starch around the prongs and then dipping it into a sauce, of which there are many varieties.
Kueh Seri Muka made from steamed glutinous rice and topped with a layer of coconut milk and eggs with sweet pandan leaves as the natural colouring. The kueh to be made on that day will be of 4 feet by 8 feet in size and weighs 50 kilograms. Visitors on the first day got to have a slice of the cake for free.
Kuih Bahulu traditionally Bruneian food, it will be served during the Hari Raya and Chinese New Year. The moulds were made from cast-iron with a lid, of which lighted charcoal will be on it.
Baking is done by putting the mould over charcoal. Thank goodness for the oven, otherwise the younger generation will not be introduced to these foods.
Kuih kosui a saucer shaped rice cake flavored with pandan (screwpine leaves) juice. A lot of pandan is used to bring out the aroma of this kuih. A good kuih kosui is rich in pandan aroma and have a springy and soft texture. It is best eaten with freshly grated coconut.
Lontong cubes of rice served with sayur lodeh, a vegetable curry made with coconut milk and tumeric.
Mee Goreng fried noodles. It is different in other countries since tumeric powder is used to give the dish a nice orange color.
Nasi Lemak coconut rice served with anchovy sambal (spicy sauce), peanuts, eggs and cucumbers.
Roti Prata a kind of fried bread served with dahl and sambal or fish/chicken curry. It can also be ordered with egg inside (Roti Telur)
Soto a thick soup usually consisting of chicken or beef.
Brunei Restaurants and Haste Cuisine
Chinese cuisine is especially popular in Brunei, and there are many fine authentic restaurants. In Gadong the Emperor's Court and the Szechuan Dynasty are renown, as are the Jade Garden in the Riverview Hotel and the Phong Mun in downtown Bandar.
Downtown Bandar also has many kedai makan (local eateries), and good seafood restaurants can be found along Jalan Muara and in Muara town.
Tutong, Seria and Kuala Belait have a good and varied selection of restaurants.
Fast Food Fast food has really caught on in Brunei.
Pizza Hut, KFC and MacDonalds all have outlets
in the city and at Jerudong Park. Jollibee, Sugar Bun and Express Burger are local equivalents.
Hawker-style food Hawker centres offer fine local delicacies at very reasonable prices. Favourite dishes include satay, noodles, rice, whole roasted chickens, grilled fish and steamboats. Hawker food can be found along the Brunei River in downtown Bandar Seri Begawan, and in a purpose-built complex next to Jerudong Park.
The Persiaran Damuan park on Jalan Tutong is well known for its popular steamboat dinnersand satay. In Gadong, there is an indoor hawker centre on the ground floor of Yaohan Megamart - which offers a variety of food ranging from quiche to sushi.
Restaurant Dining – Western The major hotels all have cafes which serve a mixture of Asian and western meals, and sumptuous value-for money buffets. Deals Restaurant in the Sheraton Utama specialises in very high quality nouvelle cuisine.
The Buccaneers in Kuala Belait serves excellent British fare in a tudor-style setting.
Restaurant Dining Asian Gadong has a good mix of restaurants offering Asian cuisine in Brunei. This includes Chinese, Lebanese, Indonesian, Indian, Thai and Japanese food, as well as speciality outlets for seafood and Nonya. Many are family- run enterprises with a comfortable and friendly
`atmosphere.
BRUNEI CLOTHES
Baju Cara Melayu a tunic and long pants for men.
The baju cara melayu is traditionally worn with a plaid or floral-patterned sarong called a sinjang, which extends from the waist to the knees. Although the design of such garments once denoted social status, contemporary Bruneians tend to be less aware of these signifiers.
Baju kurung the traditional female costume of Brunei (a long tunic over a long skirt). Women wear the baju kurung both at work and at formal occasions. Influenced by Islamic codes of dress, the costume will typically be accompanied by a headscarf.
Kain Tenun Brunei weaving or tenunan is a tradition in Brunei and other Southeast Asian counties.
Bruneians have a more intricate and fine design;
the weave uses expensive threads. Beautifully woven cloths are used for traditional clothing during special occasions such as weddings.
Among the popular traditional cloth designs are Kain ipugut, Kain Bertabur, Kain Arab Gagati, Kain Sukmaindera, Kain Tenunan Beragu Bertabur and Kain Jongrasat.
Kris a unique ancient weapon of the Malays. The weapon has a wavy razor-sharp blade. It is the favorite weapon of both royals and commoners.
It was also used in teaching pancak silat which is the Malay’s art of self-defense.
Songkok Bruneian men headdress; a simple black hat with the ceremonial outfit, particularly for religious occasions and prayer; a famous cap that became a symbol. To the Bruneians, headdresses are worn as they reflect the person’s status in life.
The Songkok is also worn by the men in both formal and informal gatherings.
TRADITIONAL MUSIC/DANCE
Adai-adai a native folk music and dance, a group work song sung by fisherpeople while they fished.
Aduk-Aduk a ceremonial dance performed by the Kedayan people during holidays, especially at the end of the harvest season. Dancers wear traditional warrior's attire, in tengkolok, red belt and black clothing, and dance to the beat of silat, a Malay martial art. This dance is accompanied by percussion instruments, including drums and coconut shells.
Alai Asyik the traditional Brunei Malay dances. It is a very luxurious dance that is performed only in the palace in the olden days. Dancers would wear clothes made from kain tenunan (Bruneian
woven brocade) and accessories such as gandi (a Malay style tiara). Only female dancers perform this dance.
Alus Jua Dindang the important song of Bruneian wedding music; in it, the groom (who, in a traditional wedding does not know the bride beforehand), flatters and declares his devotion to his new wife.
Jipin dance the Malay population are known the dance, performed by six men and women, accompanied by instruments that include the gambus dan biola, dombak and rebana. Gongs like the Guling tangan (a set of small gongs), duck gongs and other styles are played. Malay folk music is played by accomplished musicians at special feats and celebrations. Responsive singing is sometimes performed at weddings, with the guests joining in.
Kedayan folk dances it can occasionally be seen at special events, the benari is one of the most popular, typically performed during local festivals by three men and three women.
Malay folk music more dominant in modern Brunei, often played by professional musicians at special celebrations such as weddings.