If you’re planning a trip to Sandakan and wondering what to eat, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

Unlike bigger cities in Malaysia, Sandakan’s food scene is more understated, but that’s exactly where its charm lies. From humble kopitiams serving unique fish paste noodles to bustling seafood restaurants and unexpected avocado desserts, Sandakan offers a food experience that feels authentic, local, and deeply satisfying.

This guide covers what to eat in Sandakan from breakfast to supper, including must-try dishes and honest recommendations based on real experiences.

Breakfast in Sandakan: Start Your Day Like a Local

When it comes to breakfast, nothing beats a traditional kopitiam experience. One of the most popular spots you shouldn’t miss is Kedai Makan KongTeck, a local favourite known for drawing early morning crowds. At Kedai Makan Kong Teck, you can opt for fish paste noodles (their signature or Dry Loh Shu Fun with a few choices of broth, from clear to prawn or curry.

The highlight here is the fish paste noodles, where the noodles themselves are made from fish paste. The texture is smooth, slightly bouncy, and naturally sweet- something you won’t commonly find elsewhere. If you prefer something simple yet comforting, the dry Loh Shu Fun is another excellent option, offering savoury flavours that are easy to love.

Brunch in Sandakan

Once you have your early breakfast, you can head over to Sim Sim Water Village. There, you can start your seafood indulgence with the first stop at Restaurant Sim Sim 88. Some of the must-order dishes are seafood porridge and fried seafood noodles.

They were so flavorful, yet made one of your mornings luxurious and premium. If you are lucky enough, you will see how the fishermen sell their dishes to the restaurant, and you know that these are fresh fish from the sea.

If you are still full of your breakfast, you can also head over to H84 in Sim Sim Water Village and feast on the fried pork noodles and century egg dumplings. Both were good.

Dessert & Drinks: The Avocado Surprise in Sandakan

One of the most unexpected food highlights in Sandakan? Avocado. Yes, the avocado smoothies here are incredibly rich, creamy, and surprisingly addictive.

Best Places to Try: (1) Fruit World if you are looking for a more affordable option where it has a smooth, creamy avocado smoothie, or (2) Crowd 99 if you are looking for a thick and flavorful smoothie but slightly pricier. If you’re not into smoothies, head to Urban Cafe for their avocado float cake; a well-balanced dessert that’s not overly sweet but still indulgent.

This was honestly one of the most memorable food discoveries in Sandakan, and easily a reason to return.

Dinner in Sandakan: Seafood in IJM Area

When it comes to dinner, seafood is the star in Sandakan, especially around the IJM area if you don’t want to travel far, where you’ll find some of the most popular restaurants.

1. Ocean King Restaurant

A well-known spot that’s often fully booked, Ocean KingRestaurant is a go-to for seafood lovers. Some of the must-try dishes are sweet and sour fish and honey garlic fried squid.

The sweet and sour fish was the biggest surprise as it was perfectly balanced and easily the standout dish of the night. The fried squid was also crispy and addictive, making it a great appetiser.

2. Chef Tam Restaurant

Another local favourite in IJM, Chef Tam Restaurant, is a more casual spot but equally popular among locals. Some of the must-try dishes are braised pork ribs with peanuts and claypot seafood.

The braised pork ribs were tender, flavourful, and rich in aroma. It was one of the best dishes here. The claypot seafood, packed with prawns, squid, and fish, was also satisfying and worth ordering.

If you only have one night to spare in Sandakan and decide between the two, my suggestion will be if you crave fish dishes, go to OceanKing Restaurant. On the other hand, if you crave pork and claypot dishes, then head to Chef Tam Restaurant.

Supper in Sandakan: Simple but Satisfying

If you’re expecting a vibrant nightlife like Kuala Lumpur, Sandakan might feel a little quiet. But that doesn’t mean your nights have to be boring. Instead, supper becomes the highlight, where it was simple, comforting, and surprisingly memorable.

Some of the supper foods were grilled chicken wings and pan-fried dumplings.

The grilled chicken wings were smoky, juicy, and incredibly satisfying, which was perfect with a cold drink. Meanwhile, the pan-fried dumplings were crispy on the outside and packed with flavour, especially with the punch of onions inside.

Sometimes, it’s these simple dishes that leave the strongest impression.

***** 

To make your food hunt easier, here are the main areas to explore:

* IJM Area → Best for seafood restaurants (Ocean King, Chef Tam)

* Town Centre → Kopitiams and local breakfast spots

* Cafés → Desserts, coffee, and avocado-based treats

Tips for Food Hunting in Sandakan

1. Go early for breakfast, as the popular kopitiams fill up fast

2. Expect crowds at dinner, especially for seafood spots

3. Keep an open mind because some of the best food comes from humble shops

4. Don’t skip desserts because the avocado here is unexpectedly good

Final Thoughts: Is Sandakan Worth Visiting for Food?

Absolutely. Sandakan may not have the flashy food scene of bigger cities, but what it offers is something even better: authenticity. From unique fish paste noodles to rich avocado smoothies and comforting seafood dinners, the food here feels genuine and memorable. If you’re planning your next food trip, don’t overlook Sandakan; you might just discover some of your new favourite dishes.

Written by,

FoodiesTravelblog

Ps: This is based on my personal opinion