James Kon
The Brunei Food Awards (BFA) is collaborating with the Brunei Food and Beverage Association (BFBA) to develop an ambitious new food project, with its sights cast on becoming the first and largest dedicated food hub in the Sultanate.
The project, dubbed By The River Food Resort, will host over 100 of the best restaurants from all four districts. One of the primary objectives of the food hub is to host, support and promote the best Brunei-owned restaurants and eateries under one roof. This initiative is also in line with Brunei Vision 2035 of promoting food and tourism both locally and internationally.
The food resort will include hundreds of only the best dishes of various cuisines, among them, Brunei Darussalam, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Indian, Korean, Bangladeshi and Middle Eastern, BFA said.
Additionally, it will include only the best comfort food from all across Brunei, including nasi lemak, ayam penyet, kolo mee, kuay tiaw, laksa, nasi katok and traditional local cakes. It will also serve desserts such as ice-cream, frozen yoghurt and gelato.
This will highlight the Sultanate’s cuisine and showcase favourites such as ambuyat, soto hati buyah, pais, lemang, bamboo chicken, cendol and pulut panggang.
Each restaurant will operate only one theme to avoid clashes in themes and dishes. The selected restaurant will be the only restaurant serving a particular theme or dish at the location.
Additional services such as valet parking, table reservation and a VIP room with a view of the river will be special privileges offered to VIP members.
By The River Food Resort is located next to the Kota Batu river bank, affording a stunning natural view of the Brunei River and the forest in the background. Additionally, it overlooks a beautiful garden landscape. The resort will be the only location in the Sultanate to combine natural scenic features with the most number of restaurants.
Kota Batu has a local population of over 13,000 and is strategically located close to the neighbouring Mukim Mentiri, with a population of over 30,000.
Additionally, the food resort is a mere five minutes away from the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge and the capital.
The resort will boast two public halls for corporate events, weddings and special functions that can cater to over 300 heads. It will also house the country’s first-ever digital interactive children’s playground.
Both public hall events and children’s playground will receive exclusive catering from resident restaurants and eateries at the food resort. Customers will be spoilt for choice with the selection of the best local food and drinks, enjoyed in the most beautiful setting.
The food resort will eventually build a pier to accommodate boats and a larger dining platform on the river to accommodate over 500 additional customers. The project aims to be the go-to food destination in the country for all international tourists.
