Apart from its paradise-like beaches and a melting pot of cultures, Kota Kinabalu is also popular for its fresh seafood and unique Mee Tuaran.
Foodies will revel in discovering dishes unique to this part of Malaysia.
From delicious seafood noodles to tasty bak kut teh and the best fine dining options.
Read on to discover some of the famous food in Kota Kinabalu in some of the best restaurants and cafes serving gourmet delights!
1. Welcome Restaurant Kota Kinabalu
(from left to right: Their popular dishes include white clam soup, tiger prawns and cream shrimp. Pictures courtesy of Remy Wong, Google)
Welcome Restaurant is one of the biggest seafood restaurants in Kota Kinabalu. It offers some of the best Chinese food in the city.
This seafood restaurant occupies the entire side of a complex encompassing 5 blocks, and yet seating can be limited during peak hours.
The white clam soup is infused with rich clam essence with a nice touch of Chinese wine and herbaceous parsley to round off the flavorful broth.
Their cream shrimp and tiger prawns are highly recommended for their freshness, size, and cooking style, alongside their steam fish which does not have any fishy odor.
Prices are displayed on a board so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Come slightly earlier before dinner and lunch if you want to beat the long queue. Best of all, their prices are affordable and cheaper than Peninsular Malaysia. Plus their portions are generous too.
Address: Lot G 18, Ground Floor, Kompleks, Jalan Asia City, Asia City, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours: 12pm – 11.30pm (daily)
Contact: 088-447 866
2. Little Italy
(from left to right: Squid ink pasta, seafood marina soup & anchovie pizza.
Pictures courtesy of Genevie Tan, Xiang Yan Pok & Alshane from Google)
Just as its name suggests, Little Italy serves authentic Italian food like pasta, pizzas, soups, and more. With a dizzying array of 20 pasta sauces to choose from, you will be spoilt with choices.
Their seafood marina soup is brimming with fresh seafood and packs a powerful taste.
Their anchovie pizza is another sure winner, as well as the squid ink pasta that is not overly saucy.
Located on the ground floor of Capitol Hotel, prices are higher than average. But the flavors are on point.
If you’re looking to chug down beer, hold that thought and quench your thirst with other non-alcoholic drinks instead.
Its ambiance is rather odd school and a mismatched against its food, as the former resembles an upscale food court for now.
Nevertheless, don’t judge a book by its cover and if you’re after good Italian food, you know where to go in Kota Kinabalu.
Address: Ground Floor, Hotel Capital, Jln Haji Saman, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours: 12pm – 10pm
Contact: 088-232 231
3. Fatt Kee Seafood Restaurant
Thronged by locals and tourists, Fatt Kee Seafood Restaurant is popular for its glorious seafood noodles. They offer noodles in two soup bases: tom yam and tomato.
For those who favor mildly spicy food, the tom yam soup base is divine! Exuding hints of lemon grass and spices that make its broth multi-dimensional, the sweetness of the soup is enhanced by the fresh seafood.
You can customize the ingredients from a variety of side offerings such as fish cake, fish ball, fish fillets, fish head, and fish skin.
The tomato base soup is perfect for children, or on days where you crave something sour.
You can also call a side dish of fried vegetables that packs a delectable smoky undertone (or wok hei).
Address: Lorong Hilltop, Taman Far East, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours: 7am – 11pm
Contact: 016-824 8414
4. Fish Market Kota Kinabalu
While the Fish Market Restaurant in Kota Kinabalu is another famous seafood eatery, its star attraction is its porridge.
The flavor of the porridge is enhanced by seafood juices dripping to the bottom of the pot while the porridge simmers. The explosion of umami flavors is unforgettable, making it the most popular dish.
The freshness of seafood takes center stage, and it is surprisingly tasty with just simple steaming. No additional seasoning, MSG, salt, or pepper is needed to bring out the freshness of this dish!
Portions are decent and they offer great value for money.
Address: No.A-G-2, Ground Floor, Block A Phase 1,Lorong Sutera, Sutera Avenue Sembilan, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours: 12pm – 10.30pm
Contact: 012-803 5757
5. El Centro Kota Kinabalu
Oozing with bar-like vibes and fabulous retro music, El Centro Kota Kinabalu is a famous Mexican restaurant with a varied menu.
From delicious Tuscan Pizzas to chili quesadillas and juicy meat burgers, El Centro’s menu has everything under the sun to keep even a toddler happy.
The cocktails are fun and so are the friendly staff.
Recognizing a growing legion of vegetarians, you’ll find clearly labeled vegan options on the menu too.
Overall, the combination of delicious food, melancholic music, and a superb drinks list makes El Centro a perfect diner for family dinners and chilling out with friends.
Address: 18, Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Contact: 014-880 3547
6. Kedai Kopi Melanian 3
Some say the best local food can be found in laid-back, coffee shops. And true enough, this no-frills, open-air coffee shop serves the best pork noodles that usurp those in cosmopolitan KL.
From dry pork noodles, braised pork belly, braised pork rice, pork balls, and other piggy delights, Kedai Kopi Melanian 3 is known for its flavorful broth, tender meat, and hot sauce that complements the dish.
Service is super friendly and you can request for less meat and more vegetables, depending on your preference.
Once you’ve ordered and paid at the counter, food is served super-quick.
The only drawback is that this coffee shop does not have aircon, which is expected.
Nevertheless, the ceiling fans operate on full blast and keep the place well-ventilated.
Address: 34, Jalan Pantai, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours: 6.30am – 8.30pm (Sunday – Thursday); 6.30am – 3pm (Friday – Saturday)
Contact:012-838 2888
Links: Facebook
7. Kuo Man Restaurant
(From left to right: Kuo Man Restaurant's fish paste is top-notch – fresh, bouncy, and smooth; chunky and fresh fish slices; their handmade egg noodles pair like heaven with soups. Pictures courtesy of Sabah Food Hunter & Pop Pop from Google)
Kuo Man Restaurant is another famous Chinese restaurant in Kota Kinabalu known for its traditional fish-paste soup with dry noodles.
Their handmade egg noodles pair like heaven with a variety of soup dishes attracting both locals and tourists. Thanks to its consistent quality and delicious taste.
Located opposite Monoloco Boutique hotel, their soups are robustly flavored, tasty, and generous with fish paste chunks.
The fish paste is top-notch – fresh, bouncy, and smooth. The texture of the fish paste ball is chewy and not tough, a testament of the fish’s freshness.
Their pan-fried pork paste is another good addition to the noodles, apart from crispy fried pork lard that erupts to a rich emulsion in the mouth. Do give the beef noodles a try too as it’s another fail proof dish.
Given its popularity, be sure to go before 8 am to avoid the crowd and to secure a parking bay along the street.
Address: 5, Jalan Tuaran, Sunny Garden, 88800 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours: 6.30am – 2.30pm daily
Contact: 017-811 1428
Links: Facebook
8. Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh
(from left to right: At Yu Kee Bak Hut Teh, the meat & condiments are served in seperate bowls; entrance to the coffee shop, do give the traditional kuih sold in-store a try as they're delicious!)
Unlike Penang-style bak kut teh where all meat and condiments is mixed together in a single pot, Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh serves each dish separately,
The braised pork, roasted pork and tofu is served separately from the broth, alongside the fried crullers.
The pork ribs melt in the mouth and its tender meat literally peels off from the bone without much chewing. While the soup is herbaceous and aromatic, its consistency is somewhat runny and can be thicker.
Pricing is reasonable and service is quick.
Besides, the aunty who hustles on the side selling kuih serves mouth-watering desserts that deserve equal attention!
Their kuih koci pandan with gula Melaka is drool-worthy, along with their Kuih Lopes that exude creamy coconut nuances with each pillowy bite!
Address: 7, Jalan Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours: 2pm – 9.30pm daily (Closed on Monday)
Contact: 088-221 192
Links: Facebook
9. Fook Yuen Café and Bakery
If you’re craving for halal, staple Malaysian breakfast fanfare, then Fook Yuen Café and Bakery checks all the right boxes.
While its name leans towards a confectionary, its menu is anything like one.
You’ll find Nasi lemak, curry Laksa, Char Kuey Teow, kaya butter toast, chicken rice, soft boil eggs, and more on their varied menu.
Their Western options are limited but the American breakfast set and French toast is decent. Their dim sum is nothing outstanding but these are halal options.
Fook Yuen adopts a self-service style similar to Ikea, whereby you’ll need to queue up for the food you want.
For drinks and items like soft-boiled egg that requires time to make, you’ll be given a number. You can collect your food from the counter once your name is called.
Fook Yuen Café and Bakery is bursting with tourists mostly and a smattering of locals too.
Address: 69, Jalan Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours: 6am – 11pm daily
Contact: 016-832 9847
Links: Facebook
10. Foo Phing Dim Sum
If you’re pining for non-halal dim sum, then head over to Foo Phing Dim Sum.
Spanning 2 shop lots that spill out to an open-air seating area, this sprawling dim sum specialist flaunts a contemporary décor that makes you forget you’re in Kota Kinabalu.
Established in 1992, the restaurant is spanking clean, hygienic and service is prompt and courteous.
(from left to right: The pandan egg tart is better than the conventional once; fried wanton; their xiao long bau (small dumpling) isn't as good as Din Tai Fung's)
Don’t forget to try their unique squid ball dim sum – a dish that is hard to come by. Alongside their prawn dumplings with juicy prawns wrapped over a silky, thin sheath.
Their pandan egg tart is extraordinary, exuding hints of aromatic coconut nuances. As for their Xiao long Bau, it errs on the average side.
The other dishes aren’t mind-blowing taste-wise, but its comfortable ambiance makes it an ideal breakfast place.
Address: Block A, Lot 6 & 7, Phase 2, Kolam Centre, Jln Lintas, Luyang, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours: 7.30am – 2.30pm daily (Closed on Monday)
Contact: 088-259 692
11. Tuaran Mee Restaurant
This Chinese restaurant’s low-key façade may look less inviting, but don’t be deterred from stepping in.
Tuaran Mee Restaurants hones its culinary prowess just as its name suggests. Their star dish is none other than their Tuaran Mee with Lehing, a local yellow rice wine that gives the noodles its superbly unique taste.
The noodles are springy and chewy and not to be missed. The seafood Mee Tuaran is highly recommended. Served brimming with chunks of fresh fish, succulent prawns, and oodles of vegetables, the generous portion means it’s worth sharing.
Save some space for the Fried Tuaran Noodle – a rich mixture of Char Siew Pork, BBQ Pork, fish cake, green vegetables, minced omelet, and yellow noodles. Cooked to perfection with lingering aromatic wok hey, the Fried Tuaran Noodles is one of the best in Kota Kinabalu.
Be forewarned that this unpretentious coffee shop can get a bit hot and humid. But the sweaty feeling is worth putting up with.
Address: Block A, Lot 6 & 7, Phase 2, Kolam Centre, Jln Lintas, Luyang, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours: 7am – 4pm daily (Closed on Monday)
Conclusion
Over the years, the foodie scene in Kota Kinabalu has grown to become more diverse.
Formerly known as a hotbed for cheap and fresh seafood, Kota Kinabalu’s best restaurants now include a mix of Western meals, local delicacies, and fusion dishes.
The much-welcomed influx of tourists is a catalyst to this change, offering locals a slice of heavenly food from around the world.
So while you’re at Kota Kinabalu, sightseeing is just one part of the tourism equation, alongside delicious food and its endearing hospitality.
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