Kota Kinabalu Food Guide For Tourists – walking distance from Centrepoint: Kim Hing Lee

San Nguk Mian is a dish that is iconic to Sabah and there are branches of Sabah San Nguk Mian opening in other parts of Malaysia. The good news is that – my favourite San Nyuk Mian is actually within walking distance for tourists and near the town centre! Especially for those who are staying around Imperial Boutech Hotel, Warisan Square, Centrepoint, Suria Sabah or Gaya Street areas.

 

San Nyuk Mian is different from the Kuching version of ‘Cheng’ Noodles. The soup base is usually saltier, greasy and stronger in flavour. What’s special and delicious about San Nguk Mian is how thinly sliced the pork are and are so tender to the point that you don’t have to chew much ~~

 

To me – the most accessible yet most delicious San Nguk Mian is Kedai Kopi Kim Hing Lee at Sinsuran – very near Imperial Boutec hotel and near Seng Hing (delicious Tuaran Mee), Less than 5 minutes walk from my hotel – very convenient for breakfast.

 

Kim Hing Lee has been around since 1982 and is featured in many newspapers – and I’m not surprised – when it comes to the best San Nguk Mian in KK – this restaurant get’s my vote.

 

For those who love pork spare parts – go for the usual one – or you can order just simple San Nyuk (Pork Slices). I prefer my San Nguk Mian dry – as in you serve the noodles in a separate bowl tossed with their special dark soy and pork lard sauce – to eat with your bowl of rich porky soupy goodness.

 

You can of course – choose what type of noodles you want – but I am always going for the yellow noodles. Not the flat rice noodles.

 

My favourite part is the Chu Kin (Pork Tendon) so I would order my bowl of Chu Kin soup to go with my noodles. It’s more on the expensive side but when my girlfriend tried this – she literally want to have this for breakfast again and the next breakfast as well. Lovely texture!

 

Another reason to love San Nguk Mian is the oily crispy crackling from the minced pork rind ~ you can ask for it by saying “ CHU YOU CHAR or ZHU YAO CHAR” – it’s complimentary and adds extra crunch and flavour to your noodles – but not too good for your health.

 

Thin slices of nearly melt in your mouth tender pork with noodles tossed in dark porky soy sauce ~~ how can you resist?

 

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Kedai Kopi Kim Hing Lee 金興利茶室
Block F, Lot 7, Sinsuran Complex,
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Business Hours: 6:30am - 3:00pm (Mon - Sat) & 6:30am - 2:30pm (Sun)