When visiting Sandakan, one place you simply cannot skip is Sim Sim Water Village. Built over the water, this iconic stilt village is not only known for its scenic coastal views but also for its incredible local food scene, especially seafood. On this trip, I didn’t just visit once… I came back twice for breakfast. That’s how good the food is here. We literally hopped from one eatery to another, and by the end of it, our stomachs were completely full, but very happy and satisfied.

First Stop: Restaurant Seafood Sim Sim 88 

Our first stop was a well-known seafood restaurant in the village, highly recommended by a friend. And here are the must-have dishes for breakfast.

1. Seafood Porridge (Must-Try)

The highlight here was definitely the seafood porridge. Packed with fresh prawns, squid, and crab, every spoonful was rich, comforting, and full of umami flavour. It’s the kind of dish that warms you up while still feeling luxurious at the same time. This is easily one of the best seafood porridges you’ll find in Sandakan.

2. Fried Seafood Noodles

Next up was the fried noodles with seafood, and it looked just as good as it tasted. The noodles were springy, well-seasoned, and generously loaded with seafood. It might seem a bit indulgent for breakfast, but in Sandakan, especially at Sim Sim, this is completely normal.

What feels “too heavy” elsewhere somehow becomes perfectly acceptable here.

Restaurant Seafood Sim Sim 88,

H88, Lorong H, Jalan Buli Sim Sim,

90000 Sandakan, Sabah

Opens from 7.30am to 9pm

Second Stop: H84

After our seafood feast, we moved on to H84  for a second round of breakfast exploration.

1. Century Egg Dumplings (Hidden Gem)

The standout dish here was surprisingly the century egg dumplings. This is not something you find everywhere, which makes it even more special. The flavour was rich and distinctive, with the century egg adding a deep, savoury complexity.

2. Dry Noodles with Fried Pork

We also tried the dry noodles with fried pork, but this one was fairly average compared to the other dishes. While still decent, it didn’t stand out much in terms of flavour or texture.

H84,

Jambatan 8 Sim Sim,

90000 Sandakan, Sabah 

Will I return? 

Yes! If you’re in Sandakan, Sim Sim Water Village is a must-visit food destination. From rich seafood porridge to unique century egg dumplings, the variety here makes it worth multiple visits. It may not be fancy, but it’s authentic, flavourful, and deeply satisfying.

Ambient: 2/5

Price: $$$

Food: Chinese food

Service: 3/5

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Key Notes

1. Why is Sim Sim Water Village special?

What makes Sim Sim Water Village in Sandakan so unique is not just the food, but also the entire experience. Imagine dining on wooden stilt houses above the sea, where fresh seafood is delivered daily and local, no-frills, authentic eateries.

2. Do I need a reservation?

No, walk-ins are fine if you go there for breakfast.

Written by,

FoodiesTravelblog

Ps: This is based on my personal opinion