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A small town below forested hills with cocoa trees in front, evoking Tawau

Tawau · city

Where to eat in Tawau

A cocoa-and-seafood town on the Indonesian border, with Bugis rice dishes and busy morning markets.

Tawau, in Sabah's south-east corner, mixes Chinese coffee-shop food with Bugis and Indonesian influences from across the border, plus seafood and a cocoa-growing history that still shows up in local chocolate.

Tawau is the commercial centre of Sabah's south-east, close to the border with North Kalimantan in Indonesia. That closeness shapes the food: nasi kuning (turmeric rice), Bugis-style fish dishes and Indonesian snacks sit alongside Hakka and Cantonese coffee-shop menus.

The district grew on cocoa, palm oil and timber, and Tawau is still the place to buy Sabah-made chocolate. Many travellers pass through on the way to Semporna and the islands. It is worth one meal, or better a night, rather than heading straight from the airport.

The waterfront market near the harbour is busiest early in the morning, when fish, vegetables and snacks change hands quickly.

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Popular food

All Sabah dishes

What to eat in Tawau

  • Sang nyuk mee in two bowls: yellow noodles glossy with dark soy sauce beside a pale pork broth with sliced pork, meatballs and liver

    Sabahan Chinese

    Sang Nyuk Mee

    Sang nyuk mee is a Sabah pork noodle dish: noodles with marinated sliced pork and a pork-bone broth, served either as a soup or dry with dark soy and the broth on the side. It was first made in Tawau.

Recommended

Filter all restaurants

Restaurants in Tawau

  • A small town below forested hills, evoking TawauRestaurant

    Tawau · Jalan Sim Hua Seng

    Restoran Haji Tamrin

    Sources mention: Nasi kuning with fish or chicken curry, Roti kahwin

    MalaySabah LocalStatus unconfirmed
    Researched from 3 sources · not yet visitedBudget (under RM20 per person)
  • A small town below forested hills, evoking TawauKopitiam

    Tawau · Taman Megah Jaya, Jalan Apas

    Kedai Kopi Yuan Yuan

    Sources mention: Soto daging (beef soto), Soto ayam (chicken soto)

    ChineseSabah LocalStatus unconfirmed
    Researched from 2 sources · not yet visited

Eating tips for Tawau

  • Nasi kuning is a breakfast dish and the best stalls often sell out by mid-morning.
  • Buy Sabah chocolate in town if you want a food souvenir.
  • If you're connecting to Semporna, a lunch stop in Tawau breaks up the drive.

Nearby food towns

South China SeaSulu SeaCelebes SeaKota KinabaluSandakanTawauSempornaTuaranPenampangKundasangRanauBeaufortLahad DatuKudatKeningau

Schematic map, not to scale. Select a town to see where to eat.

Plan your meals

Tawau food guides & trips

Tawau food FAQ

What is Tawau famous for food-wise?

Tawau is known for nasi kuning and other Bugis-influenced dishes, Chinese coffee-shop food, seafood, and chocolate made from cocoa grown in the district.

Is Tawau worth a stop on the way to Semporna?

Yes. Tawau airport is the usual gateway to Semporna, and a breakfast or lunch in town lets you try dishes that are less common elsewhere in Sabah.