Best Grilled Fish (Ikan Bakar) in Kota Kinabalu

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It is almost formidable not to try any grilled fish dishes in Kota Kinabalu, the land of one of the best grilled fish dishes around whether it be tilapia, cod, or halibut. It could perhaps be the ultimate attraction of Kota Kinabalu where the name itself pulls crowds in especially tourists and travelers. With abundance of restaurants and eateries that offers this signature delicacy of Kota Kinabalu, here are one of the best places to get your crave for grilled fishes fix. 

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  • #1
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    Kedai Kopi Chuan Hin Non halal 01f78899591256b47a2708a65f6538333b86089a30fbd22545a41deece4ea490

    Tucked in the midst of Luyang Park, Kedai Kopi Chuan Hin is alike of one of those places that surprisingly make one of the best grilled fish in Kota Kinabalu despite the fact that this gem is comparable to this restaurant's specialty in making delicious pork dumplings. Kedai Kopi Chuan Hin is definite in making tasty dumplings but the grilled fish here is no less well made. Manned by Ah Guang ikan bakar stall, apparently patrons keep coming back for more of their grilled fish here. 
    Tips

    The restaurant houses a few ikan bakar stalls, so be sure to pick the right one.

    Things to expect

    The place is not what many would call spacious but comfortable enough to dine in.

    Best with

    Price

    RM8.00

    Kedai Kopi Chuan Hin View restaurant

    Luyang Park Phase 8 (Off Jalan Kolam), 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 8830, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    Every day
    05:00PM—11:30PM
    More info
  • #3
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    Ikan Bakar Pak Lang Pork free d90bfb235d64e73ff14d8ad65b89aaab71a3af43962907cb9cd494af0a63fa21Alco free 9fb1f2c65edc2c1eaf4e8b24402d108dd33cc2bc71f0fb0022a54c3c390a66c8

    A little secluded in a quiet part of Kota Kinabalu, Restoran Ikan Bakar Pak Lang has been around for quite a while now with selections of dishes it offers. Like the name it portrays, Pak Lang's grilled fish is among the many that you can get around Kota Kinabalu. Locals seem to love this place and apart from his varieties of grilled fish, his ala cart dishes are also a hit among the customers. A bowl of laksa to be paired with a plate of freshly grilled fish? Who would not want that? 

    Tips

    Pak Lang's grilled fish is known to be eaten with plain rice and sambal so do not hesitate to have a go at this pairing.

    Things to expect

    A little pack during lunch hour and dinner however getting seats will not be a problem.

    Best with

    With plain rice as the sambal from the grilled fish would season everything.

    Price

    RM8.00 to RM18.00

    Ikan Bakar Pak Lang View restaurant

    Ground Floor, Lot 50, Lorong Plaza Permai 5, Alamesra, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    Every day
    09:00AM—12:00AM
    More info
  • #4
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    Sinsuran Night Market Pork free d90bfb235d64e73ff14d8ad65b89aaab71a3af43962907cb9cd494af0a63fa21Alco free 9fb1f2c65edc2c1eaf4e8b24402d108dd33cc2bc71f0fb0022a54c3c390a66c8

    The world, or at least, Malaysian are very much well aware of the biggest attraction in Kota Kinabalu namely the Sinsuran Night Market. Literally reflects on its own name the market only operates at night and the major interest that pulls the crowds in, is the market's seafood galore! Fresh barbecued and grilled seafood of course. Ranging from squids, lobsters to assortments of fishes such as sting ray and many more. The magnificent sight of stacks of barbecued seafood along with its smell would definitely keeps customers going for more. 

    Tips

    With so many stalls to choose from in the market, opt for any stalls really, but do look out for the surroundings to know their hygienic level would suit to your liking.

    Things to expect

    Packed with people most of the time and weekends are almost formidable to get a seat - might need to wait a little while.

    Best with

    Any cool drink would do the job to ease your throat after rounds of seafood session.

    Price

    RM8.00 to RM30.00

    Sinsuran Night Market View restaurant

    Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    Every day
    06:00PM—12:00AM
    More info
  • #5
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    Shuang Tian Seafood RestaurantPork free d90bfb235d64e73ff14d8ad65b89aaab71a3af43962907cb9cd494af0a63fa21Alco free 9fb1f2c65edc2c1eaf4e8b24402d108dd33cc2bc71f0fb0022a54c3c390a66c8

    With the amount of patrons consisting of locals and tourists swarming Shuang Tian Seafood Restaurant is a dead giveaway that this place houses one of the best seafood place around Kota Kinabalu. Fresh seafood are easy to seize especially in KK, the mother land of such however an exceptional ones are hard to find and fortunately for Shuan Tian, its grilled fish is always, if not most of the time, up to par and an absolute crowd-pleaser. 

    Tips

    Zest half part of the sambal sauce with lemon to get the taste of both world - the other being without tanginess of course.

    Things to expect

    Taste of spiciness of the sambal drenched on top of the fish is mediocre and bearable.

    Best with

    Price

    RM10.00 to RM30.00

    Shuang Tian Seafood Restaurant View restaurant

    No. 9-12, Sedco Square, Kampung Air, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 8830, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    Open Now
    Every day
    03:00PM—01:30AM
    More info
  • #6
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    Gerai Sinar Delima Pork free d90bfb235d64e73ff14d8ad65b89aaab71a3af43962907cb9cd494af0a63fa21Alco free 9fb1f2c65edc2c1eaf4e8b24402d108dd33cc2bc71f0fb0022a54c3c390a66c8

    Previously known as Geray Sinar Delima Masakan Jawa Special, Gerai Sinar Delima is known for its specialty in Javanese food infused with the local's. With it being one of the few places in Kota Kinabalu to provide east Malaysian's dishes, this place sure is a hit among the locals and tourists. But of course such thing only exists taking into account their famous grilled seafood including assortments of freshly caught fishes to be grilled and barbecued later. As a finishing, the fishes will be  topped with sambal sauce to season the dish as a whole. 

    Tips

    Have a go for their grilled sting ray that seems to be one of the recommended ones here.

    Things to expect

    The place to be crowded with people at most times but it is still manageable to get a seat.

    Best with

    Price

    RM8.00 to RM25.00

    Gerai Sinar Delima View restaurant

    Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    Open Now
    Every day
    04:00PM—12:00AM
    More info
  • #7
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    Restoran Sempelang Pork free d90bfb235d64e73ff14d8ad65b89aaab71a3af43962907cb9cd494af0a63fa21Alco free 9fb1f2c65edc2c1eaf4e8b24402d108dd33cc2bc71f0fb0022a54c3c390a66c8

    Situated in Asia City, Restoran Sempelang is a hit amidst the surrounding. In Kota Kinabalu it is almost always possible to find a good grilled fish at any four corners likewise for Sempelang, its grilled fish has its own hint of freshness and authenticity that customers prefer over any other. Chunks of sambal is always topping the grilled fish - if ever preferred - that definitely enhances the taste even more. 

    Tips

    The sambal inevitably must be tried however for a lighter taste, do zest part of it with the lemon provided

    Things to expect

    The sambal might overwhelm the tastiness of the fish to some.

    Best with

    Price

    RM8.00 to RM20.00

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    Restoran Sempelang View restaurant

    20, Asia City, Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 88000, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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    Open Now
    Every day
    07:00PM—01:00AM
    More info
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