Kuching Shopping

There are some art galleries along Main Bazaar road that sell wooden crafts or artwork. They can be made to order and shipped to your desired destination.

What to buy: If you think that these wooden pieces are too bulky to carry home then consider the little trinkets like Nibong fork and spoon, wooden beads necklace, etc. They are cheap and are great souvenirs.

What to buy: The Orang Ulu ladies are the artisans of this fine craft. In their possession are antique necklaces, headgear and baby carriers.

The modern revivals are pen cover, key chain, necklace, bracelet, purse, sandals, etc. and they are inexpensive as souvenirs.

Malaysia is a major world producer and exporter of pepper, producing around 25,000 tonnes anually, of which 98% is grown in Sarawak. High quality Sarawak pepper on various forms and packagings and a host of pepper-based products are widely available in Kuching.

What to buy: Many of the shops in Main Bazaar offer various products made from Sarawak's two well-renowned produce, ie. pepper and sago extracted from the nipah palms grown wild in the lush swampy coastal areas.

Some pepper-based products are biscuits, sweet, powder and in ground form.

What to pay: Price depends on the grade and types of pepper. White pepper is more superior and expensive than black pepper. Pay about RM10 to RM12 for a pack of 5 small bottles of pepper of 40g each. Prices are quite standard. However, you can get a better deal if you buy more.

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What to buy: Most of the handicraft, souvenir, curio and antique shops can be found along the Main Bazaar. Must-buy souvenirs should include handwoven Pua Kumbu (ceremonial blanket), traditional headgear, Sarawak mats, blowpipes, pottery, wood carvings and the Orang Ulu beads and beadwork.

Those interested to know more about the craft of Sarawak can drop by at the Sarawak Craft Council which is located at the Round Tower, opposite the General Post Office. (See Things to Do tips)

Pepper products are sold at most of the shops here.

Other than shopping for handicrafts and souvenirs, you can also shop at the many travel agencies here. They organise city day tour, visit to long house, national parks / caves.

What to buy: This is a type of fish very popular among the locals. The meat is tasty but full of fine bones. Be cautious when eating it. It can be grilled or preserved with salt as an appetiser. Some local tourists even packed it frozen to send home. It can be easily found in market stalls or seafood restaurant.

What to pay: 3 salted Terubok fish for RM10

The Main Bazaar is a great place to walk & discover the flavors of Kuching. There are many shops where you can find ingredients for cooking

What to buy: Dried fish is an ingredient in a lot of local dishes. I got a couple of dried shrimps & anchovies to bring home because they cost less than in a supermarket

What to pay: Inexpensive, and they are priced by weight

These salesmen are mostly stationed at the sidewalk and have large signs to attract customers. I don't know who would have the nerve to actually walk up & buy the items because other people may snicker at them when they approach the stall

What to buy: Gambir is an herb that is also known as the local viagra, is popularly used by men to enhance their sex lives.

You can find some lovely shops selling local crafts in the Main Bazaar and some shops along the Waterfront. Some even bring the whole ethnic feel into their shops by making them look like inside of a longhouse.

What to buy: There are all sorts of local craft but some of my favorite include glass beaded jewelery & decorations, the Pua Kumbu Iban textile, pottery and carvings

What to pay: Some prices are fixed but you can bargain at the shophouses