Bajau
Latok
Latok is an edible seaweed (Caulerpa lentillifera) made of tiny green bead-like bubbles that pop in the mouth. On Sabah's coasts it is eaten raw with lime, chilli and shallot as a salad.
Tawau · town
Where to eat in Semporna
A diving town where dinner is grilled fish, sea grapes and Bajau cooking by the water.
Semporna is the jumping-off point for Sabah's best-known dive islands, and its food comes from the sea: grilled fish, lobster and crab, latok (sea grapes) and cassava-based staples from the Bajau and Suluk communities.
Semporna is a small town on a peninsula in the Celebes Sea, and almost everyone there is either heading to the islands or just back from them. Food is simple and fresh. Seafood restaurants line the waterfront, and the market sells catch that came in that morning.
The town is home to large Bajau and Suluk communities, and their food is the reason to eat beyond the tourist strip. Look for latok (sea grapes) dressed with lime and chilli, grilled fish with sambal, and putu, a steamed cassava staple.
Island resorts usually include meals, so plan your town meals for the nights before and after your island days.
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Popular food
All Sabah dishesWhat to eat in Semporna
Recommended
Filter all restaurantsRestaurants in Semporna
Seafood restaurantSemporna · Semporna town centre
Seaview Cafe
Sources mention: Hong Kong-style crab, Butter prawns
SeafoodChineseStatus unconfirmedResearched from 2 sources · not yet visitedMid-range (RM20–50 per person)- Seafood restaurant
Semporna · Dragon Inn Floating Resort
Pearl City Restaurant
Sources mention: Fried squid, Butter prawns
SeafoodChineseStatus unconfirmedResearched from 3 sources · not yet visited
Eating tips for Semporna
- Choose seafood from the display and agree the weight and price first.
- Sea grapes are best eaten fresh on the day they are harvested.
- Dinner is early in Semporna, and many places close soon after 9pm.
Nearby food towns
Schematic map, not to scale. Select a town to see where to eat.
Plan your meals
Semporna food guides & trips
Food guide
Best Food in Tawau
Nasi kuning breakfasts, Bugis cooking, Sabah chocolate and seafood in the south-east.
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Food guide
Sabah Traditional Food: 10 Dishes to Know
A field guide to Sabah's traditional dishes, from hinava and pinasakan to tuhau, linopot and latok: what they are, how they taste and where to eat them.
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2-day planFood & travel
Semporna Food Guide: 2 Days Around Your Island Trip
What to eat in Semporna before and after the islands: seafood by the water, latok and Bajau cooking.
Semporna food FAQ
What food should I try in Semporna?
Try grilled fish and other fresh seafood, latok (sea grapes) dressed with lime and chilli, and Bajau dishes such as putu (steamed cassava) with sambal.
Is seafood expensive in Semporna?
Seafood is sold by weight, so the price depends on what you pick. Fish is usually affordable, while lobster and large crabs cost much more. Confirm the price per kilo before ordering.