Celebrating the Culture of Bintulu, Malaysia

Every month, residents in participating affiliated communities will learn about a different city or country through fun activities, historical facts, and tasty cuisine through the Port of Call program. During the month of November, the Port of Call is to Bintulu, Malaysia! Learn more about the city of Bintulu, its attractions, and traditional cuisine to see what makes Malaysian culture unique.

About Bintulu

Bintulu is a northern port city located in the region of Sarawak in the Southeastern Asian country of Malaysia. Bintulu sits at the top of the Kemena River along the South China Sea.¹ People have lived in what is now Bintulu dating back to 40,000 years ago. Beginning in 1841, Sarawak was under the rule of the British family, Brooke. Then, in 1941, Japan took control for four years. Sarawak was back under British control in 1946 until Malaysia was declared its own country in 1963.²

Today, over 186,000 people live in Bintulu, and over 32 million people reside in the entire country of Malaysia.³ The official language in Bintulu is Malay, but English is widely spoken and encouraged to be learned as a second language.⁴ Bintulu has a warm climate with an average high temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 75 degrees Fahrenheit.⁵

Things to Do in Bintulu

Bintulu is a beautiful coastal city with a rich history, stunning scenery, and historical sites to visit. One attraction you could visit is the Temasya Tanjung Batu Beach. The Temasya Tanjung Batu Beach is located just south of the city center and Kemena River along the South China Sea. You could bring a beach chair and relax and the waves crash along the shore. After you are done relaxing, you could take a walk on the path located along the beach.⁶

After you have had a relaxing day at the beach, you could go to the Times Square Megamall. The Times Square Megamall is located northeast of the city center along a main thoroughfare. There are a variety of shops and restaurants to choose from. One of their most popular stores is Padini.⁷ Padini is a clothing store based in Malaysia. They carry the hottest clothing and accessories trends.⁸

If you are an animal lover, you could visit the Taman Tumbina Bintulu Zoo. The zoo is located in northwest Bintulu near the South China Sea.⁹ While you are there, you can see a variety of animals, wildlife, and plants across the over 140 acres. Additionally, they offer educational opportunities that you and your family could take advantage of.¹⁰

Food in Malaysia

Malaysian cuisine is primarily influenced by Arab and European immigrants during the fifteenth century. Specifically, the Arabs brought cardamom, pepper, clove, and vegetables from their native countries. The Europeans, specifically the Portuguese, Dutch, and English peoples, brought peanuts, avocados, pineapples, tomatoes, pumpkins, and squash to Malaysia.¹¹ Today, Malaysian food consists of rice and noodles and ingredients such as coconut milk, lemon grass, and turmeric.¹²

Here are some examples of traditional Malaysian dishes:

Roti John. Roti John is a breakfast dish that consists of beef or chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and sauces such as chili sauce, sweet mayo, sweet and spicy sauce, or cheese sauce. The bread is baked into eggs, making Roti John an omelette-style sandwich.¹³
Mee goreng mamak. Mee goreng mamak is a noodle dish that includes beef or chicken, shrimp, soy sauce, vegetables, chili, and eggs.¹⁴ Typically, this dish is served alongside fried tofu, bean sprouts, potato slices, or seafood.¹⁵
Laksa. Laksa is a soup dish that is made with noodles, curry, chili, lemongrass, chicken, chicken broth, garlic, tofu puffs, bean sprouts, and laksa paste.¹⁶ Laksa is usually served with lime wedges.¹⁷
Kuih. Kuih is a Malaysian dessert made with coconut milk, sugar, Pandadn, rice flour, and mung bean starch or tapioca flour. Once baked, it becomes a fluffy tortoiseshell-shaped pastry.¹⁸

Our Menu

The affiliated Dietary Departments in the participating communities cultivated menus centered around each Port of Call city our country. Each recipe is tailored for the communities but feel free to adjust the recipes to fit your needs. The menu is subject to change. Check out these Malaysian-inspired recipes below!

Malaysian Mango Salad

1 CASE of Diced Mangos
4 CUPS of Thinly Sliced Red Onions
1 CUP of Chopped Fresh Cilantro
1 TBSP of Salt
1 TPSP of Ground Black Pepper
4 TBSP of White Vinegar
5 TBSP of Vegetable Oil
1 TEASP of Granulated Garlic
¼ TEASP of Red Chili Flakes

Method:

Defrost the diced mangos under refrigeration.
Combine all the ingredients and fold well.
Cover, label and keep refrigerated until needed.

Malaysian Beef Rendang with Malaysian Rice Noodles

10 LBS of Beef Stew Meat
5 TBSP of Vegetable Oil
3 TBSP of Brown Sugar
2 Cinnamon Sticks
2 TBSP of Minced Garlic
2 Star Anice
1 TEASP of Ground Ginger
3 TBSP of Lime Zest
4 CUPS of Coconut Milk
4 CUPS of Water
1 TBSP of Salt
1 TBSP of Ground Black Pepper
4 CUPS of Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
2 TBSP of Cuppy Powder
2 TBSP of Paprika
4 CUPS of Sliced Red Onions

Method:

Sautee the beef in vegetable oil until brown. Then, add garlic and onion and the liquids.
Bring to a boil then add all other ingredients. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes or until meat is tender.

Rice Noodles

1 Case of Rice Noodles
1 CUP of Soy Sauce
4 CUPS of Sliced Green Onions
1 CUP of Toasted Sesame Seeds
5 TBSP of Sesame Oil
1 Cup of Ketchup
1 TBSP of Ground Pepper Black
5 TBSP of White Vinegar

Method:

Bring the salted water to a boil, add noodles, and cook for 2 minutes. Then drain in a mixing bowl.
Combine with all other ingredients and mix well. Transfer into a service pan.

Fruit Cocktail Jell-O in a Cup

1 #10 Can Drained Mandarin Segments
1 #10 Can Drained Cocktail Fruit Mix
2 6 ounce Boxes of Lime Gelatin
16 CUPS of Warm Water
1 CUP of Sugar
2 TBSP of Vanilla Extract
5 TBSP of Lime Juice
5 CUPS of Orange Juice

Method:

Combine syrup and liquids from mandarin segments and cocktail fruit with water, sugar, vanilla, gelatin, lime, and orange juices. Whisk well. Place on a medium heat and bring to a simmer.
Combine orange segments and cocktail fruit and mix well. Then divide evenly between 2 greased hotel pans 2" deep.
Pour the gelatin liquid over the fruit. Then set in cooler for few hours.
Using a sharp knife and a ruler, cut 2" x 2" squares.

Activities for the Port of Call

Each month, the Life Enrichment Departments at the affiliated communities will offer fun and exciting activities that celebrate the culture and food of Bintulu, Malaysia! All activities are subject to change and these lists are not final. Here are some examples of the activities the affiliated communities plan to offer.

Brunswick Health & Rehab Center

Brunswick plans to have a Malaysian-inspired snack tasting, learn about Malaysia’s iconic landmarks and endangered species, and play badminton, their most popular sport.

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