Taman Negara Restaurants

We had 3 lunches at the same floating restaurants. Of course the food here is not as good as what we had at the rainforest resort, but I suppose here is cheaper and so, we compromise with what we were given. You can buy your drinks from here, even mineral water as it cost cheaper here than buying from the mini-mart from Mutiara.

All our meals were included in the package that we had taken up. Dinner for the first night at the rainforest resort was quite sumptuous - Didn't really expect I could get nice food here at Taman Negara. We were served a set dinner - fried rice, beef, lamb, grilled fish wrapped in aluminium foil, chicken wings, veggies, satay (best)! That's really a lot for us to finish all. All tasted quite good except for the beef and lamb as I found the meat a bit too tough. The next morning, breakfast came in buffet style. We had toast, cornflakes, fried beehoon, sausages etc, not bad too. For the second day dinner, although not as good as the first one, but still okay. We had fried rice, chicken and veggie.

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Although there were several restaurants across Tembeling River from Mutiara Taman Negara, we had decided to go with the Seri Mutiara Restaurant which is located within the resort's compound; as daily breakfast and one dinner buffet (on the first night) were already included in our package deal.

The restaurant itself is quite cosy and comfortable. However, being in the middle of the Tropical Rain Forest means that, you'll occasionally have to watch out for flying insects (less in the morning however).

Later into the night this place seemed to bustle up into a hang-out spot for most of the visitors here; chilling out, chatting away and sharing interesting experiences after the day's activities. We've met people from Germany, France, and the Emirates. Wines and beers were available.

Favorite Dish: The breakfast and dinner buffet spread were overall on average. Not too much choices but adequate.

The dinner buffet starts at 7pm and the selections were made up of mainly local cuisines, which puts curry chicken, local-styled fish, fried rice, noodles, stir fried chickens, etc. up there on the list. There's a small salad and cold dish corner as well, not to mention the usual dessert spread comprising of cakes, puddings, and local kuehs.

If the price of a diner buffet of RM45 per person feels a little heavy, ala carte selections were also available. On the second night, we had fried vermicelli, stir fried kung-pao chicken, gado-gado, and a slice of apple pie with ice cream, all for a spoil of RM55. The fried vermicelli is not bad, moist and tasty... :).

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Across Tembeling River from Mutira Taman Negara, there's several river restaurants. Unfortunately we can't give much information here as we didn't get a chance to eat there... :p. To get there take a RM0.50 boat ride across (per trip). So here's just some photos folks.

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Enroute to Taman Negara, we hopped off our shuttle bus at Kuala Tembeling for our connecting boat ride. It's however 12pm and we've got more than an hour's wait time so we decided to go for the "Restoran Taman Negara" inside the Visitor Centre.

Take a look at the menu here :).

The price looks reasonable enough. But I'm pretty sure it's one notch above local pricing.

Favorite Dish: We decided to go for the chicken chop at RM10 each.

10 minutes and several photo shots at the sleepy kampung view out the restaurant's window later, our sizzling hot chicken chops were served. Yummy... but hmmm... could have been a bit more tender. No complains nevertheless.

Honestly, don't dine at this place unless you have to. I didn't have a choice as I took a package and all meals were had here. Food sucks big time here as portions were measly and salty. Argh. Not that I was into gourmet ala Taman Negara but my food has to be platable.

Favorite Dish: Honestly, the only thing I enjoyed at the table was the fellowship I had with my friends. If not for them, meal times would be a sad affair.

Rumbia is one of the nicest floating restaurants in these parts. The owners had put effort into decorating it with native blowpipes, masks and menus made from bark and leaves.

To add to the surreal atmosphere, there were wind chimes made from hollowed bamboo that would sing out ...telling an ancient tale.

I am not sure if this restaurant still exists because I was there in 2002. I certainly hope it is.

Favorite Dish: The food was not particularly memorable, but the whole restaurant was comfortable, cosy and special.

The restaurants lining the river offer reasonably priced food and comfortable atmosphere. Especially in the evening and even more when heavy rain is falling and all the small boats crossing the river have disappeared the atmosphere becomes very jungle-like.
Keep in mind that the Taman Negara is in the Muslim part of the country, no alcohol is served.

Favorite Dish: The obligatory dishes are fried noodles or rice and satay, but some of the restaurants also offer good burgers.