Sarawak, Where Laksa Is “Breakfast of the Gods” and Orangutans Rule the Jungle

A destination of hidden indulgences, Sarawak offers steaming bowls of laksa, rainforest sanctuaries, and timeless tribal traditions — all just a short hop from Kuching’s stylish waterfront.

At ITB India, one of Asia’s most premium travel trade fairs, Travel and Food Network enjoyed a privileged discussion with Dylan Redas Noel, Director of North Asia and New Markets at the Sarawak Tourism Board. Noel unfurled a vivid portrait of Sarawak — the Malaysian state on Borneo where food is a living archive of culture, orangutans swing through jungle canopies just 45 minutes from the capital, and centuries-old tribal traditions continue to thrive in longhouses tucked deep into the rainforest.

Below are edited excerpts from that interview.

On the island of Borneo, Sarawak is often overshadowed by Malaysia’s better-known tourist hubs. What makes Sarawak stand out?

“Visitors who skip Sarawak miss the essence of Malaysian diversity: food, culture, and the jungle itself. This is where you taste laksa in its birthplace, wander through tribal longhouses that still echo with tradition, and step into rainforests alive with orangutans just 45 minutes from the capital. Sarawak is not simply another stop on Malaysia’s map — it’s the place where the country’s many identities come together in their most authentic form.”

Let’s start with food. What makes Sarawak stand out?

Sarawak is the largest territory of Malaysia, and Kuching, its capital, has been recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy. That’s because Sarawak is home to Malays, Chinese, Indians, Dayaks — our aboriginal and native tribes — each with their own culture, and each recording that culture in their food.One dish in particular has put us on the map. The late Anthony Bourdain once called our laksa — noodles in a spicy broth — the “Breakfast of the Gods.” Since then, Sarawak has become synonymous with the world’s best laksa.

Food is often called the language of culture — how does it serve as a unifying force in Sarawak?

In Sarawak, food runs deeper than accolades — it is the glue that binds a remarkably diverse society. “In a country, in a region, where so many tribes, races, ethnic groups and religions live side by side, we are united by the food we eat,” he explained. “You can cause conflict just by insulting someone’s food — but celebrate it, and you bring people together. For Sarawakians, food isn’t just culture; it’s our uniting force.”

Many Indian travelers — and increasingly global travelers — follow vegetarian or vegan diets. How well can Sarawak cater to them?

We do have options, though not in abundance. For groups, it’s standard practice for our agents to ask in advance about food preferences, allergies, and restrictions. That way, we can prepare accordingly.

“Over the years, I’ve heard every kind of request,” Noel laughed. “Some travelers insist, ‘I’m vegetarian, or I eat only halal.’ Others announce, ‘I’m a carnivore — no vegetarian, please.’ In Sarawak, we’ve learned to expect it all.”

In Sarawak, there are different streams of vegetarianism. Indian vegetarian meals can be arranged if we know ahead of time. We also cater to Buddhist-style vegetarian food, which has a Chinese influence. Even halal food can be prepared in vegetarian form.

Veganism is growing in Kuching — both Western-style and Chinese vegan communities exist, with clear do’s and don’ts. Some restaurants, including those run by international chefs, can craft bespoke vegan menus and even use separate kitchens to prepare them.

Sarawak is famous for its orangutans. What makes the experience here so unique?

Sarawak is home to one of the world’s three species of orangutan — larger, primal, and a true force of nature. Unlike elsewhere, where you might need multiple flights and long treks into remote forests, here they’re astonishingly close. From Kuching, it’s just a 45-minute drive into the jungle.

At the sanctuary, rangers know the orangutans by name. They call them, and the animals emerge — eating, nursing their young, sometimes even mating — always in the open, never in cages. The ranger will tell you exactly where to stand, and you simply listen.

Two months ago, a group of Taiwanese visitors witnessed something extraordinary. In one sitting, they saw orangutans do all four things: eat, nurse their young, poop, and mate. I’m a native, and even I’ve never seen all of that at once — they were incredibly lucky. That’s the magic of Sarawak: the wild reveals itself to you.

Beyond wildlife and food, how does Sarawak showcase its culture to visitors?

We have two very different but equally important museums. The Borneo Cultures Museum is the largest in Sarawak — sleek, modern, and highly interactive, filled with artifacts and stories that trace our history. Some people, like me, love museums, but at the end of the day those artifacts are still objects. They can feel static.

That’s why we also have the Sarawak Cultural Village, which is what we call a “living museum.” Here, people still live in traditional longhouses. You don’t just see the culture — you step into it.

What’s remarkable is how far we’ve come. A hundred years ago, my ancestors were headhunters. My wife’s ancestors and mine would have been enemies. Today, we are married, living in peace. That’s the story of Sarawak: so many tribes, once divided, now united. And we’re always glad to share that unity — along with a meal — with visitors.

Can travelers book an experience inside a tribal longhouse or share a meal with villagers?

Yes, absolutely. Some of our agents can arrange for you to visit or even stay overnight in a longhouse. It’s not a performance — villagers don’t put on a show. You simply observe, join in daily life, and learn. They’ll take you into the jungle, show you how they forage, and cook for you right there using what they find. If they want to make soup, they’ll do it in bamboo, then serve it hot from the stalk. And if you’re lucky, you may even spot orangutans nearby.

When you return to the longhouse, you’ll stay in separate three- or four-star style quarters built for visitors. This way, you’re immersed in the culture without disturbing the community’s daily rhythms. It’s authentic, respectful, and unforgettable.

Where do most of Sarawak’s visitors come from — both within Asia and internationally?

A: Our strongest market is close to home. Indonesia and Brunei send many travelers, often for medical tourism and education, because it’s so easy to cross the border. The broader ASEAN region is an important base.

From North Asia, we see steady arrivals from China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. Taiwan is especially on the rise, and China is also building back strongly.

Europe, Scandinavia, and Australia have long been reliable markets, and we’re now working to expand into New Zealand as well.

We don’t focus much on the Americas, partly because of distance, but also because Sarawak’s profile overlaps with South America. Travelers there might as well choose closer destinations, and we prefer not to compete head-to-head.

And then there’s India — a market that continues to surprise us. Growth isn’t dramatic, but it’s steady and consistent. In fact, arrivals from India have shown constant upward movement over the past few months. The numbers aren’t huge, but they’re reliable. And in tourism, consistency is just as important as size.

What is the best time to visit Sarawak?

You can visit us year-round, because there’s always something to do — indoors or outdoors. But I usually recommend the period from late February to November, when conditions are most comfortable.

From November to January, we enter the monsoon season, and it rains heavily. That said, some travelers actually love it. I’ve had Scandinavians who go jungle trekking just to stand in the downpour, soaking it in as part of the experience. Even visitors from the Middle East have found the monsoon rains fascinating. For most travelers, though, the drier months are the best time to explore.

For Indian travelers, what are the easiest flight routes into Sarawak and which airlines do you work with?

We work closely with several airlines, particularly Royal Brunei, which offers a direct connection from Chennai. It’s convenient, visa-free, and affordable — and it allows Indian travelers to enjoy a dual-destination experience, visiting both Brunei and Sarawak in one trip since we’re just across the border.

We also work with Malaysia Airlines, especially from Mumbai, and travelers can reach us via Scoot through Singapore, which is a reliable low-cost option. While there aren’t direct flights from every Indian city, there are easy connections through Chennai, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore.

When I mention Royal Brunei, it doesn’t mean we don’t collaborate with Tourism Malaysia. They’ve been fantastic partners. Every time they organize trade fairs or roadshows, we join them as part of the larger Malaysia showcase. Their support is crucial — without it, we wouldn’t be able to reach and engage with the markets we do.

Is there anything else you’d like travelers — especially from India — to keep in mind?

Yes — next year is Visit Malaysia Year, and I truly hope Indian travelers will look beyond the usual names like Langkawi, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur. Of course those are wonderful, but Malaysia has more to offer.

When you come, think of Sarawak and Sabah — think of Borneo. I like to call Borneo the “big island,” while West Malaysia is the mainland. Here you’ll find an island culture that feels completely different from what most people imagine Malaysia to be.

There’s so much to explore that you can make multiple trips to Malaysia and discover a different region every time. And when you do, Sarawak should absolutely be on that list.

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