A hidden gem in Malaysia, Bintulu has delicious foods, beautiful sights and exciting activities to cater to any type of traveller. Visit the town while it's still under the radar, so you can enjoy Malaysia's best kept secret all to yourself.

Overview

If you’ve read our previous article on Bintulu, you’ll know that this coastal town is one of Malaysia’s best kept secrets. Although Bintulu is not a major tourist destination, it is slowly becoming a traveller’s haven. With its proximity to a range of national parks, you can escape the hustle of city life and get back to nature at any time. If you prefer the city, you can stroll along the streets of Bintulu, shopping and enjoying tasty Sarawakian dishes.

Check out part 2 of our Late Night Guide to Bintulu for amazing food and exciting activities.

Eat

Apple Restaurant

No. 78-79, Ground Floor, Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi, Park City Commerce Square, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Monday to Sunday | 10AM to 2PM, 5PM to 10PM

Rated one of the best restaurants in town, Apple serves some really delicious Chinese halal dishes! With a wide variety of dishes on offer, ranging from different types of meats to vegetables to fresh seafood, you might have a hard time deciding on what to actually order.

There is one dish, however, that you should definitely try, and that’s the unique Fish Umai. A traditional dish of the Melanau tribe of Borneo, it’s often enjoyed by local fishermen. An Asian equivalent to the Peruvian ceviche, Fish Umai is a dish of freshly sliced raw fish with a mixture of onions, chilies, salt and lime juice. The lime acid in the marinade effectively cooks the fish without heat. If you’re a fan of multi-layered flavours, you’ll definitely appreciate this dish.

Finish off your meal at Apple Restaurant with a highly recommended dessert – perhaps a coconut pudding that is smooth, silky and very tasty!

Pasar Malam Bintulu

Off Jalan Abang Galau, Shahida Commercial Centre, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Monday to Sunday |  5PM to 10PM

One of the many places of interest in the town of Bintulu is the night market, Pasar Malam Bintulu. Although it may be small, it attracts huge crowds of locals, visitors from neighboring cities and towns and international tourists.

Offering local delicacies and groceries, this night market is a good place for you to pick up snacks, fresh tropical fruits like soursop, rambutans and durians, and Malaysian street foods like satay, as well as a variety of different kuihs. Depending on the season, you might be able to buy black olives or even engkala, a unique fruit that has bright pink skin, a large green cap and tastes a little bit like an avocado.

If you’d like to try something special apart from the usual grilled chicken skewers, you can go for the Bamboo Clamped Sardine, where a whole sardine is grilled between a bamboo clamp. Delicious and incredibly nutritious!

Selera Pantai Timur

Lot 8224, Sublot 151 of Parent Lot 7668, Block 31, Kemena Land District, Medan Central, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Monday to Sunday | 10am to 11pm

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it provides you with the sustenance and energy for all the activities that lay ahead. So it’s true what people say; eat breakfast like a king!

At Selera Pantai Timur, you should definitely order the wok-fried noodles with sea crabs! Spicy and springy noodles paired with fresh and creamy crab meat. If there’s a term to describe this breakfast, it would have to be lavish! You can definitely have this for lunch or dinner if you prefer, as it’s perfect for any time of the day!

If you’d like some greens to go along with your meal, midin is the choice you should go for. A local fern that can only be found in Sarawak, it is crunchy and is typically enjoyed stir-fried with belachan! It may be a little spicy, but it goes really well with rice!

Activity

Taman Tumbina

Taman Tumbina, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Monday to Sunday | 9AM – 4.30PM

If you want to enjoy what mother nature has to offer and get a good workout, visit Taman Tumbina, a park that offers various trails for you to trek, while catching a glimpse of the flora and fauna of Sarawak. Bring along drinking water and apply lots of insect repellent. But try not to go alone, as the map and signs can be confusing. For your own safety and to avoid getting lost, be sure to leave the park well before sunset.

With a variety of food, shopping and activities in and around Bintulu, you’ll definitely be able to find something that tickles your fancy in this beautiful little town. If you’re looking to explore Sarawak further, don’t miss out on our recommendations for Kuching!