Food Trails In Sabah

Essentially, every travel plan must include a list of must-try foods. Exploring a foreign land equates to immersing yourself in a new culture, and that includes trying out local culinary delights. This is the perfect opportunity to break away from your normal meal plan routine and experience a variety of new dishes and beverages. Some may spark joy to your taste buds, while others might not be to your liking, and that is perfectly fine. After all, everyone has their own unique preferences when it comes to food.

Sabah, for instance, is a popular destination, not only for its scenic beauty but also for its reputation as a haven for fresh, delicious, and affordable seafood. Other than that, with such diversity in its multi-racial communities, traditional food in Sabah is a treat, each rich in cultural heritage and flavour. But the food scene in Sabah doesn’t stop there, there are countless other mouth-watering offerings, famously known to Sabahans, waiting to be tried out.

1. Ngiu Chap Noodle (Beef Noodle)

While nasi lemak is a staple breakfast choice in West Malaysia, a typical breakfast in Sabah is often accompanied by a bowl of noodle soup. Among the popular ones is ngiu chap, a beef-based noodle soup that features a flavourful broth with a mix of meatballs, various beef cuts, and offal. The meat is simmered for hours, delivering soft, tender beef, and it is often paired with the Sabahan favourite chilli padi. This dish is easy to find across the West Coast area. Among the famous outlets here are Kah Hiong Ngiu Chap, Nyuk Pau Menggatal Ngiu Chap and Yii Siang Hainan Ngiu Chap.

2. Fish Noodles Soup

For locals in Sabah, slurping a bowl of fresh fish noodle soup is a comforting experience. Whether you prefer it kon lau style (dry noodles tossed in black sauce) or served in a hearty broth, the Sabahan version truly stands out. Thanks to the state’s proximity to coastal locations, the fish served here is incredibly fresh, juicy, and tender. Only the best catches make it into the soup. There are also a variety of flavourful soup bases to choose from, including ham choy (pickled mustard greens), tomato, asam pedas, and tom yum laksa. Fish noodle soup is widely available across Sabah, and the best spots often have long queues, but they are totally worth the wait. For first-time visitors, popular recommendations include Fatt Kee Seafood Restaurant, Aliang Fish Noodle, and Big Three Fish Noodles in Sandakan.

3. BBQ Chicken Wings

BBQ chicken wings might sound like a simple dish, usually served as an appetiser, but have faith in local Sabahans who claim that BBQ chicken wings are celebrated as the main course. The wings are marinated according to a delicious recipe, glazed evenly to perfection, and professionally charred for that irresistible smoky flavour.  While there are lots of hawkers selling this around the town, some of the best are found in the small town of Kundasang highlands.  Enjoying freshly grilled BBQ chicken wings at 1,900m asl just hits differently amidst the cool mountain air, giving it a perfect setting to savour this meal. If you are heading to Kundasang highlands, check out these stalls: Ayam Madu Wak Ali, Grill Chicken Wing Kundasang Café and Girik BBQ at Restaurant Selera Kebun Soboroong.

4. Jagung Bakar (Grilled Corn)

While visiting the Kudat, Pitas and Kota Marudu districts in the northern part of Sabah, consider stopping by the roadside stalls of Kampung Mengaris, along the Kota Belud – Kudat route. You can hardly miss it, as it is a popular stopover to buy local produce and handicrafts. The sellers will usually hang fresh and grilled corns at their stalls. Here, farmers grow and sell two types of corn: sweet corn and sticky corn (jagung pulut). These corns are grilled over a wood fire until its exterior is perfectly charred. The dish is a local favourite due to its sweet, aromatic flavour, and it’s best eaten while hot.

5. Lokan Bakar (Grilled Clams) & Coconut Pudding

About 30 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city centre lies the Jalan Sulaman stretch, also known as Salut, Tuaran. It is a popular R&R pit stop famous for its lokan bakar (grilled clams) and coconut pudding. The freshwater clams, harvested from nearby mangroves, are grilled over charcoal until the shells naturally open, revealing their meaty flesh. They are typically served with lime and spicy dipping sauce that enhances the rich seafood flavour. For something refreshing, the chilled coconut pudding, made from fresh coconut juice and milk, is a crowd favourite, served either in a whole coconut or in a cup. The stall also offers kelapa bakar (roasted coconut), where whole coconuts are charred until they are black, creating a warm, aromatic drink with a distinct smoky flavour.

6. Nasi Kuning

If you are heading to the East Coast of Sabah, you can never go wrong with a plate of flavourful nasi kuning. Commonly enjoyed as breakfast or lunch, it is often found ready to eat on top of the dining table for a quick meal. Similar to a nasi lemak, nasi kuning is wrapped in banana leaves and features fragrant yellow rice stained by turmeric. This dish is typically served with fried chicken or white tuna, accompanied by a hard-boiled egg and spicy sambal. Not only is it affordable, but it is also a satisfying meal. Head over to Restaurant Haji Tamrin (Tawau), Sri Rimbawan Restaurant (Sandakan) or Mee Tauhu Corner in Kota Kinabalu for this crowd favourite.

Each destination in Sabah offers its own unique culinary speciality, making every stop a delicious part of your journey.  Foodie or not, it is always enjoyable to add culinary immersion to every trip. Pro-tip: always check the business hours of restaurants or coffee shops in advance. There is nothing more disappointing than arriving only to find it closed. Whether you are exploring a bustling market, pausing for a quick bite or hunting down a must-try food, Sabah’s diverse food scene promises a feast for the senses at every stop.