Pecal of Tamparuli town

Pecal: A Taste of Tradition in Tamparuli Town

What’s the famous food of Tamparuli town? To foreigners, it’s Tamparuli Fried Noodle (Malay: Mee Goreng Tamparuli). But if you’re craving some old-school flavours that capture the nostalgic charm of this historical town, Pecal will take you back to grandma’s time.

Pecal
Pecal is such an old breakfast that my parents were the regular customers 60 years ago.

Pecal consists of rice noodles served with a mix of boiled and cut vegetables like pucuk ubi (cassava leaves), nangka (jackfruit), yardlong beans, and cucumber. It’s topped with a generous pour of rich, nutty peanut sauce (sambal kacang) and wrapped in banana leaves. It’s a halal dish.

The ingredients of Pecal
The ingredients of Pecal. The content may vary in different districts.

This classic treat blends the crisp freshness of vegetables with the rich, sweet aroma of peanut sauce. The portions are quite small, so you might need two or more to feel satisfied.

Pecal and the Tamparuli Bridge
Pecal is as iconic as the popular Tamparuli Bridge

Originally from Indonesia, Pecal is a Javanese dish that has been widely embraced by the local people of Tamparuli, Tuaran, and Kota Belud. No one knows its exact history, but I know my parents enjoyed it regularly for breakfast over 60 years ago.

Pecal and the old shophouses of Tamparuli
The old shophouses have changed but the taste of Pecal is still the same

You can buy Pecal at the market or tamu in these towns. Sold for only RM2.00 each, you’ll want to get there early because they sell out fast! Do note that peanut sauce is prone to turning rancid in warm temperatures, so it’s best eaten before noon.

Pecal wrapped in banana leaves
Pecal tends to sell out in the morning, so it’s best to visit the market early. The portions are small, so you might need two packs to feel full.

Photos taken in Tamparuli, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo

Tour package to climb Mount Kinabalu

3 thoughts on “Pecal: A Taste of Tradition in Tamparuli Town

  1. My mother’s auntie used to sell them at the tuaran pasar and tamu. I was born in berungis but grew up in tuaran

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