Acteasan

Another eatery within the Kubota Sentral commercial area that I've frequented is this place (you'll spot them faster if you enter through the main junction from its sisterly area the Kubota Square). 

Formerly known as Arteasan, the eatery had largely revamped their menu and now serves delicious fusion food. During our visits, my mom and I had tried their 3 Cups Chicken Rice set & Japanese Curry Chicken Rice set (our repeated faves respectively) and both were simply delicious and satisfying. They were also one of the more popular ones within the area so prior booking might be necessary especially if you come with a large group of people (as they do provide a curtained space specifically for small gatherings).

**Current status - Still in operation (as of Oct 2020)

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Sushi House

Hi guys, I'm still using my smartphone to post for the time being so I apologise beforehand for the very straightforward (aka somewhat short) entries from here onwards okay (because I have the 'my-fingers-are-larger-than-the-keyboard' problem).

I have been to this eatery a couple of times already (before and after the CMCO - they're located within the Kubota Sentral commercial area) and let me just say that this primarily Japanese food joint is extremely popular amongst locals. It was probably because of the variety and high quality taste of their food. My personal favourites has got to be their Tori Katsu Curry Rice, Chicken Katsu Don and the Chicken Teriyaki set rice (the latter was my mom's go-to dish actually). But personally I'm not into their sushi as much though since I thought that the sushi that I've had we just so-so in taste. There are better places to get sushi in town and some of the prices were slightly higher than those other places as well. But they do made those sushi fresh upon order so that's a plus at least.

**Current status - Still in operation (as of Oct 2020)

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Wukka Cafe 2.0

Laptop malfunction as well as the current CMCO got me feeling way too lazy to update my blog (just so you guys know, I'm currently writing my post via the hipster way, by using my smartphone so my post onwards might be shorter than usual - do bear with me ya). But alas here we are and although I'm working from home (again) right now & all of the eateries in town were either open for take aways only or simply closed for the time being, I do have several places that I've been to before the CMCO started to post about.

And here's one of such places. I have actually been here a couple of times before but the recent one was because of my partner's birthday. Their Chocolate Caramel cake was still decadent but melted way too easily (so swift eating is a must). Also they have condense their previous menu and now focused solely on a slew of western & local dishes. My partner had their Nasi Goreng Kampung and it was good (he said) while I've eaten their Grilled Chicken Salad because I need to keep more spaces inside my tummy for the cakes. And I do noticed that the overall look of the place has been upgraded a bit so now it feels more homely than before; a great place to hang out indeed. 

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

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Boba Milk Tea Mania: Tawau Edition (Part 4)

Yes people, I’m back again with the latest edition of the local boba crazed and even though the RMCO has been extended until end of the year, that does little in dampening the spirits of local entrepreneurs to open their own boba joint (or in some cases, open a popular franchise). Also, I do notice (from the local social media) the emergence of home-based bubble milk tea businesses & will probably be doing a post specifically for that in the future.

(Disclaimer: Similar to my previous boba posts, I will be listing these out mainly based on the tastes of their chocolate drink line unless stated otherwise. And if you guys are curious about my previous posts, here are the Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3)

So without further ado (and in no particular order)…

GOLD TEA

Where?  1-A1-GF, 1Arena (Pusat Komersil BDC), Jalan Chong Thien Vun (has now moved to Kubota Square area - as of 2022)

Originated from? Hong Kong

What I had? Iced Bear HK Silk Stocking Milk Tea

The Good? I know I know… Technically this silk stocking specialized franchise is not exactly a bubble tea milk store but still they do add pearls upon request so there. Plus I’m just loving the very ‘kawaii’ ice bears (literally bear shaped iced milk tea) that comes in 5 poses and the ‘eggwich’ that I had (they also provide instant noodles, buns, toasts and other snacks in house).       

The Bad? Despite me loving the cute ice bear so much, unfortunately that does not saved their actual milk tea taste (at least for me). It wasn’t bad or anything, it was just that it tasted like an ordinary ‘teh nai ping’. But then again, maybe that was how silk stocking milk tea supposed to taste like.

TRUEDAN

Where? TB27, Block E4, Ground Floor, Kubota Sentral, Jalan Chong Thien Vun (has been closed - as of Sept 2022)

Originated from? Taiwan

What I had?  Milk Cream Bubble Chocolate Latte

The Good? The drink that I had definitely did not disappoint, especially coming from a big name franchise such as this (or originally known as Jenjudan). Plus, you can also order their drinks if you’re dining at the eatery attached to this place called Horizon Cafe (they shared the same lot but the owner had creatively divide the place into 2 different connecting sections)

The Bad? Well, technically what I had was a bubbled latte so here’s to hoping that they will add a chocolate milk tea variety within their menu in the future

 CO. DRINK

Where? 318, Ground Floor, Block 37, Fajar Complex

Originated from? Tawau (I guess)

What I had? Co.Drink Chocolate Belgium Brulee

The Good? The latter did not differ much from other similar drinks from other bubble tea stores but that was probably why I actually like the drink very much. And it is also a very good thing when you’re treated with a polite & cheerful staff upon entering & ordering said drink. And they also have light snacks available in house.  

The Bad? For now I guess the biggest problem that I had with this place is that they’re located right beside a busy main road within the Fajar Complex hence no immediate parkings nearby.   

 GEN.Z

Where? Shell station, Jalan Sin Onn (near to the Fujimart  area)

Originated from? Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

What I had?  Premium Choco Milk Tea & Double Chocolate Milk

The Good? Since I have previously tried them out when I was in KK, I have excluded their Charcoal Chocolate variety because I wanted to try some other chocolate-y options within the menu (and I’m pretty impressed that they have more than one option for their chocolate drink)

The Bad? The obvious one has got to be the location of this store. I mean, it is not uncommon for petrol station owners to open an eatery of sorts within their premise but this particular Shell station actually had limited spaces to begin with so having them there might not be a smart move (in terms of customer convenience). Also, I was surprised to find that both of the drinks that I’ve tried were virtually tasteless, unlike the ones that I’ve tried in KK.

LET’S BOBA

Where? Lot 18, Ground Floor, KM30, Jalan Kalabakan (Merotai Besar)

Originated from? Tawau, Sabah

What I had?  Brown Sugar Dark Chocolate & Brulee Dark Chocolate

The Good? I discovered them accidentally while doing some errands within the Merotai Besar area & I just wanted to say that I’m glad to see a local bubble milk tea store opening at a fairly uncommon & out of town area (albeit within a new commercial area).

The Bad? Other than the remote distance from the main town area (you literally need to drive around 30 minutes or so just to reach the area), the drinks that I had also needed improvement as both drinks literally tasted like those typical ‘gerai tepi jalan’ drinks. But then again they’re very new in this business so I’ll give them time. Also, it does take them quite awhile to prepare said drinks so staff training might also be needed. 

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