KUCHING: The Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival next month will attempt to enter the Malaysia Book of Records for a display of the most types of ulam.
State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said 70 different ulam would be exhibited at the festival.
"I love ulam and there are so many types, but I didn't know it could reach up to 70. This will help to promote Sarawak's traditional food," he told a press conference here on Friday (April 5).
Ulam refers to a dish consisting of fresh plant shoots and leaves, fruits, vegetables and local herbs eaten raw or blanched, usually with sambal.
The ulam to be displayed at the festival includes paku uban (jungle fern), tepus (wild ginger shoot), tapioca leaves, bunga kantan (torch ginger flower) and dabai (a local fruit also known as the Sarawak olive).
The record-setting attempt will be made on the last day of the festival, which will take place at Aiman Mall in Kota Samarahan on May 10-19.
Abdul Karim said the festival would showcase traditional products and local culture, with 83 stalls selling local food and crafts.
There will also be cultural performances such as bermukun (singing, dancing and pantun recital accompanied by drums), Chinese orchestra, Iban traditional drumming and Bugis music.
Other activities include a cooking competition of local fish like terubok, an eat-all-you-can pineapple challenge and a talent contest.
Abdul Karim said the festival would bring visitors to Samarahan, a fast-developing area next to Kuching.
"Samarahan used to be looked upon as a downtrodden place but not anymore. It is now the fringe of Kuching and a food belt producing fruits, vegetables and fish," he said.
When the festival was last held in 2022, it attracted 98,819 visitors over a week.
