Kopi Ping Cafe Semarak

I've been to this branch of Kopi Ping Cafe at Taman Sejati (aka Taman Semarak commercial area), Jalan Kuhara several times now but just like any other eateries that are near to my home, I usually forgot to take any photos of the place and for some reason always assumed that I already had done so before. But then again I had nothing much to comment since like any other Kopi Ping Cafe branches in Sabah, their menu items were obviously similar but the overall quality of the dishes differs a bit. Their Tomyam Fried Rice for example, was spicy but borderline tasteless while their other dishes were just average, as opposed to their Garden City branch. Difference in the cook's skills maybe? But still my parents loved coming here often so I supposed it's not all bad. 

** Current status - Still in business (as of Oct 2025) 

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Kedai Kopi Yum Yum

Been SUPER busy last month and with almost no time to go out, But then again, I did say 'almost' right? 

So I did went for a light dinner with my hubby at a nearby 'yum yum' restaurant recently. And by nearby, I meant at Jalan Datuk Abu Bakar Titingan, just behind the SM Islamiah building. They actually moved from their original shop at Fajar Complex (where they have been since 1993) early this year and had maintain the good quality of their main 'yum yum' products, as seen by their loyal customers still flocking to their shop everyday. Mind you, they also sell breakfast food such as Nasi Kuning and other local kuihs in the morning (from outside vendors) as well as some local dishes like Nasi Lalap & Nasi Ayam Penyet available till the evening. 

** Current status - Still in business (as of July 2025) 

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Restoran 1 EwaEwa YumYum

These past few years has seen the exponential growth of the 'yumyum' food fanbase (man, I sounded like I'm in a meeting), especially since the economy fried food is a somewhat comfort food where you can pick your choices of (usually) frozen side dishes such as sausages, chicken parts, stuffed chillies and eggplants and requested for them to be fried before enjoying them with some stir fried mee hoon. 

One of the more popular night yumyum spots in town has got to be this eatery, located within the Fajar Complex area (just beside the MB Hotel building and right behind the ASNB Tawau branch office). My hubby seems to prefer this place over other yumyum places that we've been to and although I disagree with his choice, I do think that their homemade chilli sauce made a difference as it tasted different and bitterly spicy. Their fried mee hoon and other fried sides were just so-so in my personal opinion but customers seems to be flocking to their place nonetheless. 

Current status - Still in operation (as of Dec 2024) 

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Han's Kopitiam

I'm actually quite impressed that a successful local bakery has managed to spawned an equally successful 'kopitiam' as well, as seen at their outlet at the Bintang Kubota commercial area (the row of building facing Tawau Health Clinic, Jalan Chong Thien Vun). Me and my family had actually been to the eatery quite a few times and what I can personally verify from our visits was that they do provide a wide range of food, at very affordable prices. So far we've tried their Salted Egg Chicken Rice, Chocolate Peanut Toast, Mee Siam, Marmite Chicken Rice (and a few others that I've forgotten to take pictures of) and almost all of the dishes were commendable. Granted that it might not the best out there but still worth their prices. Oh and also not forgetting their signature in house (and award winning) pastries, mainly their Portuguese Egg Tart, BBQ Chicken Pie and Curry Chicken Pie which were definitely delicious. 

Current status - Still in operation (as of Dec 2024)

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Kafeteria Annur Maju

Here’s yet another place that me and my partner had frequented pre-MCO (but I'm not too sure whether they’re currently on for business or not since I haven’t had the chance to drive by the area recently). This very simple eatery started out as a warung and had successfully outgrown their humble shack into an upgrade version of what it is today. Mind you, it is mainly because of its strategic location (being right behind the Land and Surveys Tawau Department at Jalan Tanjung Batu) which is coincidentally a short walk from the Tawau District Police Headquarters (where very hungry police officers tend to stop by and basically lepaking after a hard days work).

Other customers usually crowd the place in the morning for their Mee Tauhu, Nasi Lemak and Nasi Kuning (like what me and my partner usually did during some weekends) but they do have other menu items for lunch and dinner (if I’m not mistaken) which includes the Nasi Goreng, Nasi Lalap, Roti Canai and soupy dishes among other things. Unfortunately we can only comment about their morning staples since we have yet to visit the place during other times of the day and overall, it was pretty good. Their food were among the better ones out there when it comes to breakfast but not the best there is. Also, portioning might also be an issue for patrons with bigger capacity bellies as their food tend to be within the small – medium size.

** Current status – Still in operation (as of July 2020) 

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Kedai Kopi D'Sup Hao Liao

Disclaimer: The following visit was done way before the Movement Control Order (MCO) started so rest assured that I didn’t break any rules as I’m currently doing my part by staying put at home. And as far as I know, the eatery was still open for business before the MCO.      

Now despite what you may think when you read the name of this place; no… it is not a Chinese eatery. But they do have various types of soup based dishes so at least they did stay partly true to their name I guess. They are located inside the main Sabindo town area (where I admit that I rarely ventured into these days), right in front of the Grace Plaza and not that far off from the Avon Cosmetics local branch. And it was my partner who’d brought me there since he knows the owner through work. Other than the assortment of soups (such as Sup Tulang, Sup Daging, Soto and what not) their menu also consists of typical Malay cuisines so I decided to try their Nasi Goreng Kampung instead since I was rather hungry during said time. I kid you not when I say that barely 5 minutes later, my dish was ready to be served and it was pretty good; kind of reminded me of a warung type of cooking. I like that they sprinkled the fried anchovies on top of the dish instead of stir-frying them with the rice. My partner was in the mood for some Gado-Gado and Sup Paha Ayam. I did take a sip at the latter and while it was okay, it was also a tad too salty for my liking. All in all, it might be a small eatery but it is still worth to check them out should who’re in town.

** Current status – Still in operation (as of May 2020) 

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Warung Nasi Kuning Jalan Damai

Disclaimer: The following visit was done way before the Movement Control Order (MCO) started so rest assured that I didn’t break any rules as I’m currently doing my part by staying put at home. And as far as I know, the eatery was still open for business before the MCO.      

While we’re still on the subject of small eateries that primarily sells Tawau's go-to breakfast staples, this is another such place that I’ve discovered by accident. And yes, as you can probably guess from the pictures below, I was having my car washed at the car wash right beside the tiny eatery (they’re located within Jalan Damai, opposite to this quiet commercial area called Plaza Damai) when me and my partner decided to have a brunch of sorts (even though we’d just had a hefty breakfast mere hours before – but hey, there’s always room for more right?).

There are also other dishes such as Nasi Lemak, Sup Tulang and Nasi Lalap within their simple menu but obviously it wouldn’t mean a thing if we did not sample their namesake dish right? So we ordered their Nasi Kuning Ayam and Nasi Kuning Ikan respectively and both were commendable but nothing noteworthy I’m afraid. It was still delicious but very ‘typical’ as well. Both dishes also took their sweet time to arrive at our table, probably because the two teenage girls that were manning the entire place were overwhelmed by the influx of customers. But they must be doing something right just by looking at the number of patrons that day so do try them out yourselves.  

** Current status – Still in operation (as of April 2020) 

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Otai Trading Cafe

Disclaimer: The following visit was done way before the Movement Control Order (MCO) started so rest assured that I didn’t break any rules as I’m currently doing my part by staying put at home. And as far as I know, the eatery was still open for business before the MCO.

I actually enjoy going to small, unassuming eateries often because you can find tasty food that are sometimes equal to that of bigger restaurants. One such places is this little kedai makan tucked in the middle of Muhibbah Square commercial area (they’re in the same row as GMart Supermarket). Me and my mom initially went shopping at the latter and had confused this place with a different one altogether (we thought it was a rumoured western café judging from the blackish, hipster style wall and decor) but since when did that stop us from trying a new places right? The Malay establishment might have very limited choices of food (only 8 items in total y’all) but it was still pretty delicious. We chose their Nasi Kuning Ikan and Nasi Lemak Ayam and both were well-seasoned and not too oily nor spicy. But they do take a bit of a time preparing your dishes since unlike other places that pre-cooked their main ingredients (especially when it comes to morning staples like Nasi Lemak and Nasi Kuning); they serve their food made-to-order style. Price was also very affordable, which may explain a number of patrons going in and out of the kedai makan to tapau their food while we were there.      

** Current status – Still in operation (as of April 2020) 

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