🎉 Did You Know? The Kuching Food Festival is Even Older Than Kuching City!

Many people know the Kuching Food Festival as the place to hunt for amazing local food every year. 🍜🍢🍧 But not many know that this beloved festival actually started before Kuching officially became a city.

The festival was first introduced in 1986, two years before Kuching was granted city status in 1988. It began as a small event organised by the former Kuching Municipal Council (KMC) to welcome delegates attending Malaysia's first Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart.

Back then, there were only around 20 food stalls and a simple stage at Reservoir Park. Fast forward nearly 40 years, and the festival has grown into one of Sarawak's biggest annual events with more than 300 stalls, attracting thousands of visitors every year. 🌟

According to MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, what visitors enjoy over the festival's 24 days is actually the result of five to six months of preparation involving countless organisers, volunteers and behind-the-scenes teams.

Over the years, the Kuching Food Festival has evolved into much more than just a food fair. Besides delicious food, visitors can now enjoy:
✨ Cultural performances
🎭 Cosplay events
🎤 K-pop performances
🏃 Heritage Run
🚶 Mayor's Walk
🎨 Arts and community activities
🌏 International food showcases

This year's festival will also welcome international chefs from the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) from 4–8 August, followed by a showcase of Sarawak's internationally recognised local food products and cuisines from 10–16 August.

The festival officially kicks off on 22 July, which also marks Sarawak Day. Everyone is encouraged to wear the colours of the Sarawak flag ❤️💙💛🖤 and join the celebration together.

Nearly four decades later, the Kuching Food Festival continues to grow while preserving the tradition that generations of Kuchingites have come to love.

❤️ Have you been visiting the Kuching Food Festival since you were young? What's the one food stall you never miss every year? Let us know in the comments!