Kota Kinabalu has it all – crystal clear waters just minutes away from the city, Mount Kinabalu standing tall and resplendent, a rich local culture, but maybe too many Chinese and Korean tourists these days.

However, if you’re in Kota Kinabalu, make it a point to explore the local food offerings there. You’ll be surprised at the number of interesting restaurants around that offer some of the most lip-smackingly delicious meals.

Like the unassuming coffee shop of Ah Chee Tom Yam, for instance.

Ah Chee Tom Yam is located just a few doors’ down from the famous Wiya Chicken Rice.

This restaurant offers a rather simple menu with a choice of Tom Yam Prawn Mee Hun, Sarawak Laksa with Prawns, Prawn Mee with Rice Wine, and Thai-Style Chicken Feet.

The Tom Yam Mee Hun, comes with five fresh tasting saltwater prawns properly peeled and cleaned, and cooked just right – firm but sweet and tasty with just the right amount of crunch.

Most importantly, the Tom Yam soup was rich and fragrant without being too spicy.

The star of the dish was the prawns – these were sweet and definitely worth the RM11 or so for one bowl.

If you find yourself in KK town, this is one worthy place for a quick meal. It is pork-free too.

Ah Chee Tom Yam

Lorong Segama

Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu

88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

This article first appeared in kyspeaks.com