What and Where to Eat in Kudat

Most influencers praise the beautiful beaches in Kudat, but you seldom hear them promote it as a food town. To double the fun on your trip, you definitely don’t want to miss out on the following local food around Kudat.

1. Kudat Market (Pasar Besar Kudat)

If you ask anyone living in Kudat what the classic local breakfast is, they will tell you to get a plate of economy fried noodles and a side of Dim Sum. It is cheap, simple, and easily one of the most satisfying ways to start the morning here, even if it never shows up in official travel brochures.

The food stalls are located on the upper floor of the Kudat Market (see Location Map). You have to wake up early for this. They open before 5AM, and the noodles sell out fast. I actually missed out on my first try because I woke up too late. If you show up after 8:30 AM, you will just find empty counters.

The next day, I got there before 6AM. Within minutes, the place was packed with locals sitting down for a quick bite or buying tapau (takeaway) for work. Go to the first stall, it is easy to spot because it has the biggest crowd.

The best combo to order is the fried flat noodles topped with steamed pork ribs. The ribs are savory and tender. You can also pile on extras like curry chicken, stuffed tofu, dumplings, or a fried egg. Whether you pick yellow noodles, mee hoon, or flat noodles, just go for whatever is steaming hot straight out of the wok.

The tables and chairs look decades old, like an old-school school canteen. The vibe hasn’t changed in years, and someone even told me that local millionaires come here to eat regularly. If you need halal food, there is a separate halal section on the other side.

The “3 Treasures” of Kudat

While you are already at the market, make sure to shop at the ground floor stalls. This is where you can find the famous “3 Treasures” of Kudat: Peanuts, Rice Biscuits (or Rice Cracker), and Coconut Candy. These make excellent snacks to munch on between meals. You can find these treats in Kota Kinabalu City too, but they come at a much higher price. Just keep in mind that most stalls close around noon.

Out of the three snacks, my personal favourite is the crispy, flour-coated peanuts (脆皮花生). In Chinese, they are hilariously called Bai Ge Shi (白鸽屎), which translates to “Pigeon Poo” because of their shape and colour. Once I start eating them, I can’t stop. Besides the original flavor, they also come in a salted egg and cheese versions.

As for the traditional rice biscuits (米呈), you can find them made from white, brown, or red rice, with the white rice version being the best-seller. Finally, the homemade coconut candy looks a lot like gula melaka (palm sugar), but it is wonderfully soft and packed with a rich coconut aroma, though it is a bit sweet.

2. Fresh Seafood Noodles

As a major fish landing port, Kudat never runs out of fresh catch. The seafood noodles in Sabah are arguably some of the best and freshest you can find in Malaysia. It is hard to beat restaurants that sit within walking distance of the actual Kudat fish market, because when it comes to seafood, freshness is king!

📍 Recipe Tom Yam

Based on recommendations from my friends in Kudat, the fish head noodle soup at Recipe Tom Yam (see Location Map) is high on the must-try list. I love seafood, but I usually avoid dishes with a strong, fishy smell. However, I had to see why this noodle is so legendary. I ordered the fresh, non-fried grouper fish head to get the true flavor of the ocean.

I expected a bony, overly fishy meal, but I was completely wrong. It was not fishy at all. Instead, it was a perfect harmony of rich seafood broth, bouncy, collagen-rich textures, and silky mee hoon that soaked up all the flavor. The staff told me that true seafood foodies always chase after the fish belly. However, it is not always available because they can only harvest a limited amount from each fish.

You can fully customize your bowl with fish slices, fish balls, fish maw, belly, or tiger prawns. You can also choose your soup base, including their signature spicy Tom Yam, an aromatic wet-fried style, or a creamy egg-gravy style.

Tip: They serve no pork and open as early as 6AM. Get there early before the best seafood sells out!

📍 Rainbow Kitchen

Rainbow Kitchen is another restaurant that ranks very high on Google Reviews. Many customers comment that their Tom Yam noodles are legendary, packing a much stronger spicy punch than most other shops, which I absolutely love.

Unlike the clear broth you find in traditional Thailand Tom Yam, the Sabah version is creamy thanks to the addition of coconut milk. The resulting soup is rich, sour, and delightfully spicy. My only regret was not ordering the large portion!

Rainbow Kitchen is a halal restaurant, making it the perfect spot for Muslim travelers to enjoy authentic Sabahan flavors with peace of mind.

Location: Jalan Chin Sham Choi (near the Kudat Ferry Terminal. See Location Map)
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 1:30 PM (Mon–Sat) | 7:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Sun)

3. “No Name” Kudat Tofu (Kedai Taufu Kudat)

This shop is so established that it doesn’t need a name. Famous for its stuffed tofu (yong tau foo), it has no banner or signage displaying its name outside. Don’t worry though, if you ask any local for “the place to eat tofu,” they will know exactly where to send you (see Location Map).

The shop is located near the edge of Kudat town. For a hearty, meaty breakfast, you can choose from a wide variety of stuffed tofu, dumplings, and spring rolls. They are also famous for their Ngiu Chap (mixed beef) or Sup Sapi broth. I highly recommend ordering a hot bowl of this soup to enjoy the tender, well-marinated beef pieces.

4. Kudat Esplanade

In the late afternoon, many locals love to stroll around the Kudat Esplanade (also known as Sidek Esplanade) to enjoy the sea breeze and ocean views. After sunset, while most of the town’s kopitiams close down, the eateries along the esplanade become the hotspot for dinner.

There are several excellent seafood restaurants right along the waterfront (see Location Map). If you prefer Chinese-style cooking, I highly recommend Kedai Makan Hiew and Sea View Kitchen. Both spots allow you to pair your fresh seafood with a cold beer, and they also serve pork dishes.

If you want alternative options, you won’t go wrong with Kafe Abang J and Sunset House nearby. If you do not drink alcohol, ordering a fresh coconut juice is the perfect way to cool down.

Fried squid (sotong goreng) is always the most popular choice on the menu here. Depending on your taste and budget, you can also try grouper fish, crabs, lobsters, or prawns cooked in various styles, such as steamed or fried. During my visit, I tried the pan-fried fish, steamed lobster, and salt-and-pepper prawns, and I walked away full and happy.

5. Secret Place Cafe

This beachside cafe is located about a 35-minute drive away from Kudat town (see Location Map), but it is well worth the trip. Despite the name, Secret Place is a well-known camping location, so it is not a complete secret. You will need to drive through dense woods on a narrow village road to reach it, so it really feels hidden away. Many international tourists love this secluded location for its raw, natural vibe.

I absolutely love the relaxing atmosphere on the sandy shores of Bawang Jamal Beach. The food and the sea view form a wonderful combination. You can drop by to catch a beautiful sunset while enjoying a wood-fired pizza or a plate of local fried rice. Finding happiness is easy here, especially if you have a cold beer, a fresh coconut, or a glass of pineapple juice in your hand.

6. James Fish Farm

If you are looking for things to do in Kudat with a group, this is a fantastic two-in-one, play-and-eat half-day tour that is perfect for families or friends.

Your journey starts with a 10-minute boat ride from the town jetty out to the beautiful turquoise open sea, where you will find rows of floating fish farm cages. The program begins with an exciting activity: feeding the captive tuna and giant groupers. Some of these groupers are massive, weighing well over 60 to 70 kilograms, and they snap up the food very aggressively!

The next activity allows you to swim alongside fish like groupers and Napoleon wrasse inside a designated, fenced-off sea area. You can get close enough to make eye-to-eye contact with the marine life. For some, it can be a bit intimidating, but it is a truly thrilling experience. If you prefer to stay dry, you can fish directly from the wooden boardwalk instead.

Of course, no matter what activities you try, the ultimate goal of the tour is to feast on ultra-fresh seafood while overlooking the ocean. The included lunch features different types of freshly caught seafood like fish, crab, prawns, and sea snails. Most dishes are steamed, which is the best way to appreciate the natural sweetness of fresh seafood.