From local kopitiams and fresh seafood feasts to Korean BBQ, Mexican food and bustling night markets, here are 15 places we visited during our food adventures in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
If there’s one thing I love about travelling in Malaysia, it’s the FOOD! And Kota Kinabalu certainly didn’t disappoint.
During our trip to Sabah, we ate our way through local coffee shops, seafood restaurants, international cuisines and street food stalls. Some were simple, casual meals, while others turned into massive feasts with tables absolutely covered in food.
We also ventured beyond Kota Kinabalu city to explore places around Tuaran, Menggatal and Kundasang.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to KK or returning to Sabah for another visit, here are 15 places we ate at in and around Kota Kinabalu to add to your food itinerary.
1. Seng Hing Coffee Shop
There’s something special about a good old-fashioned Malaysian kopitiam.
Seng Hing Coffee Shop was all about familiar Malaysian flavours, from wok-fried noodles to generous plates of savoury stir-fried dishes.
It’s the kind of place where you order a few things for the table and everyone digs in. A great introduction to Kota Kinabalu’s local food scene.
2. Madam Kwan’s at Imago Shopping Mall
A familiar name for anyone who enjoys Malaysian cuisine!
Located at Imago Shopping Mall, Madam Kwan’s is a convenient choice when you’re spending the day shopping and want to sit down for a proper meal.
Our table featured a selection of chicken dishes, satay and other Malaysian favourites. Plenty of delicious-looking options to satisfy different tastes.
3. Sasa Seafood Restaurant
Now THIS was a seafood feast!
If you’re visiting Kota Kinabalu, enjoying fresh seafood should definitely be on your food itinerary.
At Sasa Seafood Restaurant, our table was filled with steamed whole fish, crayfish, prawns, crabs and an impressive giant lobster.
Meals like these are especially enjoyable when travelling with a group, because you can order a variety of dishes and share everything.
Come hungry!
4. Auntie Jun’s Marudi Mee Kolo
You can never go wrong with a good bowl of kolo mee.
This stop featured Marudi-style mee kolo, with springy noodles, slices of meat, minced toppings and wontons. We ordered this via Grab Delivery at least three times during our trip!
It’s simple, satisfying comfort food and a lovely reminder of how regional Malaysian noodle dishes have their own unique characteristics.
Definitely one for fellow noodle lovers.
5. La Chica Mexican Grill
Taking a little break from Malaysian food, we headed to La Chica Mexican Grill.
With its colourful atmosphere, lively interiors, Mexican-inspired sharing platters and cocktails, this was a completely different dining experience.
The food was made for sharing, with plenty of dips, sauces and vibrant flavours on the table. ALSO, it was Ladies Night aka Free Flow Margaritas from 6-8pm. Winning!
A fun option for a relaxed evening out with friends.
6. Foo Phing Dim Sum
Who doesn’t love a good dim sum session?
Foo Phing Dim Sum featured everything you’d hope to see at a dim sum table, from stacks of bamboo steamers to dumplings, fluffy buns and rice noodle rolls.
The beauty of dim sum is being able to sample so many different little dishes in one sitting.
Bring a group, order a selection and enjoy a leisurely meal together.
7. Welcome Seafood Restaurant
Yes, more seafood! Because one seafood feast simply isn’t enough when you’re in Kota Kinabalu.
At Welcome Seafood Restaurant, our table featured generous plates of prawns and stir-fried vegetables, alongside other dishes to share.
One of the things I love about eating seafood in Malaysia is the variety of cooking styles and flavours available.
It’s another great option to consider for a seafood dinner with family or friends.
8. SOULed Out
For something a little different, SOULed Out offers a more contemporary dining atmosphere with plenty of bold flavours.
Our table featured substantial mains, rich sauces and sharing dishes that made for a hearty meal.
It’s the kind of place where you can settle in for dinner, order a few drinks and enjoy a relaxed evening.
9. Shu DaXia Hotpot
There’s nothing quite like gathering around a table for hotpot!
Shu DaXia Hotpot has a striking Chinese-inspired interior, complete with dramatic red décor and lanterns.
Hotpot is as much about the experience as it is about the food. From choosing ingredients to cooking and sharing everything at the table, it’s a wonderfully social way to eat.
A fun addition to the itinerary, especially when travelling with a group.
10. Silla Korean Restaurant
Korean food lovers, here’s one for you!
Our meal at Silla Korean Restaurant featured sizzling grilled meat, fresh lettuce leaves for wrapping and a variety of Korean side dishes.
There’s something very satisfying about pairing freshly grilled meat with vegetables, sauces and all those little accompaniments.
A great change of pace if you’re craving Korean flavours during your Kota Kinabalu trip.
11. Kedai Kopi Tenom Ngiong Chap
Back to local favourites!
This was another casual coffee shop meal featuring bowls of noodles, soups and hearty meat dishes.
From dry noodles topped with crispy-looking meat to warming bowls of broth, everything looked wonderfully comforting.
These are the types of local eateries I love discovering when travelling around Malaysia. Nothing overly fancy, just good, hearty food and plenty of local character.
12. Kopi Ping, Tuaran
Heading a little further out of Kota Kinabalu, we stopped at Kopi Ping in Tuaran.
With its bright, contemporary café interiors, this was a lovely place to sit down, enjoy a coffee and take a break.
Our table featured drinks, toast and other substantial meals, making it a handy stop when exploring the area.
If you’re planning a drive around Tuaran, this is one to keep in mind.
13. Ausvilla Restaurant, Kundasang
Kundasang deserves a visit for its beautiful highland scenery, and thankfully, we conveniently had easy access to a great restaurant located right where we were staying!
At Ausvilla Restaurant, we enjoyed a variety of dishes including stir-fried greens, fried rice, pasta and other comforting meals. My favourite – Creamy Butter Prawns, and Butter Chicken, and Butter anything really!
The relaxing surroundings and greenery made it a lovely change from the bustling restaurants in Kota Kinabalu city.
A nice spot to slow down and enjoy a meal while exploring Kundasang.
14. Gerai Makan Nguk Pau Ngiu Chap, Menggatal
If you enjoy discovering local eateries, this is another one to add to your list.
This casual restaurant in Menggatal was bustling with diners, and our table featured hearty bowls of beef soup alongside rice dishes and other accompaniments.
It’s the kind of no-frills local food experience that makes exploring Malaysia’s food culture so enjoyable.
15. Anjung Kinabalu Night Market
And finally, no Malaysian food adventure would be complete without a visit to a pasar malam (night market)!
After dinner, we explored Anjung Kinabalu Night Market, wandering past stalls selling all sorts of delicious street food.
There were smoky grills loaded with seafood and chicken wings, colourful drinks, ready-to-eat meals, snacks and sweet treats.
We also spotted cucur pisang (banana fritters) and a whole row of stalls piled high with durians.
Even when you’re already full from dinner, there’s always something tempting about wandering through a Malaysian night market.
The atmosphere, the aromas, the sizzling food and the endless variety are all part of the experience.
Final Thoughts: Eating Our Way Around Kota Kinabalu
One of the best things about visiting Kota Kinabalu is the variety of food you can enjoy.
You can start the day with a simple noodle breakfast, enjoy dim sum or local café food for lunch, have a massive seafood feast for dinner and still find yourself exploring a night market afterwards!
What I particularly enjoyed about this trip was the mix of experiences. We didn’t just stick to one type of cuisine. We tried local Malaysian favourites, Chinese dishes, seafood, Mexican food, Korean BBQ and plenty of street food along the way.
A little travel tip: Not all these places are located within central Kota Kinabalu. If you’re planning to explore Tuaran or Kundasang, consider organising your food stops around your day trips. It’s also worth checking restaurant locations and operating hours before heading out.
Whether you’re visiting Sabah for the first time or looking for more places to try on your next trip, I hope this list gives you a little foodie inspiration.
Watch our Kota Kinabalu food adventures in the video below!
Have you visited any of these places? Or do you have a must-try Kota Kinabalu food recommendation that I missed? Let me know in the comments!
Happy eating!
Kimberly | Kimbas Living
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