Fat Mom's Restaurant: Fresh Seafood & Authentic Chinese Cuisine

Fat Mom's Restaurant, nestled in the vibrant heart of Taman Bandar Semporna, Sabah, is a culinary gem for any seafood aficionado or lover of authentic Chinese flavors. This bustling eatery has earned its reputation by delivering an exquisite blend of fresh, flavorful seafood and expertly crafted Chinese dishes that capture the essence of local maritime bounty with a comforting, homestyle touch.

From the moment you step in, the lively and inviting atmosphere sets the perfect stage for a memorable dining experience. The restaurant hums with energy during dinner hours, a testament to its popularity among both locals and tourists seeking quality and value. Fat Mom's is especially renowned for its spectacular seafood selections — imagine delicately succulent jumbo tiger shrimp, whose juicy heads are infused with a rich, aromatic sauce that lingers pleasantly on the palate, as shared by delighted guests. The squid dish cooked in salted egg sauce offers an indulgent balance of creamy, savory notes with a slightly crispy texture, making it hard to resist even as leftovers.

Patrons frequently praise the freshness of the live seafood, including groupers, crabs, and shrimp, all brimming with oceanic flavors that testify to the restaurant's commitment to quality. The perfectly reasonable prices further enhance the dining appeal, with a large Carlsberg beer complementing the lively, seafood-centric menu without breaking the bank. Arriving early is wise, as prime seafood is often snapped up by the early evening, underscoring the restaurant’s strong reputation and well-earned popularity.

Beyond the food, the attentive and friendly service ensures that every visit feels personal and satisfying. Whether you’re in Semporna for a quick bite or a leisurely multi-night stay, Fat Mom's Restaurant promises a genuine taste of Sabah’s vibrant seafood culture combined with hearty Chinese cuisine—a truly rewarding culinary destination you’ll find hard to forget.

For reservations or inquiries, reach out at +60 17-904 4188 and prepare yourself for a delightful seafood feast that will keep you coming back for more.

No wheelchair-accessible car park

Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in

Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining

Accepts credit cards

Michel Cheung

02/10/2025

Seafood here is really fresh and very tasty. Pretty busy during dinner time. Price is very decent and fair for being tourism place. Really recommend this place.

DR. ALVIN TUNG

05/09/2025

Since watching so menu guests come to eat at Fat Mom's on YT I have been looking forward to this meal for some time and the food did not disappoint! The jumbo tiger shrimp were magnificent, like small lobsters! The head was very juicy and sauce was very flavourful. Squid with salted egg was magnificent. We couldn't finish so brought then back to the hotel. Hours later, cold, soft and chewy... they were STILL amazing! When fresh, they were light, crispy and tender. The veggies stir fried with belacan were well done although nothing extraordinary. They have an EXTENSIVE seafood menu and inventory. Drinks were also refreshing and tasty. Price was reasonable and a good value. This restaurant fills up very quickly so coming early or making reservations is highly highly recommended. It is the most famous restaurant in town after all! Overall, the food was great and Fat Mom had a nice smile while working quietly preparing veggies. The staff were very attentive and provided great service. 2nd day in Semporna, 2nd meal at Fat Mom's and another FABULOUS meal. Especially after a whole day under the sun snorkeling, there's no better way to finish the day than with a big seafood feast at Fat Mom's! We even met a new friend from Ireland on the excursion and invited her to join us for supper and show her how good the food is! She loved every dish and in fact the sotong with salted egg was so good the day before I had to order it again! All of the dishes were magnificently cooked again! Afterwards we were able to spend significant time chatting, taking photos and trading contacts with Fat Mom that made it just the most perfect experience! Looking forward to making it 3 for 3 tomorrow! Our third meal in 3 days at Fat Mom's was the absolute BEST but not so much because of the food. That is a given! All of the seafood and vegetables were incredibly fresh as Fat Mom goes to the market to purchase the ingredients PERSONALLY every day. One of the highlights is their signature tofu which is a humble dish but masterfully prepared. The reason why this was the BEST of our 3 meals was because Fat Mom recognized us right away and came over to say hello and joined us for dinner and regaled us with stories and deep conversation for the better half of our meal! We got to know her a lot better and discovered that in the eight and a half years she has been running the most popular restaurant in Semporna, she is also very humble, kind and generous philanthropist in town taking good care of her employees and she cares for (veterinary fees, regular food donations to dog pound, etc) and feeds most of the stray dogs in town EVERYDAY! In fact, the best meal is served at closing time at the back of the restaurant! All of the neighborhood strays know to come or a tasty meal of rice and chicken courtesy of Fat Mom! This was easily one of our most memorable dining experiences and the cherry on top most once I mentioned how amazing her homemade hot sauce was, she quickly went to the back and prepared a large bottle for me to take home as a souvenir, courtesy of Fat Mom! Honestly, the world needs more people like her! Already looking forward to coming back! Thanks for the memories!

Benny Lam

31/08/2025

If U Love/Like Live SeaFood, highly recommend FatMom’s. V stay in Semporna for 3Nights do all our Dinner here. Fresh seafood, Great Services n Value for Money. Fast n Good, reasonable prices. Live Groupers, Shrimp, Crabs cost MR120 with a Large Carlsberg Beer too. Come earlier, sitting full by 6Pm n 7Pm most Good Live Fish, Crabs, Shrimps all Sold Out…. 5x

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