Sabah is a melting pot of culture. And that means your choice of food is infinite multiple with 10. As you make your trip to Sabah, it is only natural for you to explore the foods it offers. Do they taste unfamiliar? Are they exotic? You can only find out once you try them yourself. So, instead of just focusing on what you can do in Sabah, why not venture and have a bite of its must-try foods, too?
Suppose you are into the challenge; good news! This article will be your food guide, as it introduces the 10 best must-try foods in Sabah 2025 to make your trip to the state a well-rounded and successful one.
What are the Common Flavours of Foods in Sabah?
Sabah is diverse with cultures of many different races. Hence, they aren’t any specific flavour profiles for reference. However, that only gives more thrill to your food-hunting experience, right? You get to venture and savour new tastes, textures, and smells. Exciting, indeed.
How Do Eateries in Sabah Accept Payment?
In today’s day and age, it can be an inconvenience to carry cash wherever we go. Luckily, most eateries in Sabah accept payment methods, such as E-wallets, bank cards and online banking.
10 Best Must-Try Foods in Sabah 2025
1. Mee Sup Pipin 1
Those who love noodle soup as a meal must take the chance to eat at Mee Sup Pipin 1 and get the Mee Sup Pipin. This noodle soup is typically served in a light broth, not too savoury, but has enough soothing flavours to tantalise your mouth. It is topped with pork slices, egg-pork rolls, scallions and fried garlic for fragrance. Usually, you see locals eating Mee Sup Pipin with stuffed tofu. So, don’t forget to get one too! There are 2 eateries: Mee Sup Pipin and Mee Sup Pipin 1, next to each other. Locals prefer to choose the latter, but some have said both eateries served equally good Mee Sup Pipin.
Operating Hours: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 89500 Penampang, Sabah
Phone No: 016-8302088
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
2. Kah Hiong Ngiu Chap
Next up for Sabah food you have to try is Ngiu Chap or Ngau Chap. What makes Ngiu Chap special is its savoury, rich beef broth; the broth is the superstar, while the noodles are secondary. Usually, Ngiu Chap will be topped with slices of beef, offal, and meatballs. If you aren’t a fan of eating animal organs, don’t worry. You can always request a bowl of Ngiu Chap without them, as Kah Hiong Ngiu Chap is accommodating to its customers’ preferences.
Operating Hours: 7:00 am – 8:00 am (Daily)
Address: 2-0-10, Lorong Taman Nosoob Jaya Phase 2, Kolam Centre, 93450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Phone No: 016-826 9699
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
3. San Da Gen Kopitiam
Originally from Sandakan, this dessert called the UFO Tart, is one of the must-eat foods of Sabah. And at San Da Gen Kopitiam, you can get the best UFO Tart ever. It’s sweet and soft from the meringue and custard, and a buttered flavour cake as the base. Mix those textures and flavours; you have yourself a sensational dessert.
Operating Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (Daily)
Address: Lebuh Dua, Pusat Bandar Sandakan, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Phone No: 089-238 988
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TasteSanDaGen/
4. Tuaran Mee Restaurant
Off next to your Sabah food destination should be Tuaran Mee Restaurant, located in Tuaran. You’d probably figure out what the next Sabah food is by the restaurant’s name. That’s right, Tuaran Mee. What makes the noodles of this dish special is how it is prepared. The yellow, springy noodles are cooked twice, which is why it tastes chewy and crispy altogether. This divine noodle dish is typically topped with slices of Chinese BBQ pork, roasted pork and vegetables.
Operating Hours:
8:00 am – 4:00 pm (Thursday – Tuesday)
Closed on Wednesday
Address: Jln Lama Tuaran, 89200 Tuaran, Sabah
Phone No: 014-6574987
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
5. Sinsuran Sang Nyuk Mee
Let’s see what else are the must-eat foods in Sabah? Hmm. Oh, yes! It’s time for some delectable Sang Nyuk Mee from Sinsuran Sang Nyuk Mee. Sang Nyuk Mee means raw pork slices with noodles. However, there’s no raw meat in the dishes though. The name is just like that. Sang Nyuk Mee is a dish where a milky-light broth mixed with thin pork slices and offal is served. This broth is typically eaten in 2 ways: with noodles served in the broth or Kou Lou Mee style, where the noodles are served separately, doused with dark soy sauce and pork lard. Both versions taste just as good as the other. Visit Sinsuran Sang Nyuk Mee to enjoy some Sang Nyuk Mee now!
Operating Hours: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 28, Lor Plaza Permai 2, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Phone No: 016-2426712
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
6. KK Beaufort Restaurant
Beaufort Mee or Beaufort fried noodles is going to be your next Sabah food must-try. This noodle dish comprises fried, crispy noodles and then doused with thick, savoury gravy. Leafy vegetables and pork slices are typically added to this noodle dish. Coming to KK Beaufort Restaurant, you can taste heavenly Beaufort fried noodles. Once you’ve eaten them, ordering another plate is common.
Operating Hours: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (Daily)
Address: Ground Floor, Lot 7, No 5-0, Kolam Plaza, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Taman Hilltop, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Phone No: 016-937 8822
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/KK-Beaufort-Restaurant/100063995563733/
7. VOGS Authentic Sinalau Bakas
Sinalau Bakas, or smoked wild boar, is another Sabah delicacy. Before this, to eat Sinalau Bakas, you had to go to rural areas of Sabah or eat them at a local’s home, as finding them served in mainstream restaurants is hard. But that is no longer the case, as many local restaurants are beginning to serve this delicacy for everyone to enjoy. And VOGS Authentic Sinalau Bakas is a prime example. This restaurant serves amazing, well-rounded Sinalau Bakas for your enjoyment. The meat is soft and rich in flavours. Most of all, it is smoked to perfection. That said, come to VOGS Authentic Sinalau Bakas to get a taste of yummy Sinalau Bakas.
Operating Hours: 3:00 pm – 11:30 pm (Daily)
Address: C-G-21, Jalan Pintas Penampang, Kampung Kepayan, 89500 Penampang, Sabah
Phone No: 013-8652494
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VOGSsinalauBakas
8. My Native Sabah
Come to My Native Sabah and enjoy some Butod (Sago worms), Hinava, Jeruk Bambangan, Bosou, Ambuyat and more— the essence of traditional foods of indigenous groups in Sabah. Although the food may taste unfamiliar or exotic to non-locals, they taste incredible! Also, what’s fun in life if you aren’t adventurous with your food, right?
Operating Hours:
11:30 am – 8:30 pm (Monday – Friday)
11:30 am – 6:00 pm (Saturday)
Closed on Sunday
Address: Lot 48, 1st Floor, Blk F, Lrg 333-5, Plaza 333, Jln Bypass Penampang, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Phone No: 016-8332381
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mynative.sabah/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mynative.sabah/?hl=en
9. Kedai Makan Ngee Lee
A unique Sabah food you have to try upon coming to Kedai Makan Ngee Lee would be its coconut pudding. Smooth and silky, soft and creamy, with just the right amount of sweetness. This dessert excels in combating the humid-hot weather and will make you feel refreshed in a heartbeat.
Operating Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Daily)
Address: Block A, 5-G, Bandar Nam Tung, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Phone No: 089-611672
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
10. Mee Sup KB Lomog Batu 2
No matter how small or secluded an eatery is, if it serves great food, the people will find it. And at Mee Sup KB Lomog Batu 2, you’d say that is the case. This restaurant serves Sabahans, especially Kota Belud locals, beloved dish, Mee Sup KB, or Mee Sup Kota Belud. It’s a hearty bowl of noodles, served in a light, umami punch broth, and topped with any proteins of choice. This noodle dish is the happy pill you need to turn that frown upside down.
Operating Hours:
7:30 am – 8:30 pm (Monday – Saturday)
2:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Sunday)
Address: Jalan Ranau Lama Bypass, Kampung Pirasan, 89157 Kota Belud, Sabah
Phone No: 011-18628507 & 010-362 4675
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeeSupKBLomogBatu2?mibextid=LQQJ4d
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Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
