Bringing Borneo to KL: Sarawak Showcase Celebrates Culture and Cuisine

Kuala Lumpur, 8 November 2025 - The atmosphere at Medan Mara Kuala Lumpur was livelier than usual this weekend as the Sarawak Showcase x Food Republic event brought the vibrant culture and culinary heritage of Borneo to the city centre. 

Held from 4-8 November 2025, the event was organised entirely by Food Republik Malaysia. The five-day showcase brought together Sarawakian food vendors and performers to give Penisular Malaysia visitors a taste of East Malaysia’s rich culinary and authentic culture. 

Crowds gathered around stalls serving classic dishes such as Laksa Sarawak, Kolo Mee, Mee Kampua Sibu, and Kek Lapis, each prepared by vendors brought in especially for the event. Rows of booths filled with the aroma of spices made visitors enthusiastic to try menus that are rarely found in Kuala Lumpur.

The Original Mee Kampua Sibu Booth (Source: Gladys Liusdiawan)

For some visitors, this event was an opportunity to try Malaysian dishes they had never tasted before. “I am a food lover, so I usually have to go from one place to another to find something to eat.” said Adila, a visitor to the Sarawak Showcase x Food Republic. For visitors like Adila, this event was very convenient, as all the Sarawak dishes were available in one place at this food festival, making it easy for her to explore many Sarawak dishes.

From the sellers' perspective, this event greatly helps them to further promote their food products and Sarawak's cultures. “Events like this can support sellers and remind the current generation of Malaysian culture,” said Haikal, a seller at one of the booths at Food Republic. He added that many young people in Kuala Lumpur may never have tasted Sarawak's food or seen its handicrafts firsthand.

“This event is very important for the current generation so that they don't forget their culture,” he added. He explained that many young people in big cities are increasingly less exposed to the traditions and cuisines of their hometowns. “Even the current generation from Sarawak knows little about their culture,” he said. He believes that many young people from Sarawak in Peninsular Malaysia are rarely exposed to the traditions, cuisines, and arts that define the identity of the Borneo society. Therefore, he feels that events like the Sarawak Showcase play a vital role as a bridge between the older and younger generations.

Sarawak Showcase x Food Republik Gate (Source: Gladys Liusdiawan)

With their diverse experiences, ranging from tasting authentic dishes, experiencing traditional culture firsthand, to chatting with vendors, Sarawak Showcase X Food Republic successfully brought the warm atmosphere of Borneo to the heart of Kuala Lumpur. This event is not just a culinary festival, but also a meeting place for the younger generation to rediscover their cultural roots. Through food, stories, and interactions, this showcase serves as a reminder that Malaysia's cultural heritage is alive and continues to be passed down from one generation to the next.