Busang Jelini: Must Try Affordable Orang Ulu Cuisine in Senadin, Miri

Located Jumbo, lot 1587, Lorong Desa Senadin 2, Lutong, 98000 Miri, Sarawak. Busang Jelani is a humble, pick-and-choose dining spot that serves up a true taste of Orang Ulu cuisine. Unbeknownst to me, this place is actually a very popular eatery, loved by locals in the Senadin area because it offers a range of affordable dishes in an economy rice style that allows diners to create their plates by choosing from an array of delicious dayak dishes.

Operating Hours & Best Time to Visit

Busang Jelini is open from Monday to Saturday, from 7 AM to 10 PM. If you want to get a taste of their delicious offerings, it's best to arrive in the morning around 10 AM. This timing helps you avoid the later rush when the place gets busy, and it also ensures you have the best selection of their economy food before it sells out in the afternoon.

My Discovery of Busang Jelini

My first visit to Busang Jelini came through a friend’s recommendation, and it’s amusing to me how I’d never noticed this gem despite it being so close to home. I’ve jogged around the Jumbo area countless times and often passed right by Busang Jelini, but it never really caught my attention. To be honest, from the outside, it didn’t look like the kind of place you would visit to eat. But as I’ve now learned, sometimes the best finds are the ones you least expect.

Visiting the place felt like uncovering a hidden treasure in my own backyard. I'd been on the lookout for affordable Orang Ulu food, and this humble spot, just a short walk away from me, turned out to be the perfect answer. It’s a humbling reminder not to judge a book by its cover— as you will never know what great finds might be around the corner.

Types of Orang Ulu Food to Choose From

As you walk into Busang Jelini, on your left-hand side, you’ll see the economy section stall, simply make your way there and grab a plate, some dining utensils and start choosing what you want. Below are some dishes you might find if they aren’t sold out already.

• Kasam Babi – Salted and preserved boar meat.
• Daun Ubi – A simple yet satisfying dish made from cassava leaves, offering a flavor that's hard to put into words. If you enjoy salted vegetables, you’ll likely find it absolutely delicious — it has a mild, savory taste that pairs wonderfully with rice.
• Nasi Bungkus (Kayan Style) – rice wrapped in a leaf called “daun sip”. The texture of the rice is similar to porridge but less watery.
• Kuih Dinuh – It’s similar to the fried sesame balls that are filled with sweet red bean paste. Minus the red bean paste, its crispy and plain but the texture is amazing.

Once your plate is filled, simply take it to the lady at the counter, who’ll take a look and give you the total. After that, make your way to any empty table and a friendly waiter will come by to take your drink order. If you’re not familiar with the local drinks, just say “ice lemon tea satu” (one iced lemon tea) or “kopi-o peng” (iced black coffee), and they’ll get it right out for you.

How Much Did the Food Cost?

I spent roughly 15 ringgit for all the Orang Ulu dishes I mentioned earlier, including my drinks. This is significantly more affordable compared to other establishments I’ve visited that didn’t offer a economy rice style, where the prices typically range from 20 to 30 ringgit, not even factoring in the cost of drinks.

An Ideal Stop for Curtin University Students

Approximately 2.6 KM away from Curtin University, Busang Jelini is a fantastic option for students eager to discover the local food at prices that are student-friendly without straying far from campus. If you're still worried about the distance, here's a 3 ringgit off AirAsia move affiliate link when you use RIDEOFFER, valid til December.