautysaloon_bn

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Hakim and Liza Spa Beauty and Health

It started with a small dream to have her own massage parlour, and almost two decades on, Hakim and Liza has become a beloved go-to spot for women and men wanting clean, affordable massage and beauty services in Brunei! After going through several operations which left her needing regular therapeutic massages, the owner started Hakim and Liza spa in 2009. She’s tried nearly every type everywhere she travelled, and was determined to create a place that could guarantee truly relaxing settings. With a loyal clientele who have probably been gatekeeping this retro-China themed spa, we’d say that definitely checks out!

Hakim and Liza Spa are committed to maintaining their quality assurances, even going as far as making sure their towels are personally all double-boiled and sterilised to ensure the highest level of hygiene and safety for customers.

Their specialties lie in Traditional Thai or Balinese and Acupressure massages that are built to help heal or relax you, with skilled certified masseuses who have been vetted by the Ministry of Health in Brunei, so you know you’re getting the real deal. The best part?

Coming here means you’re supporting a Bruneian business with a lot of heart and soul behind it; Hakim and Liza Spa 20

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#6, LOT 53872, Grd Flr, Blk F, Bangunan Pg Hj Manuddin Gadong, Kg Batu Bersurat, BSB Tel: 673-244 7700 @hnlspa.bn

are also committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle and have a partnership with local sports facility, Peak Club, to offer a member’s discount on any kind of massage services! They’re also giving back to the community through sponsoring a Bruneian kid’s football club Al- Mujaahidun FA and allowing the youth involved to compete in overseas competitions and other important trainings.

Thinking of gifting your loved ones some self-care time with a massage?

Hakim and Liza have a handy gift voucher available that’s valid for up to a year from the date of purchase, and for added convenience customers can also now pay using Visa Paywave cards! They’re open every day til late so whether you need a quick 30-minute refresh in your lunch break, or want to enjoy a day of pampering with your friends in their VIP room, Hakim and Liza will make sure you leave feeling better than ever.

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Germany and Spain—has anchored Destress beauty treatments and home care since 2008, blending natural botanicals, sea minerals and Swiss Alps mountain waters for results-focused rituals. For facial sculpting and glow, Destress is among the few offering authentic Chinese Gua Sha coupled with Facial treatment and enhanced with premium essential oils from Eve Taylor, a UK aromatherapy house known for 100% natural, often organic blends.

Expect a session that pampers the senses while refreshing skin.

Destress Bodyworks Beauty and Health

Since opening in Menglait Muhibbah Complex in 2003, Destress Bodyworks has grown from a humble beauty salon into a trusted haven for restorative massage, advanced skin therapies, and truly affordable self-care.

Today, a close-knit team of more than a dozen qualified beauticians and therapists welcomes a loyal community—many clients have been booking with the same therapist for years, a testament to service that consistently delivers.

Destress is known for whole-body care that supports both wellbeing and confidence. The menu spans from relaxation to therapeutic massage, alongside beauty services from deep-cleansing facials for everyday maintenance to cutting-edge aesthetic technologies. Highlights include RF microneedling with vacuum—popular for refining skin texture and caring for acne-scarred skin—and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), sought after for its collagen-supporting, firming benefits. Share your skin goals or aches and pains, and the team will match you with the right therapist and treatment plan.

Massage devotees return for the lymphatic drainage and warm ginger massage, Destress popular signature massages, but the Balinese Lulur is the insider pick: a blissful body scrub massage using natural infused ingredients, cinnamon, clove, and ginger, inspired by an Indonesian beauty tradition celebrated for boosting circulation and reviving tired energy. It’s a mini escape for a complete beauty skin glow with rejuvenation.

What’s more interesting is their yearly Anniversary promotions offering attractive Body massage and facial packages at low prices and it comes with an Anniversary give-away prize too.

With the caring and dedicated therapists, attractive pricing, and thoughtful, tried-and-tested treatments, Destress Bodyworks makes it easy to put yourself back on the list. So, what are you waiting for? Head to Destress for a soothing escape with bespoke treatments that refresh your body enhance your natural beauty. # 7 & 10, Muhibbah Complex, Menglait, Gadong Tel: 673-242 8828 / 877 1288 @destressbodyworks

Product integrity is central to the experience. Celmonze and Selvert Thermal—professional skincare from France, Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

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Other wellness bits we love!

Aii Nail Salon Beauty and Health

After a prestigious stint studying beauty and nail art in Taiwan, Monica returned to Brunei with knowledge and a championship title under her arm.

Determined to provide the very best in service, she utlised her life-long passion for art and colours to create incredible nail art for her beloved clients. She has since achieved one of her goals in opening her own nail salon, with their specialty being neat work and longlasting results. Her designs can be wildly intricate and almost unbelievable so why not go try for yourself! #C2, 1ST Flr, Shakirin Complex, WW2H+W6H, BSB, SPG 88 @aiinailart.bn

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MIRROR AI Home Gym: This first debuted seven years ago and has spawned countless similar products since then, including yes you guessed it – Chinese versions. Designed to utilise AI in the place of a physical instructor, these kinds of devices are honestly, quite handy if you hate going out to the gym or are short on time.

Spunky features like optimization modes based on your personal data

and statistics mean you get ultratailored workouts, feedback and support, all in the comfort of your home.

BRICK BY BRICK: We’re all guilty of spending a little too much time on our phones and the negative impact on our mental and physical health is now clearer than ever. Brick is a physical device that temporarily removes distracting apps and their notifications from your phone. Designed for simplicity, there are no subscriptions, complex setups. Just more time for what matters. Worth a go if you’re trying to cut down on screen time and nothing’s quite working.

LIVEN: An app designed to help with mental health, productivity and over wellbeing, LIVEN is marketed as a selfdiscovery tool that includes features like mood tracking, habit building tools and even an AI companion to talk your emotions through with. Reviews online indicate that Liven not only lives up to its ability to improve your well-being, it’s particularly useful for those with disordered mental health issues like ADHD.

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Borneo’s Pearl wins at World Tapas Championship 2025 The World Tapas Championship and Exhibition crowned Miri native, Liew Kit Kiet, with the Accésit Mahou San Miguel Award for his elegant ‘Pearl of Borneo’ entry this year, bringing Sarawak’s cuisine and the island of Borneo to the world’s attention. In a thrilling recognition as one of the top five entries this year, it’s a clear indication that the island’s talent and unique medley of cuisines, has world-class potential. This is the second year that a Borneo native has made it to the international segment of the event. Liew's creation consisted of a mochi-textured 'pearl' tart that drew inspiration from the famous Sarawak Laksa dish; a refined combination of classic Sarawakian flavours with a deep a rich Mole base, expertly crafting subtle notes of recognition and innovation in his standout submission.

Liew said he was beyond words and expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian delegation and supporters who had followed him through the competition. "I had hoped to make it into the top 3 but knowing I am in the Top 5 is already an incredible feeling. I'm very happy and grateful for the support - from the Sarawak government, my mentors and everyone who has been with me throughout this journey," he said adding that he was looking forward to returning to his restaurant to improve his craft and push even further for the upcoming World National Tapas and World Asia Tapas Competitions in 2026.

Andrea Vignali (Australia) scored top honours for his creation, ‘Humo bajo la tapa’ – Smoke Under the Lid, followed by Chen Cheng Dian (Taiwan) with ‘Esmeralda’ in second place, and Øyvind Bøe Dalelv (Norway) with ‘La reina del mar’ or ‘The Queen of the Sea’ in third. Meanwhile, the Accésit Querétaro Award went to Iñigo Tizón (Spain) for ‘Los lunes al sol’ and the ‘Accésit Alimentos de Valladolid Award’ went to Carlos Maestre Sánchez (Austria) for ‘La nación más pequeña del mundo’. The World National Tapas and the World Asia Tapas competitions in 2026 is set to take place from June 17 to 21 in Miri, Sarawak.

Check out all the updates on @spainistapas and explore the incredible entries from this year’s winners!

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Nurturing Wellbeing

at Jerudong International School

In today’s fast-moving world, the focus on our wellbeing has become essential to living a balanced and fulfilling life. Around the world, families and communities are paying greater attention to physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, responding to the pressures of busy routines, rising expectations, change and constant digital noise.

WELLBEING IN EVERYDAY LIFE

At Jerudong International School (JIS) in Brunei, we approach wellbeing as a shared value rather than an afterthought. By embedding practices that support wellbeing into everyday life, we aim to create an environment where students, staff and the wider community can thrive, and perhaps inspire others to consider how intentional, holistic approaches to supporting our wellbeing can make a difference in their own lives.

Our approach to holistic wellbeing focuses on three key areas: Physical Wellbeing - caring for the body through movement and healthy routines.

Mental and Emotional Wellbeing - recognising and understanding emotions and developing resilience to navigate challenges.

Social Wellbeing - fostering a sense of belonging and connection.

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The school understands that wellbeing is something that goes beyond physical health, it’s about how we feel, learn and connect with others every day. It touches every part of life, shaping how we engage with the wider world.

advertorial the wellbeing of all members of the staff community. Their initiatives include professional development focused on psychological safety, guidance on navigating courageous conversations, wellbeing afternoons that foster a culture of belonging and practical resources on movement, nutrition and mental health.

encouraged to stay active through a wide range of sports and activities. This develops athletic skills while fostering engagement, teamwork and a lifelong appreciation for movement, regardless of ability or experience.

Wellbeing looks different for everyone and at JIS we see it as a personal and collective journey. Simple, intentional practices such as spending time outdoors, building supportive relationships or maintaining consistent daily routines are all part of how our community nurtures wellbeing in everyday life.

HOW WELLBEING COMES TO LIFE AT JIS

At JIS, we take this understanding further.

Wellbeing is not just an individual pursuit, but a shared value embedded throughout the school. For both our students and staff, we see our wellbeing not as an optional extra, but as the essential foundation for learning and leading a happy, productive life.

We bring this commitment to life through a holistic approach to wellbeing: Pastoral System: Our dedicated house system, tutors and counsellors provide a strong pastoral care framework, ensuring every student has a trusted adult to turn to for social and emotional support.

Physical Activity: With world-class sports facilities, the school community is

We hope that everyone recognises the importance of and feels empowered to integrate the key elements required for wellbeing into their everyday routine.

By nurturing physical health, emotional confidence, meaningful connections and a sense of purpose, JIS provides students and staff with the foundations to thrive today and in the years ahead. When wellbeing is at the heart of learning and working, people not only perform better, they feel more resilient and empowered. This holistic approach is what allows everyone in the JIS community to truly put their best face forward, every day.

Mindfulness and Reflection: At JIS, students are supported in developing mindfulness and reflection skills to help manage stress and navigate school life.

Our trained counsellors provide safe spaces to talk, reflect and build resilience.

Workshops led by our Lead Counsellor, Gavin Rodgers, help students understand their emotions, recognise unhelpful patterns and develop practical strategies for everyday challenges. These sessions also extend to parents, offering guidance on communication techniques that strengthen connections at home.

In recent years, JIS has expanded the support available to students and staff, introducing new roles and initiatives that strengthen our collective commitment to wellbeing. These developments reflect a clear move toward a more inclusive, responsive and forwardlooking approach to wellbeing.

Inclusion and Belonging: Wellbeing at JIS is inseparable from a sense of belonging. As Liz McCulloch (Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at JIS) explains, creating an inclusive environment ensures that every student feels valued, respected and empowered to thrive. Through programmes that celebrate diversity, encourage empathy and support every learner’s unique needs, students develop confidence, resilience and the skills that underpin overall wellbeing.

Staff Wellbeing: Recognising that healthy, supported staff create a stronger, more thriving school community, JIS appointed two Colleague Wellbeing Coordinators, Lara Mikituk and Aimi Zaini, to lead programmes that support

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advertorial

Level Up Your Drive with The Best In Town SUVs Life feels better when you're in control. That's why more drivers are choosing the Best in Town; Toyota's SUV and SUV-style models are built to empower your lifestyle with confidence, comfort, and capability, plus Toyota has the guarantee of Quality, Durability, and Reliability (QDR), so you can spend less time worrying about your vehicle and more time living life with it.

Want your car to be as iconic as you are? Look no further than the King of the SUVs, the Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser 300 and Land Cruiser 250 models lead the pack with their timeless quality, setting the global benchmark for ultimate comfort and style in SUVs. Designed for adventurers who refuse to compromise, the LC250 Prado has been designed to blend rugged performance with modern modifications. From bumpy kampong roads to smooth sailing highways, it delivers effortless control and strength so every drive feels like an invitation to go further. If you want to know what true capability feels like, the Prado’s power will boost your day-to-day driving.

Choosing between the TX or VX variants might the hardest decision you have today; the former is a robust option with practical features and a classic design, while the VX offers premium experience with advanced technology and luxurious touches, including Auto-Multi Terrain Select (MTS). An advanced suspension system, comprising a double-wishbone front suspension and a 4-link rear suspension with a lateral control arm, enhances comfort and stability on all surfaces. At the core of it all is a 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine delivering 201 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Safety is a top priority for Toyota and the Land Cruiser 250 Prado and both variants include eight airbags, including a front passenger knee airbag. The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite includes cutting-edge features such as a pre-collision system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist – peace of mind for whatever road you’re on. Hill-Start Assist ensures safer navigation on inclines and in busy environments, while (Anti-lock Braking

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System (ABS) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) enhance control in challenging conditions. Equipped on the VX variety is a Peripheral Monitor Camera with an underfloor see-through view, providing enhanced visibility and situational awareness.

Equally beloved is the versatile Toyota Fortuner, a goanywhere SUV built for families who want to live life on the move. A commanding road presence, premium interior options and proven reliability, make it an ideal partner for weekday routines and weekend escapes.

Once you sit behind the wheel, you’ll understand why it has become a staple in households nationwide.

Schedule a viewing and see how the Fortuner fits seamlessly into your everyday life.

For urbanites who crave SUV confidence without the full-sized footprint, the stylish Corolla Cross is a perfect match. Efficient, comfortable, and packed with practical features, owning a Corolla Cross gives you the elevated driving experience you want while remaining agile in tight urban spaces (and parking spots!). It's the kind of crossover that instantly feels right but don’t take our word for it and come on down to NBT Toyota to experience it for yourself. Toyota's SUV-inspired models also offer exciting options for every lifestyle. The Toyota Rush brings seven-seater flexibility at incredible value whilst the Yaris Cross and Raize marry youthful energy with compact versatility and affordability —ideal for a first car or those living active, on-the-go lives.

No matter which model calls your name, you’re always guaranteed that extra mile with Toyota's industry-leading aftersales service. From expert maintenance to readily available parts, NBT Toyota ensures your car stays dependable for the long haul. Less headaches, more driving confidence. That's the freedom that comes with choosing Toyota. The Toyota SUV lineup under NBT stands out as the ultimate lifestyle level up whether you're growing your family, pursuing adventures on the road or simply wanting a vehicle you never have to second guess, there's a Toyota SUV built for your journey. Ready to upgrade your lifestyle? Take the first step today--book a test drive, or drop into any NBT Toyota showroom to discover the SUV that’s meant for you.

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Peaceful In Padang,

West Sumatra

There are some places you visit that change you, and West Sumatra with its vibrant Minangkabau culture, breathtaking natural beauty and globally acclaimed cuisine, will definitely leave a mark. One of the most exotic destinations in the Indonesian archipelago, West Sumatra is a province dominated by active volcanoes and hilly rainforests and a rich history dating back centuries that revolves around agriculture and commerce of goods like rice, tobacco and cinnamon. You’ll perhaps most recognize the incredible architecture of the spired roofs typical to PadangMinangkabau buildings or Rumah Gadang.

Everywhere we were greeted with a gentle smile and “Mbak” or ‘Pak’ – Indonesian for ‘sister’ and ‘brother’- and for a busy province of close to 10 million people, you’ll still feel like you’ve just balik kampung (returned to the village).

Most homes outside the city don’t own a TV so you’ll often see kids hanging outside out the home, playing a game of badminton, or perhaps even enjoying a lazy afternoon listening to the radio. Padang is of course

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home to the famous ‘Nasi Padang‘ – a mini banquet often recognisable by stacks of white bowls and plates of ready-cooked food featuring a variety of meat, fish, chicken and vegetable dishes showcasing the region’s produce. There are hearty gulai, steaming piles of sweet potato leaves, crispy fried whole fish, vibrant purple eggplants with equally bold and spicy sambal - the list goes on, and time is short when there’s much to eat.

Not sure where to start with what to do?

West Sumatra overall has a ton of exciting activities available, whatever the level of your thrill-o-meter is. Love the ocean?

From the river to the sea, you can explore ancient canyons or mangrove forests, trek to cascading waterfalls or catch a surf in the remote Mentawai islands. Labuan Sundai is a quick 15-minute trip from TPI Mandeh township, with great views. Forget about time for a while once you’re at the top - you’ll be mesmerized by the sight of vintage boats floating along the calm azure water. Swim with tropical fishes at the nearby snorkeling

@Govana Adventure

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@Govana Adventure

sites and if you’re feeling extra adventurous you can take the stairway for a thrilling cliffside jump into the sea, or get spun out on a high-speed tube raft at Pulau Soetan.

River Rafting at Pd. Pariaman is a must and we had a great time under the excellent supervision of experienced operator, Lestari Alam, who made sure we all made it through the bumpy rapids safely! For a little more history and culture, a visit to the Museum Adityawarman is great to experience the West Sumatran ‘Tarian Piring’ dance and learn about their wedding cultures, the history of Randang, textile arts and ancient ceramic artifacts.

Islam is the prominent religion in Padang, and so richly embedded into the experience here. You’ll find modest clothing and hijabs the norm, as is halal food. There are suraus in most public places including restaurants as well for extra peace of mind for Muslim travelers. Some ablution areas are interestingly mixed gender although for mosque visits such as to the beautiful Masjid Raya Syekh Ahmad Khatib AlMinangkabawi Sumatera Barat, typical rules for covering up and separate partitions for

men and women’s prayer areas apply albeit being visible from all angles of the exterior. The mosque is ventilated by fan and all doors of the building are kept open, giving an incredibly peaceful and calming atmosphere to the huge expanse of space. The use of four Gonjong (pointed roofs) instead of the usual dome inspired by the traditional Rumah Gadang, and the decorative calligraphy with modern Islamic patterns and names of the Prophet and Allah add to the unique charm of this particular mosque. Awe-inspiring and worth a visit for both Muslim and Non-Muslims alike!

Our trip to West Sumatra and its capital city of Padang showed us a side of Indonesia that’s still true to the incredible culture of the islands and their communities – one that’s filled with kindness and hospitality, and a secret side of adventure amongst the incredible landscape of lush green nature and unique Indonesian architecture.

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to FAME for years. The event has adopted a more curated and focused approach to vendors, with the majority being up and coming local brands. Launched in 1983, it is the secondlongest running trade event on houseware, furnishings, gift items, holiday decor, and fashion accessories in the Asia-Pacific Region, and is the only show in the Philippines recognized by the Union des Foires Internationales, the union of the world's leading tradeshow organizers, fairground owners, and major national and international associations of the exhibitions industry.

Mabuhay to Manila FAME! It’s not just another expo – that’s my first thought as we hop off the shuttle bus at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Manila, and enter the venue of Manila FAME. The country’s foremost home, lifestyle and design trade show, FAME is an institution to up and coming Filipino designers and brands; a home where creatives could gather and see where the direction of the design and interiors industry is heading. But I digress. Based on the amount of people, video cameras and photographers swarming the entrance on the first day, it’s clear that this is more than just your average fair.

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With over 5000 visitors (trade and non-trade) and over USD4 million in export sales generated in 2024 – up a whopping 49% from the year before, the Manila FAME event for 2025 was like the finale of an opera. Soaring vibratos and arias in the form of world class designs and participation from industry stalwharts like renowned Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue, US-based creative director and Global Trends Ambassador Patti Carpenter; a retrospective of veteran designer, Milo Naval, including works done in collaboration with 10 local manufacturers. Walking around is an exercise in restraint lest you exit with an empty wallet and full phone memory! There is truly so much to see and the sentiment of the design works being world-class, is spot on. Artful pieces by Studio MOODISM wouldn’t look out of place in a Berlin office, or modern Paris loft. The whimsical Wily Wonka atmosphere at the Design Center of the Philippines’ institutional booth was a fresh exposition from 18 MSMES under the creative direction of Tony Gonzales.

Part of what makes the event so seamless, is staying at one of the partner hotels for the event like The Admiral Hotel M Gallery, which sits on

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Admiral Hotel

bustling Roxas Boulevard, a land rich with history and heritage. Design and art breathes here, as does the heart of Filipino hospitality. The luxury 5-star boutique hotel, part of the Accor group of hotels, was designed to evoke Manila’s Golden Age with both classic and contemporary FilipinoSpanish design and architectural elements that have been reinterpreted into contemporary aesthetics. The elegant and unique centerpiece of the Admiral’s Club restaurant, for example, boasts a showstopping stone table-walkway that acts as a centerpiece for the room, yet the venue retains a charming atmosphere that is welcoming to all (as evidenced by the number of guests ranging from tourists to local families coming together for a big brunch. There were even dogs sighted in the pet-friendly premises! Rooms are decadently decorated with a mix of art deco accents and modern amenities like a very welcome Nespresso machine with takeout cups, and media console.

Worried about special food requirements? The Admiral is one step ahead; buffet options include identifying markers that show information like dishes contain common allergens, or pork, for those needing to observe Islamic dietary requirements. Thoughtful arrangements like this are part of what makes MANILA FAME such a joy to visit, again and again.

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Amazing Aman Aman Group has unveiled plans for a new experience in the heart of the Singaporean city. Aman Singapore is set to be an urban sanctuary “that will redefine the city’s ultra-luxury landscape” and will contain a hotel, limited collection of Aman branded residences, and a global private members club providing the signature blend of Aman’s lifestyle branding and DNA of privacy, harmonious design and unparalleled service. The new development will be located within The Skywaters – Singapore’s tallest and most

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iconic new skyscraper located on a rare island site at the center of Singapore’s CBD area, Marina Bay, and the future Great Southern Waterfront. As expected, the Aman Singapore looks to contain the quintessential elegance and quiet luxury that the brand is renowned for.

Amenities like a comprehensive Aman Spa featuring an infinity-edged pool, spaces dedicated to world cuisine and community, are expected and set to add a touch of everyday class for hotel guests and residents alike.

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Cabel Restaurant For a restaurant frequented by presidents, senior ministers and other high-level government folk, Cabel possesess an inimitable welcoming quality that perfectly accentuates the menu of homey Filipino comfort food and traditional favourites. The establishment recently made it into the Bib Gourmand listing of the Michelin report for 2026, no small feat for a homegrown brand that is built on doing things simply well. Flavours are familiar yet refined at this restaurant situated in a heritage house

just in front of the Malacañang Palace; the menu was designed by founder and head chef, Miguel representing the best of the vast culinary landscape in the Philippine islands like a hearty Titula Itum bursting with savoury flavours from the Mindanao community, or the very recognisable Chicken Inasal - rich with the smokiness of a grilled soy-marinated chicken leg and fragrant rice that is a favourite particularly in the Metro Manila area. Chef Miguel Cabel Moreno, who’s matriarch was the original inspiration for his eponymous restaurant, has been quietly championing the Philippines’ regional delicacies where others remained skeptical but aside from the well-deserved Michelin recognition last year, we’re quite happy to bet that your first meal here will leave you with the same sense of joy we had.

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snapshot

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AMIR NOOR

Shooting since 2022 Film: Portra 400 Camera: Hasselblad 500cm Location: Tanjong Batu, Muara IG: @subtlefilmm

Tanjong Batu, Muara. The man-made beach is a recent addition to Brunei's plethora of beaches and popular with locals and tourists alike as a prime sunset watching and surfing spot.

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talk

Talk To

The Hands

DANSTON CHUA ASL Interpreter Very few people master another language, let alone one built entirely for a disability.

Danston Chua has been an interpreter at the National Association of the Deaf for over three decades, and the former teacher from Kuala Belait, Brunei, found his calling and connection to the deaf community through serendipity and a small spark to learn sign language – no small thing in a time when sign language and disability inclusiveness was not widespread at all!

Chua’s story is inspiring for many reasons, but perhaps the most poignant aspect being his dedication to using his golden retirement years now to give back to the community and continue to teach future generations the important skill of sign language. We sat down to chat about talking in a human-created language and creating a life that’s truly inclusive.

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Hi! For those who aren’t familiar, would you mind sharing how you came to be a teacher of Sign Language and so closely affiliated with the deaf community?

DC: I was a teacher in St. James School KB. After that when I’d retired for a while, I was doing some short courses in Singapore and that’s where I had really encountered a deaf person in that kind of proximity. I would walk past this bus stop every day on my route home, and I would always see this guy. And it caught me by surprise, because I kind of always thought he was a bit odd. One day, I saw him signing to the bus conductor and realised he was deaf. That prompted me to talk to him, being a person of faith. In my mum’s house in Kuala Belait, there was a deaf lady who lived besides us and she wasn’t using any kind of proper sign language - more basic kind of gesturing. It’s only in Singapore in that way, when I first met this man, that I really became connected with the deaf community.

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What was it about that conversation that kind of sparked something in you?

DC: In Singapore? Because I had that little bit of knowledge on how it was to live with a hearing disability, plus these groups of people are always very open and friendly when they talk with you. So I went up to him and signed a few things, just creating a casual conversation, and I learned that he actually lived close by.

And I had wanted to learn sign language so this was a great opportunity where I could actually practise talking to someone who is deaf. I remember my first ‘proper’ conversation with him in Bukit Junction. I had prepared a pile of paper with things on it, oh my goodness! He could read so we got through all those things like ‘your name’, ‘your town is’, etc. Gosh, I remember that. Being a hearing person, when you are in an environment where you have all this noise, it distracts me a lot. But to him, there is no problem. We talked for like an hour and I learned we actually practise the same faith and he even had a job, a family! And the place of worship he went to was actually a church for the deaf community. You know, I’m the only one sitting there who is a hearingabled person sitting amongst so many deaf persons. That’s how I picked up sign language much faster. Throughout it you learn that deaf people can sing, express themselves, dance. There are so many things that I wanted to share with them.

One day, he actually brought me with him to the Deaf Association where I met the president for the Singapore association as well. From there I connected more and would visit his family as well. He was the eldest and the only son in his family.

His mom died of cancer and so I was with him for those three years, being his friend and interpreter. He would bring me the hospital to help interpret what the doctors were saying but honestly, it was really challenging because I’d not learnt proper sign language yet and was mostly interpreting through spelling of words. So taking the course in Singapore was good because I had that base to practise with.

The pastor at their place of worship would actually go to Medan, Indonesia, every year for around a month to visit another community of deaf people. I went along for most of these trips too and we stayed in contact after i came back to Brunei and around 2000 one of my students asked if I’d like to help with the Unit Pendidikan Khas and that’s where I met my supervisor. She was surprised that I wasn’t using English sign language but could still communicate with deaf people.

Most deaf people in Brunei attend schools where although it might say its inclusive, even with specialised units, teachers are under really tough schedules and circumstances where they have to do a lot - lesson plans etc., and then you had to take lessons to learn sign language on top of it. It was very tough.

I said that I thought I could come up with a program or something to help because I’d seen how sign language could be used to open up developmental

You can still find a way to show what you want to do.

progress in autistic kids. Particularly one case in Singapore where the mother learned to sign with her non-verbal son and he actually opened up. He was still nervous but you know - it was so good that he could even open up his mouth and talk. And that’s why in Brunei they also wanted to have this kind of program.

It was very challenging we didn’t have much expertise in that kind of teaching.

And so I went to do another four or five years of learning. American Sign Language was easy for me to pick up because there’s no grammar.

But you dedicated your time to it, which means that, it seems that there's some sense of willingness.

DC: Yeah. I think in order to learn a language, you really need to be committed. And then, second thing, because also since I’m already retired, I could spend my time practicing. It’s good that some of the classes were online so it was easier to attend for Level 3. I’d have to arrange to fit in the way the class is going to be. And I thought you know, by the time I finished this level I’d be quite satisfied with myself because I could use it in my everyday conversations. Level 4 incorporates more technical terms like conversing with mechanics or in engineering – I’m still stuck on that one, I’m not sure if my mind can keep going or not (laughs). But I’m trying to push myself to finish that course.

Read the full interview on www.borneoinsidersguide.com Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

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biG talk

Family Matters JONATHON OOI Professional Fitness Coach CHIAN MEI ANG Teacher Spend any amount of time with Chian Mei Ang and Jonathon Ooi, and it’s easy to see why they’re rated amongst their friends as #couplegoals. The two-time ‘Fittest Man in Malaysia’ and professional fitness coach at Jab Gym met psychologist and teacher at Jofyul Kids Monterssori, Chian Mei Ang, and their partnership started out as most relationships do. Almost a decade on, the pair have navigated long-distance, different schedules, goals and life, to say ‘I Do’ and ‘Let’s Have a Kid!’; the pair welcomed their first child in 2024 and have been learning to navigate the world of new parenthood with the same amount of humility and empathy that has gotten them this far. We sat down with the sweet duo for a chat about love, life and how having a kid really does change everything.

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biG talk

to be able to still sustain through the day without a full eight hours of sleep.

(Laughs) Because I love my sleep and I can sleep anywhere. I'm not a light sleeper at all, but when Levi came into our lives of course, there's the breastfeeding, waking and attending to him. And I realised, wow okay! Even with sleep deprivation, I can still try to understand him as a mom.

A quick glance at your CV suggests that you’re inclined towards leadership roles or activities. What makes you step up and take the lead on helping out? of Crossfit in Brunei, and at Jab Gym it’s the same too. But I do more Hyrox fitness now. What shapes my personal approach to fitness? I’d say that’s two-part; growing up with parents who were big advocates for sports. I played tennis from a young age. I think parents who are willing to let their kids just play, is great. I think that’s really important and it sets the tone for their future. Kids also need good coaches though growing up, cause kids are kids, you know? If you’ve got a bad coach who scolds them or puts too much pressure, then they’ll end up not liking what they’re learning anymore.

Caring for another being is real teamwork.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, that rings true.

What keeps you competitive in fitness and what shaped your personal approach to that area in your life?

JO: I think knowing that other people are working just as hard (on themselves) keeps me motivated. That used to be a very big kind of factor of my training - it kind of just fires me up to kind of push myself more. That's a big one. Having good people around you helps as well.

Some of them were from the first days

How do you remember to give yourself grace to lose?

JO: When I was training to competing for the ‘Fittest Man in Malaysia’ title, that was probably one of the hardest times for myself. We were married by then, although Levi hadn’t come into our lives yet. It’s a month-long competition so every weekend for like five weeks or so, I’d get very anxious and so full of pressure to well in each workout that I would close up and not talk to Chian Mei because I was so fixated and determined. And I was very hard on myself. At that time, I didn't understand soft wins. She helped me realise the importance of things like talking and saying how you feel out loud.

Chian Mei, You’re quite frank and honest about how motherhood has been for you. What lessons has being Levi's mom in particular taught you about yourself?

CM: I didn't know that I have that much strength in me to fight sleep, and

CM: Well, simply because actually nobody else would. Yeah. Maybe also because I have a younger sister with a hearing impairment and being her sister and family growing up, we know that there’s actually not many things out there for disabled or special needs people. So if I say take the lead and step on board to create something out there for my sister, for example, I know there's not just our family that would benefit. There's a lot of families out there waiting for things to happen.

But someone has to do it first. With the qualification that I have, I guess it helps that it gives an extra edge credibility to the initiatives and helps to get things going.

Your LinkedIn profile says you’re taking it one step at a time towards achieving your dream of an inclusive society. What’s the dream look like?

CM: When I started working in schools, I realised that in every school, the teachers would try to cater for children with needs but they wouldn't have an actual support group or a programme in place for these children, whereby the kids would just have to blend in with the mainstream education set up. So with that in mind, my dream is to actually create a learning support centre in each of these schools so that they could at least have a place of community whichever school they’re in. Parents won’t feel stuck on a waiting list for any particular one school or pay a certain price to access special needs services. So technically, every school would be considered an inclusive school – that would be ideal so that early intervention would start anywhere these kids are in school and not just at specialist centres.

Read the full interview on www.borneoinsidersguide.com Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

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appetite

BRUNEI

HURIYYAH CAFE 1st Flr, Seri Qlap Mall, 58170, Kiulap Commercial Area Tel: 673-235 1433/832 1433 IG: @huriyyahcafe

You all know that scene in Ratatouille, where the one bite of the eponymous dish transports a scowling food critic to memories of his mother's cooking?

We're almost certain you'll be feeling the same warm-hearted nostalgia after tasting the food from Huriyyah's.

Meaning 'freedom' in Palestinian, the restaurant is however firmly rooted in classic Malay cuisine and you'll find some very special versions of old school favourites like Ayam Masak Merah, which is so wonderfully fat with sweet, spicy and sour flavours that are tempered with the interesting use of dried hawthorn to round out what’s typically a fire-breather of a dish. Beefheads will dig the Daging Masak Hitam; this is a savoury stew-like concoction with flavorful beef simmered in sweet black soy and proprietary spice mix, that

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head chef Nur Zafirah is exceptionally fond of. For an elevated celebration you can’t go wrong with the Ikan Merah Sup which unlike others, has this incredibly velvet texture that feels like mouthfuls of collagen as you slurp the clean, fresh fish broth.

Want something familiar but equally out of this world? You’ve got to give the Ayam Berempah a go.

Thick and succulent chicken pieces perfectly marinated and fried so well, it’s literally mouthwatering as you bite into it. The food is homey and comforting, and while she's used her almost two decades worth of chef experience to add her own touches to these traditional recipes, Chef Nur Zafirah is often reminded of her nenek's cooking when she makes these recipes – this is what love tastes like. The Miri native is adamant on making sure each dish is reflective of her attention to detail, and that every meal is cooked with fresh, clean and quality ingredients. For classic Malay and Asian dishes simply done well, Hurriyah has you covered.

biG appetite

RADISSON HOTEL Jln Tasek 2203, Bandar Seri Begawan IG: @radissonbrunei www.radissonhotels.com

Celebrating life’s moments never tasted so good; Radisson Hotel’s expert-led team is always ready to make your time memorable and for the festive seasons in 2026 you’ll want to book their exclusively curated catering menus that combine tradition, skill and great taste together.

Nyaman guaranteed! Whether it’s a dinner at the classic Tasek Brasserie venue, or bringing hotel-standard catering to your own events, Radisson Hotel is a top choice.

If you’re looking for a Chinese New Year feast that takes the stress of cooking away, their special menu has got fruitful delights great for gatherings.

Get your ‘Good Fortune’ going with their prosperous Yee Sang that is a glorious rainbow of colours and honey-plum dressing, to sweeten the year ahead.

Following the fruity theme, we’ve got a Crispy Duck with Mandarin Orange glaze – a refined combination of sweet orange notes and herbal flavours that are fragrant and cuts through any gaminess in the plump duck meat. Sumptous seafood is a must-have on the table for

a Chinese style feast and you’re sure to love the Steamed Snapper with Superior Soy and Ginger, and braised sweetness of Scallops with Oyster Sauce on Broccoli.

Want something not too sweet to end the meal? Opt for the Chilled Mango Sago – classic yet elevated.

Ramadhan and Hari Raya are celebratory periods in their own ways and Radisson has got you covered with nostalgic yet sophisticated renditions that will have everyone’s attention and asking for second rounds! Their catering options include Malaysian style dishes like tangy tomato-chili based Ayam Masak Merah, heartwarming Sup Ekor Utara, and savoury fall-off-the-bone Pulut Kuning with Beef Rendang, that are inspired by treasured mom recipes. What’s a feast without snacks and for Puasa and Hari Raya, Radisson Hotel has got the required Kuih-muih like crunchy Honey Cornflakes, Karipap Kentang, Bubut Pengat Pisang, Kuih Taiam and Sago Gula Melaka.

With quality and care at the core of Radisson’s service culture, it’s the easy choice to make life so much simpler and tastier!

Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

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biG appetite

@macchiatocafe.bn

GREEN RICE #1, Spg 470, Jln Subok, Kg Belimbing Tel: 673-222 9413 IG: @thegreenrice.bn

Since 1988, The Green Rice has been part of everyday life for many locals, a quietly trusted hidden gem in Subok neighbourhood known for its pandan nasi lemak. Children who once visited with pocket money now return as parents, sharing the same familiar taste with their little ones. What began as a simple home-based recipe continues today as a family-run restaurant, filled with homey vibes and decorated with own colourful illustrations. Drawings of the family characters can be found throughout the restaurant, on the walls, packaging and even on mugs.

Each plate reflects years of care and discipline: coconuty pandan-infused rice, homemade sambal with a balanced savoury depth, crisp anchovies, peanuts and another highlight - the fried chicken! Since the opening in 2021, over 170,000 nasi lemak have been served, not through trends but through trust built steadily over 37 years.

The Green Rice operates with Halal and HACCP-certified practices, reflecting its commitment to food safety and quality. Alongside its signature dish, its new jiggly pandan pudding has already become a dessert favourite among both adults and children. Cooked with pure pandan juice and topped with selected gula melaka sauce, it is the perfect sweet ending to a hearty meal.

MACCHIATO CAFE Lot 25630, Jln Gadong, Menglait I, Bandar Seri Begawan Tel: 673-242 3380 (Menglait) 673-883 1805 (Seria) IG: @macchiatocafe.bn

KOPITIAM KA GINAB #7, Grd Flr, Bangunan Haji Awang Ahmad bin Awang Haji Hassan Spg 88, Jln Komersial Kiulap Tel: 673-733 9191 IG: @kopitiam.ka.ginab

Family favourites with an Asian flavour – you’ll find plenty of great food that is comforting and affordable at Kopitiam Ka Ginab like their classic Nasi Ka Ginab; their version of Nasi Lemak (named after the owner’s mother whose legacy as a cook and budding entrepreneur is carried on by her son) has all the 42

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home-cooked essence with restaurant quality production. A savoury-sweet sambal tumis, and saucy hati buyah (beef lungs) complement the whole dish perfectly. Make use of their event hall upstairs for ultimate convenience, which comes with well-priced and tasty options like a classic ‘dome’ set.

Get your catering caffeine fix from Macchiato! This local brand is known for their unique house drinks, community sourced bakes and breads, and now you can get your daily coffee served up at the next event.

Macchiato’s handy package menus make it super easy to choose what you want; versatility, convenience and quality espresso coffee at an affordable price? Shut up and take our money!

They’ve got centrally located branches in both Seria town and Gadong, BruneiMuara so you’re never too far from a great coffee experience.

biG listings

Brunei

Guidelines: The restaurants and eateries listed are arranged by food types, and not in order of our preference. Reviews are written from a typical diner’s perspective and written based on actual visits to the establishments listed, without the prior knowledge of the restaurants. Information given on menus, hours or prices may change and should be checked. In Brunei, all restaurants are closed between 12 noon and 2 pm on Fridays.

TASTE OF ASIA VIETNAMESE PHO, THAI TOM YAM, JAPANESE SUSHI, KOREAN KIMCHI AND BRUNEIAN AMBUYAT – THIS LIST COVERS MOST OF OUR FAVOURITE ASIAN DELIGHTS. All Seasons Restaurant 17 1st Flr Times Square Shopping Centre, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2338068) Aminah Arif 2 & 3 Blk B Grd Flr Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kiulap (673 2236198) – Call for other branches Aneka Rasa Blk A #17 & 18 Grd & 1st Flr Bgn Begawan Pehin Dato Hj Mohd Yussof, Kg Kiulap (673 2231728) Axtivo Restaurant #12, Grd Flr, Hj Uthman Complex, Spg 13, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2335642) Babu’s Kitchen C44 Blk C Grd Flr Gadong Central, Kg Menglait (673 2457868) – Call for other branches Blue Eden Café 5, Spg. 88, Kg Kiulap (673 8643496) Bali Pit-Stop 15 &16, Spg 150 Grd Flr, Blk A Bangunan Habza, Kiulap (673 7209992) Ceri Café 1 Blk B, Shakirin Complex Kg Kiulap (673 2234997) – Call for other branches Chatterbox Kopitiam 2 Grd Flr Bgn Hasbullah 2, Gadong (673 8201212) Chick-In B1, Lot 18985, Spg 42, Jln Mulaut (673 8664579) Eatsy Brunch F41, Blk F, Sunway Centre (673 2565450) Excapade Serusop 4&5, Spg 86, Complex PHB, Kg Delima Satu, Jln Muara (673 2335512) – Call for other branches

Farmbasket Snack Bar A1, Grd Flr Blk A, Urairah Complex, Spg 88, Kiulap (673 2234666) – Call for other branches

BABAORO

Gurkha Palace 47 Jln Bunga Melor, Seria Town (673 3221474) Gratitude Café Grd Flr Serusop Complex, Kg Delima Satu (673 2341123) Great Taste Restaurant Grd Flr Setia Kenangan II, Kg Kiulap (673 2233913) Happy Dean Restaurant #3, Grd Flr, Zainuddin Complex, Spg 11, Anggerek Desa, Berakas A (673 2340885) – Call for other branches Haveli Restaurant 29, Blk D, Bgn. Gadong Central, Spg. 21, Kpg. Menglait, Jln. Gadong (673 2427847) Impian Rasa Restaurant #5 Bgn Pg Hjh Rafiah Spg 607 Jln Jangsak, Gadong (673 2653858) – Call for other branches Iron Chef 5 & 6, Lvl 1, HuaHo Manggis Mall (673 2338888)

@babaoro.bru

Kaka Restaurant 2 & 3 Spg 100 Jln Jerudong (673 2672333) – Call for other branches

MY Favoureat Restaurant 9 Grd Flr Bgn Hj Munchit & Hjh Rapiah, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2232828)

PappaRich Blk G Grd Flr Abd Razak Complex, Gadong (673 2432333)

Sate House B9, Blk B, Setia Kenangan II, Spg.150, Kiulap (673 2231017)

Kimchi Restaurant Blk B, Regent Square, #19 (673 7122283)

MyTown Eating House Grd Flr The Crown Princess Complex, Jalan Tutong (673 2241880)

Pho Hoa Restaurant #6 Grd Flr Blk B Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kg Kiulap (673 2236218)

Nas Eatery Spg 88 no. G2 Impiana Jaya Complex (673 2580233)

Restoran Nyonya 3 Grd Flr Bgn Hasbullah 1, Gadong (673 2447090) – Call for other branches

Sulbingsoo Korean Dessert Cafe B7, Grd Flr, Shakirin Complex, Kiulap (673 2234271)

Lambaian Indah Gadong Properties Centre, Jln Gadong (673 8986649) – Call for other branches La Mee #1B & 1c Grd Flr Spg 41-112, Jln Kiarong (673 2430113) Lee Loi Fatt Blk A #7 Grd Flr Serusop Complex, Kg Delima Satu (673 2342384) – Call for other branches Mangrove Paradise Resort @ Zyan Restaurant Spg 912, Kg Sungai Belukut, Jln Kota Batu (673 2786868)

Nouri #1, Tian & Chuan Building, BSB (673 722 6405) Oh! Azizah Kitchen #4, Grd Flr, Blk B, The Promenade Samakaya, Spg.561, Kg Sungai Hanching (673 8725557)

Rice Bowl 72 T.C.Y Building, Batu Bersurat (673 8630665) Sapphira Cake House 3 Grd Flr Seri Anigma, Kiulap (673 2232021)

Old Time Kopitiam G2 Grd Flr, Bgn Hj Ibrahim, Kg Menglait (673 244282)

Seafood Palace #1, 2 & 3 Blk B An-Nuha Building, Kg Tanjung Bunut (673 2671299)

Pattaya Restaurant Spg 302, Jln Kota Batu, Sungai Lampai (673 2241721)

Seaworld Neptune 8 Spg 791, Jerudong (673 2612613)

SPICY CURRY & WRAPS FROM ARABIC TO INDIAN CUISINE, CHECK OUT THESE RESTAURANTS IF YOU LIKE A SPICY KICK TO YOUR MEALS. Amsarra Shawarma Unit 5, Grd Flr, Blk A, One Riverside, Jln Gadong (673 7312545)

Always on point with their food, the good folk behind one of Brunei’s most beloved restaurants have made magic happen a second time with their new venture, BABAORO. This is the definition of a love letter to food and the way it shapes us. Drawing on the owner’s Nyonya roots, BABAORO has a menu that reads like the greatest hits tracklist of Asian and AsiaPacific cuisine; a perfectly moreish and fresh Vietnam style Bahn Mi that we’ve come back again and again for (complete with pate and the homemade Vietnamese mayo), crispy and saucy Beef Pies that feel like a curry puff and an Aussie pie in one bite. There is soulsatisfying Pho noodle soup, and filling sandwiches. Don’t bother trying to decide which one to get, just try ‘em all! Rotisserie Chicken is one of BabaOro’s specialties and it really is a wonderful sight to walk in to the restaurant and see a wall of fat birds roasting away, full of flavour and juiciness.

It’s the perfect pick paired with a hefty serving of the mixed red rice, if you’re too busy to make dinner or need an impressive potluck dish to bring – just be sure to check on their preorder list as these sell out so fast.

A1 Chuchu Plaza Spg 480, Jln Tutong, Madewa, BSB Tel: 673-717 0089 IG: @babaoro.bru

Blue Restaurant Unit 19, Grd Flr, Blk C, Spg 493, Kg Beribi, Jln Gadong (673 2450458) Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

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biG listings

D’JAVA CAFE There are plenty of Indonesian restaurants in Brunei, but what makes this new Indothemed eatery in Batu Bersurat has got people raving for its authentic Indonesian (and more specifically, Javan-inspired) menu. Their focus is on promoting Indonesian coffee and beans, meaning you’ll to experience the exciting breadth of the Indonesian coffee scene in real time, with guest beans and house blends showcasing the incredible skill of its coffee producers and baristas. They’ve got really unique caffeine and non-caffeine options; if you’re into the mocktail fusion aspect, D’Java has the lovely creamy Mont Blanc and a lighter but just as sweet ‘Coffee Candy’ drink that has Kopiko-esque vibes. Now, on to the food! You’ve had Soto, Bakso, and probably even Mie Goreng. But have you have Mie Nyemek, Empal Sambal or classic Indonesian snacks like Lemper or Rissoles?

Lemper is their version of a pulut panggang and Risolles are thin crepes stuffed with a creamy filling and deep-fried. Familiar yet exciting new tastes that you’ve got to try. It’s a lovely spot to come for hi-tea especially when it’s accompanied by a pot of fragrant Javanese Tea. Imagine sipping on a cup of history that dates back to the Dutch Colonial era!

1st Floor, Block B, Little Soho, Jalan Batu Bersurat, BSB Tel: 673-742 6016 IG: @djavacafe.bn

Bombay Palace Restaurant 9 Grd & 1st Flr, Blk B Bgn Pg Mainuddin & Anak2, Batu Bersurat (673 2427313) C’Fu Curry House Restaurant Spg 103 #5 & 6 Grd Flr Bgn Hj Md Salleh, Gadong (673 2457000) Delhi Darbar Restaurant & Catering Spg 38, Jln Jerudong (673 2672826)

Lotus Family Restaurant 27B Grd Flr Delima Jaya Complex, Berakas (673 2342049)

Comfort Greens Blk C, Anak-Anak, Bangunan Hj Abdul Rahman, #4, Spg 88 (673 7373688)

Rajah’s Restaurant #3 Grd Flr, Blk A, Bangunan PAP Umi Kalthum, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 2240379)

De’ Olde Cottage 2 Grd Flr Blk C Sempurna Complex, Batu Bersurat (673 2426982)

Sameer Restaurant & Catering G1 Grd Flr Sg Akar Sentral, Berakas (673 2336613) – Call for other branches Spice Boys Spg 492, Kpg Pelambaian, Brunei Muara, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 710 4580)

Flour & Butter #29, Grd Flr, Bangunan Haji Hassan Abdullah, Jln Gadong, Menglait II (673 2422323)

Iskandar Curry House B5, One Riverside, Jln Gadong (673 2422438)

Sugar ‘n’ Spice #B1, Grd Flr, Purnama Complex, Kiulap (673 2303930) – Call for other branches

Kenny Rogers Roasters Jln Masjid Salambigar, RPN Lambak Kanan (673 7323802)

Kausar Café 10, Grd Flr, Blk D, Shakirin Complex, Jln Komersial Kiulap (673 8829495)

Ya Nur Restaurant #6 & #7, 1st Flr, Kompleks Hj Tahir 2, Gadong (673 8719986)

Kitchen of Jasmine by Aranda Café #17, Blk E, Atiya Complex, Spg 100, Jln Jerudong (673 8997333)

LaMesa Restaurant Unit 8, Jln Komersial Kiulap, Kg Kiulap (673 2352863)

Zaika Restaurant A4 Lot 308 Bgn Maju Jln Bunga Raya, Kuala Belait (673 3347430)

Le Taj 2-3 2nd Flr Seri Kiulap Complex, Kiulap (673 2238996)

Margherita Pizzeria #5 Blk A Scout Complex Jln Gadong, Kg Mata-Mata (673 8688884) – Call for other branches

WESTERN FOOD

Gwad Basha Arabian Restaurant 1A & 1B Heng Thai Property Centre, Spg 22, Jalan Dato Ratna, Kiarong (673 2450009)

ITALIAN PIZZAS, AMERICAN STEAKS AND BURGERS, BRITISH COTTAGE PIES – WE LIST DOWN THE RESTAURANTS THAT SERVE THE BEST FROM THE WEST. Bello Café L1/12 Seri Kiulap Mall, Kiulap (673 2233989) Breakfast at Home Café #13, Spg 11, Jln Nenas Paun, STKRJ Katok B (673 7366204) Buccaneer Steak House 92-93 (B) 94 Grd Flr Jln McKerron, Kuala Belait (673 3330406) Casbah London Kebab #G2a Grd Flr Times Square Complex, Kg Jaya Setia (673 2343001) – Call for other branches Charcoal BBQ & Grill Restaurant Grd Flr Le Gallery Suites Hotel, Jln Tutong (673 2221171) Cheezbox Café External Café, Ramp A, The Mall, Gadong (673 2425506)

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Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

Fratini’s Restaurant #1 Grd Flr The Centrepoint Hotel, Gadong (673 2451200) – Call for other branches

Countrypatch Café 2& 3 Blk D, Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kiulap (673 2232368) – Call for other branches

New Star Box C18-19, Hau Man Yong Complex, Spg 88, Kg Kiulap (673 8207729) One More Pizza 4, Grd Flr, Spg 88-4-16, Jln Jame'Asr, Kg Kiulap (673 8396388) Pastamania G9A & G10A Grd Flr Times Square Shopping Centre, Jln Berakas (673 2338061) – Call for other branches Pepper Lunch Brunei C9/10 Grd Flr Setia Kenangan II, Kg Kiulap (673 2253000) – Call for other branches Phat Belly A9, GF, Block A, Lot 11620, Jln Gadong (673 8351700) Qasehmaisara Café House #206-209 2nd Flr Plaza Athirah, Jln Kubah Makam DiRaja (673 2789898) Red Canopy Restaurant #8 Blk A Q-Lap Complex, Kg Kiulap (673 2425855) Ricardo’s El Mariachi 223, Jln Sungai Tilong (673 7363139) Sorriso Restaurant & Pizzeria #14 Blk B Grd Flr Regent Square, Kiulap (673 2233030) Swensen’s #2.34-2.36 2nd Flr The Mall, Gadong (673 2451864)

Stac Patisserie 54, Blk G, Sunway Centre (673 7183168) Tasanne Fast Food Grd Flr, 13, Blk B, Sunway Centre, (673 8981117) – Call for other branches 8 Bytes 2, Blk D, 1st Flr, Kg Tanjong Bunut (673 8310522) CAFE HOPPING GOURMET, PREMIUMGRADE, SPECIALTY COFFEE – THIS LIST ACCOMMODATES THE BEST OF THE BURGEONING LOCAL COFFEE INDUSTRY. Batches Coffee #6, Grd Flr, Blk C, Bangunan Cenderawaseh Seri Sufri Complex Batu Satu, Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (673 7142900) Beanery & Co #81 A/1 Grd Flr, Jln Bunga Rambai, Kuala Belait (673 3347772) BELLUNO Café #2 Blk C Kiarong Complex, Kg Kiarong (673 2429010) Bicara Lab 2601, Jln Nakhoda Manis, Seria Black Whale G18A, Grd Flr, Blk C, Aman Hills Shopping Complex (673 2341473) - Call for other branches Brew Café & Bakery #47 Grd Flr Blk C Gadong Central, Menglait (673 2427554) Brew9 10, Grd Flr, The Walk, Beribi (673 2426986) – Call for other branches Caffé Verve #6A Spg 68, Jln Batu Bersurat (673 8757382) Coffeeby7t1 Spg 181-22, Kiarong, BSB (673 7373671) Coffee Field Cafe & Resto 5, Grd Flr, Blk A, Little Soho, Spg 73-5-8, Jln Batu Besurat (673 7229042) Countrypatch Café 2&3 Blk D Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kiulap (673 2232368) Dil Coffee Trail The Curve Complex, #5 Grd & 1st Flr, Blk E, Jln Batu Bersurat (673 8298786)

biG listings @foodcenzo

Noice D29, Bangunan Lim Eng Ming, Kg Kiulap (673 8266825)

CAFE HOPPING AT COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF

Piccolo Café #11 Jln McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 2241558)

@ Times Square Shopping Centre, Berakas 8AM-12AM

Roasted Sip 3, Grd Flr, Blk D, Spg 508, Jerudong Complex, Jln Jerudong (673 2610850) – Call for other branches Ri's Café #1, Spg 561, 1st Flr, Blk E, The Promenade Samakaya (673 8360544) – Call for other branches The Seventh Cup 1st Flr, Blk G, #54, Sunway Centre (673 8761290) The Krema Coffee #D31 Lim Eng Ming Complex Blk D, Kg Kiulap (673 8973600) T’s Coffee #6, Blk D, A1, Lower Grd Flr, 1 SKH Supermarket, Spg 561, The Promenade Samakaya, Jln Muara (673 7171089) The Slice by IA Gateaux Jalan Pretty, Kuala Belait (673 3338255 / 7374498) - Available on WA

LE TONKIN This might be the best Pho in Brunei. Run by a Vietnamese-Bruneian family, Le Tonkin brings the authentic flavours of Vietnamese cuisine to the capital and this restaurant is so popular, it’s nearly fully booked every day. Steaming bowls of beef noodle soup are the mainstay of Le Tonkin, and they really do it so well; the beef broth is light but flavourful, with a decent pile of slippery rice noodles and the all important slices of tender beef. No overcooked toughies here! Meat is separated by cut so you’ll get a shank cut in the basic bowls but feel free to add on some extra texture and flavours with the add-ons like tendon or brisket. They even have a hot-stone bowl of Pho with Wagyu slices served raw so you get just-cooked slices of buttery, meaty goodness. Yum. Go for their chicken version if beef isn’t your vibe. Make sure to order from the rest of the menu because we’re sure you’ll probably walk past tables with regret seeing the other dishes! We like the Garden Salad which is packed with lots of fresh veggies, a very addictive tangy-sweet sauce and optional grilled meat, and the Tapioca Prawn Dumplings which have a texture that’s part ambuyat, part chai kue, and 100% savoury goodness. #A14-15, 1st Flr, The Mirage, Jln James’ Asr, BSB IG: @letonkin.bn

@ Supa Save Mata-Mata, Beribi 8AM-12AM @ Maya Puri Building, Bandar 8AM-12AM

@ Supa Save Seria 7AM-11PM @ Seaview Hotel, KB 6.30AM-11PM @ Soon Lee Muara 9AM-8.30PM @ Soon Lee Berakas 9AM-9PM @ Hua Ho Manggis 9.30AM-9PM @ Rimba Point 9.30AM-9PM

@ CentrePoint, Gadong 8AM-12AM

@ Food Truck Sengkurong 9.30AM-9PM

@ One Riverside, Gadong 8AM-12AM

@ Food Truck Kiulap 11AM-9PM

@ One City Shopping Centre 9AM-12AM

DIVINE DINING

@ The Mall 10AM-9PM

EXQUISITE MEALS IN BEAUTIFUL SETTINGS – PERFECT FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

@ Yayasan Shopping Complex 10AM-9PM @ Jerudong Park Medical Centre 7.30AM-11PM @ Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre 7.30AM-11PM

I-Lotus 20 Spg 12-26 Perumahan Rakyat Jati, Kg Rimba (673 2422466) Santuari Panaga Club, Spg 464, Jalan Utara, Panaga, Seria (673 3372265)

Games & Lattes Café #E9 Grd Flr, Blk E Setia Kenangan II, Kiulap (673 2235200) Gongcha Between Spg. 98 & 106, Jln Muara, Serusop Delima (673 2339902) – Call for other branches Happy Cream 1, 1st Flr, Bgn Majid Mohd, Jln Pasar Baharuddin, Gadong (673 8158587) High Frequency Lifestyle Café 1st Flr Unit 5 Blk B Sempurna Complex, Batu Bersurat (673 2428262) HWC Coffee The Curve, #5, Grd Flr, Blk D, Batu Bersurat (673 8192289) - Call for other branches Kapra Coffee #26 Grd Flr, Blk C Spg 440, Jln Muara (673 2345656) Kazoku Kohi C1A, Grd Floor, Blk C, Spg 88, Shakirin Complex, Kampong Kiulap, Gadong B (673 8601112) Mr.Baker's Bakeshop Sumbiling, Istana Darussalam, #2, Grd Flr, Bangunan 28 (673 2231002) – Call for other branches

Our Passion, Your Moment.

CONTACT OUR HOTLINE AT 822 0326 OR FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @coffeebean_brunei

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45

biG listings Senja Restaurant 8 & 9 Grd Flr Seri Kiulap Complex (673 2235313)

Asian à la carte dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, 6PM to 9PM

Tarindak d’Polo Royal Brunei Polo & Riding Club, Jerudong (673 2612500)

Spaghettini Atrium, Level 6 Italian à la carte dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, 6PM to 10PM

Tarindak D’Seni Brunei Arts & Handicrafts Centre, Kota Batu (673 2240422) DIVINE DINING AT THE EMPIRE BRUNEI Atrium Café Atrium, Level 3 Breakfast buffet from 6.30AM to 11AM

Zen Pavilion beyond Pantai, Level 1 Japanese cuisine with teppanyaki grill à la carte dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, 6PM to 9PM Zest Atrium, Level 5 Light meals, beverages, pastries, desserts and homemade ice cream Daily 6AM to 12Midnight

Dinner buffet from Saturday to Monday, 6PM to 10PM

The Empire Brunei, Jerudong (673 2418888)

Lobby Lounge Atrium, Level 5 À la carte menu from 12 Noon to 10PM

GO GREEN

Afternoon Tea on Public Holidays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2PM to 6PM Pantai Beachfront, Level 1 À la carte lunch from 12 Noon to 3pm

HEALTHY AND VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY OPTIONS Brunei Detox Bar 9 Grd Flr, Abdul Razak Complex, BE3519

SULBINGSOO KOREAN DESSERT CAFÉ Cool, generous, and IG-worthy – yes, we’re talking about the food at Sulbingsoo! The desserts are Instagram-worthy concoctions that just beg a spot on your IG feed, with a good selection of bingsoo that incorporate unique combinations are really worth trying. For a coffee kick, we love the Tiramisu and Espresso which has fluffy whipped cream, cocoa powder and a real shot of espresso coffee. Try their fusion varieties which merge soft cheesecake chunks with sweet fruit like strawberry or mango. This is also an underrated spot to head to for fuss-free Korean meals as well, and if you’re with a group then you have to get the Army Stew! It’s fun, easy eating that packed with lots of ingredients and that piece de resistance, a slice of processed cheese to swirl into the spicy soup. #B7 Grd & M Flr Shakirin Complex, Kiulap BSB Tel: 673-223 4271 IG: @sulbingsoo.bn

CHICKEN BOSS BRUNEI The sign says ‘Your search for the best chicken in town is over!’ and perhaps it is! This new contender in the fried chicken scene is bringing Taiwan’s beloved fried chicken chop to the table – complete with flavours that are going to keep you coming back for more! It’s fun and easy to eat if you’re on the move, and as far as snacks go, probably a better choice than a packet of crisps. So why not? Indulge In Chicken Boss's original Five Spice flavour if you want to see what the hype is about, or go for fire with the numbing Mala.

@chickenbossbrunei 46

Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

SKH Promenade, Grd Flr, Sg Hanching Baru, BSB Tel: 673-707 4431 IG: @chickenbossbrunei

Mituo Vegetarian Restaurant Grd Flr Pg Anak Puteri Norain Complex, Batu Satu (673 2222821)

My Fried Chicken Grd Flr, Freshco Food Junction, Times Square, Kg Jaya Setia (673 8686861)

Golden Leaf Coffee House Blk 1, Grd Flr, PAP Hjh Norain Building, Jln Batu Satu (673 2220422) – Call for other branches

Pureland Vegetarian Restaurant #15 Blk B Grd Flr Bgn Hj Awg Ahmad bin Hassan & Anak-anak, Kiulap (673 2236503)

Pan & Wok Grd Flr, Spg 98, Bangunan Hjh Dyg Damit Bte Panglima Asgar Dato Paduka Hj Awg Abdullah, Delima Satu, Berakas A (673 2342399) – Call for other branches

Phongmun Restaurant 2nd Flr Teck Guan Plaza Jln Sultan, BSB (673 2229561)

The Daun 1 & 2, Grd Flr, Blk A, Wisma P H Apong, SPG150, Kiulap (673 8628888) TienSing Vegetarian & Catering Restaurant 21-22 Bangunan Hj Hassan II, Jln Gadong, Kg Menglait (673 2454988) Veggie Recipe No.20, Grd Flr, Blk B, Simpang 150, Regent Square (673 2236276) QUICK EATS FAST AND DELICIOUS MEALS FOR THOSE ON THE GO Burger King Grd Flr, Citis Square, Kpg Jaya Setia, Berakas A, Brunei-Muara (673 2330760) – Call for other branches

RBC Express Fast Food #1 Grd Flr, Blk A, Bangunan Hj Matussin, Kg Kiulap (673 2237253) Top Nosh Café #1, Grd Flr, Bangunan Majid Mohammad, Spg 235-7, Jln Pasar Gadong (673 2453889) Wayback Burgers #B10-11, Setia Kengan II, Kg Kiulap (673 2236882) NON-HALAL OPTIONS Big Mama's Spg. 88, Kampong Kiulap, Kiulap Commercial Area, Brunei Muara (673 223 6699) Ban Hiong Restaurant #1, Spg 600, Bunut, Kilanas, Brunei-Muara (673 2652426)

Shi Li Xiang Blk E,Unit E3-G, The Curve, Batu Bersurat, Brunei Muara (673 2356688) Wei’s Kitchen #22, Grd Flr, Blk B, Simpang 21, Gadong Central (673 7142686)

biG listings

Sabah & Sarawak The restaurants and eateries listed are arranged by food types, and not in order of our preference. Reviews are written from a typical diner’s perspective and written based on actual visits to the establishments listed, without the prior knowledge of the restaurants. Information given on menus, hours or prices may change and should be checked.

Credit Cards : AE | American Express MC | MasterCard V | Visa

EAT (SABAH) AL FRESCO Grd Flr, Boulevard, The Magellan Sutera, Resort 1, Sutera Harbour, 88100 Kota Kinabalu (6017 813 8687) BORNEO WILD TREASURE Lot 23A Blk C, Grd Flr, Bundusan Square, Jln Bundusan, Penampang (6013 701 1622) BRASS MONKEY CAFE & BAR Lot No. 1-0, Lorong Lintas Plaza 4, Kota Kinabalu (6088 748 797) CAFE BOLEH @ SUTERA HARBOUR RESORT 1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard, Sutera Harbour, 88300 Kota Kinabalu (6088 303 671) CAFÉ DE VIE 6, Blk D, Metro Town Lorong Metro 3, Kota Kinabalu (6014 332 6131) CAFÉ HARU 1, Jln Lintas, Kolam Centre, Kota Kinabalu (6010 935 1233) EMPEROR’S DELIGHT Lot 111, opposite ESSO Station Jln Pantai, Sabak Bernam District (6088 288 686) GAM TONG HONG KONG RECIPE Lot 2, Grd Flr, Blk A, City Mall 88300 Kota Kinabalu (6018 327 9696) GRANDCHAMP’S CAVE & SHOP S3, Grd Flr, Blk B, The Peak Vista, Kota Kinabalu (6088 261 886) HUT STEAK HOUSE & RESTAURANT Grd Flr, Lot 29, Blk E, Damai Plaza, Phase 3, Luyang 88300 Kota Kinabalu (6088 238 558) IN RESTAURANT #1-6, 1st Flr, By-pass, Latitud 6, Jln Lintas, Taman Bunga Raja (Phase 3 & 4), 88450 Kota Kinabalu (6016 831 4668) JOTHY’S FISH HEAD CURRY & BANANA LEAF Blk 1, Lot G9, Api-Api Centre, Lorong Api-Api, Jln Centre Point, 88000 Kota Kinabalu (6012 414 8533)

KEDAI KOPI YEE FUNG 127, Jln Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu (6088 312 042) KOHINOOR NORTH INDIAN RESTAURANT Lot 4 The Waterfront Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu (6088 235 160) LITTLE ITALY Grd Flr Hotel Capital Jln Hj Saman, Kota Kinabalu (6088 232 231) MAD BEN CAFÉ Lot 121, Jalan Gaya, 88000, Kota Kinabalu (6088 255 073) MAI YAI THAI ORCHID RESTAURANT Lot 13 KK Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu (6088 234 841) MDM ING FISH NOODLE Lot 21 Towering Koidupan Perdana Jln Tambunan, Penampang (6016 831 8726) NAGASAKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Lot 0-3A, Grd Flr Latitude 6, Jalan Lintas By-pass, Taman Bunga Raja (Phase 3 & 4), 88450 Kota Kinabalu (6088 216 623) NAM CHAI RESTAURANT BAH KUT TEH Grd Flr, Blk D, Jln Leila, Bandar Nam Tung, 90000, Sandakan (6089 612 603) NISHIKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Lot 29, Grd Flr, Blk E, Iramanis Centre, Jln Lintas, Kota Kinabalu (6088 473 348) OCTOBER COFFEE ROASTERS 5-0 Grd Flr, Lorong Bunga Raja 9, Latitude 6 Commercial Centre, Kota Kinabalu (6014 307 2455) OITOM RESTAURANT #B-1-12, Blk B,1st Flr, Sutera Avenue Lorong Lebuh Sutera, Off, 1, Sutera Avenue, 88100 Kota Kinabalu (6014 329 9375) ORION JAPANESE RESTAURANT Blk B, Grd Flr, Lot 14, Lorong Damai Point Commercial Centre, Jln Damai, Kota Kinabalu (6011 168 09012) PASTA PASTA 77 Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu (6088 280 790)

PEPPERMINT VIETNAMESE CUISINE 81, Jln Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (6088 231 130) RESTORAN SRI MENANTI Pekan Sikuati, Kudat (6010 957 3959) SAKAGURA JAPANESE RESTAURANT G-23 & G-25, Oceanus Waterfront Mall, Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, 88000, Kota Kinabalu (6012 817 3604) SANTOLA BAR CAFÉ 29, Jln Kilang, SEDCO Industrial Estate, Kota Kinabalu (6016 678 8472) SENG HING COFFEE SHOP Blk E, Lot 10, Sinsuran Complex, Kota Kinabalu (6088 21 1594) SHONEY'S DINING Lot 52, Jln Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu (6016 886 8786) SUANG TAIN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT No. 16, Blk D, Grd Flr, SEDCO Complex, Kg Air, Kota Kinabalu (6011 261 55796) SUPUL KOREAN BBQ RESTAURANT Lot S-1-8, 1st Flr, City Mall (above Secret Recipe), Jln Lintas, Kota Kinabalu (6088 448 844) THE ENGLISH TEA HOUSE & RESTAURANT 2002 Jln Istana, 90000 Sandakan (6089 222 544) TOSCANI’S Lot 14, The Waterfront, Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu (6012 833 3609) THE BEAN CAFÉ Lot 8-1, 1st Flr, Lido Plaza, Jln Nosoob, Penampang (6088 703 884) Café with a sofa lounge serving coffee and drinks, sandwiches, toasts, waffles, and desserts URBAN KITCHEN Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman, Asia City, 88000 Kota Kinabalu (6088 356 000) YOSHIMI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Warisan Square, Kota Kinabalu (6088 488 388)

NON HALAL

MASITDA You can never have enough Korean eateries wherever you are, especially when they’re as good as The Masitda. Previously a home-based affair, the new restaurant provides a humble and comfortable setting to enjoy some good old Korean barbeque with your favourite people.

With their refillable side dishes and a fuss-free ambience to complement their authentic Korean dishes, Masitda has built a reputation among local and foreign patrons who keep coming back for more. Hearty stews, steaming soups, delectable kimbaps and delicious noodles and rice dishes, there’s no end to the affordable yet mouthwatering fare that is served out of The Masitda’s kitchen. The restaurant also offers delivery (and takeaway) services for days when you just want to indulge your stomach from the comfort of your own home.

98000, Miri, Faradale Commerical Centre, Jalan Bulan Sabit Tel: 6014-9010834/ 014-9010834 (for Whatsapp purposes)

BUENAS FILIPINO LECHON & RESTAURANT 329, Phase 4, Parkcity Commerce Square, Jin. Tun Ahmad Zaidi, Bintulu (6086 310 860)

YU KEE BAK KUT TEH 74, Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6088 221 192)

EAT (SARAWAK)

CAFÉ CAFÉ AT ORIGINAL CARWASH 24, Rubber Rd, Kuching (6082 256 396)

APOLLO SEAFOOD CENTRE 4 South Yu Seng Road, Miri (6085 420 813) APPLE RESTAURANT 76-79 Grd Flr, Parkcity Commercial Centre, Jln Tun Ahmad Zaidi, 97000 Bintulu (6086 333 377) AROMA CAFÉ 126 Jln Tabuan, Kuching (6013 579 8641) BEE HIONG RESTAURANT CAFÉ 157G Jln Muhibbah, Lawas (6085 285 137) BISMI RESTAURANT 947 Jln Parry, Sarawak (6085 416 872) BLA BLA BLA 27, Jln Tabuan, 93000, Kuching (6082 2330944) BLACK BEAN COFFE & TEA 87, Ewe Hai Street, 93000 Kuching (6082 420 290)

CAPITAL RESTAURANT 86 Jln Keppel, Bintulu (6086 331 160) CARVERY RESTAURANT 22, Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuching (6082 239 449) CHEF AT HOME Min Chu Garden, 93200, 93250 Kuching (6016 858 5159) CHUAN HONG RESTAURANT 123 Jln Council SAman (6083 322 466) CROWN DYNASTY RESTAURANT Wisma Perniagaan dan Perindustrian Cina, Lot 2657, Jln Tun Razak, Tanjung Batu 97000 Bintulu (6086 335 908) CRUMB ARTISAN BAKERY & CAFE D-G-13A Miri Times Square,Marina ParkCity, 98000 Miri (6085 421 913)

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biG listings CUPPA-KAP COFFEE Commercial Centre, Tabuan Heights Commercial Centre, 43, Jalan Song, Tabuan Heights, Kuching (6016 856 5533) DYNASTY CHINESE RESTAURANT Lot 683, Block 9, Jalan PujutLutong, CDT No.20, Lot 683, 98009 Miri (6085 424 000) EARTHLINGS COFFEE WORKSHOP Soho East, Sublot 16 Grd Flr, Lot 188, Jln Wan Alwi Lorong 5, Kuching (6011 100 31208) ESCOBAR SF3 Damai Central, Pantai Damai, Kampung Santubong, 93050 Kuching (60 13-822 6900) FARLEY BAKERY 11, Lor Salim 17, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak (60 16-369 4924)

HOCK CHU LEU RESTAURANT Jln Tukang Besi, 96000 Sibu (6084 316 523) IMPERIAL RESTAURANT Grd Flr, Imperial Hotel, Lot 827, 98000, Jln Pos, 98000 Miri (6085 431 133) IMPERIAL DUCK RESTAURANT 313, Jalan Chan Bee Kiew, 93100 Kuching (6082 336 313) JAMES BROOKE BISTRO & CAFÉ Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman, 93100 Kuching (6082 412 210) JUBILEE RESTAURANT 49 India St, 93000 Kuching (6082 245 626) KHAN’S ISLAMIC RESTAURANT Lot- 229, Jln Maju, Miri (6016 577 1901)

FEAST & FURIOUS CAFÉ 244, Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman (6013 780 1541)

LAGENDA HILLS Lot 1442 Section 64, 2, Q5A, Kampung Kenyalang Park, 93350 Kuching (6019 262 8888)

FISHERMAN RESTAURANT 4 Jln Chew Geok Lin, Sibu (6084 316 888)

LEPAU RESTAURANT 99, Jalan Ban Hock, 93100 Kuching (6012 884 5383)

FRATINI’S RESTAURANT Lot 2512, Grd Flr, Blk 5, Boulevard Commercial Centre, Miri (6085 431 115)

L.L. BANANA LEAF Rubber Road, 7G, Lorong Rubber 1, 93400 Kuching (60 10-961 3603)

FU XIANG FOOD COURT Rubber Road, 93400 Kuching (6019 817 0739)

LIM HOCK ANN 96, Kg Buntal Kuching (6082 846 533)

@foodhuntasia

ADLA BEEF AND LAMB NOODLES Brothy beef or lamb noodles in the morning, why not? ADLA is a favourite spot for locals to have breakfast at and what a hearty meal it’ll be! This is a muslim-friendly restaurant that’s been dishing out their special bowl of a savoury stewed beef or lamb topped over Sarawak’s famously springy yellow noodles and a good glug of broth to sauce it all up. Slurpalicious. The original beef version has a soup base that’s reminiscent of Hong Kong style stewed beef noodle soup, so expect a bowl full of comfort when you order this. The beef broth is slightly herbal and garlicky, but unlike some beef soups that favour keeping in the rendered oil from the beef fat, ADLA’s version feels much cleaner when slurped down.

The soup is usually served in a separate bowl to the noodles and meat. Team #NoTaugeh (bean sprouts) should make a point to ask for none. If lamb is more your preferred meat, then this is a great place to stop in. Adla makes a different broth for this version of their noodle bowls and it feels closer to a Western-styled stew with lots of carrots to give the soup a sweeter edge, and it’s equally as delicious. You can also get nice jellified chunks of tendon in their ‘Beef Special’ and ‘Tendon Special’ varieties, and for someone who loves the chewy collagen-giving bits this is true heaven. Mornings are packed since it’s next to an open food court which you can also order from so plan accordingly if this is where you want to start your day!

Lot 276, Grd Flr Corner, Lot 286, Jln Padungan 93100 Kuching, Malaysia

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LOK THIAN RESTAURANT 2nd Flr, No. 317-319, Jln Chan Bee Kiew, Off Jln Padungan, Kuching (6082 331 310)

SEE GOOD FOOD CENTRE 53, Lot 228-229, Jln Ban Hock, 93100 Kuching (6082 232 609)

LU LAI VEGETARIAN Lot 3640 & 3641, Grd Flr, 3rd Mile, Jln Rock, Taman Timberland, 93206 Kuching (6010 797 6677)

SHERATON RESTAURANT Persiaran Brooke, Sibu (6084 336 341)

MENAWAN RESTAURANT Grd Floor, Imperial Palace Hotel Lot 1120 Blk 7 Jalan Sehati MCLD 98000 MIRI (6085 432 299) MARCO POLO RESTAURANT Blk 31, Grd Flr, WIWO Hotel, Sublot 116-124, Lot 7668, Bintulu Sentral (6019 815 7277) MEDAN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 56, Jln Mdn Setiaraja, Mukah (6084 874 145) MERRY GARDEN CAFE Lorong 1, Jln Kelab, 95000 Sri Aman (6010 983 6178) MING XIN COFFEE HOUSE Lot 1623, Grd Flr, Technip Building, Jln Pujut 1A, Miri (6085 628 839) MOMOYAMA Lot 1A & 2A, Grd Flr, Wisma Phoenix, Jln Song Thian Cheok 93100 Kuching (6082 420 561) NEW SEA VIEW CAFE & RESTAURANT No. 3 & 4, Grd Flr, BBC Industrial Estate, Shoplot Mile, 5, Bintulu-Miri Highway, 97000 Bintulu (6086 318 924) NOODLE DESCENDANTS No. 188, Grd Flr Lot 18, Section 52, Padungan Rd, Kuching PIN PIN CAFÉ 18 Jln Ong Guan Cheng, Sarawak (6082 763 486) PORTICO Park Lane, Kuching (6012 313 8046) ROCK ROAD SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Lot 1229-1231, Jln Batu Kinyang, Kuching (6011 105 71575) ROCK ROAD SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 1230 Jln Rock Bt 2½ , Kuching (6082 241 575) ROOTS & BLISS CAFE Grd Flr, Sublot 68, Survey Lot 3569, TT3 Plaza, Tabuan Tranquility Phase 3 Stage 2, Jln Canna, Kuchin (6016 428 3889) SALLEH’S CORNER CAFÉ Grd Flr, Bgn Kedai, Kg Tunku (RPR II), Jln Astana, Kuching(6012 807 8733)

SUSHI KING The Spring Lot No. G40A, Food Bazaar, Ground Floor, Q5A, 93350 (60 86-340 363) SUSHI TIE Ground Floor ,Lot 43, Block C1, Saradise, 93250, 93350 Kuching (6016 828 1228) TEDUH SEDJENAK 100, Lorong Permata 6, Min Chu Garden, 93200 Kuching (6012 443 2143) TEN-ICHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT 315-319, Bgn Bee San, Jln Padungan, Kuching (6014 699 2960) TEO SEAFOOD 787, Jln Kg Buntal, Kuching (6082 846 532) THE JUNK 80, Jln Wayang, Kuching (6016 889 2044) TOM’S RESTAURANT 160, Jln Padungan, Kuching (6016 889 9137) TREMENDOUS CAFE SARAWAK Lot 3550, Grd Flr, Al-Bayt Square, 98000 Miri (6010 549 7362) WARUNG NASI KUNING Blk 16, Grd Flr, Lot 10520, Jln Tun Jugah, Kuching (6082 451 685) XIN TSUI SIANG KITCHEN SDN. BHD. Grd Flr, Pardels A-1-16 & 17, Jln Petanak, 93100 Kuching (6082 414 616) YOFFEE CAFE Shoplot No. 3, Meditel Lot 133 & 157, Section 21, KTLD, Jln Tun Abang Haji Openg, Kuching (6011 168 44628) ZHUN SAN YEN VEGETARIAN Grd Flr, Lot 165, Jln Chan Chin Ann, 93100 Kuching (6016 868 7000)

biG essentials

BRUNEI BANKS Banks in Brunei Darussalam are usually open Mondays to Fridays, 9am - 4pm and on Saturdays, 9am 11am. Some banks have branches with later closing times. Islamic banks follow the same operation hours except on Fridays when they are closed for prayers between 11am - 2.30pm.

Cash withdrawals and deposits can be made from Automated Teller Machines (ATM) that can be found in various shopping complexes and bank branches all over the country. ATM cards affiliated with the international Plus or Cirrus systems are accepted at most ATMs.

CREDIT CARDS VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards in hotels, restaurants and major shopping complexes.

Some establishments accept American Express.

$

Money Changer Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, hotels, various shopping complexes and banks. To cash or exchange travelers cheques, visit major international banks in the capital.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS FRIDAY PRAYER TIME

All retail, food and beverage outlets and business offices are closed between 12 noon and 2pm on Fridays to observe the Friday prayer time for Muslims.

Islamic Etiquette Although Islam is the state religion of Brunei Darussalam, it is also a country that prides itself on the diversity of its people – including their religions. Visitors are welcome to mosques, provided some etiquette is followed. In general, proper attire is required; women are required to cover their head, shoulders, and knees.

Some mosques will provide simple robes and shawls to meet these standards. Shoes are to be removed before entering a mosque. Please do not pass in front of people in prayer, and do not touch the Al-Quran. Please ask for permission before taking photographs – particularly inside!

Mosques are usually closed on Thursday and Friday, and during prayer times – your hotel, tour guide, or Muslim locals can help you determine a good time to visit.

Most public phones operate on prepaid calling cards which can be obtained in all major shopping areas and retail stores.

Mobile prepaid SIM cards are also available for purchase at DST Communications Sdn Bhd (DST Com), Imagine Sdn Bhd, and Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd (PCSB) service counters as well as the respective authorised vendors’ stores.

Taxis

TOURIST

INFORMATION

CENTRE

Located at the Art Gallery at the Royal Wharf. Visitors can obtain information about Brunei and related pamphlets and maps free from here during working hours (Mon-Thurs & Sat from 9am-12.15pm & 1.30pm4.30pm).

BUSES There are six bus routes servicing the BSB area. Normal operating hours are from 6am-8pm. Bus fares start from B$1.00. Buses heading to other towns in Brunei such as Tutong, Kuala Belait and Seria depart from the bus terminal located at the multistorey carpark on Jalan Cator in BSB.

WATER

Smoking Smoking is prohibited in both air-conditioned and non airconditioned areas in Brunei Darussalam. Smoking is banned in specific places, including government buildings, hospitals, recreational and educational centres, public transport and restaurants. Offenders could be fined.

Metered taxis can be found at the airport, hotels, shopping centres, and the central bus station in Bandar Seri Begawan. Alternatively, grab a Dart Taxi using the ‘Dart’ app - a taxi booking application that can be downloaded at the App Store and Google Play.

TAXIS Unique to Brunei, the water taxi is the most common means of transportation in Kampong Ayer.

You can hail a water taxi from the numerous jetties along the banks of Brunei River. Fares are negotiable but usually a standard ride costs about B$1.00. Regular boat services to Temburong operate between 6am-4.30pm daily and a one way trip costs B$7.00.

FERRY SERVICES Passenger ferry services to the Malaysian island of Labuan operate from 7am to 4pm and departs from the Serasa Terminal in Muara town. The journey takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

KALIMANTAN Banks

In Pontianak, banks open from 8am to 3pm from Mondays to Fridays and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. ATM machines are available 24 hours. Major shopping malls also have ATM machines and are available during operating hours.

CREDIT CARDS While major credit cards such as Mastercard, Visa and American Express are accepted in establishments in the bigger cities, it is advisable to carry cash in small denominations especially around remote areas.

$ Money Changer

Licensed money changers can be found in most cities and major banks.

www.wamadesigns.com @wama_designs

AIR TRAVEL

Unit 2 & 3, First Floor, Wisma LCY Gadong, Spg. 92, Jln. Gadong, Kg. Pengkalan Gadong, Mukim Gadong B Bandar Seri Begawan, BE 3719, Brunei Darussalam

LEARN

The Supadio International Airport is the main airport of Pontianak and West Kalimantan, and is located 17km away from the city limits. The airport serves direct domestic flights to other cities in Indonesia, and is also the terminal for international flight carrier AirAsia.

A LINGO

TELECOMMUNICATIONS It is possible to make IDD phone calls at payphones using coins or call cards. You can also register for a SIM card at most telecommunications shops or at the airport. Most major hotels have WIFI in guest rooms or public areas, and an increasing number of restaurants also have WIFI zones.

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Ferry Services The Pontianak Crossing Port allows ferry connection to other cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and Batam.

TOURIST INFORMATION For more information, visit: www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations/kalimantan

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Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

aD

u su

n

io n lat

"Nokoakan ko noh?"

Taxis

Taxis can be found at the international airport, shopping malls and other public places.

hT r an s

"Have you eaten?"

Tourist Information Centre

SABAH Banks

Banks open from 9am to 4pm from Mondays to Fridays and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. ATM machines are available 24 hours. Major shopping malls also have ATM machines and are available during operating hours.

CREDIT CARDS Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards at hotels, restaurants and major shopping malls. Some establishments do accept American Express.

$

Money Changer

Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, shopping malls, hotels and major banks.

SARAWAK Banks

Banks open from 9.30am to 3pm from Mondays to Fridays and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

ATM machines are available 24 hours. Major shopping malls also have ATM machines and are available during operating hours.

CREDIT CARDS Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards at hotels, restaurants and major shopping malls. Some establishments do accept American Express.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Buses

There are three main bus terminals that operate regular services. The terminal along Jalan Tun Razak provides services within the city and its outskirts. For destinations south of the city (Papar, Beaufort, Tenom, Tambunan, Keningau), use the terminal near Padang Merdeka.

For any other destinations north of the city and all the way to the east coast towns of Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Semporna, you have to take a bus to the Kota Kinabalu North Bus Terminal in Inanam and from there proceed to your destination of choice. Kinabalu Park is located en route from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.

AIR TRAVEL

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is the second busiest airport in Malaysia and is the main terminal for Malaysia Airlines, MASWings, Firefly, Royal Brunei Airlines, Dragonair, Scoot and Asiana Airlines.

Taxis

Taxis are available at the airport terminal and cost about RM30.00 to get to the city.

The journey takes between 10-15 minutes. Within the city, taxi stations are located next to major shopping malls and hotels. Long distance taxi services can be found next to Padang Merdeka.

Buses

A free city-tram service is available for sightseeing around Kuching with pick up points at designated hotels. A daily bus service between Kuching and the airport operates from 6am-7pm and takes 40 minutes. The main intercity bus terminal is at Penrissen Bus Terminal southeast of Kuching. Ask Tourism Information Centres for bus timetables; a ‘green bus’ in the Kuching area goes to Santubong (SCV).

AIR TRAVEL

Kuching International Airport services airlines to destinations within Malaysia and overseas via Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Firefly, Tiger Airways, Royal Brunei, Scoot and Batavia Air (Pontianak, Kalimantan).

A network of services using smaller aircrafts provides access to remote destinations within Sarawak such as Bario, Mulu and Ba Kelalan.

Money Changer

$

It is possible to make IDD phone calls at payphones using coins or call cards. Prepaid calling cards are also widely available by authorized dealers at shopping malls. Most major hotels have WIFI facility either in their guest rooms or public areas. An increasing number of restaurants now have WIFI zones too.

Cybercafés offer very affordable rates for internet services.

Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, shopping malls, hotels and major banks. Some money changers may not accept foreign currency in small denomination or notes with a date or serial number that they don’t approve of.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

It is possible to make IDD phone calls at payphones using coins or call cards.

Prepaid calling cards are also widely available by authorized dealers at shopping malls.

Most major hotels have WIFI facility either in their guest rooms or public areas.

An increasing number of restaurants now have WIFI zones too. Cybercafés offer very affordable rates for internet services.

Sabah Tourism Board Jalan Gaya Tel: (6088) 212 121 Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sinsuran Complex Tel: (6088) 232 121 Tourism Malaysia (Sabah) Api Api Centre Tel: (6088) 211 732 Visitors’ Information Centre Terminal 1 Tel: (6088) 413 359 Visitors’ Information Centre Terminal 2 Tel: (6088) 447 075

Ferry Services Jesselton Point is the main terminal for boats to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands and to Labuan Island. If you wish to drive to Labuan, use the ferry terminal at Menumbok south of the city where car ferries are available.

Express Boats and Ferry Services A boat service locally known as tambang is available for the short trip across Kuching River to the riverside villages on the other side and along the river for sightseeing. Fast and comfortable express boats connect coastal towns (Kuching, Sibu, Kapit) and villages on the major rivers in Sarawak.

The Express Ferry Terminal in Kuching offers trips to Sibu and onwards to Kapit for upriver journeys. Take a bus from Sibu to Miri for ferries to Brunei and onwards to Labuan island and Kota Kinabalu.

Taxis

Taxi fare from Kuching Tourist airport to the city cost about Information Kuching Visitors’ Information Centre Centre RM22.00 per way. Taxies are Tel: (6082) 410 944/2 easily found at large hotels, or at taxi stands in all the major Miri Visitors’ towns in Sarawak. Taxis don’t use Information Centre meters so always negotiate the Tel: (6085) 434 181 fare before getting into a cab!

Sibu Visitors’ Information Centre Tel: (6084) 340 980

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biG navigator

Aman Hills

b an

Times Square Hotel

Edinburgh Palace National Stadium

Kg Jaya Setia

Bank/ ATM/ Money Changer

Jala

Prime Minister Office Building

n Pe

Brunei International Airport

hra ya

S ul

tan

Haji H

as sa na

Place of Interest

J a l a n Kg K

RIPAS Hospital

The One

One Riverside

SEE KIULAP MAP

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Tourist Information Centre Public Transport

n t e ri

Batu Satu Badiah Hotel

g ton

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Ash Shaliheen Mosque

Kg Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery

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Restaurant

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Ja Tase k L ama l an

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Royal Brunei Airlines Golf Club

Jala nP erd an

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SEE BANDAR MAP

SEE GADONG MAP

Tungku hraya Leb u an Jal

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Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah

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MataMata

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Grand City Hotel

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Police Headquarters

J a la

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Istana Nurul Iman

Bab

Trader's Inn

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Batu Bersurat

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Jame’ Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque

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Shop

Mabohai i Shopping Complex

Brunei Arts & Handicraft Centre Kampong Ayer

eribi Jal a n Per s a haan B u

Qing Yun Hotel

h iangge

Tasek Lama Recreational Park

Mulia Hotel

D’Anggerek

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Embassy Row

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Mentiri Utama Jalan

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Sunway Centre

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General Post Office Bandar Seri Begawan & Brunei Stamp Gallery

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The Royal Regalia Building

Public Toilet Tourist Information Centre

Chinese Temple

Dewan Bahasa (Library)

Jalan St

Jalan Tutong

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1968

Jalan

Ja la n

I s ta n

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2 1968 Coronation Arch

5 mins

10

10 mins 3 Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque

9 Timepiece Stone Monument

Raja Ayang Mausoleum 10 mins

2 Coronation Arch

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

iling

5 mins

Eco-Corridor Bandar Seri Begawan

4 Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien

8 Dewan Majlis and Lapau 5 mins

5 mins

7 The Royal Regalia 10 mins

5 The Secretariat Building 6 Lapau Lama Building

5 mins

5 mins

10 mins 1 Former Royal Customs & Excise Building / Art Gallery 11 Tamu Kianggeh

Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

Jalan Roberts

Yayasan SHHB Complex

Hotel

52

Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery

Takaful IBB Building

Jalan Pretty

Syariah Courts

Tamu Selera (Hawker Stalls)

Bank/ ATM/ Money Changer

Public Transport

4 Sir Taman Omar Ali Saifuddien

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SUNGAI BRUNEI

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11

Jalan Pemancha

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MAP

KIAN SUNGAI

Jab Gym

Jalan Elizabeth Dua

WALKING

Pavo Point

Kianggeh Jetty

Kota Batu

Tamu Kianggeh

Dermaga Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan

elia PusatCBentre) (Youth

Jubilee Hotel

tor Jalan Ca

Capital Residence Suites

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Place of Interest

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Wafa Hotel & Apartment

biG navigator

GADONG

MAP

SUNGAI MENG

Rizqun International Hotel

Block J Hj Tahir Complex 2

Sim pa ng 37

Block G

Block A

Block F Block B

Block C

The Mall, Gadong

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Gadong Night Market (Pasar Pelbagai Barangan Gadong)

The Centrepoint Jaya Hotel Hypermart

N

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Taib ATM/MFM Machines

Guan Electrical Sim pa ng

37

BAN HALIMGUNAN SAADIAATUL H

Jala n Pa sar

Gad on g

Centrepoint

Public Transport

Hua Ho

SUN

GAI

KIULAP

MAP

J & Lof Cafe

IGS College

J Hotel

PUMA Sports Nation & Cycle Nation

Roasted Sip

Coffee Bean

Tian & Chuan Building

Bangunan Lim Eng Ming Impiana Jaya Complex

Kampung Kiulap BIBD Bank

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Hj A

gun

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Bangunan Haji Abdul Rahman

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Public Transport Taib Kiulap Branch

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Seri Kiulap Complex Baiduri Bank

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Clinic

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Setia Kena

Building

g Yon lap Man x Kiu Hau Comple mersial

Police Station

Kiulap Plaza Hotel

Wisma Pengiran Hj Apong The Daun

Kopi Lain Hati

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Fitness Zone

Seri Qlap Mall

Yong Clinic

SUN

Restaurant

Palm Garden Hotel

mplex

Bank/ ATM/ Money Changer

Regent Square

IT

lap

Shop

GLA

Shakirin Co

Post Office

MEN

mersial Kiu n Ko Jala

Setia Kenangan II Complex

One Riverside

Urairah Complex Post Office

Lee Clinic

Bangunan Begawan Pehin Dato Hj Mohd Yusof Higher Point

Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

53

biG screen

Here's to you, Good-Looking!

There’s no shortage of films revolving around beauty and drawing up a list of contenders for this issue’s Screen was no easy task – we dive headfirst into the world of films deliver a list of our favourite movies that address the idea of personal beauty, and themes related to it.

There are some classics, debatable picks and new finds to pop into the weekend watch list.

Clueless (1995) Starring Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, Directed by Amy Heckerling A Screen review on beauty without including 90’s smash hit, Clueless? Ugh, as if! The comedy-romance starring Alicia Silverstone propelled the then unknown actress into stardom for her role as Cher Horowitz, a stylish, popular, and good-natured teenager, who lives in a Beverly Hills mansion with her wealthy, widowed father who is a bigshot lawyer in Beverly Hills. Silverstone and the cast give great performances here, fully embodying their characters with ease and stage presence – it is a masterclass in script and acting that we remain charmed by Cher’s self-absorbed innocence. After a successful hand at matchmaking her teachers Mr. Wall and Ms. Geist, Cher decides to dedicate herself to more good deeds by revamping new student, Tai (also played brilliantly by the enigmatic Brittany Murphy).

In between, there are misdirected connections, and Cher’s iconic realisation that she may be in love with her goofy, bookish stepbrother played by the un-aging Paul Rudd. It’s a classic that never gets old and it definitely worth a rewatch even after two decades later.

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Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

Beauty and the Beast (1991) Starring Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise Yup, we’re going old-school Disney for this one. Whatever age you were when you first saw this, we’re going to bet on it being kinda life-changing.

And if watching The Beast become a vulnerable empathic being thanks to the power of true love didn’t do anything to you, we’re not sure you’re human. All joke aside, this is a cult classic of many a childhood and in our opinion, peak Disney content from the time when cartoons were less about distraction and more about real storytelling. If you’ve not seen this cult classic, we’re sorry for the spoilers but it’s still worth watching, especially before attempting to see the live-action remake form 2017 that stars Emma Watson.

Miss Congeniality (2000) Starring Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, Candice Bergen Directed by Donald Petrie Following the classic trope of Cinderella, this modern day centers around Gracie Hart, a tomboy FBI agent known to be tough but ‘unladylike’, makes a rash decision an important raid operation to save a choking mob boss. She is demoted to a desk job but soon after, the agency receives news of a domestic terror threat to the Miss United States beauty pageant in Texas state. It’s a classic film, that centers on the stunning performance by Sandra Bullock, as well as the rest of the cast, and is one of those films which everyone seems to love no matter how old it gets. The film’s popularity even spawned a sequel - Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous.

biG screen

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Starring Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, Alan Arkin Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris

Yves Saint Laurent (2014)

Zoolander (2001) Starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Christine Taylor Directed by Ben Stiller A satirical comedy that pokes fun at the fashion and model industry, this is another one from the Classics vault because nobody came out of watching Zoolander unaffected. The movie was a sensational hit worldwide spawning many a spoof of the viral ‘Blue Steel’ look that Derek Zoolander (played

by Ben Stiller) is famous for. After losing Male Model of the Year to his rival Hansel, Zoolander spirals and is brainwashed by an evil fashion designer called Jacobim Mugatu, to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Fun fact: Zoolander was directed, co-produced, co-written by and stars Ben Stiller, who also took the same roles to produce the sequel, Zoolander No. 2. It’s a fun, easygoing film that takes a satirical look at the way appearances are held and judged in the fashion industry, and makes for a nice movie night with older kids.

Edward Scissorhands (1990) Starring Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Diane West, Anthony Michael Hall, Alan Arkin Directed by Tim Burton A coming-of-age story with a Tim Burton twist. Edward Scissorhands revolves around the story of an animated human being created by a scientist who dies before he can complete assembling ‘Edward’, leaving him with a wild appearance that includes scissorblades for hands. A sweet suburban lady played by Dianne West, discovers him and takes him home. Edward falls in love with her teenage daughter but remains an outcast even with his gentle spirit and knack for topiary sculpting. This film marks the start of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s longtime collaboration, and features Burton’s signature sense of melancholy that permeates through the film.

Starring Pierre Niney, Guillaume Gallienne, Charlotte Le Bon, Laura Smet, Marie de Villepin Directed by Jalil Lespert An autobiographical film on the enigmatic Fresh fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent. The retrospective centers around the time from 1958, where Saint Laurent spent much of his youth floating between Paris and Morocco and is starting out his career.

The movies dives into the early life of Saint Laurent as head designer at French fashion house Christian Dior, and meets his future partner, Pierre Berge.

Saint Laurent’s destructive behaviours are explored here in full force, giving this movie an R-rating so best avoid watching this with kids around! Oddly, there is another 2014 biopic on Saint Laurent that is also French produced, titled ‘Saint Laurent’ which is more focused on the period 1967 to 1976, which is said to be the peak of his career. Perhaps watch both if you are a big fan of the brand and designer.

This breakout film of the 2000’s left us all with memorable scenes that are guaranteed to still make you sob even now. This film tackles big topics like family dynamics, self-worth and love, Abigail Breslin shines here as the sweet and determined ‘Olive’- the youngest member of a dysfunctional family and protagonist for the film. Little Miss Sunshine originally premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006, and its distribution rights were bought by Fox Searchlight Pictures for one of the biggest deals made in the history of the festival. One key to its success is the great casting; despite its launch as a indie film, the movie had an ensemble which included the likes of Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, and Steve Carrell. Arkin and Breslin’s dynamic in this really makes the movie for us and who could forget the scene where Olive, full of youthful innocence and fear of being a loser “Because Dad hates losers”, asks her grandfather for reassurance that she is not one. Ugh, kill us now. It is the sort of movie that becomes a cult classic, for good reason. Morally teaching without being suffocatingly obvious or sad, and addressing the bigger questions of family, life and self, it’s a quiet masterpiece of moviemaking.

Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

55

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MOVIES TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS QUARTER MAR

MAR

20

6

JAN 23

PROJECT HAIL MARY

Starring Ryan Gosling, Milana Vayntrub, Sanra Hüller, Liz Kingsman, Ken Leung, Orion Lee

HOPPERS

Science teacher, Ryland Grace, wakes up on a spaceship with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he soon discovers he must solve the riddle behind a mysterious substance that’s causing the sun to die out. As details of the mission unravel, he calls on his scientific training and sheer ingenuity, but he may not have to do it alone.

JAN

Starring Jon Hamm, Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan

A 19-year-old animal lover uses technology that places her consciousness into a robotic beaver to uncover mysteries within the animal world beyond her imagination.

RETURN TO SILENT HILL

FEB

16

6

Starring Jeremy Irvine, Hannah Emily Anderson, Robert Strange, Evie Templeton, Pearse Egan

When a mysterious letter calls him back to Silent Hill in search of his lost love, James finds a once-recognisable town and encounters terrifying figures both familiar and new, and begins to question his own sanity.

MERCY

Starring Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Kenneth Choi, Renata Ribeiro,

In the near future, a detective stands on trial accused of murdering his wife. He has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced A.I. Judge he once championed, before it determines his fate.

JAN 23

COLD STORAGE 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE Starring Ralph Fiennes, Cillian Murphy, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Chi Lewis-Parry

Dr. Kelson finds himself in a shocking new relationship, with consequences that could change the world as they know it and Spike’s encounter with Jimmy Crystal becomes a nightmare he can’t escape. In the world of The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the greatest threat to survival, the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and much more terrifying.

Starring Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, Liam Neeson, Leskey Manville, Sosie Bacon

When a mutating, highly contagious fungus escapes a sealed facility, two young employees, joined by a grizzled bioterror operative, must survive the wildest night shift ever to save humanity from extinction.

JAN 9

GREENLAND 2: MIGRATION

Starring Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, Tommie Earl Jenkins, William Abadie, Nathan Wiley

In the aftermath of a comet strike that decimated more of the planet, the Garrity family must leave the safety of their Greenland bunker to traverse a shattered world in search of a new home.

JAN 30

SEND HELP

Starring Dylan O’Brien, Rachel McAdams, Dennis Haysbert, Xavier Samuel

After a plane crash strands a talented office worker and her annoying boss on a remote island, she must use her survival skills to keep them both alive, despite their strained relationship.

THE MALL CINEPLEX @ LEVEL 3, THE MALL, GADONG 2422455 www.themallcineplex.com THE EMPIRE CINEMA, EMPIRE HOTEL AND COUNTRY CLUB, JERUDONG 2610001 www.theempirecinema.com 2341122 www.timescineplex.com ONE CINEPLEX @ ONE CITY SHOPPING CENTRE 2338250 onecineplex.com TIMES SQUARE CINEPLEX @ 4TH FLOOR, TIMES SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE, BERAKAS 2335000 onecineplex.com TUTONG TIMES CINEPLEX @ BERJAYA COMPLEX, TUTONG 4220422 TIMES CINEPLEX @ KB SENTRAL 3340804 AMAN HILLS CINEPLEX @ AMAN SHOPPING CENTRE www.timescineplex.com

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Borneo.Insider’s.Guide

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