Onebucks Cafe (Version 2.0)

I was contemplating for sometime now, whether or not I should do a re-review of a place that I’ve visited before and after some thought, I said ‘yeah, what the heck.” So here I am revisiting the ever popular hangout for Tawau youngsters, especially if they’re ‘lepaking’ in and around Eastern Plaza shopping mall. Just to recap, it is located at the lower ground floor of said mall (click HERE to view my previous review).

The eatery has undergone a transformation as of late, what with its expansion from a single shop to a more comfortable two shops sized café. Which is just as well since their café was just too small and crowded for all those teens that enjoyed hanging out while munching on some light snacks. Their menu had also expanded to heavy duty food such as a slew of typical local dishes and even some Buginese specialty like the berobok and kapurung (but both are only available during the weekend). I was a bit hungry when me and my partner dropped by recently and had tried their Nasi Lalap Ayam (which sadly tasted not so good, everything about it was just not tasty in my opinion) but my partner stuck with their popular snacks like chocolate waffles, cheesy wedges and fried wonton (which I can assure you, are all way better tasting than their main courses). For drinks, I do recommend their newly added Oreo Chocolate Ice Blended drink as well as their Teh C Special (very refreshing and very tasty).

** Current status – Has fully moved to the Bazhong commercial area (as of April 2021) 

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Estrella's Homemade Cafe

It’s no secret within my circle of friends and family that I absolutely love chocolate and cakes (particular both of that combined of course). So it does excite me to discover this place right at the lower ground floor of Eastern Plaza (right in front of Cafe 3 Puteri). It’s a cute looking shop dedicated to all things cakes and cookies, with homemade touches (as oppose to bakery quantity-versus-quality goods). It just happens to be my birthday recently so my partner decided to surprise me with a cake from the latter. The Dark Chocolate Kit Kat Cake was pretty good in taste but I’m a bit disappointed to discover that there’s no middle ganache or cream filled layer within the actual cake itself. But I’ve also tried out their Chocolate Keduts (due to the somewhat ‘wrinkled’ texture on top of the goodie) Brownie which tasted just nice and even moist (on different occasions of course – I’m not that gluttonous okay). There are other types of cakes, cookies, brownies and even homemade ice-creams for you to choose from so do give them a try. And you don’t have to worry if you’re not that into sweet things since the café also provides other savoury evening snacks such as keropok lekor and pisang cheese.

** Current status – Has been closed. They are now focusing on their kiosk at the main town area (Nov 2019)

Updated on 02/02/2016 - I've also recently tried out their homemade ice-cream, which was a bit too sweet to my liking but delicious nevertheless

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Kedai Kopi Hafizah 2

I admit that I have frequented this particular ‘kedai kopi’ for sometime now, mainly because it’s not that far off from my house. But it was only recently that it dawn to me that I haven’t done a review of the place yet. Now this is only the branch of the pretty well-known eatery (located right at the road side of Jalan Utara, leading up to the Tawau Sports Complex), as the main ‘kedai kopi’ is situated within the main Sabindo town area. The place offers a variety of local food (like you would expect from such places), and will only start business during the evenings up until late at night.

When we were there recently, me and my family decided on trying out their Roti Canai (pretty crispy, just the way I prefer them), Nasi Udang Sambal (my dad said that it’s good and not too spicy) and some Mee Hoon Sup (mom was less impressed though). But do be warn though that although the tastes of their food were satisfying, the portions however were another matter all together, as it got smaller and smaller as time goes.

** Current status – Still in operation (as of Nov 2015) 

Updated on 13/11/2016 - The quality of their food has been further downgraded during our recent visit. We had some light snacks such as Nasi Goreng Lalap, Gado-Gado and Fries and all three tasted mediocre to me.

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Oh My Chicken

Chicken Rice has been a staple in the Malaysian community for years now. Started off as a Chinese cuisine, several versions of the dish have since been spawned over the years. So even in Tawau, the dish is one of the most popular ones out there. And one such place that specifically caters to the latter is this place called Oh My Chicken (somebody is a fan of Oh My English maybe?)

Opened quite recently (maybe in the past 2 years or so) the eatery can be considered as the baby of the bunch. Situated on the lower ground (LG) floor of the locally famous Eastern Plaza mall, the place really does cater mainly to its namesake dish. So if you’re not that into the chicken rice, then I advise you to walk several paces towards your left (or right – depending on which way you just walk into the area) and visit their Sabah Spoon restaurant instead (both establishments are owned and managed by a lovely Korean elderly couple) for a variety of food outside of the said dish. Taste wise, there’s definitely room for improvement as the dish tasted so-so, with average ingredients. My mother decided to have a bite at their Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin and again, the taste was nothing to shout about.

** Current status – Has been closed (as of Nov 2016)

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