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Guests enjoying an Indigenous Sabahan cooking meal in Kota Kinabalu, seated under a wooden shelter with shared dishes
Kota Kinabalu Indigenous Sabahan cooking feast spread with grilled meat, herbs and steaming bowls on a patterned table
Hands preparing Indigenous Sabahan ingredients in Kota Kinabalu, holding a large leaf with a paste over a pot
Indigenous Sabahan cook in Kota Kinabalu holding a basket of fresh greens and herbs, wearing traditional headscarf and dress
Local Sabahan family cooking in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo—stirring ingredients in a large wok over an outdoor stove
Sabahan meal served on banana leaves in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, with rice, grilled meat, and fresh vegetables
Fish simmering in a clay pot with sliced red chillies during Indigenous Sabahan cooking with a local family in Kota Kinabalu
Guests enjoying an Indigenous Sabahan cooking meal in Kota Kinabalu, seated under a wooden shelter with shared dishes
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Guests enjoying an Indigenous Sabahan cooking meal in Kota Kinabalu, seated under a wooden shelter with shared dishes
Kota Kinabalu Indigenous Sabahan cooking feast spread with grilled meat, herbs and steaming bowls on a patterned table
Hands preparing Indigenous Sabahan ingredients in Kota Kinabalu, holding a large leaf with a paste over a pot
Indigenous Sabahan cook in Kota Kinabalu holding a basket of fresh greens and herbs, wearing traditional headscarf and dress
Guests enjoying an Indigenous Sabahan cooking meal in Kota Kinabalu, seated under a wooden shelter with shared dishes
Kota Kinabalu Indigenous Sabahan cooking feast spread with grilled meat, herbs and steaming bowls on a patterned table
Hands preparing Indigenous Sabahan ingredients in Kota Kinabalu, holding a large leaf with a paste over a pot
Indigenous Sabahan cook in Kota Kinabalu holding a basket of fresh greens and herbs, wearing traditional headscarf and dress
Local Sabahan family cooking in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo—stirring ingredients in a large wok over an outdoor stove
Sabahan meal served on banana leaves in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, with rice, grilled meat, and fresh vegetables
Fish simmering in a clay pot with sliced red chillies during Indigenous Sabahan cooking with a local family in Kota Kinabalu
Basket of fresh prawns, herbs, ginger and greens laid out for Indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Local family and guests cooking and tasting near a bubbling pot on an outdoor table at an Indigenous Sabahan experience in Kota Kinabalu
Indigenous Sabahan family cook holding a spice jar at a wooden table outdoors in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Two Indigenous Sabahan women in aprons holding a colourful bowl of salad during a local cooking experience in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Kota Kinabalu Indigenous Sabahan meal spread with grilled chicken, colourful salads, herbal stems and lit tea-candles
Indigenous Sabahan cooking with a local family in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo—four hosts posing at a covered food station
Two women in aprons holding a bowl of shredded salad in a leafy garden kitchen during Indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu
Sabahan feast table in Kota Kinabalu with banana-leaf plates, bright salads and soups arranged on a patterned cloth
Indigenous Sabahan cooking class in Kota Kinabalu, family members pour and mix ingredients on a table beneath leafy shade
Indigenous Sabahan cooking class with a local family around a wok stove in an open-air kitchen in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Bright vegetable salad on banana leaves for an Indigenous Sabahan cooking meal during a local family session in Kota Kinabalu
Indigenous Sabahan cooking with a local family in Kota Kinabalu, participants chopping vegetables at an outdoor dining table
Two cooks wearing gloves prepare fish and spices at an Indigenous Sabahan cooking with a local family session in Kota Kinabalu
Fresh red chillies, limes and garlic laid on a tray of greens, ready for indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu
Brass bowl of white rice with nearby greens and ingredients on a table during Indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu
Local family meal-making in Kota Kinabalu as an Indigenous Sabahan cooking group chops and stirs ingredients around the table
Fresh ginger roots and red onions on a platter for Indigenous Sabahan cooking with a local family in Kota Kinabalu
Chopped herbs and vegetables mixed on banana leaves, ready to serve as part of Indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu
Small-group Indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu, three family hosts prepare dishes under a garden shelter
Close-up of orange stalks, garlic bulbs and fresh greens arranged on a cooking prep tray for Indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu
Outdoor cooking lesson with a local family, stirring ingredients in a brass bowl in Kota Kinabalu during Indigenous Sabahan cooking
Woven tray of fresh herbs and vegetables laid out for Indigenous Sabahan cooking with a local family in Kota Kinabalu
Two people wearing aprons serving dishes and mixed ingredients during an Indigenous Sabahan cooking session in Kota Kinabalu
Indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu, three cooks prepare food at a covered table with a clay pot and basketed ingredients
Hand-prepared meat ingredients in a brass bowl during Indigenous Sabahan cooking with a local family in Kota Kinabalu
Chopped greens with sliced chillies and white strips in a bowl, served as part of indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu
Two women in matching aprons preparing food at a stall during an Indigenous Sabahan cooking with a local family in Kota Kinabalu

Indigenous Sabahan Cooking with Auntie Winnie

Learn indigenous Kadazan-Dusun cooking with a local family
4.8
|18 Reviews
Group size
Up to 10 guests
DURATION
3 hours
Booking type
Join-in trip
MEET UP
Free pick-up
Group size
Up to 10 guests
  • Experience highlights
  • Itinerary
  • Inclusions
  • Availability
  • More Info
  • Host
  • Reviews
Discover Sabah's soul through its indigenous cuisine
Many travellers say this is a highlight of their time in Borneo. It’s a rare chance to experience indigenous Sabahan life up close, through cooking with a local Kadazan-Dusun family in their home.What makes this special is the people. Auntie Cindy, Auntie Winnie or Chef Bonny don’t just teach recipes. They share how and why these dishes are made, from foraging ingredients to family traditions. You'll learn recipes that aren’t usually found in restaurants, with dishes passed down through generations. The setting is also really heartfelt - it's not a polished cooking studio, but a real home kitchen, often using ingredients straight from the garden.By the end, you’ll sit down together to eat what you’ve cooked. It feels less like a class, and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. It's a more grounded, meaningful way to experience Sabah.This 3-hour hands-on workshop focuses on authentic cooking, with all ingredients prepared for you. Participants will learn to cook traditional Kadazan-Dusun dishes such as:Linopot (Hill Rice) – A traditional Sabahan staple, rice wrapped in leaves, once carried by villagers into the fields or forest. Fragrant, earthy, and deeply tied to local heritage.Hinava (Sabah Ceviche) – A refreshing dish of fresh fish cured in lime with ginger, chilli, and native herbs. Light, zesty, and one of Sabah’s most iconic specialities.Tuhau – A uniquely Sabahan relish made from wild ginger, often mixed with chilli and lime. Bold, aromatic, and a true taste of Borneo’s rainforest.Ikan Basung – A classic local fish dish, prepared with traditional spices and cooking methods passed down through generations.Ambuyat – A sticky sago starch delicacy, eaten with flavourful side dishes. Fun to eat with a traditional “chopstick swirl” and an absolute must-try for anyone curious about Sabahan cuisine.The session ends with a hearty lunch of your own dishes, plus a recipe booklet to continue the journey back home.Good to knowDietary needs—including vegetarian, gluten-free, or no pork—can be catered for with advance notice.Pick-up and drop-off from Kota Kinabalu city centre are included. Kindly share your pick-up address in advance.Whether you’re curious about local food culture or simply love to cook, this immersive experience offers a meaningful taste of Sabah, shared with passionate locals.

Experience highlights

Kota Kinabalu Indigenous Sabahan cooking feast spread with grilled meat, herbs and steaming bowls on a patterned table
Learn Sabah’s indigenous food culture
Sabahan meal served on banana leaves in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, with rice, grilled meat, and fresh vegetables
Cook rare Kadazan-Dusun dishes
Hands preparing Indigenous Sabahan ingredients in Kota Kinabalu, holding a large leaf with a paste over a pot
Dishes rooted in land and tradition
Two women in aprons holding a bowl of shredded salad in a leafy garden kitchen during Indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu
Guided by warm local hosts
Guests enjoying an Indigenous Sabahan cooking meal in Kota Kinabalu, seated under a wooden shelter with shared dishes
Enjoy your own creations for lunch
Small-group Indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu, three family hosts prepare dishes under a garden shelter
Discover food stories & traditions
Basket of fresh prawns, herbs, ginger and greens laid out for Indigenous Sabahan cooking in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Use local and foraged ingredients
Local family and guests cooking and tasting near a bubbling pot on an outdoor table at an Indigenous Sabahan experience in Kota Kinabalu
Hosted in a real local home
Local Sabahan family cooking in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo—stirring ingredients in a large wok over an outdoor stove
Return transfer from Kota Kinabalu town

What You’ll be Doing

Cook authentic Sabah dishes and enjoy a hearty lunch!
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What’s Included

Return transfer from Kota Kinabalu town
3-hour hands-on cooking session with a local host who shares rich insights into Sabah’s culinary history and culture
Meal with the family
Learn about Sabah’s food history, culture, and cooking techniques
All ingredients provided and prepared for the session
Take home a copy of the recipes
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Who you’re supporting

community_based

Community Champion

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Next Available Dates

Prices shown in USD
Select Time for 24 Jun 2026
Additional Information

Where we'll meet

Start Point

Free pick-up from Kota Kinabalu City Vicinity or KKIA Airport(Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Aras 5 邮政, Malaysia)
  • Meet at selected timeslot

End Point

  • End at Start Point(s)

Start & Ends

Daily
10:00AM - 01:00PM

Suitability / Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible
  • Infant seats available
  • Vegetarian food available
  • Child Friendly (No Minimum Age)

Cancellation & other policies

  • Cancellation

    Cancel 3 days before activity for a full refund
From
RM307.97
/person
4.8(18)
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Meet your host

Ron Wong started has been part of some truly bold journeys—like leading the first group wild camping in Myanmar and crossing borders most wouldn’t even think to try. Now in Borneo, he’s rolled up his sleeves to start fresh—sourcing vehicles, forming local partnerships, and working closely with indigenous communities like the Kadazan, Dusun, and Lundayeh. Ron’s focus is simple: show people the real Borneo, led by the people who know it best, while being kind to the environment. It’s not about ticking boxes—it’s about sharing moments, places, and cultures that often go unseen.
Experience: 3 years
Speaks: Basic English, Fluent English, Chinese
Acceptance rate: 86%
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