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Fresh vegetables laid out on a stall at the Tuaran tamu market

West Coast · town

Where to eat in Tuaran

The home of Tuaran mee, the springy egg noodle that Sabahans drive out of the city for.

Tuaran is a small town about 35 km north-east of Kota Kinabalu, best known for Tuaran mee, the hand-made egg noodle stir-fried with char siu and greens. It makes an easy half-day food trip from the city.

Ask a Sabahan where to eat Tuaran mee and the answer is usually 'in Tuaran'. The town's noodle shops make their own egg noodles, then fry them until they are smoky and springy, and serve them with char siu, egg roll and green vegetables.

Tuaran's weekly tamu (open-air market) brings farmers and fishers in from the surrounding villages with vegetables, fruit, rice and snacks, and it is one of the best places near KK to see what rural Sabah grows and eats.

Combine a noodle lunch with a drive along the coast, or continue north towards Kota Belud.

Updated

Popular food

All Sabah dishes

What to eat in Tuaran

  • Tuaran mee: fried egg noodles with char siu, egg and greens in a takeaway box

    Sabahan Chinese (Hakka)

    Tuaran Mee

    Tuaran mee is a Sabah noodle dish of hand-made egg noodles fried hard in a wok until springy and slightly crisp, served with char siu, choy sum and egg roll. It comes from the town of Tuaran, north of Kota Kinabalu.

Restaurants in Tuaran

  • Tuaran mee with char siu and greensKopitiam

    Tuaran · Jalan Keogh, Tuaran town

    Restoran Lok Kyun

    Sources mention: Tuaran mee with char siew, Egg rolls

    ChineseSabah LocalNon-halal
    Researched from 3 sources · not yet visited
  • Fried Tuaran egg noodles with char siuKopitiam

    Tuaran · Jalan Lama Tuaran, Tuaran town

    Tuaran Mee Restoran

    Sources mention: Fried Tuaran mee, Kon lau mee

    ChineseSabah LocalNon-halal
    Researched from 2 sources · not yet visitedBudget (under RM20 per person)

Eating tips for Tuaran

  • Tuaran mee is usually non-halal because of the char siu; some shops make chicken versions.
  • Go on tamu day if you can and arrive in the morning.
  • Noodle shops are busiest at weekend lunchtimes with day-trippers from KK.

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

Tuaran food guides & trips

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Tuaran food FAQ

Why is it called Tuaran mee?

The noodle is named after the town of Tuaran, where the style of hand-made egg noodle, stir-fried and served with char siu, became well known.

Can I find Tuaran mee in Kota Kinabalu?

Yes, many KK coffee shops serve it, but people often make the trip to Tuaran itself for noodles made fresh in town.