More than a meal: Kaban Dayak Food stall keeps traditional Sarawak flavours alive

By Wilfred Pilo

The aroma of freshly cooked Dayak dishes greets customers at the Kaban Dayak Food stall at Premiere Food Court, Bandar Riyal, Kota Samarahan, where 44-year-old culinary enthusiast Julia Siti Vincent has been serving traditional fare since 2015.

For Julia, a native of Lundu, cooking Dayak food is more than simply preparing a meal. It is a way of preserving the flavours and food traditions she learned from her family and friends.

Every day, she prepares a variety of dishes using simple cooking methods and local ingredients, including some traditionally gathered from the forests.

“These recipes are rich in Dayak food culture. Most of these dishes are served in our Dayak communities and use simple cooking methods and local ingredients.

“To me, sharing these unique dishes showcases our food culture to a multicultural community that truly appreciates them. I am happy when patrons enjoy the food, as it offers them a wider variety of culinary experiences.

“That is the reason I use the name ‘Kaban Dayak’ for my stall. It translates to ‘our Dayak friends’—simple words that describe our racial harmony,” she told DayakDaily with a smile.

Julia has been running the kitchen for years, but she is not alone in the business.

Her husband, 48-year-old Hillary Joseph Bakat, stepped in to help as the stall became busier over the years.

Hillary said they serve about 12 types of Dayak dishes daily, and the food has gained a following among regular customers.

“The patrons here are from different communities, and many Dayak people live nearby. We are also happy that food lovers from other communities enjoy our dishes,” he said.

With their three children now grown up and busy with their own lives, the couple can devote more time to their food business.

“We have workers to help us serve the hot dishes to the tables,” Hillary said with a chuckle.

Among the dishes served are pansuh meat, fish, kassam (preserved food), terung Dayak, bamboo shoots, tapioca leaves, and various other specialities.

For Julia and Hillary, these dishes represent Sarawak’s rich food culture and remind them of how their ancestors prepared food for their families and guests.

They do not want Kaban Dayak to be just another food stall—the couple hopes it can become a place where young people and food lovers from all walks of life can discover and enjoy traditional Dayak cuisine.

“We hope to continue serving traditional Dayak food so young people will have the chance to taste and learn about our food culture,” Hillary said.

For the couple, every plate served is also a small effort to keep their ancestral food traditions alive.

Kaban Dayak Food stall operates daily from 9.30am to 9.30pm at Premiere Food Court, Bandar Riyal, Kota Samarahan.

For enquiries, call 011-1067 0405. — DayakDaily

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