Thursday, April 6, 2023

18 Best Halal Foods in Labuan (by local!)

It’s hard to find a good halal restaurant in Sabah, especially in small cities. Most of them are non Muslims owner which would give doubts to us Muslims. Even then, some of the Muslim restaurants don’t achieve our expectations in terms of taste. So as a local Labuan, this is completely unbiased in terms of taste since I have been hunting for foods all over Sabah to Johor Bahru, here are some of my Halal/Muslim Owner restaurants recommendations (numbers are not in order)


1. Sayang Sri Utara (4/5)

This is more towards Indonesian with Labuan fusion tastes. I have tried some of the dishes and drinks but I love their Coto Makassar and Bakso the most. I can say it’s the best Coto Makassar and Bakso in Labuan. They also offer buffet for lunch however sometimes they are closed and you can find them in Labuan Events around Medan Selera. Parking need to be paid RM1 per entry.

Recommendation: Coto Makassar, Bakso
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 4/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Breakfast - Lunch




2. Pantai Batu Manikar / Pohon Batu (3/5)

This is true Labuan tastes. Dishes are rich with seasonings/umami but it’s tasty haha. At least affordable option then dining in resorts! Perfect for chilling. Strong windy beach area. Might be crowded during the weekend and fully seated. Opens everyday except Monday.

Recommendation: Soto Daging, Mi Goreng
Cleanliness: 3/5
Taste: 3/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Breakfast - Dinner






3. Opah Corner (3/5)

A really crowded place for it’s strategic area. Taste is not quite reach the expectation but it’s edible. The goreng-goreng like fried rice tastes good but not the authentic Thai menu tastes. Drinks like juices and tea tastes great.

Recommendation: Nasi Goreng Kampung, Teh Ais
Cleanliness: 3/5
Taste: 3/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Dinner





4. Kubong Corner (3/5)

The most famous curry noodle in Labuan. Nearby a hiking trail with a beautiful cliff beach view (nothing near the restaurant you have to hike). Besides chimney and museum.
Taste is fine but a good breakfast option. Closes around 12PM.

Recommendation: Mi Kari
Cleanliness: 3/5
Taste: 3/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Breakfast





5. Sate Siga-Siga (5/5)

I can confidently say this is the best halal Satay I have tasted so far. I’ve been to Sate Kajang, Sate Wak Radol, nothing can beat the rich spices and balanced tastes in the peanut satay gravy with marinated chicken satay. However I don’t recommend their Sate Daging since it’s a bit rubbery SOME times. They pick their satays using machines which is actually cleaner. Opens in the evening.

Recommendation: Sate Ayam
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Dinner




6. Theobroma Bake Lab (5/5)

I looovvveeee their pastries so much! Crunchy, buttery, fresh. Not a fan of their cakes and coffees though. The vibes is so cool too.
Business hours 9:30AM-5:30PM and Closed every Monday.

Recommendation: Pastries
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner & Halal Ingredients
Location:
Dining: Breakfast - Lunch - Teatime





7. Dapo Paknek (4/5)

Calling for fans of Sarawak dishes! Honestly, I don’t know the actual taste notes of Sarawak dishes but the umamis taste in Dapo Paknek dishes are just nice.

Recommendation: Mi kolok
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 4/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Dinner





8. Pantai Pancur Hitam

Similar to my review about Pantai Batu Manikar, this is like a copy of them or the other way around. Actually there are bunch of food lots like this in Labuan since it’s around the beach.

Recommendation: Mi Goreng, Soto Daging
Cleanliness: 3/5
Taste: 4/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Breakfast - Dinner




9. Nasi Lemak Sabariah (3/5)

The most famous Nasi Lemak in Labuan. However this doesn’t quite meet my expectation. The taste is quite average to me. It’s close to the beach city area.

Recommendation: Nasi Lemak Rendang
Cleanliness: 2/5
Taste: 4/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Breakfast




10. Ayam Penyet Ria (5/5)

The best ayam penyet in Labuan! Crunchy at the outside, juicy on the inside. Air conditioned dining area. Located in the middle of the city.

Recommendation: Nasi Ayam Penyet
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: I’m not sure but I’ve been there for lunch




11. Restoran Malindo (4/5)

Again, Labuan foods are so rich with umami tastes. So this goes in the list. The soto stall im Restoran Malindo, not Malindo itself. They sell varieties of Labuan daily to-go foods which are Soto, Gado-Gado (Noodle), Coto Makassar, and Laksa Sarawak. The taste is Labuan standard.

Recommendation: Soto Daging, Gado-Gado
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 4/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Breakfast - Lunch





12. Cendol Cinta (5/5)

Offers desserts like Cendol, ABC, and fresh juices. This is a hidden gem. The seller is very generous serving the desserts.
If I wasn’t mistaken, this was the same stall that was once crowded with customers around 10 years ago in Financial Park. But after the restaurant lot was on fire, we completely forgot their existence. Around 2020, Cendol Cinta was located under Klinik Bakti and now moved to his own lot in Pasar Peladang.

Recommendation: Cendol
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Breakfast - Lunch




13. Pantai Layang-Layangan (4/5)

Well I need to copy and paste the review from Pantai Batu Manikar and Pantai Pancur Hitam 😂 but honestly, in terms of cleanliness, Pantai Batu Manikar is better. But in terms of stressfullness, Pantai Batu Manikar is too loud with buskers. All I want is to listen to the sea waves!



14. Restoran Deen (5/5)

Labuan calls an experienced and good foods as “legends”.
so yes this restaurant is legendary. Serving Indian foods like restaurants, curries. Everything tastes great! But be careful most of them are spicy 🌶️

Recommendation: Nasi campur, mi goreng mamak
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner




15. Nasi Lemak Bamboo (5/5)

A franchised nasi lemak focused restaurant. Honestly, I think the taste is better than average but not the best like Nasi Lemak Pak Nasser lol. But the overall experience is great so I  would recommend it anyway!

Recommendation: Nasi lemak rendang
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 5/6
Halal Status: Halal Ingredients
Location:
Dining: Breakfast - Lunch





16 & 17. Ikhwan Restaurant & Ikhwan Bakery (4/5)

The restaurant offers varieties of Semenanjung Malaysia kinds of buffet dishes. The only downside is you have to come early and most of the times there are out of stock if you’re late. Same as their bakery. When you come early, only few options of buns and donuts available. Also, their roti canai, the roti canai itself is so tasty!

Recommendation: Nasi campur, roti canai
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner
Location:
Dining: Lunch




18. Tanjung Food Hub (5/5)

I’m not afraid to guarantee this is the best halal Thai foods across Labuan & Sabah. Offering Western, Thai, and fancy beverages. From the chicken chops, pizzas, burger (with their logo on the bun!), tom yam. Tastes of Thai foods are authentic tastes. Many unique and tasty drinks options as well like Unicorn drink! Cool night vibes and open until late night.

Recommendation: Lamb chop, Burger, Siakap, Seafood, Mango Float
Cleanliness: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Halal Status: Muslim Owner & Halal Ingredients
Location:
Dining: Teatime - Dinner









 

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Trap

For the first time I know how to explain it in words, never in my life that I didn't feel trapped to a guy. But this one never make me feel that way. I'm happy and it didn't feel like work at all. Despite of us being busy. I love everything of you :)

Saturday, March 13, 2021

thought

I grew up travelling back and forth to see family so the idea of having a future living in the same city kills me. Different city or country would be challenging but that's euphoric.

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Resipi Bergedil Kentang

 Assalamualaikum and hi,



Bahan - Bahan:

- 6 biji kentang

- 1/2 biji bawang merah besar dihiris untuk digoreng

- Daun sup atau daun celery

- Lada besar

- 0.5 sudu makan gula

-  2 sudu teh garam

- 1 sudu teh lada putih

- 1 biji telur


Cara - cara:


1. Potong kentang kepada beberapa bahagian sesuai untuk digoreng. Goreng sehingga kentang lembut.

2. Lenyekkan kentang yang telah digoreng tadi menggunakan penumbuk lesung.

3. Goreng bawang merah.

4. Masukkan bawang yang telah digoreng, daun sup, lada besar, gula, garam, lada putih. Gaul rata.

5. Bentukkan doh menjadi bulat dan mampat.

6. Salut dengan telur yang telah dipukul.

7. Goreng dengan api sederhana dan balikkan hanya sekali agar bergedil garing dan tidak terlalu berminyak.


Sedia untuk dihidang.

Saturday, February 6, 2021

Review: Kanebo Allie Extra UV Facial Gel SPF 50+ PA++++


 Assalamualaikum and hi,

We've been talking a lot about some really nice skincare routines with high end and special ingredients but we never really care about sunscreen. Like as long as it's called sunscreen or sunblock it works, right? If skincare budget is one of your concern, probably yes you can just grab any kinds of cheap affordable sunscreen. But if you're talking about how much you care about your skincare routine, which water base oil base serum moisturizers toners and essence, hey don't you dare to disregard your sunscreen ingredients. Sunscreen is the most important part of skincare. The UV ray would cancel out all your important benefits from your skincare routines, that's where sunscreen is here to save the day.

I've been using this for about 1 year? Finished 2 tubes (25g) and just bought another 2 tubes (60g). As far as I've concern, I haven't seen my skin undergo skin burn or any obvious tan.


Price: It's pretty pricey RM48 (~$12) for the 25g tube and RM97 (~$23) for 60g tube. But you can get some good deal during sales in drugstore. I got a 60g + 25g tubes for just around ~RM70 (~$17) and that was a steal! I've been using few other sunscreen before like Biore, Innisfree, Guardian, I can't remember what else but nothing really worked for me (judging from how quick I can tan). But still, it's not as pricey as high end sunscreens.

Ingredients: Water, Zinc Oxide, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methicone, Polysorbate 80, C30-45 Alkyl Methicone, Polysilicone-9, Xanthan Gum, C30-45 Olefin, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Let's see the ingredient lists. Most of the sunscreen out there just mix everything up and put effective ingredients in the middle of the list. You know, as long as it contains just Zinc / Titanium Oxide even as the last ingredient, that's enough to call it sunscreen?

Zinc Oxide - Common ingredient in sunscreeen. Photostable, effective, and safe for sensitive skin. (Source)

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate) - Octinoxate is a common and potent UVB absorber, meaning it’s effective for sun damage prevention. Combined with avobenzone, they can both provide great broad-spectrum protection against burns and aging. (Source)

Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T150) - Ethylhexyl Triazone is a new generation, chemical sunscreen (not available in the US due to impossible FDA regulations) that gives the highest photo-stable absorption of all available UVB filters today. (Source)

Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Trinosob S) - Found in chemical sunscreen. Tinosorb S can protect against UVB and UVA rays, long and short, making it one of the most ideal ingredients for sun damage prevention. Tinosorb also helps stabilize other sunscreen filters and is allowed in concentrations of up to 10 percent. To boost its efficiency and has yet to be connected to any high risk factors(Source)

Although Alcohol is the top 3 of the ingredients, it doesn't really bother me considering how effective it is with other sun protection ingredients.

Other experiment: An experiment made on 2019 comparing different brands of sunscreen and this is the result after washing off the sunscreen, the crown stickers show the most effective ones, with the darkest one being without sunscreen.



Will I buy it again? Definitely. It's the best drugstore sunscreen I've got so far. Price point it's definitely worth it. It also can work as primer. It has a little bit of white cast on my tan-dark skin but it's not too obvious. I think it just makes my skin looks healthier not like something is there.

Thank you for reading. :)

© AQILAH ALI
Maira Gall