The Village House, Perfect Nature Getaway From Kuching

Ever since my family bought houses in Kuching, I no longer have to book and stay any of the hotels whenever I went Kuching for holiday. Kuching is currently like my second hometown as I always went back, for at least every month. But because lately my husband tagged along for this monthly "balik kampung" trip and coincidentally our anniversary fall during this trip too, hence I plan for staycation in Kuching. We did quite number of staycations in Kota Kinabalu, so why not for Kuching too, right? 

Nestled at the foothills of the majestic Mount Santubong, The Village House by Singgahsana is a small luxury guesthouse set in a quaint and friendly Malay village which is about 40 minutes driving from Kuching city center. However, getting to this guesthouse is a lil bit tricky as they don't any signboards even right outside of their property. Hence, it's wise to get ready with  Google Map before starting your journey. 

According to their website, the check-in time is 2pm but we're pretty lucky that they allowed us to check in earlier when we arrived the property around 1pm. We're served with refreshing welcome drinks and they requested for our identification cards for check-in purposes. And the next thing we know, the room is ready for us to check-in. Cool! 

We booked the Village Double room from Booking.com and were given the Kunyit room. Kunyit defines as Turmeric in Malay language and the name of each room is given based on the herbs and spices such as Pandan, Lengkuas, Midin, Serai, Pinang and more. Sounds interesting right? They do have two suites and dormitory-style bunk beds too. Features boldly coloured walls, solid timber bed frame and four-poster beds with mosquito net, this room somehow reminds me of my stay in Hibiscus Beach Retreat, Kudat. Although the room seems to be relatively small and bear in mind, there's no TV within the room, but I absolutely love the view overlooking the internal pool courtyard. 

As for the ensuite bathroom, it's equipped with hot and cold rain shower, basic amenities, plush bath towels and hairdryer. The only drawback is the hairdryer which is significantly small and it takes longer time for my hair to dry. 

Done with the introduction of the room, now let's take a look at the whole property. Right from the moment we stepped in, we felt like we're in Bali instead. Surrounded by towering trees and lush greens, this place is perfect for those who want to escape from the hustle bustle of the city. 

The entire property is beautifully appointed with long wooden Malay traditional-style architecture surrounding the indoor pool courtyard. Further accentuating the refinement of the property, are the owner’s eclectic collection of art, antiques and artifacts tastefully showcased. 

Like I mentioned earlier, though there is no TV within the room, there is a common room with TV, books and board game for the guests to share and use. 

Our room rate inclusive of dinner which comes with 3-course set meal and a hearty breakfast. A day before we check-in into here, the staff WhatsApp us to fill up the form of our preferred meal for dinner and breakfast from the menu choices given. All the check-in guests are required to fill up and submit the form before 3pm in order for them to get ready and prepare the meal in advance. The dinner is ready by 7pm for the guests to indulge and enjoy the 3-course set meal. 

Starter: Homemade cream of mushroom (his choice) and fresh green garden salad (my choice)

Main: Fish & chips (his) and chicken curry with rice (mine)

Dessert: Banana split (his) and kek lapis served with ice-cream (mine)

As for the breakfast, we're given 3 options; 

• English Breakfast - 2 eggs, a hashbrown, 2 chicken franks, 2 beef bacon and a grilled tomato.
• Pancakes - 3 pieces pancakes with yogurt and a slice of citrus fruit
• Local delight - Chef's menu of the day of either vermicelli, egg noodles or flat rice noodles.

And both of us opted for English breakfast. Breakfast is served between 7.30am to 10.30am with refillable coffee, tea, cereals and toasts. 

Do you know that in order to provide exclusive privacy and zen to the guests, The Village House is reserved exclusively for guests above the age of 12. So if you have kids below 12 years old, I guess you need to book other place first and wait until your kids are over 12 years, then probably you can consider to come here and stay.

Serenely peaceful getaway 

The downside of The Village House is that due to its pretty remote location, hence it's not easily accessible. However, you can request for shuttle service from the staff. I personally think it's best to come here with own transport, like what we did. 

The Village House Singgahsana
Date Stayed: 12 - 13 August 2022 (1 night)
Room Rate: RM413 for Village Double Room with breakfast and dinner (booked from Booking.com)

Planning your trip to Kuching, Sarawak? You can check out 4D3N Kuching Itinerary For The First Timer

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4D3N Kuching Itinerary For The First-Timer

Kuching is one of the cities in Malaysia that I went pretty often. Mainly because part of my family members are staying there and that's explain why I always go back Kuching like every 1-2 months. Another reason is because I'm a Sarawakian too, though I wasn't born there. Since I've been there many times, hence I thought why not create a post for those who are interested to go Kuching for the very first time? Plus, quite number of my friends actually asked me - what to do and see in Kuching, so here's the post as your reference to plan your trip there. 

Besides being the capital city of Sarawak state, Kuching is the largest city of East Malaysia as well as the largest city on the island of Borneo. The name of the city, Kuching is thought to derive from the Malay word "kucing" indicates cat. To date, cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kota Bahru of West Malaysia do have direct flight to Kuching without any stop.

Sarawak need passport? The most common question I always came across. Oh well, it's up to you; either just bring along your identification card (IC) and you will receive a temporary visitor slip which need to return when exiting the state (do not lose it or else, you need to lodge police report) OR you can even show your passport and you will get a stamp. Yes, a stamp on your passport even you are a Malaysian. This applies to a Sabahan too when visiting Sarawak. However for Sarawakian who is going to Sabah, there will be no temporary visitor slip given or even stamp on the passport. That's shows how powerful Sarawak status is.


Another question I got is, what's the currency for Sarawak? Dude, Sarawak is part of Malaysia and therefore, Sarawakian is also using Ringgit Malaysia (RM/MYR).

Now here is my recommended 4D3N Kuching itinerary if you are visiting for the very first time:

DAY 1

Begin your Kuching trip by going to Padungan Street Area for photo opportunity with various cat statues and savouring local food at Song Kheng Hai Food Court. Do try local food and snacks such as Belacan bihun, kompia, fruit rojak and cococane juice there.

Song Kheng Hai Food Court
Opening Hours: 11am to 5pm. Closed on every Monday. 

A handful of cat statues along the Pandungan Street

Continue by heading to Padang Merdeka as this is where abundant of attractions situated; ranging from historical museums such as Sarawak Museum, Sarawak Art Museum and Islamic Heritage Museum to creative and colourful murals depicting Kuching's rich history and culture stretching along the street nearby Electra House, Open Air Market to Indian Street Pedestrian Mall. 

DAY 2

Kicking-off your day by having Sarawak Laksa for breakfast at Choon Hui Cafe. Even the late Anthony Bourdain, the world-renowned travelling & celebrity chef came here twice just for the laksa. Don't forget to saviour the popiah and kaya toast too.

Visit the Sarawak Cultural Village. Since it is situated 45 minutes away from the Kuching city center, hence you might either need to rent a car or take a Grab for a single-trip between RM30 or more. Also known as the "Living Museum", Sarawak Cultural Village is an ideal place for those who want to discover and learn more about the local culture, heritage and lifestyles of the various ethnic groups and tribes. Here, you get to see different kind of traditional houses, cultural dance and performances.  

Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm daily
Entrance Fee: RM54 for adult and RM27 for children if you purchase online here. 

Take a stroll at Damai Beach, which located opposite of Sarawak Cultural Village. It's a nice beach with a stunning view over Santubong mountain. However, the beach is not suitable for those who intend to go for swimming. You can grab some snacks and drinks before heading back to the city center. 

Dropby at Cats Museum while on the way back to the city center. Housed on the ground level on the Kuching North City Hall Building, this cat-themed museum contains more than 4,000 artifacts including paintings, photos, art, souvenirs and memoriable related to the feline family. 

Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm daily

Entrance Fee: RM3 for adult and RM2 for children.

If you happen to be in Kuching during the weekend, why not end your night by going to Siniawan Night Market. This night market only opens on weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Approaching to 30 minutes drive away from the city, this small and charming heritage town is an amazing place to spend the evening by hunting for local delicacies on the street lined with two rows of wooden shophouses, and Chinese lanterns light the street below.

Opening Hours: 6pm to 11pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.

DAY 3

A trip to Kuching is absolutely incomplete without having kolo mee. So far the best kolo mee I ever had is Sin Lian Shin at Green Road. You can either opt for plain or seasoned with red sauce (basically it's the char siew sauce which makes the noodle taste slightly sweeter).

If you are looking forward for something close to the nature and also wildlife, probably you can consider either going to the Bako National Park or Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. However, you can only pick one as it impossible to cover both in a day. Glad that I have finally managed to visit both of these places this year but in two separate Kuching trips.

During my recent trip to Kuching May this year, we drove to Bako National Park which is about 30 minutes drive from the city. We reach there as early as 8am in order to catch the boat from the terminal to the jetty of the national park. I personally think it's best one need to be physically fit and tough to get through the trekking trail cause there are few trails were pretty tough and steep. We're grateful we managed to sight few Proboscis monkeys (the main star of the national park), silver-leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaque monkeys as well as wild board running free around the park during our visit.

Two type of fees:
1) National Park Entrance Fee: RM10 for adult and RM3 for children.
2) Boat Ride Fee (Return): RM30 for adult and RM20 for chiclren. The last boat ride back to the terminal is 3pm

As for Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, I went and dropby when I was in Kuching on November this year. The drive from city center to there took about 45 minutes. Unlike Bako National Park, Semenggoh is an easily walking trail and it's suitable for the young children and elderly. Just that from the ticket counter to the feeding trail, it's about 2-3km walk but don't worry, you can take a ride on a van for RM1 per person for a single ride. Semenggoh is an ideal half-day trip to encounter orang-utan, one of Borneo's endangered species. But be sure to get there before 9am or 3pm cause that's the only time for the feeding trail open to visitor.

Feeding Time: 9am-10am and 3pm-4pm daily

Entrance Fee: RM5 for adult, RM3 for senior citizen and disabled person and RM2 for children (For local only)

After a full-day of jungle trekking or a half-day trip to watch orang-utan being fed, quench your thirst by having Kuching's best ice-kacang (shaved ice) at Swee Kang Ice Kacang. Besides a bowl of standard ice kacang, don't leave the shop without trying the "White Lady" drink which is pretty popular and only can be found in Kuching.

Opening Hours: 12pm to 6.30pm. Closed on every Thursday. 

On your last night in Kuching, take a walk and enjoy sunset at Darul Hanal Bridge, the latest additional of Kuching's attraction. Built with "S-shaped", it is a pedestrian bridge that connects both north and south side of Kuching river. 

DAY 4

Before bidding goodbye to Kuching, why not bringing back some kek lapis (traditional layer cake) as souvenirs for your friends and family? It's best to go on your last day of your trip in order to maintain the freshness of the cake. There are two shops highly recommended for selling the best kek lapis; Kek Lapis Dayang Salhah and Mira Cake House. Generally, each cost RM10 and if you bought 10, you will get 1 for free.  

How To Get These Two Kek Lapis Shops:

Take a boat across from the Waterfront 7-Eleven and turn right until spot a green mosque. Kek Lapis Dayang Salhah is just behind the mosque while Mira on the left side. There are signboards for both. 

And in the case you are searching for tourist memento and tribal handicrafts, venture and wander a very long row of shophouses along Waterfront Main Bazaar Street. Besides getting some typical knick-knack stuff, you might find local items such as the famous Sarawak black pepper, Sarawak laksa paste, instant kolo mee and more. 

Last but not least, enjoy a hot cup of coffee pairing with cake at a cafe of Kuching Old Courthouse before depart to Kuching International Airport.

Where To Stay In Kuching

The best area I would suggest when comes to picking accommodation in Kuching are those in between Padungan Street Area to Kuching Riverfront for its ideal and convenient location. Most of the hostels and budget hotels are located along Padungan Street Area whereas for 5-stars international hotels such as Pullman and Hilton are situated in the heart of Kuching.

For a long-list of food you should try and have when in Kuching, do read my post here.


Extra Info
To make your trip to Kuching more interesting and fun-filling one, schedule your trip to visit during Rainforest World Musical Festival or Kuching Food Festival Fair that held annually, most probably in the month of July every year.


Rainforest World Musical Festival, a three-day music festival celebrating the diversity of world music that held annually at Sarawak Cultural Village. Next year will held on 10-12 July. So save the date!

Kuching Festival Fair, a month-long food fair houses hundreds of mouth-watering local and international cuisines. 

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2017 Rainforest World Music Festival

To be honest, I never ever like to attend any events or festivals lately cause I dislike surrounded by large crowds. Not until one of my BFF suggested to have our first ever girl trip by attending the Rainforest World Musical Festival which held in Kuching, Sarawak - it's hard for me to say "No" when it comes to trip with my beloved friends. 

#RWMF2017

The Rainforest World Music Festival is a three-day internationally renowned world music festival held annually by the Sarawak Tourism Board. This event is takes place at the Sarawak Cultural Village, situated at the foothills of the legendary Mount Santubong. This festival has been running for exactly 20 years and I can't believe this is my first time attending one of Sarawak's biggest event when I, myself have been to Kuching like for almost hundred times (I'm both Sabahan and Sarawakian by the way).

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Kuching Café: Madeleine Cafe & Patisserie

When one mentions about Kuching, can't deny quite number of notable local dishes such laksa, kolo mee, kek lapis, kueh chap and more will instantly hit one's mind and even the mouth too. As I frequently visit Kuching cause it's my second hometown, I have try almost all the local dishes. Plus, I even did a list of what to eat and which shops or stalls are recommended to try for their respective dishes: Food Must Have When Visit Kuching. 

But because I keep going back Kuching and had the same local food over and over again, I want opt for something new, something unique. That's where I stumbled upon Madeleine Cafe & Patisserie, a very classic and cozy cafe with French-inspired design situated at Ground Floor, The Spring Shopping Mall of Kuching. So in case you are tired or exhausted from shopping spree, take a break and relax by sipping a cup of hot coffee or tea pair with heavenly slice of cake without have to travel far away.  

#1: Madeleine Cafe & Patisserie situated at Ground Floor, The Spring Shopping Mall of Kuching

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Foodie Friday: Food Must Have When Visit Kuching

UPDATED VERSION as at 15th December 2025
NOTE: Non-Halal Food Post

Kuching has a number of notable and famous local dishes that mostly served in hawker stalls. In this updated version, I even listed down which shops/stalls are recommended to try for their respective dishes. I didn't manage to visit all but you are welcome to give feedback and comments which shops/stalls you think served the best one. 

1) Kolo Mee

Who doesn't know this, the most famous noodle of Sarawak - Kolo Mee? A flash-boiled egg noodles that classically served with crushed garlic and shallot, minced meat, sliced of barbecue pork known (char siew), white vinegar and sometimes with chicken cutlets.  This is one of my favourite food that I can have it almost every day whenever I was in Kuching - whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even for supper. You can have this simple noodle as low as RM3.00 per bowl in Kuching. It's dirt cheap and sometimes the hawker is generous with the amount of char siew.



Usually, this simple noodle comes in two flavours - whether in plain or seasoned with red sauce (basically it's the char siew sauce which makes the noodles taste slightly sweeter). In certain stalls, you could request to be served in soy sauce or even in black vinegar. 

Recommendations for Best Kolo Mee
- Sin Lian Shin at 182, Green Road
- Oriental Park Cafe at Cathay Street
- Kim Joo at Carpenter Street
- Mee Kolok Mohammad Lim at Jalan Green Hell (For halal kolo mee)

2) Kuching Laksa

Cooked in shrimp based broth which made from sambal belacan, lemongrass, tamarin, garlic and thickened with coconut milk, this dish is served along with vermicelli rice noodles (bihun), omelette strips, shredded chicken, prawns, beansprouts and sliced deep fried tofu. This is one of Anthony Bourdain's Top 10 favourite dishes. 

Recommendations for Best Kuching Laksa

- Golden Arch Cafe at 3rd Miles

- Choon Hui Cafe at 34, Jalan Ban Hock (Anthony Bourdain, the world-renowned travelling & celebrity chef came here twice just for the laksa. Don't forget to try the popiah and kaya toast too) 

- Chong Choon Cafe at Jalan Chan Chin Ann (6.30am to 12pm)  

3) Kueh Chap

Kueh Chap, a flat and wide ricecake strips served in a herbal broth with assortment of pork internal organs, pork meat, skin, deep fried tofu, and hard-boiled egg. 

Recommendations for Best Kueh Chap
- Lao Ya Keng at Carpenter Street
- 3rd Mile Market at 3rd Mile
- Bintawa Kueh Chap (Tabuan Jaya) at Tabuan (4.30pm to 10pm on Tuesday to Sunday)
- Woon Lam Cafe 1999 at Jalan Song Thian Chiak

4) Tomato Kuey Teow

Another favourite of mine, Tomato Sauce Kuey Teow. Some people found it weird to eat this rice noodles served in the tomato sauce-based gravy but for me, it is one of the most heavenly delicious dish I love the most in Kuching. Some of the stalls in Kuching do serve in crispy deep fried noodles or bihun and you can request whatever ingredients you want to add into this meal. For me, I prefer chicken, pork and fish cakes.

Recommendations for Best Tomato Kuey Teow
- Song Kheng Hai Hawker Centre at Jalan Padungan
- Fu Yu Kopi Shop at Sekama
- Stutong Baru Tomato Fried Kiaw
- Hui Sing Hawker Cenre

5) Belacan Bihun

Belacan Bihun - a rice vermicelli served together with cuttlefish slices, century egg mixed along with sweet and spicy shrimp based broth (belacan).

Recommendations for Best Belacan Bihun
- Song Kheng Hai Hawker Centre (Stall No. 14) at Jalan Padungan
- Swee Kang Jalan Haji Taha at Haji Taha Road
- Old Rex Cucur Udang Cafe at Rubber Road

6) Traditional Kek Lapis (Layer Cake)

Most of the food above are inconvenient for you to bring back or even give to your friends and family as souvenires, unless they have to go Kuching by themselves. But no worry, as there are always something you can bring back as a gift from Kuching, none other than Kek Lapis or Layer Cake. There are many flavour with different kind of patterns and motifs. Most of the shops they will give one for free when you purchase at least 10 kek lapis. 

Recommendations for Best Kek Lapis 
- Kek Lapis Dayang Salhah at Jalan Gersik 
- Mira Cake House at Jalan Brooke (Opening Hours: 

(Take a boat across from the Waterfront 7-Eleven and turn right until spot a green mosque. Kek Lapis Dayang Salhah is just behind the mosque while Mira on the left side. There are signboards for both. No worries)

7) Kompia

This Foochow snack is famously found in Sibu but in case you don't have time to go Sibu, you can find it in Kuching too. It's a soft and crispy bagel coated with sesame seeds filling with minced pork cooked in a sweet gravy. Now they have many different flavours like stuffed with garlic, ham and more. Most of the stalls selling each for RM1.00 only.

Recommendations for Best Kompia in Kuching
- Song Kheng Hai Hawker Centre (Stall No. 7) at Jalan Padungan

8) Kampua Mee

Another famous Sibu staple food which look like Kolo mee but the significant differences would be Kampua mee is more thicker and less curly than the latter one. In term of taste, kampua mee is more dry than kolo mee. Commonly served with sliced of barbecue pork and the noodles can be served in plain or soy sauce.

9) Sio Bee

Sio Bee is Kuching's version of siu mai. I never noticed this until my recent trip back there. The difference between siu mai and sio bee is that siu mai contains both pork and shrimps while sio bee is completely stuffed with pork only. No wonder they taste totally different from siu mai when I had my first bite.

Recommendations for Best Sio Bee
- Sin Kwang Heng at Open Air Market opposite Electra House

10) Sarawak Popiah (Spring Roll)

Popiah Sarawak Style might look so common like the one in West Malaysia and Singapore but actually their fillings are more toward dry version.

Recommendations for Best Sarawak Popiah

- Choon Hui Cafe at 34, Jalan Ban Hock

11) Three Layer Milk Tea

Three Layer Milk Tea locally known as Teh C Special. This three lay­ers are often made up of tea which is on the top, evap­o­rated milk in the middle and Gula Melaka syrup in the bottom part. Not just three, there are some shops even served in five layers. Cool!

Recommendations for Best Three Layer Milk Tea
- Everywhere in Kuching

12) CocoCane


Cococane is a combination of freshly squeezed sugar cane with scrapped coconut flesh and coconut juice. The drink is so refreshing and cooling and best to drink to beat the hot weather. Besides Cococane, you could also opt for Honey Sea Coconut juice.

Recommendations for Best Cococane in Kuching
- Song Kheng Hai Hawker Centre (Stall No. 24) at Jalan Padungan

13) Sunny Hill Ice-Cream

This famous and legendary ice-cream parlour has been operated for more than 50 years and many local were actually grew up with the companion of this ice-cream shop. There are only certain of flavours will be served on the specific days and most of the time, only two flavours are served; strawberry flavour on every Monday and Tuesday, pandan or corn flavour on every Wednesday to Friday and chocolate flavour on every Saturday and Sunday. Whereas for vanilla flavour, it will be served on every single day.

Business Hours:

Sunday - Thursday: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm

Friday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Saturday: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Check out my old post on Sunny Hill Ice-Cream

14) Ice-Cream Gula Apong

Palm sugar, or gula apong is the sweet substance processed from the sap of the nipah palm. Nipah palm grows naturally and abundantly along the coastal areas throughout Sarawak. You can topped Ice-Cream Gula Apong with variety of topping such as crunched peanuts, orea, cornflakes and nestum.

Recommendations for Gula Apong in Kuching
- Open Air Market at Jalan
- DP Ice Cream Gula Apong

15) Ah Yeo Ice Kacang

From my point of view, Ah Yeo Ice Kacang served the best ABC in Kuching. I'm not a really big fan of ice-kacang but Ah Yeo changed my mind. So far, they have created more than 200 variety of menus with special and funky name. I was so surprised but at the same time, laughed for non-stop when I heard the name. Their ABC are freaking dirt cheap too where you can get as low as RM2.20. Gosh!



Address: Jubilee Ground Hawker Centre
Opening Hours: 11am to 5pm

16) Swee Kang Ais Kacang

Another famous ABC among Kuchingites is Swee Kang Ais Kacang with almost 20 variations of ABC and drinks as stated on their menu. You can also try other stuffs like rojak buah, cucur udang, radish cake and laksa here. 

Address: Jalan Kulas - Haji Taha Interchange, Kampung Bandarshah, 93400 Kuching. 
Opening Hours: 12pm to 6.30pm (Closed on every Tuesday)

17) Midin

Midin is a local fern picked from the wild and used a vegetable. Typically, it is stir fried with garlic and even with belacan and chilli. This dish is commonly found in any coffee shops or restaurants.

There are more food I haven't try yet especially the native dishes such as Ayam Pansuh/Manok Pansoh and Kacangma and I can't wait to be back to Kuching again for another food adventures. Beside the local dishes, there are also few cafes that are worth to try when one in Kuching. This will be next in my upcoming post. Oh boy! I can feel that my waist is expending soon. 

[Credit to: Says - 20 Sarawak Dishes You Need To Try Before You Die, MY Eat Play Love FB Page]

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