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Coffee in Sabah — Tenom Coffee & Best Cafes

Q: Is Sabah Tea the same as BOH tea?

No. Sabah Tea is grown in Ranau, about 20 minutes from Ranau town with views of Mount Kinabalu. BOH is a different Malaysian tea brand. Sabah Tea is Borneo's only organic tea farm, with factory tours available on-site ( Sabah Tourism , checked 7 October 2026). Different origin, different taste profile.

Last updated: 7 October 2026

Sabah has its own coffee culture centred around Tenom-grown beans. It's not specialty-grade espresso — it's traditional, strong, and deeply local. Understanding kopitiam culture is essential to the Sabah food experience.

Tenom Coffee

Tenom, an interior district about 145km from Kota Kinabalu, is informally known as Sabah's coffee town. Coffee was already widely grown around the district, including Sapong and Kemabong, when Yit Foh started roasting there in 1960 (The Star, checked 7 October 2026).

Detail	Info
Beans	Robusta at Yit Foh, Tenom's oldest roaster (Bernama, checked 7 October 2026)
Flavour profile	Strong and smoky. Yit Foh roasts with rubber-tree wood as fuel (FMT, checked 7 October 2026)
Best known brands	Yit Foh (founded 1960) and other Tenom producers
Where to buy	Tenom town, tamu markets, KK supermarkets, airport shops

ℹ️ Traditional roasting

Tenom coffee is traditionally roasted in a rotating drum over a wood fire, a method Yit Foh still keeps today (The Star, checked 7 October 2026). The smoky result is different from Western-style roasts. It can be an acquired taste for specialty coffee drinkers, but it's authentically Sabahan.

If you drive to Tenom, Yit Foh Coffee Park in Kampung Chinta Mata lets you learn about coffee production, eat and stay overnight. Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin combines a coffee farm and factory visit with accommodation (The Star, checked 7 October 2026).

Sabah Tea

Not coffee, but worth mentioning — Sabah Tea is grown in the Ranau highlands near Mount Kinabalu. It's Borneo's only organic tea farm (Sabah Tourism, checked 7 October 2026).

Detail	Info
Location	KM17 Jalan Ranau–Sandakan, Kg. Nalapak, about 20 minutes from Ranau town
Tours	Tea factory tour, tea garden walk, trails
Buy	On-site, KK supermarkets, airport

Kopitiam Culture

Kopitiam (coffee shops) are the backbone of Sabah's food scene. They're not cafes in the Western sense — they're open-air food courts where multiple independent stalls operate under one roof.

How it works:

Sit down at any table — seating is communal
Each stall sells different food (noodles, rice, dim sum, etc.)
Order drinks from the kopitiam operator (usually one drinks counter)
Food from different stalls arrives at your table — pay each stall separately
Breakfast and lunch are peak hours (6am–2pm)
Many close by mid-afternoon

💡 Kopitiam etiquette

It's normal to share tables with strangers. Just ask "boleh duduk?" (can I sit?). No tipping. Some kopitiams are cash-only.

Where to Get Good Coffee in KK

Place	Type	Known For
Any kopitiam	Traditional	Kopi-O, Kopi-C, Teh Tarik
Kedai Kopi Yee Fung	Traditional	Laksa + traditional coffee
Gaya Street Sunday Market	Street market	Local coffee stalls and coffee beans, Sundays 6am to 1pm (Sabah Tourism, checked 7 October 2026)
Central Market	Traditional	Wet market downstairs, coffee upstairs

Specialty Coffee Shops

KK has a growing specialty coffee scene for those who prefer single-origin or espresso-based drinks. These are proper cafes with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and higher prices.

ℹ️ Growing scene

Specialty coffee in KK is still relatively young compared to KL or Penang. New cafes open regularly. Ask locals for current recommendations — the scene changes fast.

Ordering Guide

Kopitiam coffee has its own ordering language. Here's what to say:

Order	What You Get
Kopi	Coffee with condensed milk (sweet)
Kopi-O	Black coffee with sugar
Kopi-O Kosong	Black coffee, no sugar
Kopi-C	Coffee with evaporated milk + sugar
Kopi Peng	Iced coffee with condensed milk
Teh Tarik	Pulled milk tea (frothy, sweet)
Teh-O	Tea with sugar, no milk
Milo	Chocolate malt drink (national favourite)
Milo Dinosaur	Milo with extra powder on top (must try)

💡 Default is sweet

Everything comes sweet by default. If you don't want sugar, say "kosong" (empty/zero). If you want less sugar, say "kurang manis" (less sweet).

Frequently asked questions

Q What is Tenom coffee and why is it special?

Tenom, an interior district about 145km from Kota Kinabalu, is known as Sabah's coffee town. Its oldest roaster, Yit Foh, was founded in 1960, uses Robusta beans and still roasts them in drums over a wood fire, which gives a strong, smoky flavour. It's different from Western-style specialty coffee.

Q Where can I buy authentic Sabah coffee?

Buy in Tenom town directly from local producers, tamu markets, KK supermarkets, or KK airport shops. Coffee beans are also sold at the Gaya Street Sunday Market. If you drive to Tenom, Yit Foh Coffee Park and Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin both offer a coffee visit with an overnight stay.

Q What is the best kopitiam in Kota Kinabalu?

Popular kopitiams include Kedai Kopi Yee Fung (known for laksa + traditional coffee), Central Market (wet market downstairs, coffee upstairs), and Gaya Street Sunday Market (open 6am to 1pm, Sundays only). All serve authentic traditional coffee. Many close by mid-afternoon — arrive early (6am–2pm) for peak service and freshest food.

Q Is Sabah Tea the same as BOH tea?

No. Sabah Tea is grown in Ranau, about 20 minutes from Ranau town with views of Mount Kinabalu. BOH is a different Malaysian tea brand. Sabah Tea is Borneo's only organic tea farm, with factory tours available on-site (Sabah Tourism, checked 7 October 2026). Different origin, different taste profile.

Q How much does coffee cost in Sabah?

Prices change and vary by shop, so check the menu board. Traditional kopitiam drinks cost far less than drinks at specialty cafes. Many kopitiams prefer cash, so bring some if you want to visit traditional spots.

Q What should I order if I don't speak Malay?

Simple orders: "Kopi" (coffee with condensed milk), "Kopi-O" (black with sugar), "Teh Tarik" (pulled milk tea), "Milo" (chocolate drink). Say "kosong" if you want no sugar. Many kopitiams have English-speaking staff, but locals love when tourists try ordering in Malay. Point at other tables if unsure — visual ordering works too.

Q Are specialty coffee shops taking over Sabah's coffee scene?

Slowly. KK has a growing specialty coffee scene with new cafes opening regularly — single-origin beans, espresso, air conditioning, Wi-Fi. However, traditional kopitiams remain the heart of Sabah's food culture and are far more authentic. For the real Sabah experience, stick to kopitiams.

Sources & References 6 sources

Last verified: October 2026

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🍽️ Local Food Guides

Sabah Tourism: Gaya Street (Sunday Market) Sunday market hours, 6am to 1pm