Best Nasi Lemak in Kota Kinabalu

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Every question asked by tourists and travellers about local food will always have a nasi lemak mentioned along the line. This national staple is almost unavoidable when it comes to eating the best local dishes in town. Formed primarily with coconut-infused rice and opulent dollops of sambal, a common side of dried anchovies, nuts, and cucumbers also grace the plate with appetising elements. March of time and multiplying cravings have seen additional dishes like squid, fried chicken and curry as favourites for the nasi lemak too, where here are some of the best recommended ones in Kota Kinabalu.

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  • #1
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    Nasi Lemak Kaki Lima

    Under the stewardship of Mrs.Khoo, who started selling nasi lemak since the year 1993, Nasi Lemak Kaki Lima has turned into a household name among the locals. Be it the coconut milk infused rice, sweet-spicy sambal or rudimentary ingredients like crunchy peanuts and fried anchovies, each and every component is given close scrutiny while preparation. If the basic serving isn’t up your alley, tart up the empty space on your plate with regular runners like fried chicken and squid sambal or homey-style components such as sambal petai and eggplant. Aside from the delicious combination of flavours, affordability is another forte of this spot.

    Tips

    They do provide catering as well

    Things to expect

    Simple and clean atmosphere

    Best with

    Assorted Nyonya Kuih

    Price

    RM3.50 to RM10.00

    Featured image

    Nasi Lemak Kaki Lima View restaurant

    Shop Lot No.03, Ground Floor, Taman Dai Ming, Lorong Muntahan 3A, Jalan Gunung Bintang, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    0128270725

    Open Now
    Every day
    06:00AM—08:00PM
    More info
  • #2
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    Kandi 5 CafePork free d90bfb235d64e73ff14d8ad65b89aaab71a3af43962907cb9cd494af0a63fa21

    This Indonesian-inspired cafe whips up some exquisite delights that will certainly tantalise your palate with traditional spices and herbs. Apart from their signature ayam belado and ayam penyet, the nasi lemak here is also thronged with fragrant and aromatic flavours, not to mention a dollop of sambal that will double your appetite. Be sure to give it a try for a refreshing take. 

    Tips

    Mini pavlovas are their latest addition

    Things to expect

    Indonesian cuisine.

    Best with

    Ayam Belado, Soda Gembira

    Price

    RM5.00 to RM12.00

    Featured image

    Kandi 5 Cafe View restaurant

    Lot 7 & 8 Block J, Metro Town, Jalan Bunga Ulam Raja , Off Tuaran Road, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    088425088

    Open Now
    Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
    09:00AM—09:00PM
    Friday
    09:00AM—11:00AM
    Friday
    02:00PM—09:00PM
    More info
  • #3
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    Restoran Ahmad AlbabPork free d90bfb235d64e73ff14d8ad65b89aaab71a3af43962907cb9cd494af0a63fa21

    Bringing in the wonders of nasi lemak kukus, which is steamed instead of using the conventional rice cooker, this place is host to some hungry locals who just cannot get enough of their favourite dish. The rice is utmost fragrant and is infused thoroughly, sparing no tasteless spots on your taste buds. The variety of fried chicken, curry, and sambal also makes it a very much scrumptious meal. 

    Tips

    The availability varies on a daily basis, somewhere around lunch time.

    Things to expect

    Quick selling dishes.

    Best with

    Sambal Sotong

    Price

    RM4.00 to RM7.00

    Restoran Ahmad Albab View restaurant

    AH150, 88200 Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia, 88200 , Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    Open Now
    Every day
    12:00PM—12:00AM
    More info
  • #4
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    Jasmine Restaurant & CateringPork free d90bfb235d64e73ff14d8ad65b89aaab71a3af43962907cb9cd494af0a63fa21

    These little prism-shaped packs of nasi lemak are more than just a dish for breakfast, they are icons of the Malaysian local scene. For those who wished to start off the day with no frills, Jasmine’s is where you will wave in for a comforting meal of nasi lemak. You can also add in some sides of curry and chicken to fill that tummy up even more. 

    Tips

    The stall might be easy to miss.

    Things to expect

    Simple and delicious food.

    Best with

    Curry

    Price

    RM2.00 to RM6.00

    Featured image

    Jasmine Restaurant & Catering View restaurant

    Jalan Tuaran, Lorong Likas Plaza, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    0168372123

    Closed Now
    Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
    07:00AM—10:00AM
    More info
  • #5
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    Lido Morning Market

    The nasi lemak stall here is often visited by many customers, albeit the hustle and bustle of the morning market might not be ideal. Despite that, it’s also one of the local daily routines- visiting the morning market for breakfast that is. Grab a packet of nasi lemak, pick some of your favourite kuih, and off you go with a delectable meal. 

    Tips

    You can also order food from different stalls.

    Things to expect

    A busy scene.

    Best with

    Kuih Pinjaram

    Price

    RM2.00 to RM5.00

    Featured image

    Nasi Lemak @ Lido Morning Market View restaurant

    13, Lorong Rampai 1, Taman Che Mei, 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 88200, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    Closed Now
    Every day
    04:00AM—07:30AM
    More info
  • #6
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    Olde StationPork free d90bfb235d64e73ff14d8ad65b89aaab71a3af43962907cb9cd494af0a63fa21

    Although giving off an impression of being just another kopitiam chain, Olde Station tends to surprise when it comes to their nasi lemak. The serving of coconut rice, sambal, curry, and exotic flavours certainly packs a punch when it comes to portion and taste. If you think this isn’t indulging enough, feel free to toss in a fried chicken, because you only live once. 

    Tips

    Located in City Mall.

    Things to expect

    A typical kopitiam

    Best with

    Udon noodles

    Price

    RM5.00 to RM15.00

    Featured image

    Olde Station View restaurant

    Lot S-0-6, Ground Floor, City Mall, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    0128285085

    Open Now
    Every day
    09:00AM—11:00PM
    More info
  • #7
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    Sino Taste Kitchen

    Sino Taste Kitchen is your everyday dining place, where you can indulge in grubs like fried rice and noodles, to exquisite dishes like seafood and many local foods. One of them is no doubt their nasi lemak, which facades an innocent look, but will immerse your palate in fragrant and savoury flavours. The fried chicken and sambal just enhances the entire meal with even more ambrosial tastes. 

    Tips

    Keep up to date on their Facebook page.

    Things to expect

    A variety of local food.

    Best with

    Seafood

    Price

    RM5.00 to RM20.00

    Featured image

    Sino Taste Kitchen View restaurant

    Plaza 333, Kobusak Commercial Center, Penampang Bypass Road, 85908, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
    View in Google Maps

    088703795

    Open Now
    Every day
    10:00AM—10:00PM
    More info
  • #8
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    Putatan TamuPork free d90bfb235d64e73ff14d8ad65b89aaab71a3af43962907cb9cd494af0a63fa21

    In a place or rather a court, the food selection here seems endless from a quick scan around, but head on deeper and you will see individual stalls honing their own signature dishes. For some scrumptious nasi lemak, head on to where the crowd stands and you will find an almost factory-like preparation of nasi lemak as they go into their respective packs. Grab a couple and you will be happy as ever. 

    Tips

    It’s usually the stall with a crowd.

    Things to expect

    An array of food stalls.

    Best with

    A second pack.

    Price

    RM1.00 to RM4.00

    Featured image

    Nasi Lemak @ Putatan Tamu View restaurant

    AH150, Pekan Petagas, 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 88200, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
    View in Google Maps

    Closed Now
    Saturday
    05:00AM—10:00AM
    More info
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