Sabah is a popular tourist spot for not only having the tallest mountain in Malaysia, but also for its deep connection with history and mother nature. Built between the ocean and rainforest, Sabah is one of the few states in Malaysia that has the perfect blend of both modern society and nature for both locals and tourists to explore. But, how can we not talk about the food in Sabah?
Sabah is a place filled with many traditional dishes that you can find almost everywhere. While there are some similar dishes you can find in Peninsular Malaysia, they offer different and unique flavors. Here are the top 10 dishes in Sabah you must try at least once during your stay.
1. Tuaran Mee
Tuaran mee is an egg noodle that originally came from a town north of Kota Kinabalu called Tuaran, hence its name. It is famous for having a unique taste with springy noodles and it is usually served with an egg, char siu, pork egg roll and choy sum.
Where To Get
- Tuaran Mee Restoran
mile 6, Jalan Tuaran, Inanam, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Jalan Tuaran, Inanam, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday: 7am – 2:30pm
Monday: Closed
- Kedai Kopi Seng Hing
Block G, Lot 10, Lorong Sinsuran 2, Sinsuran Complex, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours
Monday – Sunday: 7am – 4pm
Contact: 019-810 5255
- Kedai Kopi & Restoran Mewa
Pekan Petagas, 88200 Putatan, Sabah
2. Sabah Pork Noodle (Sang Nyuk Mee)
As the name suggests, the Sang Nyuk Mee is a pork noodle that is famous in Sabah. It shares a lot of similarity to any other pork noodle around Malaysia, but what makes it different from its Peninsular cousins is its famous serving of “raw pork noodles” that is enriched by the content of the soup while maintaining the freshness of its content in the bowl.
Where To Get
- Sinsuran Sang Nyuk Mee
21, Lrg Lintas Square, Lintas Plaza, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 6:30am – 4:30pm
Contact: 016-830 3435
- Kedai Kopi Kim Hing Lee
Block F Lot 7 Sinsuran Complex, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 6am – 2:30pm
Contact: 012-882 5310
- Kedai Kopi Jia Siang
Lot 1-0, Lintas Plaza, Lorong 3, Lintas Plaza Ring Road, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact: 016-830 3435
3. Seafood
Seafood is one of Malaysia’s staple dishes as we would frequently eat in restaurants that serve these dishes during festive seasons, especially during Chinese New Year. But, you can’t help but to worry about the quality of the dishes as it could taste different with each visit. However, since Sabah is next to the ocean, it is home to some of the freshest and most delicious seafood dishes that you will ever taste. The food quality will never fail to amaze you in every dining session.
Where To Get
- Welcome Seafood Restaurant
Asia City
Lot G 18, Ground Floor, Kompleks Asia City, Phase 2A, Jalan Asia City, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Contact: 6 088 447 866
Penampang
Lot 15, Beverly Hills Industrial & Commercial Park, Jalan Bundusan, 88300 Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia
Contact: 6 088 728 669
Inanam
Lot 29,30,31 Ground Floor, Block F, Suria, Jalan Tuaran Bypass, Inanam, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 12pm – 10pm
- Suang Tain Seafood Restaurant
No. 16, Block D, Ground Floor, Sedco Complex, Kampung Air, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact: 088-223 080
- Sembulan Lobster Restaurant
Jalan Mat Salleh Com Development 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 12:30pm – 9pm
Contact: 088-211 795
4. Sinalau Bakas (Smoked Wild Boar)
Sinalau Bakas is one of the many traditional Kadazandusun dishes as the stall owners would hunt wild boars, making their dishes fresh and extremely delicious. These dishes can be found sold in stalls that are set up at the roadside. However, these stalls have irregular opening hours as they rely on whenever these owners are done hunting. Additionally, most of these stalls would have decapitated boar heads out for display so do take cautious when you visit the stalls.
Where To Get
- VOGS Authentic Sinalau Bakas
C-G-21, Jalan Pintas Penampang, Kampung Kepayan, 89500 Penampang, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11am – 11:30pm
Sunday: 11am – 11pm
Contact: 013-865 2494
- Sinalau Bakas/Sinurambi Gaduk Enterprise
Jalan Tamparuli – Ranau, 89150 Tuaran, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 10am – 10pm
Contact: 010-932 5996
- Sinalau Bakas Kg Bongol
89150 Tuaran, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 9am – 6pm
Contact: 010-525 1902
5. Hinava
Another traditional dish from the Kadazan-dusun, hinava is a simple dish consisting of fish, lime juice, chili padi, grated ginger and shallots.
You can even make your own hinava at home with this recipe if you can’t afford a ticket to Sabah.
Where To Get
- Punya Sedap
Centre Point Sabah Jalan Centre Point, Lorong No 4a 88450 1, Jalan, Lorong Centre Point, Api-api Centre, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 6:30am – 11pm
Sunday: Closed
Contact: 017-841 9414
- Asiarasa Cafe Citarasa Kampung
Asiarasa Cafe (Citarasa Kampung), Lot No.3, Block D, Ground Floor, Karamunsing Capital 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Operating Hours:
Monday – Wednesday, Friday & Saturday: 7:30am – 9pm
Thursday: 7:30am – 10pm
Sunday: Closed
Contact: 088-447 533
- D’Place Kinabalu
Lot 2.01 & 2.02, 2nd floor, Plaza Shell, Kota Kinabalu 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Operating Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11:30am – 7:30pm
Sunday: Closed
Contact: 60 16-833 2381
6. Ngiu Chap (Beef Noodle)
Ngiu Chap, or beef noodle, is a popular dish in Sabah that is known for its wide variety of mixed beef. It can come in various styles such as the traditional style, Hainan style, village style and Sabah style. Each style may be different, but they are all as equally delicious as the others.
Where To Get
- Kah Hiong Ngiu Chap
Kolam Centre
2-0-10, Lorong Taman Nosoob Jaya Phase 2, Kolam Centre, 93450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11:30am – 7:30pm
Sunday: Closed
Contact: 016-826 9699
Grand Millennium Plaza
Block B, Lot 14, Kedai Plaza Grand Millenium, Jalan Pintas, Donggongon, Penampang, 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 7am – 8:45pm
Sunday: 7am – 9:45pm
Contact: 088-731 646
Inanam
50, Lorong Inanam Baru 4, Inanam, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 7am – 3pm
Contact: 014-855 1166
- Yii Siang Hainan Ngiu Chap
36, Ground Floor, Block C, Nountun Industrial, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 6:30am – 2:30pm
Contact: 60 16-822 3982
- Kedai Cheng Wah
Lot 8 Block A, Penampang, Taman Che Mei, 88848 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 6:30am – 3pm, 4pm – 10pm
Contact: 088-222 831
7. Bambangan
Bambangan, or the Magnifera Pajang, is a type of mango that can be grown in certain parts of Southeast Asia, mainly Brunei, Indonesia, Sarawak and Sabah. Because it can be grown in Sarawak and Sabah, you’ll need to take a trip to one of these two countries to get a taste of this coconut-like mango. It is described as acidicly sweet, thick and mildly similar to a banana. Bambangan is a very versatile fruit as the whole fruit can be used in many ways. From sambal belacan to making pickles with the seed, the whole fruit can be used to create many dishes that will not be wasted in the hands of an experienced chef. For Kadazan Dusuns, this fruit to create their two signature dishes, jeruk bambangan and nonsom bambangan
Where To Get
- D’Place Kinabalu
Lot 2.01 & 2.02, 2nd floor, Plaza Shell, Kota Kinabalu 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Operating Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11:30am – 7:30pm
Sunday: Closed
Contact: 088-277 319
- MyNative Sabah
1st Floor, Block F, Plaza 333 Penampang 89500 Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia
Operating Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11:30am – 8:30pm
Sunday: Closed
Contact: 011-1008 6249
- Little Sulap
Little Sulap , No12(C), Jalan Dewan, Austalia Lane 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 10am – 10pm
Contact: 016-202 7597
8. Pinasakan Sada
Pinasakan Sada, or Pinasakan for short, is a food in Sabah that was made when the Kadazan-dusuns had to find a way to preserve fish before they had access to refrigerators, lasting up to five days. It is often served with hill rice which helps to further enhance the flavor of the fish. It can be a bit too spicy for some, it makes up for its flavorful sauce as it is cooked with herbs such as lemon grass, asam kandis, and bambangan.
Where To Get
- D’Place Kinabalu
Lot 2.01 & 2.02, 2nd floor, Plaza Shell, Kota Kinabalu 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Operating Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11:30am – 7:30pm
Sunday: Closed
Contact: 088-277 319
- Circle Restaurant in Le Meridien
Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Sinsuran, Kota Kinabalu 88000, Malaysia.
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 6:30am – 11pm
And there you have it! These 8 food in Sabah will ensure that your trip will be a trip worth your time, money and stomach. If you prefer to order these delicious looking dishes online, they support delivery services as well so you can sit back and relax while you enjoy these meals at home. If you prefer to have seafood, check out our article where we wrote 10 best places to get seafood in KL and 5 confinement foods.
Frequently Asked Question about Dishes or Food in Sabah
As for food in Sabah, not all of them are halal, because there are also Chinese dishes.
Nature tourism is the main reason for tourists to vacation in Sabah. Tourists venture to mountain and beach areas, especially around Kinabalu.
Of course, you can order online, you can use the Grab application or Food Panda to order the available food.
Of course there are discounts by using the grab application or food panda by following the terms and conditions that apply
The name “Turan Mee” refers to an egg noodle that originated in the town of Tuaran, which is located north of Kota Kinabalu. It is renowned for having a distinct flavour and is frequently served with an egg, char siu, pork egg roll, and choy sum. It also has springy noodles.
