FAVSTYLE Essentials

In an era where progress often arrives with glass façades and relentless motion, Kinarut stands apart like a well-kept secret, untouched, unhurried, and undeniably soulful. Just a short distance from the pulse of Kota Kinabalu, this modest township offers something increasingly rare: the luxury of stillness. Not the kind curated in five-star resorts, but an organic, lived-in serenity where time moves at its own poetic pace. Kinarut does not attempt to impress. It doesn’t need to. Its charm lies in its quiet confidence, an unspoken decision to preserve rather than perform. Rows of old shoplots remain as they were decades ago, their weathered façades whispering stories of Sabah’s yesteryears. While nearby towns have embraced modern reinvention, Kinarut has chosen restraint, and in that restraint, it finds identity . There is a certain romance in places that refuse to rush. At the heart of this town, life gathers every Saturday at the tamu , where the streets awaken with a gentle hu...

In the golden hush of late afternoon along Lokkawi Road, where the air carries whispers of smoke and coconut, a quiet story of resilience unfolds, wrapped in bamboo and fire. It is here that three young women, poised between ambition and necessity, transform a humble roadside stall into a living expression of Raya’s enduring spirit. Genevy Evonny Chia, alongside her companions Paulina Cassandra and Rellenicca, do more than sell lemang. They curate moments. Each bamboo cylinder they present is a small, fragrant testament to discipline, patience, and grace under pressure. First-year students navigating city life far from their rural homes, they embody a new generation of quiet entrepreneurs, where education meets instinct, and survival evolves into sophistication. Lemang is one of the popular dish when come Hari Raya Behind this culinary ritual stands “Mr. Peace,” whose steady guidance transforms tradition into mentorship. Under his watch, the art of lemang becomes a refined craft. The...

Tapioca or Mundok in Kadazan a poor man's food once upon a time Once whispered as the “poor man’s food,” tapioca, sweet potatoes, and native root crops carry stories far richer than their modest origins suggest. These were not merely meals of necessity, but quiet heroes of survival during one of history’s harshest chapters. During the Japanese Occupation, when rice became a distant luxury, tapioca emerged as a lifeline. It nourished families, sustained communities, and stood resilient in the face of scarcity. In every bite lived endurance, adaptation, and the unbreakable spirit of the people. Sweet potatoes or Bogoi in Kadazan Today, that narrative has transformed. What was once overlooked now commands admiration. A stroll through Tamu Donggongon reveals this remarkable shift, where tapioca is no longer a symbol of hardship but a celebrated delicacy. Its value has risen dramatically, from humble bulk pricing to a sought-after ingredient, even featured on curated hotel menus. Thi...

There are evenings that simply pass, and then there are evenings that linger like the last note of a beautiful song. This was one of the latter. At the gentle insistence of the host, every detail of the night was to be remembered, documented, and cherished. For what unfolded was not merely a gathering, but a living archive of stories, flavours, and identity. Somewhere between laughter and reflection, a quiet thought emerged, perhaps it was time to reimagine the voice behind the pen. But like all meaningful ideas, it was left to breathe. Sasad, or yeast, in making Lihing Five individuals came together, bound not by occasion, but by origin. The connection was immediate, effortless, as though time itself had folded to reunite them. Three were daughters of Penampang: Principal Flavia Suimin, educator Laini Ahing, and the host, Lorena herself. They were joined by Faye Robert of Inanam, whose lineage echoed back to Penampang, and Christine Liew of Kinarut, the youngest, vibrant and inquis...