Did you know Borneo is the third-largest island in the world? It is divided into four political regions: Kalimantan belongs to Indonesia; Sabah and Sarawak are part of Malaysia; a small remaining region comprises Brunei. Borneo Kalimantan features Kalimantan cuisine and is located in Alhambra.
Peter Then (aka Uncle Fung) assumed ownership of Little London Fish and Chips on Garfield Avenue in Alhambra. He prepared their fish and chips and introduced Kalimantan cuisine on the side. He eventually renamed the restaurant and transformed it into what became Borneo Kalimantan.
Gado Gado is a traditional Indonesian salad. Borneo Kalimantan’s version includes fried cabbage, brussels sprouts, lettuce, cucumbers, marinated hard boiled eggs, and a lot of peanut sauce served on the side. Because I love peanut sauce, I doused my salad with it. I enjoyed the crunchy cucumbers and fresh romaine in this unusual salad.
Singapore and Malaysia-style pan-grilled pancakes are listed on their menu as Roti Prata. This dish is derived from Indian flatbread and is served with a Borneo curry dipping sauce on the side.
Thin Hakka noodles are curly and similar to Japanese ramen noodles. Chashu meat, green onions, and fish cake is served to compliment the noodles. The separately packaged soup broth is complex and full of spices. In appearance, this looked like ramen with toppings, but the soup broth was lighter than the typical broth that accompanies ramen.
They have a number of Laksas to choose from. Laksas is a spicy noodle soup popular in Southeast Asia made with different noodles such as egg, flat rice or vermicelli noodles topped with either shrimp or chicken. Kwe Tiaw Kuah is a native Kalimantan soup made with flat noodles, shrimp, meatball, fish cake, and vegetables.
Their most popular dish is Nasi Campur. Steamed rice with Hakka-style BBQ pork, spiced fried chicken, Chinese sausage, boiled soy egg, pickles, and chicken broth on the side. Not knowing how to eat this, I poured the chicken broth on the dish, tossed it like a salad and ate it. The variety of flavors was wonderful!
Borneo Kalimantan is located in Alhambra and currently only serves food to go. The owner “Uncle Fung” also has restaurants in Long Beach and Buena Park that serve similar food.
If you haven’t experienced Kalimantan cuisine, you are in for a treat.
Borneo Kalimantan, 19 S Garfield Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801; 626.282.4477
Sorry to say the food is lousy and the price is expensive. Went once will return or recommend none ther.
Everyone’s tastes are different. I enjoyed the food so much, I returned the next day.