Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

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1. Laksa Sabah

A spicy and creamy noodle soup from Kota Kinabalu, combining rice noodles, fish broth, coconut milk, and unique local spices.

Unique Spice Blend: The blend of spices used in Laksa Sabah is a closely guarded secret and contributes to its distinctive flavor.
Coconut Milk Base: Unlike other laksas, the base of this dish uses coconut milk instead of tauhu (soybean) paste, creating a creamier texture.
Fresh Seafood: The use of fresh seafood such as prawns, fish, and cockles adds a delicious and authentic taste to the dish.

A traditional Malaysian rice dish served with coconut milk-infused rice, spicy sambal, fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, boiled egg, and cucumber.

Coconut Milk Rice: The rice is cooked in coconut milk, giving it a rich flavor and aroma.
Spicy Sambal: The sambal, made from chili peppers, shallots, garlic, and other spices, adds a tangy and fiery kick to the dish.
Kedayan Style: Kota Kinabalu's Nasi Lemak Kedayan is famous for using tender chicken drumsticks instead of the traditional fried anchovies in some regions.

Marinated pork skewered and grilled over hot coals, served with a spicy peanut sauce dip.

Lean Pork: Unlike other satay varieties, this one uses lean pork for a healthier option.
Thick Peanut Sauce: The peanut sauce is thicker and richer than traditional Malaysian peanut sauces, giving it a unique flavor profile.
Grilled to Perfection: The pork satay is grilled over hot coals, ensuring a smoky and crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.

A local crab dish served in a rich peanut sauce, garnished with cucumber and onion.

Peanut Sauce Base: The dish's unique flavor comes from the thick and creamy peanut sauce base.
Fresh Crab Meat: Only fresh, succulent crab meat is used to ensure a delicious taste experience.
Crispy Crab Shell: The crab shell is deep-fried until it becomes crispy, adding a delightful texture contrast.

A popular soup made with handmade beef balls and a variety of vegetables, served in a flavorful broth.

Handmade Beef Balls: The beef balls are made fresh daily, guaranteeing tender and tasty bites.
Flavorful Broth: The broth is simmered for hours, infusing it with rich flavors from the ingredients.
Variety of Vegetables: The soup includes a mix of vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and bok choy, adding texture and nutrition to the dish.

A traditional tea made by layering ingredients such as ginger, pandan leaves, and palm sugar.

Layering Technique: The unique layering technique creates a flavorful and aromatic beverage.
Palm Sugar Sweetness: The use of palm sugar adds a distinctive sweetness to the tea that is not found in other teas.
Fresh Ingredients: Only fresh ingredients are used, ensuring a high-quality cup of tea every time.

A sticky rice cake made from mashed bananas and coconut milk, steamed in a bamboo tube.

Bamboo Tube Steaming: The traditional method of steaming the pulut pisang in a bamboo tube gives it a unique texture and flavor.
Coconut Milk: The coconut milk adds richness and creaminess to the banana rice cake.
Mashed Bananas: The mashed bananas create a soft and sweet filling for the dish.

A flat rice noodle dish stir-fried with various ingredients such as prawns, fish cakes, and vegetables.

Flat Rice Noodles: The wide and flat rice noodles make the dish easy to eat and enjoyable to savor.
Light Sauce: The sauce is light yet flavorful, allowing the freshness of the ingredients to shine through.
Versatile Ingredients: The dish can be customized with various ingredients such as pork, chicken, or vegetables, catering to diverse preferences.

A thin and crispy crepe-like pastry filled with coconut milk and brown sugar.

Thin and Crispy: The apom balik is made with a thin batter, resulting in a crispy texture.
Coconut Milk Filling: The coconut milk filling adds a rich and creamy flavor to the pastry.
Brown Sugar Syrup: The brown sugar syrup drizzled on top creates a delightful sweetness.

A dessert made from tofu, ginkgo nuts, and sugar syrup, served cold.

Cold and Refreshing: Taufu Dagang is a cooling dessert perfect for hot days in Kota Kinabalu.
Ginkgo Nuts: The ginkgo nuts add a chewy texture and unique flavor to the dish.
Sweet Sugar Syrup: The sugar syrup provides a sweet contrast to the mild taste of the tofu.

A popular tropical fruit with a creamy texture and strong, pungent smell, best enjoyed freshly roasted.

Strong Aroma: The durian's powerful aroma is a unique sensory experience for many.
Creamy Texture: The creamy texture of the durian pulp makes it an indulgent treat.
Freshly Roasted: Roasting the durian enhances its flavor and softens its spikes, making it safer to eat.

A spicy fried noodle dish made with rice noodles, vegetables, and a variety of seasonings.

Spicy Seasoning: The dish is flavorful thanks to the unique blend of spices used in its preparation.
Versatile Ingredients: Different versions of mee goreng mamak can include ingredients such as chicken, seafood, or vegetables.
Crispy Noodles: The noodles are fried until they are crispy and full of flavor.

A traditional layer cake from Sabah made by layering thin layers of batter infused with pandan juice and coconut milk.

Layered Construction: The stacked layers create a visually appealing presentation.
Pandan Juice and Coconut Milk: The use of pandan juice and coconut milk give the kek lapis its unique flavor and aroma.
Soft and Moist Texture: Each layer is soft, moist, and melts in your mouth.

A traditional Kadazan-Dusun dish made from glutinous rice, chicken, and various herbs and spices.

Glutinous Rice: The sticky texture of the glutinous rice holds together well, making it easy to eat.
Traditional Ingredients: Ingredients such as turmeric and galangal give the dish a distinct flavor.
Cooked in Banana Leaves: The banana leaves add a subtle aroma and flavor to the tumpungau during cooking.

A popular dessert made from sweetened sticky rice served with ripe and juicy mangoes.

Sweetened Sticky Rice: The combination of the sweet rice and tangy mango creates a delightful flavor balance.
Ripe Mangoes: Using ripe, fresh mangoes ensures their natural sweetness shines through.
Coconut Milk Sauce: The coconut milk sauce adds richness and creaminess to the dessert.