Imagine yourself transported to the vibrant heart of Borneo, in the bustling city of Miri, Sarawak. Here, culture isn't just observed; it's lived and breathed. Amongst the heady scents of street food and the riot of colours, you find Tamu Muhibbah—a local market pulsating with the heartbeat of the community. 

It’s a melting pot where the traditional fabrics weave stories upon the skin, and the diverse flavours of indigenous fare tantalise your taste buds. As you saunter through this market, the architectural nuances of Borneo are sidelined by the richness of local life: a pastiche of sounds, smells, and radiant smiles inviting you to partake in their legacy.

Tamu, a term synonymous with a gathering of aspirations, sees farmers and artisans emerge at the crack of dawn, their wares cradled in their arms like precious offspring. As you tread between the stalls, you aren't just shopping; you're embarking on a gustatory journey. Here, the trade is not just in goods but in stories, every transaction a shared slice of life.

The Tamu is where the pulse of Miri beats strongest, where you connect not just with the food and artefacts that will grace your homes and palates, but with the souls that shape this vibrant cultural enclave. Take a moment, indulge in the dialogue, barter with a smile, and fill your basket with not just the fresher-than-morning produce but the spirit of Miri itself—diverse, rich, and flourishing with warmth.

Read also: 5 Best Local Markets in Miri, Sarawak

Table of Content

1. Things to Do at Tamu Muhibbah
2. Jungle Produce of Sarawak
3. Shopping at Tamu Muhibbah
4. Popular Sarawakian Dishes
5. How to Get to Tamu Muhibbah

Exploring the cultural Tamu Muhibbah at Miri, Sarawak

Exploring the Cultural Tamu Muhibbah at Miri, Sarawak

Things to Do at Tamu Muhibbah

You can find a variety of exotic vegetables and fruits, handicrafts, meat and local fares from the upriver regions. Popular items here are the famous fragrant Bario rice, Sarawak pepper, local honey, Bario salt, cencaluk (fermented tiny shrimps), and a wide range of regional produce. Save your time by getting all your Sarawakian goodies at Tamu Muhibbah where you can find everything in one spot!

Discover a wide range of regional produce at Tamu Muhibbah

Jungle Produce of Sarawak

Markets are your best bet for the freshest produce. The same is true for this market. You can get fresh seafood, fruits, veggies, and even stumble upon weird findings such as living turtles. People from all walks of life and all parts of the Miri region come to Tamu Muhibbah to market their goods. With a vibrant array of items for sale, you will have plenty to discover.

Tamu Muhibbah offers a variety of products from the jungles, including terung Iban (a type of sour, yellow and round eggplant), jungle ferns known as paku and midin, bamboo and palm shoots, upland rice such as the Bario rice and black glutinous rice - in different varieties and colours.

Shopping at Tamu Muhibbah

Are you looking for clothes at the tamu? Amazingly, there is an impressive collection of women's clothes at Tamu Muhibbah such as baju kurung, skirts, blouses, shawls, scarves. Be prepared to be mesmerised by the unique patterns of apparels as you walk through the aisle!

Exotic meats such as bats, snakes, wild boars, ulat mulung can be found here. You will also see native wooden sculptures or carvings, as well as rattan products. There is a colourful variety of local fruit such as rambutans, mangoes, bananas, durians, mangosteens, jackfruits, papayas, pineapples, and langsat. If you are looking for products harvested in small farms, you can pick from long beans, kangkong (water spinach), chilli padi, and cucumbers of diverse shapes and colours.

You can find fresh sea cucumber at Tamu Muhibbah

Popular Dishes in Sarawak

In a separate section, there are food stands where the locals usually gather for breakfast. Here, you can try Sarawakian specialties such as Kolok mee and Sarawak Laksa. Kolok mee is a Sarawak-style dish made using springy noodles mixed with savoury meat and topped with aromatic fried shallots tossed in an appetising sauce.

Sarawak Laksa is a soupy noodle dish which catapulted to international fame after the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain called it "the breakfast of the gods". The dish offers the perfect balance of spiciness, herbal fragrance, and tanginess - combined with the subtle creamy taste of coconut milk. Complete your  Sarawakian meal with a cold drink, such as milo peng or coffee peng (peng means ice in the Chinese Hokkien dialect).

There is a wide variety of local food to choose from at Tamu Muhibbah

Ikan bakar or grilled fish is a popular choice here

Pulut panggang or grilled glutinous rice is a must-try local dish

Food market at Tamu Muhibbah, Miri

How to Get to Tamu Muhibbah

Tamu Muhibbah is located at Jalan Padang in the Miri city centre. This market is located next to the Miri Council Field and is situated across from Miri central bus station. It can be easily reached using Grab or by hiring a shuttle from your hotel.

The most exciting part about experiencing Tamu Muhibbah is the opportunity to discover myriads of things under one roof - and at a cheaper price! It is definitely worth your time as you get to see for your ownself the daily life of the locals. Happy shopping and have fun!

Don't forget to share your travel & dining moments with us on Instagram by tagging @rollinggrace or #RollingGrace. Happy travelling!