Mai Yai, Kota Kinabalu: Amazing Food and Sunsets

2018-03-26 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

Purple and yellow neon sign reading Maiyai Authentic Thai Cuisine against a cloudy sky

After finishing up both the architectural sightseeing and the resort lounging, I decided to grab dinner at Mai Yai with some dinner companions I barely managed to find. If you look at blogs about Kota Kinabalu, you'll inevitably see the "sunset + seafood" combo, and Mai Yai is exactly where you can experience it. Of course, every time I read those blogs,

I'd think, "Wow... I really want to go there too. Would it be weird to go alone? It would be so nice if someone asked me to go with them."

I kept repeating this to myself while staring at my tiny phone screen. When I heard it was on their itinerary, I practically begged, "Please take me with you!!" and barely managed to tag along. I really want to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to the two women from Jeolla-do...

Since it's such a popular restaurant, especially among Koreans, it was already fully booked before the sun even started to set. Seeing how this place was bustling while other pubs and restaurants were just opening their doors, I couldn't help but marvel once again at the diligence, earnestness, and seat-grabbing skills of my fellow Koreans.

After we barely managed to grab a seat, the women who graciously let me dine with them placed their order with the most easygoing attitude on the island. It was honestly amazing how they could just snap! snap! pick out dishes from such a massive menu. Thanks to them, ordering was a breeze, and we could relax and enjoy the sunset.

Landscape of boats floating on the sea with the sun setting through the clouds and a streetlamp standing on the right

Silhouettes of people in the foreground and boats floating on the sea under a cloudy sky at dusk

Anchored boats and the sea with sunlight shining through dark clouds reflecting on the water

Wooden exterior of a restaurant entrance with food photos attached and people sitting at outdoor tables — Ah! By the way, if you want to watch the sunset, you absolutely must bring sunglasses. Otherwise, you'll be squinting the whole time you're looking at the beautiful view.

Boats on the sunlit sea and the silhouette of a person posing in the foreground

Seascape with bright sunset light leaking through a long gap between dark rain clouds

Sunset landscape with the sun near the horizon reflecting on the water and silhouettes of several boats

Landscape of several boats floating and the sun setting through the clouds illuminating the sea

Dark silhouettes of anchored boats on the sea at dusk

Silhouettes of buildings in the distance and the sea under a sunset sky

Silhouettes of coastal buildings in the distance and the dark sea at sunset — They were all taken from the same spot so they look similar, but it was hard to choose just one. There's a reason the Kota Kinabalu sunset is called one of the top three sunsets in the world.

We barely talked and just stared at the sunset, then suddenly took photos like crazy, and then went back to staring blankly at the sunset until the food arrived. We tried to start a conversation then, but the food was so insanely delicious that we just kept reviewing the dishes and hardly talked at all. I finally understand why people praise this place so much. This is an absolute must-visit in Kota Kinabalu.

Dish of grilled shrimp on a black plate topped with plenty of thin yellow fried threads — Shrimp that needs no explanation

Fried rice served inside a hollowed-out pineapple half — Curry fried rice that had some mixed reviews

Restaurant table with pineapple fried rice, a shrimp dish, and a beer bottle

Plate of stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, served with bean sprouts and crushed peanuts

Grilled skewers and a sauce bowl on a plate

Eating a shrimp dish on a plate with a spoon and fork — Look at these invisible hand movements

Grilled shrimp and fried rice on a plate

Chef cooking food in the kitchen — Two thumbs up to the chef!!!

Outdoor terrace view showing the sea and boats at dusk

Below is the menu. I'm uploading it just in case anyone needs it. The prices aren't too expensive and there are so many different dishes, I felt like I was taking pictures of the menu all day.

English menu with appetizer items and food photos

English menu listing soup and Thai curry items

English menu page showing names and prices of deep-fried dishes

English menu page listing names and prices of egg and noodle dishes

English menu page showing types and prices of fried rice dishes

English menu page listing names and prices of whole grilled fish dishes

English menu page showing types and prices of crab and squid dishes

English menu page listing names and prices of tiger prawn dishes

English menu page showing types and prices of special seafood dishes

Expenses (conservatively, multiply by 300 to get the amount in KRW)

Transport to UMS RM 17
Transport to Blue Mosque RM 8
Cola RM 2
Transport to Jesselton Point RM 8
Boat to Manukan RM 30
Pineapple drink RM 12.5
Transport to accommodation RM 8
Dinner RM 123.25
Juice RM 2.35
Massage RM 110

Daily expenses: RM 321.1

Total trip expenses: 2,875,000 KRW + RM 1645.88