Kuching Walking & Cooking Class (LW2)

Tour highlights:

Explore the heart of old Kuching on foot—then go on to learn about what goes into making authentic Sarawak cuisine. From the market where the ingredients come from, to the kitchen where the magic happens, then on to your palate where the flavors meet, it’s a delight like no other. You might just unleash your inner chef while you are learning!

• Historical places on walking tour

• Market visit

• Lessons in authentic Sarawakian cuisine

What sets this tour apart:
Embark on an authentic Sarawak culinary experience, from market to stove to table, in this full day excursion in Kuching Sarawak! 

What you’ll see or do:

Enjoy a day of hands-on activities in the charming city of Kuching, Borneo. Rich in cultural heritage (especially culinary!), the streets of Kuching welcome you to navigate them and go on a delightful urban adventure. 

Get started with a walk through the heart of old Kuching town. Our heritage trail begins on a street facing the urban bank of Sarawak River. The shophouses and old administrative buildings sporting Colonial architecture date all the way back to the mid-1800s, when a dynasty of merchant-turned-monarch ruled the land for a little over a century, starting with James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak. 

The street, known as the Main Bazaar, leads to more streets—Carpenter Street is one of them, lined left and right by shophouses over a century old. A short walk from there takes us to more heritage buildings—the Old Courthouse, the Round Tower, the Pavilion building (formerly a hospital, now a museum) and the Central Post Office. All on the same street and adjacent to each other.

Venture a little further for more history as we visit the grounds of Sarawak Museum. After heading to the museum, we proceed to where the action is—the bustling market/bazaar district very near to the riverbank. Walk through the lively Open Air Market where locals get their daily dose of comfort food. Drink in the sight of old shophouses with a Chinese-influenced architectural style in the Chinese business district. Then walk a short distance down a lane lined with beautiful murals depicting urban Kuching life and the sights of Sarawak. The lane leads to India Street where the Indian businesses are. Imagine how trading has evolved from Kuching’s old days as a port to how things are today. Walk down its hidden lanes to discover hidden treasures buried amid the action.

After the little adventure in the busy business districts, we walk down Kuching Waterfront—a distinctive landmark of the city with a history of its own. Once a row of ‘godowns’--riverside building housing supplies brought by traders on the vessels moving up and down the river, it is now a must-see place offering stunning views of the heart of old Kuching. It is also a hub for river taxis known as ‘sampan,’ a centuries-old but still popular way to get back and forth between both sides of the river.

We get on a sampan and proceed to Pangkalan Abok, a jetty situated a very short walk away from a bustling farmer’s market known as the Petanak Market. We explore the market and learn about local produce. Afterwards, we head to the kitchen for the highlight of the tour!

The kitchen is where the magic happens! After immersing yourself in the history of Kuching and seeing where the ingredients in Sarawak’s delightful cuisine come from, it’s time to cook! Learn to prepare Sarawak laksa chicken along with the famed jungle fern, as well as kerabu (the local way of preparing salad), meant to be enjoyed with rice--a staple element in our cuisine. Chop, blend and stir; then tuck in to your heart’s content!

Included: 

• English speaking guide

• Transportation (from market to cooking class)

• Refreshments

• Boat fees

• Rain ponchos are provided in the event of rain

• A great time!

 Not included: 

• Pick-up from hotel to start point

What to bring: 

• Extra cash for additional street food and drinks, local souvenir and personal shopping.

• Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, a towel, antiseptic, change of clothes, plastic bag to keep cameras dry, sunglasses.

• Wear light comfortable shoes and clothes. 

Tour staff (number, type):
Your local English-speaking tour leader takes great pride in his or her heritage (as well as their own personal story) and are well informed in Borneo’s history, culture and natural wonders of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. One passionate local English Speaking guide will serve up to a maximum of 8 guests.

Good to know:

• Reservation recommended

• Rain or shine we always walk!