Kedai Kopi Home

As you might have noticed from the pictures below, this Chinese ‘kedai kopi’ only operates from sundown onwards and is located within the Fajar Complex area (they’re right next door to the Affin Bank). The eatery is mainly a hangout place for older folks to have cold beers whilst chatting the night away. But that does not mean that they do not have delectable food as well. We’d frequented the place quite a bit throughout the years and all I can say is that you’ll be satisfied with their cooking. Some of the dishes that we have tried before include the Sweet & Sour Fish Slices and Stir Fried Mix-Vegetables (both are my mom’s default dishes whenever we step into a Chinese restaurant) together with some fried rice and fried mee hoon. The only thing that I think they should look into however was their portioning, as the dishes seems to get ‘littler’ as time goes by. Also, the main attraction to the place (in my opinion) was probably their grilled fish with sambal; obviously a good side dish (more like a main dish to me) that compliments those uncles’s beverage of choice.   

** Current status – Has been closed (as of April 2024) 

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Six Stars Steamboat Restaurant

I’ve actually been to this restaurant a number of times now but have only managed to snap some pictures recently because I kept forgetting to do so during our previous visits (for some reason, my mind can’t seem to register the fact that a steamboat eatery is also an eatery. I know… silly me!). By the way, they’re located at Batu 3, Jalan Sin Onn (right in front of SJKC Hing Hwa).  

Totted as the so-called ‘top’ steamboat establishment in Tawau (because there were so few and far between), I give them that credit when it comes to their variety of food. Their selection of meat (plain or marinated), fish and vegetables were very commendable, as do their pre-cooked dishes. So far they provide the usual chicken broth or tom yam as your soup based, as well as some desserts. But as do other steamboat places, I do appreciate it if they do not eye me like I’m about to steal something everytime I got up to their buffet tables (by the ‘captains’ of the restaurant). I do understand that they do not want people to waste their food but I also would prefer to eat in peace. Also, it’s good to note that they have made-to-order dishes as well should you’re not in the mood to cook for yourself (and sweating profusely as you’re doing so).

** Current status – Still in operation (as of Sept 2018) 

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Little Western

Here’s a quick entry on a food stall located at Restoran Warisan Ibu, within the Bazhong commercial area. Honestly, I was never really that interested in eating their western dishes before (same old same old I guess). But an FB post by a friend has piqued my interest in stopping by since they’d recently added a new menu which features burgers. And you know who loves them more than anything else (*cough my partner *cough). So off we went and tried out their Grilled Beef Burger and Chicken Burger (mine was deep fried though instead of grilled). I initially wanted their Fish Burger but they're out of those (or so they say anyway). And the burgers that we did ate were alright and succulent although not that remarkable. Price was quite reasonable as our burgers came with fries and a sunny side up egg on top of them. They also offer other burgers such as Lamb Burger, several types of Mix Burgers and Soft Shell Crab Burger (yup, you heard me!) should you’re interested in such variety.

** Current status – Has been closed (as of April 2024) 

*Btw this is my partner's Grilled Beef Burger...

... and this is my Chicken Burger

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Restoran Bunga Cafe

I was craving for some good rice dishes one day when my partner suggested a new place that he’d recently noticed while cruising along the Fajar Complex area. Formerly an extension of Tawau Kopitiam (cutting cost there I see?) and right behind the ASNB branch office, the eatery is sandwiched between the latter and an auto shop called Wawasan Auto (if I’m not mistaken).   

When we arrived at 10.00am on a non busy work day, we were initially disappointed to find out that they were not ready to serve any customers yet (which was surprising since it can be considered as late by Tawau’s standards). But since the waiter was very apologetic about it, we decided to come back at noon and wasted no time in ordering their Nasi Kukus Ayam Berempah and Nasi Kuning Ayam. Our patience were not in vain as we discovered that both dishes were pretty delectable and well-seasoned. I especially like the generous gravy that came with my dish, as it was savoury and not too spicy, just the way I preferred it. I’d also ordered an Ais Kepal off their limited menu but you guys should give that one a miss since they were too stingy with their chocolate sauce (the make-or-break ingredient in any good Ais Kepal) hence the very bland taste.  

** Current status – Has moved to a new location within Fajar Complex (as of April 2022) 

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Medan Food Truck Tawau

Yes, the food truck crazed has finally reached the shores of Tawau (literally speaking of course). While several of them had actually been around for awhile now, it was only recently that they were given a proper place to park and serve the hungry people of Tawau. They’re located at the far end of the Traulsen Highway, on the parking lot in front of BTC Bistro Restaurant (they’re opened from 5pm onwards).

So among the trucks that were available during our visit (because I suspected that some might be ‘closed’) were trucks that sells bakso, coto Makassar, tomyam, yong tau foo, fast food, made-to-order fried dishes as well as lots and lots of beverages (particularly the ice blended drinks). Me and my partner eventually ordered some Grilled Beef Burger and Chicken Burrito from Mamaritos Fud Truk (yup, the very same one from ASquare KK) which were both juicy and tender. For drinks, we just ordered from the truck right next to them (because we were just plain old lazy to go any further than that) some Abc Milo and Cendol. The drink’s ingredients might be on the limited side but I really like their ‘just nice’ flavours. And before leaving, we’d also stopped by another truck called Jumic Corner to tapau their Chicken Tomyam. It was a little bit too spicy for my liking but I dig the somewhat sweet and sour taste. Oh and I just realize as I was writing this that I totally forgot to take pictures of the latter (dang it!).

** Current status – Still in operation (as of Sept 2018)

*** Sidenote: I do apologize for the barely visible pictures below as the place was darkly lit. And yes, I also blame my ‘kuno’ phone for that ;-D  Also a big thank you to a friend of mine who'd let me use her much clearer pictures below

*This is the Mamaritos Fud Truck where we bought our food...

*... and the truck where we got our drinks from

*This is my partner's Grilled Beef Burger (I swear it look more appetizing in reality)

*My Chicken Burritos (damn this old school phone of mine!)

*And just to clarify, my partner's ABC Milo is on the left while my Cendol is on the right

*Oh and this one is the Jumic Corner where I 'take away' my Chicken Tomyam

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LFT: Mooncakes

To be honest, this is not exactly a Local Food Trend (LFT) but it’s the Mid Autumn Festival season again and since I’m a huge fan of said pastry, I thought... why not right? The festival this year falls on the 24^th September so I’ve scoured for those babies all over town but unfortunately the availability of the so-called cake seems to have dwindled down this year. I’ve spotted some of them in hypermarkets such as Giant (where I eventually bought mine) and Servay Parkwell; as well as smaller, Chinese owned supermarkets like Insmark and Tai Yang. I’ve bought 2 mooncakes for myself (man... those pastries had become pricier year after year you know) namely the Single Yolk Green Bean and Special Chocolate. Both were very tasty, thick and not intensely sweet but I do prefer the latter since it has this gooey chocolate filling on its center (similar to that of the lava cake). Both were produce by this Lahad Datu based bakery called Kee Fui Bakery and I do recommend their mooncakes for you guys to try. About a week after that, I was given another mooncake by my next door neighbour and this one was from Chung Fatt Bakery (so kind of you Auntie!). Although she’d coincidentally given me my favourite flavour which was the Chocolate Lotus Paste, I must say that it can’t compare to the ones from Kee Fui Bakery. The filling was a bit bland and very average tasting. But hey, who doesn’t like free stuff right? Hehehe..     

* The nicely decorated mooncake booth from Giant Hypermarket

*This is the Special Chocolate mooncake...

... and this one is the Single Yolk Green Bean mooncake

*Also, this is the Chocolate Lotus Paste mooncake that my kind neighbour had given me

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