Lihing Experience with Grub N Vine Where Taste Meets Tradition, and Learning Becomes Sensory By Mr Alfred Allen Ginsos, Editor-in-Chief, FAVSTYLE

In Sabah, tradition is never static. It ferments, matures, and evolves. Few cultural expressions embody this living process as eloquently as Lihing. More than a rice wine, Lihing is a cultural language, articulated through patience, ritual, and refinement.

This philosophy came vividly to life at the Lihing Experience hosted by Grub N Vine, where guests were invited not merely to taste, but to understand.

From Heritage to the Glass

Rooted in the same ancestral brewing lineage as Tapai, Lihing represents a more composed and refined expression of fermentation. Crafted primarily from glutinous rice and fermented over an extended period of two months or more, Lihing undergoes a deliberate separation process, removing rice and yeast sediments. What remains is a translucent amber liquid, elegant in clarity and deepening in tone as it matures.

This distinction is not cosmetic. It is philosophical. Where Tapai remains intimate and rustic, traditionally stored in jars for household enjoyment, Lihing steps forward with quiet confidence. It is stable, preservable, and increasingly recognised as a premium cultural expression.

A Sensory Classroom at Grub N Vine

At Grub N Vine, the Lihing Experience unfolded as an immersive journey. Attendees were guided through the complete Lihing-making process, gaining insight into fermentation techniques, ingredient selection, and the cultural beliefs that continue to shape the craft. Tradition was presented with respect, clarity, and contemporary relevance.

The experience extended into a curated sensory exploration. Guests observed the visual nuances of Lihing, inhaled its layered aromas, and tasted its evolving flavour profiles. Each sip revealed how time, balance, and precision transform a humble brew into something quietly sophisticated.

Lihing on the Plate: Flavour as an Ingredient

Beyond the glass, Lihing reveals another dimension of its character in the kitchen. Used with restraint and intention, it introduces aroma, depth, and gentle sweetness rather than dominance. In classic Lihing Chicken, the wine rounds out savoury notes, lending a subtle caramelised fragrance that lingers rather than overwhelms. With seafood, particularly crabs and shellfish, Lihing enhances natural sweetness while softening briny edges, creating a fuller, more luxurious mouthfeel.

When added to stir-fried dishes such as Tuaran fried noodles, Lihing acts almost like a finishing note, releasing a warm, fermented aroma as it meets heat. Even in modern interpretations, from sauces to desserts like Lihing-infused ice cream, its role is not to shout, but to whisper complexity. Lihing does not change the identity of a dish. It deepens it.

Lihing Beyond the Drink

What is most encouraging is witnessing a new generation of Sabahan entrepreneurs redefining Lihing’s future. Their vision is not to abandon its kampung roots, but to elevate them. Through thoughtful craftsmanship, refined presentation, and cultural integrity, Lihing is steadily claiming its place as a household name, not only as a beverage, but as a culinary expression of Sabah.

The Discipline Behind the Craft

While many households can brew their own Tapai or Lihing, exceptional Lihing demands discipline. Water quality, rice selection, temperature, yeast balance, and timing must align with precision.

Cultural taboos remain deeply respected. Swearing or conflict during preparation is believed to sour the brew. In earlier times, the moginomulok ritual was performed by a bobohizan, a native high priest, to bless the fermentation. These traditions speak of reverence, patience, and harmony with process.

Scientifically, the transformation is equally poetic. Rice starch converts into sugar, then into alcohol through microbial enzymes, traditionally activated using saad or sasad yeast balls made from cinnamon bark, lengkuas, and pounded rice.

Photo for illustration only by AI

A Living Culture, Refined

The Lihing Experience with Grub N Vine reminds us that prestige does not erase tradition. It refines it.

At FAVSTYLE, we believe true luxury is rooted in meaning. Lihing stands as a testament to how heritage, when treated with care and vision, can evolve into something enduring, elegant, and deeply relevant. A tradition not frozen in time, but alive, breathing, and beautifully shared.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Grub N Vine for opening their space and spirit, and for allowing FAVSTYLE to experience Lihing not merely as a drink, but as a living culture, thoughtfully presented and generously shared.

Adding to the anticipation, Grub N Vine is also a confirmed participant of The Signature Food Fest, 5th Edition 2026. Will Lihing be infused into their signature dish and unveiled on this prestigious stage?
Let’s find out.