Brunei foodies cross border for Norain's giant prawn noodles in Kuala Lawas

KUALA LAWAS: Bruneian visitors are crossing the border and reserving tables days — sometimes up to two weeks — in advance for a taste of the giant freshwater prawn dishes at Norain Kitchen & Catering here.

Weekends and school holidays are particularly lively, with customers travelling from Brunei, Sabah and Miri to dine by the Merapok River alongside Lawas residents.

Owner Norain Abdul Rahman said the hour-long journey from the Mengkalap immigration complex has done little to deter hungry visitors.

"Customers from Brunei usually make reservations two or three days in advance, and some even book up to two weeks before visiting, especially during the school holidays," she told Bernama.

"We operate from 4.30pm to 10pm, and during the school holidays, the place is always full of customers coming for dinner."

Daily takings can exceed RM2,000, she added.

The star of the menu is the giant freshwater prawn. The 50-year-old serves it in local favourites including mi bandung, fried noodles, Sarawak laksa and nasi penyet, as well as boiled or prepared village-style, with the prawns sourced from the Lawas area.

"We get our prawns locally because they are fresher," she said. "If we source them from elsewhere, such as Sabah, delivery takes longer and the freshness is not the same."

Norain, who has been in the food business for about 20 years, previously operated at Lawas Central Market before moving two years ago to Teratak Warisan Kampung Dato Kuala Lawas. The relocation gave customers more space and scenic sunset views by the river, and gave the family business room to grow.

During the giant freshwater prawn season, the restaurant receives up to 20kg of prawns a day and often sells out. At other times, river and seasonal conditions may reduce supply to just 1-2kg. Dishes are priced between RM20 and RM35 depending on prawn size and season.

Customer Sairah Ahmad, 40, a Lawas native who has brought friends from Kuala Lumpur to try the food, said the growing number of Bruneian visitors has turned Kuala Lawas into a popular food stop.

"If you are a fan of giant freshwater prawns, this is definitely the best time to visit," she said, noting that the eatery's location near a mosque makes it convenient for families around prayer times.