| Hakim Hayat |
TOURISM authorities are mulling to establish the traditional local dish ‘Bamboo Chicken’ as an authentic Bruneian delicacy to complement the wide range of traditional delicacies available, while also planning to host a ‘Brunei Gastronomy Week’ to raise more awareness on traditional local cuisines.
The Tourism Development Department of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) in collaboration with the Sumbiling Eco Village in the Temburong District recently held a pilot project with executive chefs and teams from top hotels as well as restaurants in the country for a cooking class on the Bamboo Chicken.
The department said these classes would later be extended to other hotels and restaurants who are interested in offering the dish.
“Brunei has a unique opportunity to champion the Bamboo Chicken as one of its national dishes. Where Korea is known for its Kimchi, Thailand for Tom Yam Goong Soup and Japan for its Sushi, Brunei will have its own unique dish, Brunei Bamboo Chicken. This was discussed by members of the Brunei Tourism Board during the recent board meeting,” it added in a press release.
The Bamboo Chicken, also locally known as ‘Manok Pansuh’ is a traditional Iban dish which features succulent pieces of chicken marinated in ginger and lemon grass then stuffed into a hollow green bamboo before finally sealing the tube with banana leaf and carefully cooking on an open fire pit.
The Tourism Development Department said it wants to promote the Bamboo Chicken as an authentic Bruneian delicacy showcasing Brunei’s culinary diversity and creating awareness on Brunei’s expansive gastronomy.
Executive chefs and their team during the cooking class on Bamboo Chicken at the Sumbiling Eco Village in the Temburong District. The Tourism Development Department of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism is mulling to establish the traditional local dish Bamboo Chicken as an authentic Bruneian delicacy to complement the existing wide range of traditional delicacies available. Tourism authorities are also planning to host a ‘Brunei Gastronomy Week’ in efforts to promote and raise more awareness on traditional Brunei cuisines.
Tourism Development Department Officials with executive chefs and team from hotels and restaurants in a group photo at the Sumbiling Eco Village in Temburong. – PHOTOS: MPRT
Photo shows the ‘Manok Pansuh’ or Bamboo Chicken, a traditional local dish whose roots can be traced back to the Ibans.
Other popular Bruneian delicacies include Acar Buah-Buahan, Sup Kembayau, Sup Tahai, Ambuyat, Soto Brunei, Nasi Katok, Daging Masak Kunyit (beef cooked in turmeric) as well as desserts such as Wajid, Cendol and Selurut.
According to Salinah Salleh, a Senior Officer from the Tourism Development Department, who led the Temburong trip over the weekend recently, the initiative was a result of the recent Brunei Tourism Board Meeting where board members agreed to have a Brunei Gastronomy Week on February 22–26, 2017 in conjunction with the 33rd National Day celebrations.
She said participating restaurants will be promoting their own signature dishes during Gastronomy Week, whereby Brunei cuisines must be seen as the highlight of the buffet or ala carte menu.
Other restaurants and hotels from the four districts as well as Royal Brunei Airlines may also take part and hold their own promotion during the week to celebrate Brunei Gastronomy.
The discussion in Temburong also included ways in which the presentation of Bruneian dishes could be further improved and even be served as part of the fine dining experience or at receptions held within or outside the country.
The hotels and restaurants that took part in the Bamboo Chicken cooking class recently included The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Royal Brunei Catering, Rizqun International Hotel, Radisson Hotel, Orchid Garden Hotel and Energy Kitchen.
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