This photo never fails to make me salivate. Damn.

One durian alone costs me 40 Singapore dollar, but it’s worth every cent.

Ok enough writing about durian, I cannot tahan already.

Today, I want to tell you about a food guide written by another blogger.

My friend, Mark, recently completed his Thailand food guide. He sent me a review copy and all I can say is “this guide is fucking epic“.

I’ve just completed “43 food you must not missed in KK” and it took me 2 months to complete it, I know how much effort it took Mark to complete this 88 pages Thai Food Guide. It’s amazing.

The guide only costs $7. To be honest, I think that price is ridiculously cheap.. and Mark has made a mistake for pricing this it such low price.

However… his loss is your gain

Mark blogs at Migrationology.com and EatingThaiFood.com

Quick Navigation:

1) BBQ Pork Rice 2) Tom Yam Noodles 3) Beaufort Noodles 4) Fish Head Noodles 5) Fish Head Noodles 6) Claypot Noodles and Pan Mee 7) Chicken Chop Noodles 8 ) Creamy Buttered Crab 9) Golden Aroma Chili Crab 10) Deep Fried Pork Noodles 11) Coconut Pudding 12) Tom Yam Noodles 13) Roti Kahwin 14) Pork Dumpling 15) Sesame Snap 16) Tuaran Noodles 17) Roasted Duck Noodles 18) Seafood Noodles 19) Tenom Noodles 20) Tom Yam Fried Rice 21) Golden Egg Yolk Coated Prawn 22) Spicy Chicken Rice 23) Beef Brisket Noodles 24) Sheng Rou Mian 25) BBQ Chicken Wing 26) Grilled Sting Ray 27) Bak Kut Teh 28) Fish Paste Noodles 29) Chun Gain 30) Polo Bun 31) BBQ Pork Rice 32) Tom Yam Noodles 33) Fish Noodles 34) Kuay Chap 35) Baked Norwegian Salmon 36) Zuppa Di Mare 37) Chicken Rice 38) Laksa Noodles 39) Ais Kacang 40) Pork Steamed Bun 41) Prawn Noodles 42) Baked Cheese Crab 43) Custard Bun

Download everything in PDF here.

.. or alternatively, scroll down slowly

BBQ Pork Rice 叉烧饭 (RM5.00)

Photo credit: varf

Available during: Lunch only

Description: Also known as “Char Siu”, which means “fork burn/roast” (Char being fork and siu being burn/roast) after the traditional cooking method for the dish: long strips of seasoned boneless pork are skewered with long forks and placed in a covered oven or over a fire.

The pork is BBQ’ed with mixture of honey, five-spice powder, fermented tofu (red), dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce until slightly charred, Served with a bowl of fragrant rice with extra sauce added on char siu to make it even tastier.

You can also try the roast pork 烧肉.

There are many similar restaurants that serve BBQ pork and roast pork – this is definitely one of the top choices.

Address:
Kedai Kopi Gunung Emas
Foh Sang, behind Milimewa Supermarket.

Golden Aroma Chili Crab 金香蟹 (RM28 per kilo)

Photo credit: flickr

Available during: Dinner only

Description: Also known as Kam Hiong Hai. Fresh crabs prepared with curry spices in a hot wok. The spices are heated in order to release all the potential flavour, curry leaves are added, and stir fried with crabs to perfection.

The crab voluntarily died for this dish because it is happy to be covered by the awesome spices.

When mentioned “best place to have crab”, local people usually only mention one restaurant – New Luyang restaurant. My most favourite way to prepare a fresh crab dish is definitely kam hiong.

Address:
(Next to BP petrol station. Same row with Luyang Police station.)
New Luyang Restaurant
Shop No.1, Luyang Phase 1, Jalan Kolam.
88300 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah.

Contact: 088-252431

Roti Kahwin (RM1.20)

Available during: Whole day

Description: Incredibly soft and fresh white bread that is served with slices of cold butter and kaya (coconut and egg). The bread, cold butter and kaya melts with every bite. You can’t get enough of these.

One of the legends in Kota Kinabalu – the restaurant revolutionised the whole street into a “food street”. Stalls and restaurants were setup in order to cater to the demands of the attracted crowds.

Must try: Teh C Ping. The awesomest milk tea in Kota Kinabalu.

Address:
Kedai Kopi Fu Yuan
(Beside Sabah88 Lottery)
Block A, Lorong Ruang Pokok Kayu Manis 1,
Damai Plaza, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Beef Brisket Noodles (RM6.00)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Also known as “Ngiu Chap” by the locals. The beef noodles consists of noodles, beef and broth, also cilantros for extra tang.

The quality of beef noodles is mainly determined by tenderness of the beef and also the richness of the beef broth. If both are in high quality, you’ll get a perfect bowl of beefy noodles soup that makes you crave for more.

Address:
Kah Hiong Ngiu Chap 家乡牛什
2-0-10, Block A, Ground Floor, Kolam Centre Phase 2, Jalan Lintas, Hilltop,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Contact: 019-8700080

Laksa Noodles (RM5.00)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Different mix of spices are grounded to paste, then sauté the spices until fragrant. Add in coconut milk and rest of the ingredients. Serve with vermicelli or yellow noodles.

There are many versions of laksa in Malaysia – assam laksa, curry laksa, or simply ‘laksa’. This is curry laksa.

Address:
Yee Fung Restaurant
Jalan Gaya, 88000, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
(opposite Bata shoe shop)

Ais Kacang (RM3.50)

Available during: 11am to 6pm daily except Sunday.

Description: Also known as air batu campur or just ABC. Sweet corn, red beans and cincau (grass jelly) topped with shaved ice, flavoured syrups and condensed milk.

I strongly recommend that you try “buah atap”, which is the milky white fruit you see on the photo. Tastes amazing!

Also try “Yau Zha Kwai”, a Cantonese doughnut, usually served during breakfast. Here, they add in butter and kaya, also known as “kahwin” in certain places. MUST TRY. Banana fritters, cempedak fritters.. all must try.

Address:
Car park of Tun Fuad Stephen Park.
Bukit Padang.

Tom Yam Noodles (RM6.00)

Available during: 6:30am to 3pm

Description: Thick tom yam broth with coconut milk, with noodles of your choice. Topped in heaps of prawns and seafood. Mild spicy-ness that won’t burn your tongue, acceptable by crowds.

This tom yam is spicy (mild), creamy and slightly sour. Unlike Tom yam from Thailand, which is usually spicy and sour.

The tom yam broth is addictive.

Address：
Kedai Kopi Janggut
Lot 5, Ground Floor,
Hilltop Kolam Plaza,
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
(Behind Prudential Insurance Building)

Contact: 088-264203 / 012-8297770 / 016-8305966

Beaufort Noodles (RM6.00)

Photo credit: http://hungerhunger.blogspot.com/

Available during: Lunch and dinner

Description: Dishes here originate from Beaufort. The noodles is prepared with sliced pork, fresh vegetables and yellow noodles. The gravy… holy… no need further explanation. You go try.

From what I know, the dishes are prepared with pork lard instead of vegetable oil, that makes the taste freaking amazing – one bowl of noodles is never enough.

Also try their stir-fried vegetable 炒菜心 and cha-sao omelette 叉烧煎蛋.

Address:
Yu Hing Restaurant
City Mall (left corner of mall, outdoor)
S-0-20, Block D, City Mall.
88300 Kota Kinabalu.
Sabah

Contact: 088-484747

Sheng Rou Mian 生肉面 (RM5.00)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Thin slices of fresh pork is lightly boiled in hot broth, served with dark soy sauce and pork lard noodles. This is THE Holy Grail of noodles lovers.

Sarawak has kolo mee, Sabah has Sheng Rou Mian! (and also Tuaran noodles, Tenom noodles, Beaufort noodles…)

This is another local dish that you must try if you’re at Kota Kinabalu. “What’s the single food you miss the most in KK?” I asked my friends who are working overseas.

“What else? SHENG ROU MIAN!”

Address:
Lintas Sheng Rou Mian
21-1, Ground Floor, Lorong Lintas Plaza,
88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Custard Bun (RM1.50)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Homemade buns that have different kind of fillings – custard, red bean paste (tausa), peanut and etc.

My personal favourite is definitely custard bun. All I know is that it’s made of milk, sugar, and.. ? I don’t know and I don’t care. It’s delicious. This is one of the buns I grew up eating.

This coffee shop has been serving the old school style buns before Michael Jackson was born. Ok maybe not, maybe when he was still a teenager

You can also try their bottled coffee and different types of buns and pastries.

Address:
Kedai Kopi Jeong Hin
Lot 8, Ground Floor,
Block E, Lorong Inanam,
Inanam New Township Ph.2,
Kota Kinabalu.

Contact: +6088 423 337

Fish Head Noodles(RM5.00)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Fish head noodles prepared with different kind of soups, main 3 types: 1) tofu, tomato and salted vegetables soup. 2)tom yam soup and 3) bitter gourd soup.

You can choose to replace fish head with fish meat – fresh or deep fried. I prefer deep fried fish because it is more flavourful.

Compare to KK standard, their serving size is huge. Satisfaction 100%

Address:
Kedai Kopi Dat Seng
Next to Kin Hwa Restaurant
Block C, Ground Floor,
Inanam Business Centre, 88450,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Fish Head Noodles (RM5.00)

Photo credit: Everydayfoodilove

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Similar to the noodles mentioned above, this restaurant serves fish head noodles too. The broth is slightly thicker and full of flavour. What stands out is the dry noodles (干捞面) that comes with the fish head noodles soup, the taste of soy sauce and fried shallots is incredible.

Another thing that makes this restaurant stand out, is the chilli paste – the pickled garlic marinated with chilli oil. Add lime juice and soy sauce.. you’re probably tasting the best chilli sauce ever.

Address:
Houng Kee Restaurant 鴻記茶餐室
No.15 Ground Floor, Block B, Damai Plaza Phase 4,
Lorong Pokok Kayu Manis 2, Luyang.
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Contact: 088-267159

Claypot Noodles and Pan Mee (RM5.00)

Photo credit: MelTheFoodAddict.com

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: First photo is deep fried egg noodles cooked in flavourful pork broth. Minced meat, deep fried anchovies and fresh egg is added into the noodles soup to enhance the flavour. If you love pork broth, you’ll love this.

Second photo is Pan Mee, the local version of Japanese Ramen. Hand-made flat noodles served with vegetables, minced meat, sliced mushrooms and an egg in an ikan bilis-based soup

Address:
Kedai Kopi Xing Wan
(Damai – opposite Houng Kee Restaurant)
Lorong Ruang Pokok Kayu Manis 1,
Damai Plaza, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Chicken Chop Noodles (RM5.00)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Deep fried chicken chop with crispy batter, on top of egg noodles, covered with thick sweet soy sauce. The sweetness of fried chicken and saltiness of egg noodles is awesome.

I was told this is Taiwanese style noodles, and I could not find any similar restaurants around Kota Kinabalu area.

You can also try the Pork Rib Noodles 排骨面, which is also a crowds’ favourite.

Address:
Near Penampang Survey Hypermarket (burnt building)
Opposite corner of A1 stationary store.

Creamy Buttered Crab (RM30+ per kilo)

Photo credit: http://www.foodstreet.com.my/

Available during: Dinner only

Description: Fresh huge crabs cooked in butter and spices. Butter is dangerously fragrant when cooked, the smell ascends to another level when spices are added, it mixes perfectly with seafood, especially crabs.

This is a must order whenever I come to this seafood restaurant. I can finish 1 kilogram of fresh crabs alone in one seating, usually takes 2-3 hours to finish. Awesome combination with beer.

You can choose dry butter or creamy butter. My favourite is creamy butter. You can try butter prawns too.

Address:
Dai Kar Lok Seafood restaurant
(Bundusan – behind Supertanker)
Jalan Bundusan, Phase 2, Grand Industrial,
88300, Penampang, Sabah

Deep Fried Pork Noodles 炸肉面 (RM6.00)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Deep fried pork in bread crumbs, then added on top of tasty pork broth and noodles. Simple and nice.

This is one of our family’s favourite restaurant during weekend. I guess this is the only restaurant that serves this kind of noodles in Kota Kinabalu. Definitely worth a try.

You can try stewed chicken feet (鸡脚, also known as 凤爪) too.

Address:
Kedai Kopi Hui Chow
Taman Fortuna Phase 2 Shop lots

Coconut Pudding (RM10.00)

Available during: Dinner

Description: Fresh coconut juice is extracted from the shell, cooked with condensed milk and agar-agar, and put back into coconut. The pudding is formed when cooled.

This dessert brings a whole new level of freshness in a form of pudding. People always asks for more because it’s that refreshing and tasty.

Address:
Restaurant Makanan Sedap 蝦中蝦 (seafood restaurant)
1-0-1, Block B, Lot 20, Kolam Centre, Fasa 2,
Jalan Lintas, Luyang, 88300
Kota Kinabalu.

Contact: 088-247459

Pork Dumpling 锅贴 (RM0.60 ea.)

Photo credit: MelTheFoodAddict.com

Available during: Dinner and supper

Description: Also known as“Guo tie”, which directly translates to “stick on pan”, this is the best way to describe how this dish is prepared.

Minced pork, vegetables and spices are wrapped in a thin slice of flour dough and pan fried to perfection. The meat juice remains in the wrapping throughout the cooking process.. and when you take your first bite – the tasty meat juice flows…

You must try Guo Tie in KK because you will never find a similar dish around Malaysia.

KK people has perfected this dish.

Address:
Kedai Kopi New Mui Vui 永建成茶餐室
Lots 2, Ground Floor,
Hilltop Kolam Plaza,
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
(Behind Prudential Insurance Building)

Contact: 013-8705781

Sesame Snap (RM12.00)

Available during: Lunch and dinner

Description: Sesame seeds are prepared with sugar and flour, served with whipped cream and fresh berries.

The crunchiness of sesame snaps goes so well with whipped cream! Best served while the sesame roll is still hot, and the cream is always served cold. Must try for dessert lovers.

When you’re at this restaurant, you can also try the Chocolate Fondant with milk ice cream (second picture)

Address:
Party Play Lifestyle Cafe
Lot 21-0
Lorong Lintas Plaza 3,
Lintas Plaza, 88300,
Kota Kinabalu. Sabah

Contact: +6088 218210 (Dominic)

Tuaran NoodlesTuaran Noodles (RM5.00)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: The noodles itself is the star of this dish. Extra eggs were added into the flour, thus the yellowish hue and fragrance that comes with the noodles. Originates from a district near Kota Kinabalu, called Tuaran. Thus the name of the noodles.

Usually this dish is prepared stir-fried with even more eggs, also char siew and vegetables are added to give the dish more texture.

You can only find this dish here in Kota Kinabalu, our local specialty! A must try for noodles lover.

Address:
Tuaran Mee Restaurant
Shop lot next to Inanam Bus Terminal, easy to find.
Block B, Ground Floor,
Inanam Business Centre, 88450,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Roasted Duck Noodles (RM6.00)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Whole duck is dipped into sauce and roasted over charcoal. Repeat this a few times until the skin is crispy outside and the meat is tender and juicy inside.

The best part of eating roasted duck is definitely the crispy skin and the thin layer of fats underneath. Enjoy roast duck meat with pickled chilli. Awesome x 100.

You can also try roast pork 烧肉 too.

Address:
Restaurant Kin Hwa
DBKK No.7-0, Block C, Ground Floor,
Inanam Business Centre, 88450,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Contact: +6013 8562265 (Lo Chee Chung)

Seafood Noodles (RM9.00)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: The seafood broth tastes amazing, includes fresh seafood such as fish slice, fishballs, fish cakes.

There are many variations of seafood noodles in Kota Kinabalu, and this is one of my favourites. Mainly because the noodles they serve is special – the noodles is prepared with awesomesauce

They only serve 4 kinds of dishes in this restaurant.. which means they really specialize in what they sell.

Address:
Apiwon Restaurant
Ground Floor Lot No.1 Wisma HCS, Jalam Kolam
88300 Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Tenom Noodles 丹南乾撈面 (RM5.00)

Available during: Dinner and supper

Description: Egg noodles is prepare with pork lard and seasonings, and fresh pork slices are added on top. The pork slices are amazingly tasty and soft in texture.

This dish originates from Tenom, a further district of Sabah.

The other photo is boar meat – they no longer serve this exotic noodles due to local regulation.. but you can try your luck, no harm asking right!

Address:
How Lee Restaurant
S-26, Lorong Mawas 1, Jalan Kolam,
Taman Foh Sang, Luyang, 88300,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Contact: +6016-8391938 (Chong Kui Chin @ Hoon Fatt)

Tom Yam Fried Rice (RM7.00)

Available during: Lunch and dinner

Description: Fried rice prepare in Tom Yam style. Includes ingredients such as squid, lemongrass, tomato and typical ingredients found in Tom Yam Soup.

I like this dish because of the “wok hei” and fresh ingredients, also the “heavier taste” in the fried rice, also it strikes a perfect balance between spiciness and sourness. I believe it’s prepared to suit the local taste.

You can also try other a la carte dishes in the restaurant, especially Tom Yam Soup (clear).

Address:
Hang Li Po – Chinese Muslim and Thai Seafood Restaurant
B-0-3 & B-0-3A
Ground Floor, Karamunsing Capital
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Golden Egg Yolk Coated Prawn 金砂蝦 (RM18 ea.)

Available during: Dinner

Description: Deep fried HUGE tiger prawns, stir-fried with salty egg yolk with butter and curry leaves.

Kota Kinabalu is famous for its sea-produce. But it’s rare to find a restaurant that serves these kind of prawns because it’s too expensive. I told myself, “someday when I earn lots of money, I’m going to order 10 of these prawns and eat them while watching a movie”

You can refer to my blog post here.

Address:
Popular Cuisine (聚友風味小廚)
Lot 9, Ground Floor,
Light Industry Shop Lot,
Towering Industrial Centre, 88300 Penampang,
Sabah.

Contact: +6013 8783188 (Chef Kong)

Spicy Chicken Rice 怪味雞飯 (RM7.00)

Available during: Lunch and dinner

Description: Marinated chicken thigh deep fried into perfection. It’s the local version of KFC, but it’s served with rice instead of mashed potato and gravy.

This dish brings out the best of KFC and chicken rice and combines them together. You get the delicious fried chicken and also the fragrant chicken rice. Served with a special sauce that you’ll savour every single drop.

Blog entry here

Address:
Peppermint Vietnamese Restaurant
Ground Floor, Karamunsing Capital
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

(Beside Ipoh Town Café)

BBQ Chicken Wing (RM1.80 ea.)

Available during: Dinner and supper

Description: Chicken wings marinated in a secret recipe sauce, then BBQ’ed over slow fire. Drizzled with freshly squeezed lime, one chicken wing is never enough.. trust me.

Look for chicken wing stall that has yellow signboard, written MELVIC SAYAP PANGGANG (meaning: Chicken Wings).

Address:
EVERYWHERE (Lido Food court, Shuang Tian Food court, Taman Dah Yeh, Damai, Beverly Hills Apartment)
Suang Tian Food Court
Block A, 9-12, Jalan Laiman Diki, Sedco Complex, Kampung Air,
88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Contact: 088-233080 (Suang Tian)

Contact: 014-2000883 (Chicken Wing owner)

Grilled Sting Ray (RM15-RM20)

Photo credit: MelTheFoodAddict.com

Available during: Dinner and supper

Description: Sting ray grilled with sambal sauce. Served with fresh lime and chillies.

There’s no other better way to prepare a sting ray other than grill it! The sambal mixture is excellent with this boneless fish. The mild chilli sambal suits whole family.

To heighten the savoury taste, fresh lime is squeeze on top of the fish.

PS: You can try grill squids too (left photo), usually prepared on banana leaves.

Address:
Kedai Kopi New Mui Vui 永建成茶餐室
Lots 2, Ground Floor,
Hilltop Kolam Plaza,
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

(same restaurant that serve Guo Tie)

Contact: 013-8705781

Bak Kut Teh 肉骨茶 (RM5.00 per bowl)

Photo credit: Withinmeitzeu

Available during: Dinner only

Description:  Loosely translated as “Meat Bone Tea”, this pork stew consists of meaty pork ribs simmered in a complex broth of Chinese herbs and spices for hours. You can opt for internal organs too.

In KK, bak kut teh is served with rice, tofu puffs, light and dark soy sauce, also served with minced garlics and chopped chilli if preferred.

Chinese tea is served in belief that it dilutes the amount of fat consumed in this pork-laden dish.

Address:
Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh
74, Jalan Gaya, 88000, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Contact: 088-221192

Fish Paste Noodles (RM7.50)

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Homemade noodles that made its way into the local food show. The noodles is made with bread flour and eggs, which gives its the bouncy and chewy texture.

Special noodles alone would not stand out among competitors, the choice of dish that comes with the noodles plays a major part too. You can choose between chicken, beef, fish slices or smooth fish paste.

Crowds usually order “fish slice and fish paste combined”

Also try the home-made chili.

Address:
Kuo Man Restaurant
Lot 5, Jalan Tuaran, Batu 1 1/2,
88450, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Contact: 088-221189

Chun Gain 春卷 (RM8.00)

Available during: Dinner and supper

Description: Pork sausage the Sabah style! Also known as ‘Chun Gain’ in local. Minced pork made into a roll similar to the western meatloaf, with an layer of egg wrapped around it.

This is not the typical Chinese sausage where lots of preservatives are added. This sausage has shelf life of normal meat. Normally eaten by itself or served as toppings on noodles.

This is a Hakka dish. Majority of Chinese population in KK are Hakka descendants, just so you know

Address:
How Lee Restaurant
S-26, Lorong Mawas 1, Jalan Kolam,
Taman Foh Sang, Luyang, 88300,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Contact: +6016-8391938 (Chong Kui Chin @ Hoon Fatt)

Fish Noodles (RM7.00)

Photo credit: MelTheFoodAddict.com

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Fresh seafood prepared with tasty broth! My favourite is the kolo mee (dry noodles) where minced chicken is added as part of the toppings.

My personal favourite is the clear broth.. and I order a tom yam broth at the side if I’m really greedy.

The restaurant has moved several times. each time moved to bigger restaurant to accommodate the huge numbers of customers.

Address:
Wan Wan restaurant
Bundusan (next to Damai Point Club, nearby SuperTanker restaurant)
Jalan Duta 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Polo Bun 菠萝包 (RM1.20)

Photo credit: Travelingape.com

Available during: Lunch and late afternoon

Description: Also known as “Pineapple bun” in certain places. The soft-cottony texture inside and sweet-crunchy exterior is what makes these polo buns so tasty and addictive to eat.

Although the pastry is known as “pineapple bun”, the traditional version contains no pineapple. The name “pineapple bun” actually originated from the fact that its sugary top crust is cooked to a golden-brown color, and because its checkered top resembles the epicarp of a pineapple.

Best served fresh from oven.

You can also try Char Siew Bun.

Address:
Kedai Kopi 33 麵包專門店
Shoplot 9, Ground floor, Lorong Bernam 3,
Taman Soon Kiong Phase 2
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Contact: 088-236236

Kuay Chap (RM5.00)

Photo credit: http://genevievebaby.onsugar.com/

Available during: Breakfast and lunch

Description: Teochew dish of flat, broad rice sheets in a soup made with dark soy sauce, served with pig offal, braised duck meat, various kinds of beancurd, preserved salted vegetables, and braised hard-boiled eggs.

Address:
Kolombong Industrial area,
from Inanam Terminal bus stop to Hap Seng (Mercedes Benz service centre) direction, on left hand shop lots.
(refer to map)

Baked Norwegian Salmon (RM26.00)

Available during: Dinner only

Description: Salmon that is baked to perfection. Served with baked potato and vegetables.

I’ve chose this dish because I know how difficult it is to prepare a good salmon dish. It melts in your mouth.. unbelievable.

Address:
LAVA Resto Bar
G-0-7 and G-0-8
Ground floor, Block G, Karamunsing Capital
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Contact: 088-487990

Zuppa Di Mare (RM23.00)

Photo credit: Everydayfoodilove

Available during: 10am until 11pm

Description: All sorts of different seafood is cooked with olive oil, white wine, tomatoes and etc. This is an Italian style seafood soup.. spaghetti is optional.

Serve immediately or the seafood will toughen. This soup is delicious when served with toasted garlic bread.

Address:
Little Italy
(Close to Gaya Street, opposite Wisma Merdeka.)
Jalan Haji Saman, Capitol Hotel,
88000, Sabah

Contact: 088-232231

Chicken Rice (RM6.00)

Available during: Lunch only

Description: Flavorful steamed chicken served with rice cooked in chicken stock. Normally eaten with chilli sauce, dark soy sauce, and ginger paste.

A common variation is using roast chicken instead.

Address:
Wiya Coffee Restaurant
Block F, Lot 4, Segama Complex,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Contact: 088-214378

Pork Steamed Bun 豬肉包 (RM1.50)

Available during: Morning and lunch

Description: Also known as bao, is a steamed bun made of wheat flour, with various types of meat filling. It is usually a menu item found in Dim Sum places, although these days it can be seen in most coffee stalls.

Best tasting ones are usually pork, tausa (red bean paste) and char siew (BBQ pork). However it differs in every location. I recommended the pork ones in this coffee shop.

Address:
Kedai Kopi Hing Seng 興盛茶室
Block A, No. 16, Kolombong Industrial Centre, Jalan Kolombong.
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Contact: 088 423638

Prawn Noodles (RM7.00)

Available during: 5pm – 4:30am

Description: Yellow egg noodles in a rich broth made from prawns, topped with whole or sliced fresh boiled prawns, boiled eggs and fried shallots.

This destination is frequented mostly by clubbers after a night of fun. Usually jam-packed on weekends.

You can also try their char kuey tiaw and deep-fried food.. tastes good after you’re intoxicated

Address:
Helang Emas Kedai Kopi
Lot 11, Rumah Kedai Taman Foh Sang
Jalan Mawas, Luyang
88300 Kota Kinabalu

Contact: 012-8288581 (Tony)

Baked Cheese Crab (RM26.00)

Available during: Dinner only

Description: Flaked crab meat mixed with seasoning, cheese and lots of other ingredients (which I do not care to identify, hahha!), stuff everything back into the crab shell and bake with a layer of mozzarella cheese topping.

This restaurant also serves Wagyu steak – many customers order this dish whenever I visit this restaurant. Maybe you can try too.

Address:
Brass Monkey Cafe & Bar
Lot No. 1-0, Lorong Lintas Plaza 4,
Lintas Plaza, Kota Kinabalu
88300 Malaysia

Contact: 088-261543

Full Screen Map.

Download PDF version here!

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Go to http://private.kotakinabaluguide.com/

Credits:

Thank you, Chan Hin Ching (hinching.com) for custom CSS.

Thank you, Benny Liew, for providing awesome logo for upcoming ‘Kota Kinabalu Guide’ project. Go to http://www.kotakinabaluguide.com. Contact Benny at ben3liew@gmail.com if you’re looking for graphic designer.

Thank you, Alicia, for suggesting better food name, instead of “pork sausage”.. I give lousy food names. Also the grammar corrections!

Also very huge thanks to friends who have contributed photos, companied me for food reviews, and shared great time together.

You know who you are. You rock.

Fried Fish Head Mee Hoon (RM8.50) — When it comes to noodle soups, I emphasize on the broth. The broth usually determines how good is the bowl of noodle.

I was told that the Fish head mee hoon here is prepared with KL recipe, so it taste a bit different from what I usually had in breakfast (in a good way).

Also, the presence of evaporated milk in the broth added complexity and satisfaction.

Try imagine yourself having a flavourful soup with a hint of sourness and lots of creaminess. Feels like having a hot chocolate during a rainy day.

Hah! I am getting good at food review!

“Do you prefer fish head, or fish meat?”

“Fish meat please”

“Fresh or fried?”

“Fried please”

Ouhhh baby! the fried fish is full of flavour, and there was no fishy smell (pun intended)

I think is the addition of cooking rice wine (紹興酒). The wine compliments the fish broth perfectly, it’s like adding vinegar to shark fin soup and loh mee (卤面).

Talk about loh mee, they serve loh mee here too!

Loh Mee (RM8.50) — Egg noodles in broth thickened with corn starch and beaten eggs. If you’re a big fan of thick broth and shark fin soup, you’ll definitely love loh mee.

However in this food review, I found out the noodle did not complement well with the broth… not as well as I expected. Maybe is because I was too full from finishing the whole fish head mee hoon by myself.

If I ignore the egg noodle, I can probably finish whole bowl of soup by myself lahh.. must add vinegar though.

I like the “deep taste” of vinegar, like how much I love women with deep cleavage. Hahahahahaha.

The environment is comfortable, there’s something about the ambiance. Suitable for family and also couples.. feels a bit like Starbucks eh?

Few months ago when this restaurant opened, I was like “whoaaa this restaurant looks expensive oh wei.. I cannot afford that.”

Well I am just basically gu hon, so to speak

But when Jovy invited me over for food review, I only realised “ehh? they serve fish head mee hoon wan ar?”

“LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FOOOOOOD REVIEWWWWWW”

Thanks Jovy for inviting me.

This is the shop front, which intrigued me the every time I walked past.

Now I know they serve good fish head mee hoon.

The shop is located at Karamunsing Capital (yes, this place again!).

If you have troubles making decision where to have your next meal — I suggest you to go try all the restaurants in Karamunsing Capital, you probably need few days to explore all the restaurants..

Address:
D-0-3 Ground floor,
Block D, Karamunsing Capital,
88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Contact:
088-488 980
016-970 6373 (Weng Seng)
012-331 1880 (Veronne)

Business hours:
10:00am – 3:00pm

PS: The first time I visit this restaurant was at 2pm, and tauke told me “Sorry we’re sold out, come again k?”. Make sure you go early.

砂煲伊面 (RM5.00) — This is probably the best Yee Mee I had in KK. There was a period I was so addicted to the noodle, I automatically woke up at 6:30am and be in the restaurant by 7am sharp.

Not kidding.

It’s awesome to have a bowl of hot noodle to start off the day.

“YES! I am energized now! Start to work! Ushhhh!” << I say this to myself every time after I had a great breakfast

Kedai Kopi Xing Wan did a major renovation recently. It used to be a small stall in the corner.

“Do you know the pan mee restaurant at Damai?”

“Which one? the one with the tauke wearing plastic googles wan?”

“Yes, him. The one who never takes a day off”

“Agree. Now he own the whole shop already! 袋他發¹”

Now the restaurant operates in more systematic way.

Make order at the counter > Given a number plate > find a table. You get your own chopsticks.

Food will be served within 5-10 minutes.

Very efficient. I LIKE!!

You can also try 板面, which is their speciality and also favourite of the crowd.

Address:

Ground floor
Lot.18, Block F,
Damai Plaza Phase 4,
Luyang Kota Kinabalu

Business Hour:

7am-3pm daily

袋他發¹ (dai3 ta1 fatt1) — Deserve to be wealthy, in Hakka slang.

I was invited to LAVA Resto Bar to do a food review, by my friend, Jovy. She’s the event and marketing manager.

“Bing!! Our pub club restaurant place bar serve food liao oh, come do review eh!”

“What?! Your place got serve food? seriously bahh… I thought bar only serve finger food and alcohol? good or not first?”

“We serve main course lo! The chef previously works in hotel, very skillful one. Also, bring some guests over laa”

“Sounds good to me, OKAY I AM COMING!!” <— I am a cheapskate.

And so I went to LAVA to do a proper food review.

Every time I get food review invitation, I usually invite friends to tag along.

PS: Whoever want to join food review with me please leave your comments below, say “Ah Bing you’re very handsome, please invite me to food review next time”. Anyone can participate

I invited Hong Yi to join our dinner. I was fans of her blog and always wanted to meet her in person— since 2 years ago. Finally, I get to meet Hong Yi in person! *happy*

Hong Yi is sporty, outgoing, talented and also very sweet. She just graduated Masters last year.

Whole night my heart beat was like, buk buk buk buk buk buk buk, lol.

Hong Yi also lent me a book, “Sweet Poison” after reading my diet post.

Also, go check out her latest post, the “I love KK” project. Prepare to be inspired.

Hin Ching blogs at KKeats.com and several blogs that he never wanted to reveal, “wait first.. I’ll tell you when it’s on track”.

I hope I can help him in adding more content to his new website KKeats.com so I invited him along. He was judge from American Idol.

Caesar salad (RM10) — The ice lettuces are pre-mixed with salad sauce before placing on plate. The chicken fillets are moist and tender, eggs are chopped finely and sprinkled with dried bacon.

Lots of effort gone into preparing a plate of salad. Love it.

Cream of mushroom soup (RM8) — “Tastes better than Party Play‘s mushroom soup”, according to Hin Ching.

Spaghetti marinara (RM16) — Spaghetti is well cooked. Balance flavour between spiciness and sourness.

This is not tomato based nor cream based that you usually have in typical Italian restaurant. I was expecting a tomato based marinara spaghetti (my favourite).

Worth a try if you’re into new food.

Oven Mojito Chicken Chop (RM17) – Chicken thigh is grilled to perfection, with nice burnt scarring.

Surprisingly the vegetables goes well with the sweet sauce, especially red peppers. Love to bits.

I reckon the potatoes taste better if deep fried than roasted.

Baked Norwegian Salmon (RM26) — The salmon is very niceeeeeeeeee!

The vegetables pretty much the same, only the sauce is different. The cream sauce goes well with salmon.

The salmon still retains the fish oil, every bite I took is juicy-juicy one. Ohhh sangat bagus.

I have to praise the chef for his awesome skill in preparing the salmon. I know how difficult it is to prepare salmon — I personally cooked salmon many times but always ended up with a tough and dry salmon

Caramelise Pineapple (RM8) — I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS.

Bulu kembang when I had my first bite. Go try.

Family with kids are allowed in the pub until 9pm.

Happy hour is from 6pm-9pm.

Live band starts at 9pm.

We were sitting in front of stage, we looked like American Idol judge.

Hin Ching and me were having hard time focusing on their face.. we keep looking at their chest. Hahhahaha. But their performance is really good.

Hong Yi asks, “which one is your favourite?”

“Whoever comes under the spot light looks gorgeous” I replied.

And it’s true!

I immediately text my buddies, “Oi come LAVA Resto Bar, the singers are very sihat!”

I asked Jovy, “Ei, what exactly is resto bar?”

“Restaurant Bar, in short form..”

o.O” no wonder they serve food.

Address:
G-0-7 and G-0-8
Ground floor, Block G, Karamunsing Capital
88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Contact:
088-487990

PPS: Jovy don’t want to expose her identity in this blog post, very mysterious ha

A friend of mine, Don Arthur Sario, recently opened a new Vietnamese restaurant with his wife, Starr Nguyen.

The restaurant is called Origin – Cafe, Food & Lifestyle.

I decided to check it out during the weekend (and put my diet on hold).

Their mission statement is,

To create a cafe with a personal touch between staff and customers.

To offer a less corporate, “anti-franchise” place where ideas and life experiences are exchanged.

Chicken Baguette (RM7) — Don recommended the Chicken baguette since I cannot consume beef, which was among the favourites of customers. The tasty fillings were sandwiched with French bread, and Don added a twist to the bread by toasting it. Brilliant.

The portion is huge, almost like Subway foot-long size. The creamy sauce and tender chicken breast complimented with each other, and dipping the extra sauce makes the bread more savoury.

If you are sandwich lover, you’ll love this.

Don also told us brief story about the food culture in Vietname, how French colonization affected the culture and, hence the existence of baguette fusion in Vietname cuisine.

Dry Rice Noodle RM8 — The konlo mee of Vietname! Don’t be deceived by this photo, there are plenty of beef slices hidden under the ice lettuce. Good combination of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables.

Mix the noodle with extra sauce before consuming — taste salty and mild sweetness, with some fried scallion to boost the taste.

However in my opinion, probably they are serving an authentic Vietnamese way, and is not suited to local taste. I am fine with either way though. I have an easy tongue to please

Fried Spring Rolls (Beef) RM5 — Don also recommended this deep fried beef spring roll. My eating partner, Chris, commented the sweet sauce complimented with the spring roll, but the spring roll itself was over-fried. It would be perfect with shorter frying period.

I guess Chris preferred to cook it the Chinese way, until golden brown and crunchy. Heh.

From my observation, the whole spring roll is filled with beef.. it must be damn nice to be chewing a whole piece of beef with juiciness of the sauce, well that’s my thought la since I cannot chew it myself.

Black coffee (Mai) RM3.50 — Origin offers different types of Vietnamese coffee, all imported from Vietname. I ordered Mai, which taste milder compare to Trung Nguyen, a denser version.

There’s also milk coffee available.

The metal cup on top is a coffee filter, the Vietnamese style, bebeh!!

“Eh Don, if I lazy to wait for the coffee to filter, and wanted to drink immediately, can ah?”

“No, you have to wait until the coffee finished filtering, then the coffee only taste good”

“Har? why so mafan one?”

“This is only to show off jehhh. I will serve filtered coffee next time for immediate consume. Customer can choose”

I prefer this kopi more then Nescafe ones of course.

Origin Restaurant is officially launching the business on April 2011 (from what I heard), so for now the restaurant is still pre-soft launch period. Feel free to communicate and give feedback to Don, he is a cool and nice guy.

You can identify him with a tattoo on his wrist.

Oh also, live bands play at his restaurant too! Join his Facebook group and check the updates there for further information.

Phone
0109318869 Mobile
0168177856 Home

Website
http://www.facebook.com/Origin.vn

Do you know what is this?

In my hometown, this is known as HAK LON DA FUN (Malay pronounciation) — A delicacy that originates from Japan and Taiwan. Originally known as 麻薯.

麻薯
日本人把糯米粉或其他淀粉类制成的有弹性和粘性的食品叫做“饼”，日语发音（もち／mochi），台湾音译之为“麻薯”。
Simple English translation: Japanese -> use glutinous rice -> make it sticky sticky -> call mochi -> Taiwanese also ikut -> then call muaji

And since _____ years ago, this delicacy secretly arrived in Malaysia, and it has became part of our culinary culture.

There are many ways to prepare muaji. Some prefer to coat it with peanut and sugar, others prefer to wrap the peanut and sugar inside the muaji. In my hometown, they prefer the wrap it.

The muaji is covered with a thin layer of powder to prevent it from sticking with other muaji(s).

Did you know?

The word “HAK LON DA FUN” derived from Hakka, literally means “pat powder on your balls”. HAHAHAHAHHA you believe it or not!?

Imagine this,

“Auntie, bin ngai hak lon da fun ehh, ngai oi liong zak” (Translate: Auntie, please give me 2 testicles with powder).

Imagining buying this at market ehhh… incredibly awkward.

“Ngai choi!! zomai ngi ann chuu ohhhhh? moi lon lon gong wah” (Translate: fuck, why are you so rude? don’t simply talk ahh”

This I believe, is the most awesome, and most canggih name for a delicacy, ever. Whoever comes up with this name is a genius.

***

Do you know the real name for this delicacy? What would you name this HAK LON DA FUN if you were to put it in a restaurant menu?

Kin Hwa Restaurant is a Chinese restaurant my friend recommended long time ago. It’s situated directly beside Inanam main bus stop.

The roast duck (燒鴨) and roast pork (燒肉) is very nice. Probably one of the best in KK, in my opinion.

Wanted to blog about this 3 months ago, but decided to test it few more times before posting on blog.

(Actually, laziness is the main reason)

I believe Kin Hwa Restaurant speciality is roast duck, there’s a HUGE picture on the wall — showcasing shiny roasted ducks. Looks succulent and delicious.

The shiny skin is very tempting and I don’t know why.. ^^;

(Shit! my saliva started flowing in mouth as I am writing this)

Errr… roasted duck is on the other side of the plate. My bad ^^;

I ate this noodle for many times. So far, their food standard has been very consistent. Kin Hwa restaurant easily serves the best roast duck in KK.

I usually replace the noodle to flat noodle (扁面), I found that flat noodle has more flavour.

The sifu is very young handsome dude ( *cough* I am not interested in man, mind you). He usually wears a wrist band and baseball cap while chopping the food.

And, again — I don’t know why I have mention it in my blog. I guess I am running out of shits to say, lol.

Don’t be late — I went there around 2pm and everything is sold out.

I learned that the hard way; I ended crying in my room that day. /emo song

If you’re lucky, you can see one dog sits there obediently waiting for the food. I don’t know how frequent the dog goes there, but it’s very interesting

Go try.

And here’s the exact location.

Address:
DBKK No. 7-0, Block C, Ground floor,
Inanam Business Centre,
88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Business Hour
6:30am – 3pm

Contact
013-8562265
016-8410969
Mr. Lo Chee Chung

My blog kaki, Joey, has been urging me to try out a new restaurant at Lintas, called Party Play Lifestyle Cafe.

Joey said the food is very good, and the chef is very experienced, and handsome too. Maybe that’s the reason why she’s there for consecutive 3 days. Hehe.

Coincidently I have a friend who asked me to choose where to have dinner, “Let’s go try a new restaurant at Lintas, called Party Play” I told her.

I went Party Play Cafe few hours early to arrange a surprise birthday.

I asked Dominic (business owner/chef) if they have extra space for my birthday cake, he suggested me to try their home-made birthday cake. “We’ll lit up the whole cake with fire, then you have to pour chocolate to distinguish it”

Ahh, that sounds awesome. “Your suggestion is cool, I’ll take that.” I told him.

We were there at 7:30pm and the restaurant is already half filled.. It’s been only 3 weeks since they started operating, but I’ve already seen many customers, as well as different feedbacks from friends.

I personally think the food is good. Few more minor improvements and they can make it big!.. like Lady Gaga in 2008

The menu is magazine style. I like!

I spot one wrong spelling so far, “Cheese burger” become “Chess burger”.. can you spot more spelling mistakes?

It’s total 7 of us, so I have more food photos in this post.

Surf and Turf Burger — Looks good. I didn’t try this. They were particularly excited with the half-cooked egg yolk. Didn’t hear any complaints, I assume that is good because they didn’t bother to talk while consuming.

Signature Mojito Float Series (left) — Cassie ordered this and she didn’t like it.. cause she have no idea what is it. I tried and… it’s tasteless o.O”

There are some dark particles under the glass and it taste like sour plum or something, non of us can figure that out. A puzzling taste.

“Wah.. really don’t know what is this bohhhh…” we laughed at her. hahahha.

Giant Margarita (mango) (right)— I asked the waiter, how large is the glass?

He said “it’s a fish tank”

“OKAY GIVE ME ONE PLEASE”

The drink is a bit too sweet, contained alcohol of course. Bring your little cousins or siblings and let them drink this. They will starting jumping around the restaurant in 10 minutes.

Aussie Style Beer Battered Fish and Chips — No complaints, so I assume there’s nothing bad to talk about. You can’t do anything fancy with a normal fish and chips anyway.

Baked French Mushroom Soup with Garlic Bread — The friend who ordered this love this soup a lot, and others agreed too.

Nacho Classic — Took quite some time to prepare this dish, this dish came out the latest. I like the dipping sauce, which are sour cream and tomato salsa. This salsa is a bit spicy, though.

Linguini Bacon Carbonara — My friend felt incredibly full after eating this. Next time I must tackle this dish.. because I am a big fan of carbonara sauce

Seafood Delight Thin Crust Pizza — Everytime you come Party Play… YOU MUST ORDER THIS. 10/10 of awesomeness. All our eyes were like O.O the moment we put this into our mouth.

“Hou hou sek ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!”

Roasted Whole Teriyaki Spring Chicken — This is one of the highlight of the dish. MUST ORDER THIS TOO. Whole chicken was served, and I tackle this chicken with another friend. I advice you to share with someone too if you ordered this dish because you need extra space to fit in other food too.

The chicken is fragrant and juicy, served with awesome teriyaki sauce with garlic. Oh man that taste so good. Salad are served with balsamic vinegar.

Dark Chocolate Fondant with Milk Ice Cream — Joey keeps mentioning how awesome is the dark chocolate fondant. I didn’t doubt it after I saw pictures in her blog.

When they serve this dessert, non of my friend has any reaction until I use a spoon to make a hole…  the chocolate start flowing out and “ta daa!!” everyone went gila.

“WAHHHHHHH I WANT I WANT I WANT I WANT”

The milk ice cream is worth mentioning too, it’s milky and awesome.

Party Alaska — This is the birthday cake I mentioned earlier in the post. Dominic (chef) said the cake is covered with beaten egg whites, and he will lit up the whole cake with liquor.

Sorry I don’t have photo of “burning cake” because camera was in video mode (surprise for birthday girl ma).

Sesame Snap with Strawberry Cream — OMG we love this! The whole stick is made of cheese *I think*.. ^^;

The sesame mix so well together with the cheese. You snap the cheese into bite size, then dip into the berry cream. Everything mix so well together and we were smiling while consuming this.

“Syok ooo weiiii….”

Gone in few minutes, despite our filling tummy.

—————

“BOSS!” I yelled in the restaurant.

“BOSS!! BOSS!!” I yelled again. Everyone in the restaurant was gazing at me. I continue yelling like a caveman.

“Uiii!! who are you yelling at?” my friend asks, embarrassed by my action.

“I am calling that waiter lahh… but he is ignoring me” while pointing at the waiter.

Soon, he realised I was calling him, then walks over. I stopped yelling, satisfied.

“Turn around, let me take photo of your shirt, thanks.”

…….. (whole table is speechless -_____-)

“Why you didn’t react when I call you boss? The whole restaurant was looking at me ohhhh…”

Heheheheh, the waiter smiled.

“Oklahhh you go continue what you were doing. I am done here. Was testing if I call you BOSS, you will response or not” I told him.

Everyone on table say I am tai lin ngong. I agreed

Overall thoughts for Party Play Lifestyle Cafe:

I think this restaurant will be another “hit” in KK lah… because the food is good and the ambiance is very nice. One thing I like about this restaurant is they don’t have illegal immigrants taking orders! We can ask for food suggestions and actually communicate with them, which is one of my favourite thing to do while order food. 9/10 I will go again.

Address:
Lot 21-0
Lorong Lintas Plaza 3,
Lintas Plaza, 88300,
Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia
(Beside Salim II)

Contact:

+6088-218210 (Dominic, the chef)

Enquiry or reservation
dominic.partyplay@gmail.com

P/S: Met the blogger sisters (Angeline and Monica) there too! They blog at everydayfoodiluvkk.blogspot.com

Not long ago I received an email to review Popular Cuisine Restaurant at Towering. And exactly at the same day, I received another invitation to the same restaurant.

“Uiks! I am famous already! Got formal invitation for free food!! Nyiahahahha!!” I said to myself.

Then I proudly go tell to my mum.

“Maaaa, I got invitation to restaurant makan oh! They want me to review their restaurant.” I said to my mum.

“Are you charging them money for the review?”

“Nope. Level not high enough yet. Paiseh also la.. people spend me eat free food, I still accept money from them meh?”

“Bodoh..” my mum said.

my mum. heh.

———-

I went to do food review with Monica (http://everydayfoodiluvkk.blogspot.com/) and Joey (http://beautygossipologyst.blogspot.com/)

It was my first time meeting Monica, tried to meet up previously for food review but both of us 沒緣份.

Monica is a Yoga instructor at local gym call Core Fitness.

Eh, the first time we talked to each other is at the gym ^^” we only exchange email and sms before.

I met Joey through food review too! We went to D’KL together. Then only realised she’s my neighbour.. within walking distance some more. KK is very small. Hmm.

Chef Kong invited us to his kitchen to see he perform his kung-fu style cooking skill. He has been in this industry for more than 20 years. He has working experience at Pan Pacific Hotel, Ocean, Portview and Atlantis restaurant. Chef Kong also has several years of experience working in Melbourne’s famous Flower Drum restaurant.

His working experience.. too geng liao la -_-” I can’t remember all..

Cooking standard is above par, that’s for sure.

Let’s talk about the food.

金沙蝦 (Kam Sa Ha) — Let me tell you how this dish was prepared.

Firstly, Chef Kong deep friend the prawns, then stir-fried in salted duck’s egg yolk with lots of butter, then added some curry leaves to bring out the taste.

Butter + duck egg yolk + curry leaves = deadly combo. I confirm you hisap the prawn kaw-kaw until “tsk tsk tsk” sound come out hahahha.

According to Monica,

“‘Kam Sa Ha’ or loosely translated as Golden Sand Prawn. The huge Tiger Prawn is firstly deep fried then stir-fried in salted duck’s egg yolk. Curry leaves are added just to give it a tang of fragrance.”

Damn, her description is so good. Compare to me, I can only write shit. hahahhaa.

Joey is holding Tiger Prawn. OHHH YEAHHHHH.

I was so excited with my first bite, you know why?

Look at the size of the prawn..

Damn huge right? That’s RM18 for you.. per prawn.

And I got it for free, nyehheheehehhe (show off)

The prawn even “kepit” one slice of curry leaf for me.. so considerate.

According to Chef Kong, he will serve even if you ordered ONE prawn. So nice oh!

But you don’t be naughty and order the prawn one-by-one la. He will personally come out from kitchen and pok you with wok chan (but still serve you, of course).

Assam Fish Head — Chef Kong uses 7-star grouper (七星斑) fish head to prepare this dish, in Nyonya style.

Errr… tell you one embarrassing thing — I forgot to eat this dish… HAHAHAHHAA. Food review wa.. fail x 100

But from the look of the fish, I reckon it’s good. I am not fond of fish head — I mainly attacked the mango chicken dish during the food review.

Mango Chicken — Ta daaa! this was my favourite dish of the night. Why?

The chicken is deep fried to golden perfection, how do I determine if the chicken is perfect?

First, the meat is tender and juicy. Secondly, the chicken breast is not dry. Third, the chicken bone marrow are not fully cooked.

That’s my personal term of perfection

The golden crunchy skin taste like KFC, then added thin slices of young mango and sweet thai-sauce… makes your appetite raise few bars man. If you like KFC, this is your dish.

And this only cost you RM12.00 — worth every cent.

Jiu Pai Taufu (招牌豆腐) — OMG where is the tofu? (hidden under the mince meat in order to surprise you later, heh)

When we were at kitchen observing Chef Kong in action, Joey thought the chef was deep-frying a huge slice of bread… hahahahha. In fact it was this tofu!

The tofu was covered with mince pork, pork floss, chinese mushroom and many other ingredients (which I forgot)(nola actually I want you to go try yourself, don’t want to spoil the surprise)(excuses hehe).

It was a bit crunchy outside, but soft inside. If my memory serves me right, Chef Kong said they prepared the tofu daily themselves because they couldn’t find tofu supplier in KK who produces the type tofu they require.

You can check out the cooking in-action at Monica‘s blog.

Hot and Sour Crab (酸辣蟹) — Crabs were steamed, then stir-fried with spicy and sour sauce. This is the highlight of the day, because it took the longest to prepare, and Chef Kong emphasize about this dish the most.

According to Chef Kong, it’s the worst day to consume crab at 15th to 20th of Chinese lunar calendar because that’s when the crab release their “eggs”, thus becoming “kurus”. Best day to eat is 1st – 3rd day of lunar calendar.

See? You learn new thing from my blog even if I write shit, don’t you?

Today is 15th lunar calendar, in case you wondering. (this post published on 22th Oct 2010)

The dish comes with toasted bread so you can dip with the sauce. I tackle the bread first instead of crab.. hahahaha.

I enjoyed the companion of fellow bloggers and Chef Kong, and Chef Kong asks us to come to Popular Cuisines Restaurant again to try out other dishes.

My next visit I’ll definitely bring my mum along, to try out braised pork knuckle, another highly-recommendation dish from the chef.

Here’s how to find this place.

Popular Cuisine (聚友風味小廚)
Lot 9, Ground Floor,
Light Industry Shop Lot,
Towering Industrial Centre, 88300 Penampang,
Sabah

(Directly opposite Bintang Ramai)

Contact
013-8783188 / 016-8801683 (Chef Kong)

Business Hour
3pm-12midnight
Soon extend to 10am to 12midnight