Borneo Ethnic Cuisine Restaurant Sandakan

This Sabah ethnic food restaurant has created hype in the city. There has never been a restaurant serving authentic Kadazan food here before, and now, locals are heading there to try the many different choices of Kadazan cuisine.

Mile 4, or Batu Empat, is also known as Bandar Indah and is one of the developed areas on the outskirts of Sandakan city. To get here from town is only a 15 to 20 minutes drive.

Speaking to Rosaline Pinso, one of the partners, she informed me that it was high time the east coast of Sabah had a proper Kadazan restaurant, as it had yet to be available over the years.

In terms of the menu, you will see a lot of ethnic Kadazan dishes being sold, some of which are even fusioned with local flavours. 

For first-timers trying the Kadazan food in Sandakan, it is highly recommended that you try their local set called Nasi Linopot with Ikan Basung Pinasakan, which comes with Hinava, Bambangan, Sambal Tuhau, salted fish, Sabah vegetables, salted egg, and a traditional drink.

This interesting menu is also priced at RM18.00, which is a very reasonable deal considering that it is a pure ethnic dish and time-consuming to prepare. 

This comes with the Linopot rice and the same condiments as the above set and is also priced at RM18.00.

I have been a huge fan of Kadazan food. Over the years, I have tried a number of them, and I have to say that the Kadazan food at Borneo Ethnic Cuisine is probably one of the best I have tried in years.

For desserts, the Hinompuka is definitely a must-try at RM0.50 per piece. This sticky rice is made from ground hill rice, brown sugar, and some other ingredients, giving it a purple-coloured finish.

At one glance, it looks like pulut (sticky rice) wrapped in a banana leaf, but it is actually very interesting, as it is not too sweet and has a pleasant mild taste.

Another dessert to try here is the Ubi Manis, or Sweet Tapioca, served with Coconut Milk (Santan).

Hinompuka, a traditional Kadazan dessert, is sold at the restaurant here.

Where is Borneo Ethnic Cuisine Restaurant?

The restaurant can seat an average of 80 to 100 people, and additional outdoor space is available for special events or parties.

Another landmark is a restaurant next to it called Jom Lepak, or directly opposite it, the famous Kenalanmu Seafood Restaurant in Sandakan.

Check out this video by MakanSabah, which was shot when they visited Sandakan for a food hunt. It shows an overview of Borneo Ethnic Cuisine Restaurant, which features the local Kadazan food and desserts at Mile 4, Sandakan.

For more food photos and videos around Sabah, follow MakanSabah on Instagram.

There are several must-eat foods in Sandakan, which are found in the mcentralcity area right till Mile 7, and this is one of the unique cuisines that made my food hunt in Sandakan worthwhile.

Overall, Sandakan’s seafood is known to be one of the best in Sabah, but when you dig deeper, you will discover many other local types of food.

Anyone heading to the east coast of Sabah should stop at the Borneo Ethnic Cuisine Restaurant in Sandakan to sample some authentic Kadazan food.