AsiaMalaysia

Top 10 Food You Have To Eat in Sabah

Skip Penang and Malacca, and head to Sabah for the food instead. Like Singapore, Malaysia is a multi-racial country with many local delights from the different ethnic groups. Read on to discover the top 10 food you have to eat in Sabah!

#10 Bak Kut Teh

Hearty bowl of Bah Kut Teh
Hearty bowl of Bah Kut Teh (Flickr/ lumei)

It’s a must to eat bak kut teh when you are in Sabah. Don’t miss the popular Sin Kee Bak Kut Teh while you are there! The fragrance hits you the moment you walk in and for a good reason too – the pork ribs are simmered with herbs for over four hours! You can choose from pork ribs, pork balls, liver, kidney or even pork belly to go along with a bowl of white rice and soy sauce.

#9 Pork Noodles (Sang Nyuk Noodles)

Sang Nyuk Noodles (Flickr/ boo lee)

This iconic Sabah dish is basically thinly sliced pork cooked in a specially prepared pork bone broth. The pork noodles are served two ways – dry or soup, with the former being the more common option among patrons as they get to slurp up the noodles tossed in a dark sauce mixed with the meat slices, meatballs and offal.

#8 Beef Offal Noodles (Ngiu Chap)

Ngui Chap (Flickr/ ancorena)

A comfort food for many Sabahans, this bowl of Ngiu Chap, or more commonly known as beef offal noodles, is simmered with a unique blend of spices, white radish and beef bone for several hours before it is served. Kedai Cheng Wah is one of the places to go for a bowl of amazing beef offal noodles!

#7 Teahouse aka Coffee Shop

Teahouse in Sabah
Teahouse in Sabah (Flickr/ ycchang)

Teahouse, or better known to Singaporeans as coffee shop, plays a huge part many Sabahans‘ lives. They gather there to watch a football game or catch up with friend to talk about anything under the sky. Food is something that cannot be missed out along with tea or coffee. They have traditional toast with butter and kaya just like the ones we have in Singapore.

#6 Roti Prata

Roti Prata
Roti Prata (Flickr/ goosmurf)

Also a favourite amongst locals, roti prata is an Indian pancake eaten with curry. You will see one of these on each table when you walk into most stores. Do get a cup of teh tarik to go along with the prata as well!

#5 BBQ Stingray

BBQ Stingray
BBQ Stingray (Flickr/ 水泳男)

Stingray is another must-eat in Sabah. Barbecued then served on a banana leaf with sambal chili and lime, this seafood is a dish you must order to experience Malaysia’s local cuisine.

#4 BBQ Chicken Wings

BBQ Chicken Wings
BBQ Chicken Wings (Flickr/ Johnathan Ooi)

What’s street food without barbecued chicken wings? Marinated with honey for three hours before being barbecued, this is a favourite for both adults and kids! If you’d like to recreate these barbecued wings at home, try marinating them in Marmite – it gives the meat a unique flavour.

#3 Secret Recipe Cakes

Cakes at Secret Recipe chain
Cakes at Secret Recipe chain (Flickr/ Isriya Paireepairit)

Save some space in your stomach and head to well-known bakery chain in Malaysia, Secret Recipe, for cakes and other desserts! With the wide selection and unique flavours like Durian Cheesecake at Secret Recipe, you will be spoilt for choice.

#2 Coconut Pudding

Coconut Pudding
Coconut Pudding (Flickr/ Kai Hendry)

Coconut pudding is one of the die-die-must-eat in Sabah. The city harvests a high number of coconuts daily hence, you can get freshly made coconut pudding in most places. You can easily pick up one of these refreshing treats well-loved by both locals and travellers along the street stores.

#1 Tropical Fruits

Tropical fruits stand
Tropical fruits stand (Flickr/ Lee)

If you love durians, you definitely can’t miss out on this when you are in Sabah! Expect other seasonal tropical fruits like rambutan and mangosteens and more! They are only in season from July to September so you must grab the chance to buy some if you are there during that period.

If you’re visiting Sabah, you may be interested in these too:
>> Authentic Sabah Cooking Class
>> Tropical Fruit Buffet
>> Sabah Delicacies Day Tour
>> Sabah Half Day Night Tour

Tags: