Franz ElizOn the way to Kundasang, many travellers like to drop by Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol. It’s a dining spot with stalls selling deliciously pink, juicy pork. If you’re driving from Kota Kinabalu, it will be on your right; or left if you’re coming from Kundasang.
Located on route AH150 in Tuaran, Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol is a must-visit place for pork lovers who want to enjoy sweet, delicious ‘sinalau bakas’. Sinalau bakas is the Dusun word for smoked wild boar.
If you’ve never tried wild boar meat or smoked pork in Sabah but want to try it, consider dropping by Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol. I’ll share my experience in this article, so keep reading.
Smokey Stalls Selling Sinalau Bakas (Smoked Wild Boar)
Is sinalau bakas good? Many people praised it for its tastiness. Even some people who aren’t fans of wild boars liked them. Sinalau means ‘smoked’ and “bakas” means wild boar in the Dusun language.
As discussed, you’ll find Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol on your way to or from Kundasang via the AH150 route. From Kundasang, Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol is about 35.6 km or 47 minutes drive.
When driving on the mentioned route, you’ll see a smokey area on your right or left, depending on which lane you’re driving on. As soon as you see the smoke, slow down and be ready to turn into the junction that takes you to the stall/restaurant.
Plenty of Parking Space Available
There’s enough space for parking at Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol, although it can get crowded sometimes. Park for free anywhere; just try not to block other people’s vehicles.
Note that the ground is not fully gravelled, so it can get quite muddy when there’s rain. There’s a toilet near the car park.
Available for Takeaway or Dine-In
You buy your sinalau bakas at the stalls, but you may have it there instead of ordering takeout. There’s a dining area with big tables where you can eat, drink, and relax.
Have your smoked wild boar with ‘linopot’, which is rice wrapped in a big local leaf called tarap leaf. Linopot is a traditional Dusun rice takeaway that’s often served with local dishes, including sinalau bakas.
There’s a jungle near Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol with a nice view you can enjoy while savouring your meal.
Local Snacks for Snacking on the Go or As Souvenirs
There are local snacks available for sale at Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol like amplang and kuih cincin.
Amplang is a round, fried fish cracker snack made of starch. It’s popular in Indonesia and East Malaysia. This snack looks quite like fishballs but crunchy. You can find a few varieties of amplang at Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol, such as barbecue chicken amplang, cheese amplang, and more.
Kuih Cincin, on the other hand, is a sweet and crunchy biscuit in the shape of a flower. It’s a delicious tea-time treat in Brunei and Malaysia. This biscuit has a few varieties – some are plain, while some may have chocolate fillings, etc.
You may also find local jeruk (like jeruk tuhau), and ‘tarap’, which is a local fruit in Sabah that looks like a jackfruit.
Other Pork Dishes and Beers Are Also Available
Apart from smoked pork, Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol also serves other pork dishes, such as bakas soup. This soup has received a lot of positive feedback. You might want to order it to accompany your smoked pork meat and linopot.
If you’re thirsty, you can always order a drink, whether hot or cold. Since this is a non-halal dining spot, it’s not surprising that it has beers. You can find imported beers here. There’s also local wine.
You Might Not Find Sinalau Bakas
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to try smoked wild boar in Sabah this year because none of the stalls at Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol had sinalau bakas. I suggest asking the sellers before buying if you’re only there for sinalau bakas.
Even though we only had regular pork, we enjoyed our meal. It came with a delicious sauce and lime, enhancing the pork’s flavour. It was so delicious we visited Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol twice.
The Stalls Probably Ran Out of Sinalau Bakas
My friends and I assumed that the stalls at Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol ran out of sinalau bakas, which was why we didn’t get to eat it when we visited. I came across a few online reviews stating that for some reason, the stalls no longer sell wild boar meat. Maybe it’s a temporary thing.
As far as I’m concerned, wild boars are protected animals in Malaysia, so hunting them without a permit is illegal. Hunting or selling their meat is also not encouraged in the middle of a swine flu outbreak.
Affordable Pork Prices
For 500 g (2 plates) of pork, we paid less than RM50. A plate was roughly between RM15 and RM16. The price was a steal indeed, considering how tasty the meat and sauce were. It’s not easy to find such a price elsewhere.
Choose your pork carefully. Some parts may be chewier than others. If you’re not sure which one to choose, you can always ask the sellers for recommendations.
Should You Visit Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol?
Consider visiting Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol if you’re interested in having pork smoked in Dusun style. Ask the sellers if the meat is sinalau bakas or otherwise to be sure. Even if it’s not, consider trying the smoked pork here. It’s very delicious, especially with its sweet, thick sauce.
If you must have sinalau bakas in Sabah, you may check out other sinalau bakas stalls nearby. Sinalau Bakas Kampung Bongol is a good option. Some other stalls aren’t as spacious as Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol, but chances are you might find the smoked wild boar you’re looking for.
Note: Pork, including sinalau bakas, is non-halal, meaning they’re unsuitable for Muslims. But people who don’t eat pork may drop by Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol for drinks (such as Chinese tea and soft drinks) and snacks.
Final Thoughts
If you like pork and want to try one prepared in Dusun style, consider having sinalau bakas, which is smoked wild boar in Sabah. Consider dropping by Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol on your way to or from Ranau.
You can find other local dishes like bakas soup, snacks like amplang and kuih cincin, and alcohol such as beers and rice wines.
Note that although smoked wild boar is the highlight at Sinalau Bakas Himbaan Bongol, the meat isn’t always available. Ask the sellers what pork type they’re selling before buying.
