记载亚庇，沙巴 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

This post is updated as of 30th August 2017, each new visit will seek to add to this lists.

Despite the eagerness to hike Mount Kinabalu and/or scuba diving in Kapalai/Mabul/Sipadan island as what my friends would have thought why I landed in Sabah, we didn't find it best to squeeze all of these activities in as my priority and the major reason for the trip was meant to conduct an observation and fieldwork for my research grant, which I do hope to share more likely in the next coming entry. In December 2015, I came with my family and we went to Kundasang after a short transit in Kota Kinabalu town, but this time round my partner and I are not taking long drives to the outskirts. Thereafter, I have decided that I could start compiling my own lists of where to eat and what to do in Sabah since I foresee many possible visits in the near future. Or even best, one full post by end of 2018 on scuba diving in Sabah!

Food:

I've personally tasted my very first light, herbal Pork Bone and Rib soup (known as "Bak Kut Teh") as they claimed to not have any MSG contained. I quite enjoy this as compared to the ones anywhere else, even in Klang, Malaysia which is popular for their Bak Kut Teh for the simplest reason that it is less salty and heavy for me. This shop is in 5-10 mins walkable distance from KK Waterfront area.

Back entrance of the shop

The dishes we ordered and served

We requested for lesser intestines and all internal organs

For Western dining and/or desserts, head to 

Woo!Cafe

We felt that the Duck Confit wasn't the best we've tried as the way the food was prepared did not fully bring the best out of the taste of the meat itself. However, the salmon as recommended to be in the top selling lists was mouth-watering and grilled perfectly. The meat isn't too dry and the mashed potato underneath compliments the main dish altogether. The meal portions were extremely satisfactory. We saw good reviews on the Lemon Curd tart and decided to give it a go! I find it a little too sour, as if I was chewing on an actual lemon slice the whole time! But, if your tongue finds pleasure, I would say it is actually very appetising and you can easily share this tart with another person after a heavy meal. 

The interior cosy space of Woo! Cafe

Duck Confit Rice at Woo! Cafe

Salmon set at Woo! Cafe

Lemon Tart Meringue at Woo! Cafe

We visited KK Waterfront area again when the sun is setting and found ourselves a place to sit at Gusto Food and Wine. Instead of going for pizza which many have suggested to be scrumptious, we opted for bruschetta as starter, seafood white wine spaghetti, and tiramisu for dessert. The spaghetti's portion is definitely for a single person, but the taste was fulfilling. The waiting can be a little long if you are already very hungry as there is only one chef with a few assistants. It was a weekday and yet it is filled with tourists so you may want to find for your ideal dinner spot by 5:30pm-6pm. 

The chef at Gusto Food and Wine

Diners along the bridge with restaurants and pubs and even massage in the evening!

Other food recommendations from a local Sabahan foodie friend:

Kedai Kopi New Mui Vui at Hilltop

Food: Dumpling, Grilled Stingray and Meehoon

Time: Dinner

Address: Lot2, Ground Floor, Hilltop Kolam Plaza, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

(Behind PRUDENTIAL Insurance Building)

Kedai Kopi Melanian 金沙园生肉面

Food: “Sang Nyuk Mee" (Translated as Minced pork meat noodles in English, Chinese as 生肉面)

Time: 7AM-3PM

Address: Jalan Pantai, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Kim Hing Lee Kopitiam

Food: Sang Nyuk Mee

Time: 6:30am - 3:00pm (Mon - Sat) & 6:30am - 2:30pm (Sun)

Address: Block A, Ground Floor, 2-0-10, Kolam Centre Phase 2, Hilltop, Jalan Lintas, Kota Kinabalu

Fook Yuen Cafe and Bakery 

Food: White soft bread

Time: 6:30AM-1AM

Address: Fook Yuen Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu, Ground Floor, 53 Menara Jubili Jalan Gaya

KK Wong Kwok Restaurant Luyang 

Food: White soft bread, Dimsum

Time: 7AM-10PM

Address: Wisma HCS, Lorong Nibung 1, Taman Friendly Shophouse Phase 3, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Kah Hiong Ngau Chap

Food: Beef noodles

Time: 6:30AM-3PM

Address: Block A, Ground Floor, 2-0-10, Kolam Centre Phase 2, Hilltop, Jalan Lintas, Kota Kinabalu

Kedai Kopi Seng Hing

Food: Huang Jiu Tuaran Mee

Time: 7AM-4PM

Address: Block A, Ground Floor, 2-0-10, Kolam Centre Phase 2, Hilltop, Jalan Lintas, Kota Kinabalu

The Filipino Market vendors start setting up at about 3pm, and I managed to walk around to capture these photographs while they are busy pushing their carts and building these stalls.

The view from the Harbour overlooking the fishermen's boats                     

The vendors setting up their stalls at around 3pm

Some children were seen to be helping and lingering around the market the whole time

Another view of the market during the set up 

The Filipino crafts market is open all day long

Coconut pudding sold at the Filipino market but not the best I've tasted so far

Street children playing around the market stalls area before it gets hectic 

The group of older kids would often play and loiter around the rubbish dump and harbourbridge area

The back section of the market near the waters are for fish mongers, meat, seafood etc, the part of the market which also smells of ...

Caught a boy pushing wheeler cart sending vegetables around 

The sunset view at the Harbourbridge is definitely stunning 

The sky was lit in a palette of warm and cold colours and the boats where some families stay aboard adding to the colours of the landscape

And there, every beautiful view is swarmed and flocked with a group of tourists behind, with the majority being Koreans as there were an increase of direct flights from Korea to Sabah over the years

The dusking of dawn and lights from the boats starting to shine

If you've decided to visit Woo! Cafe and or the many other café around the corner, look up and find this little stationery store which sells local made cards, notebooks, and even pouches made from local snacks packaging packets! And I am pretty sure the workshops they offer are pretty fun too. 

This little shop is quietly located on the top floor of a long stretch of shops which all seemed to be close at the time I visited

A hideaway with stationeries and crafts painted, sewn, and done by local Malaysia designers with very affordable prices

The series of interesting workshops available at the store, and on the right the variety of tapes which I long to collect them all

Till then, have fun planning and I'll be sure to keep adding to this lists to share with you.