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

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1. Lobster at Mama's Lobster Corner

Savor fresh, succulent lobster cooked in a variety of styles. This local eatery is famous for its signature salted egg yolk lobster.

Fresh Seafood: Sandakan's prime location ensures the freshest seafood, especially lobsters.
Unique Cooking Style: The salted egg yolk lobster is a unique twist on traditional dishes.
Family-run Business: Mama's Lobster Corner offers a personal touch, making diners feel at home.

Experience the rich flavors of tangkup rice, a traditional dish made with rice cooked in bamboo tubes.

Traditional Cooking Method: The use of bamboo tubes adds a unique aroma and texture to the rice.
Cultural Significance: Tangkup rice is a reflection of Sabah's rich cultural heritage.
Festival Food: This dish is especially popular during the Kaamatan Harvest Festival.

Savor tender pork satay skewers marinated in a special blend of spices and grilled to perfection.

Authentic Local Flavors: The night market offers an array of traditional dishes, including pork satay.
Social Experience: Night markets are a great way to interact with locals and immerse in the local culture.
Street Food Experience: Enjoy street food while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the night market.

Refresh yourself with a bowl of cendol, a traditional Malay dessert made from green pandan jelly, red beans, and palm sugar.

Refreshing Desert: Cendol is the perfect way to cool down in Sandakan's tropical climate.
Iconic Local Shop: Ah Sang Cendol has been a local favorite for decades.
Unique Texture and Taste: The combination of the jelly, red beans, and palm sugar creates a unique texture and taste.

Try the spicy and tangy Sandakan laksa, a local noodle dish made with tamarind broth.

Spicy and Tangy Flavors: The unique blend of spices and tamarind gives Sandakan laksa its distinctive flavor.
Iconic Local Eatery: Mee Laksa Assam Pedas is a must-visit for any traveler in Sandakan.
Fresh Seafood Ingredients: The laksa is made with fresh seafood, ensuring a delicious meal.

Savor the flavorful ikan tongkol, a type of mackerel, grilled to perfection at Pasar Tamu Lok Kawaganning.

Fresh and Flavorful Fish: The fish is always fresh, ensuring a delicious meal.
Local Market Experience: Visiting the local market adds to the authentic experience of trying ikan tongkol.
Grilled to Perfection: The fish is grilled over charcoal, giving it a smoky flavor.

Savor the delicious Mee Kuching, a noodle dish made with catfish and vegetables.

Unique Ingredient: The use of catfish sets this dish apart from other noodle dishes.
Iconic Local Restaurant: Restoran Lumut is a well-known eatery in Sandakan.
Tasty and Hearty: The dish is filling and flavorful, making it a popular choice among locals and tourists alike.

Enjoy the aromatic and flavorful pulut panggang, a glutinous rice dish wrapped in banana leaves.

Traditional Cooking Method: The rice is cooked in banana leaves, adding to its aroma and flavor.
Cultural Experience: Kg Kampung Bajau offers a glimpse into the culture of the Bajau community.
Delicious and Aromatic: The dish is both delicious and aromatic, making it a memorable experience.

Experience the unique taste of kelupis, a traditional Kadazan-Dusun delicacy made from glutinous rice and coconut.

Unique Traditional Food: Kelupis is a unique food that showcases the Kadazan-Dusun culture.
Cultural Immersion: Visiting Kampung Kelabit Bario offers an opportunity to immerse in the local culture.
Unconventional Taste: The unique taste of kelupis may take some getting used to, but it's worth trying!

Savor the flavorful Nasi Tomato, a dish made with rice cooked in tomato sauce.

Unique Flavor Profile: The use of tomato sauce gives this dish a unique flavor.
Local Village Experience: Visiting Kampung Babagon offers a glimpse into the local lifestyle.
Hearty and Filling: Nasi Tomato is both hearty and filling, making it a satisfying meal.

Experience the rich and flavorful curry laksa at Tengku Biji-Biji, a popular eatery in Sandakan.

Unique Spice Blend: Tengku Biji-Biji uses a unique blend of spices to create their curry laksa.
Iconic Local Eatery: Tengku Biji-Biji is a well-known eatery in Sandakan.
Rich and Creamy: The curry laksa is rich, creamy, and flavorful, making it a memorable meal.

Cool down with a bowl of Ais Kacang, a traditional Malay shaved ice dessert.

Refreshing Dessert: Ais Kacang is the perfect way to cool down in Sandakan's tropical climate.
Iconic Local Shop: Ah Seng Ice Kacang has been a local favorite for decades.
Variety of Toppings: The dessert comes with a variety of toppings, including red beans, corn, and jelly.

Indulge in the sweet and aromatic Pulut Pisang, a traditional Banana Rice Cake.

Unique Texture and Taste: The combination of bananas and glutinous rice creates a unique texture and taste.
Iconic Local Restaurant: Restoran Rimba is a well-known eatery in Sandakan.
Delicious and Aromatic: The dish is both delicious and aromatic, making it a memorable experience.

Savor the freshness of tuna sashimi at Restoran Tepeng Hau, a popular Japanese restaurant in Sandakan.

Fresh Seafood: Sandakan's prime location ensures the freshest seafood, especially tuna.
Unique Cooking Style: The Japanese cooking style adds a unique twist to traditional dishes.
High-quality Ingredients: Restoran Tepeng Hau uses high-quality ingredients, ensuring a delicious meal.

Try the hearty Sandakan Fish Soup at Restoran Yee Fung, a popular eatery in Sandakan.

Hearty and Nutritious: The soup is both hearty and nutritious, making it a filling meal.
Iconic Local Restaurant: Restoran Yee Fung is a well-known eatery in Sandakan.
Fresh Seafood Ingredients: The soup is made with fresh seafood, ensuring a delicious meal.