Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu: An Upscale Dining Experience in the heart of Sabah

The debut of Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu also saw the entry of a new level of dining experience in downtown Kota Kinabalu. Together, ON22 restaurant and ON23 bar offer guests a myriad of creative flavours, alongside mesmerising views from day to night. From the immersion of the vibrant local Sabahan palate to the experimentation of flavours in creative and unique beverages, the exclusive menus here are curated especially for savvy explorers and food adventurers.

Featuring indoor and outdoor patio seating, ON22’s ‘Dining in the Gardens’ theme showcases three distinct spaces: ‘Sea-Forest,’ framed with sweeping sights of the sea and the lush hills; ‘Wood Garden,’ where the décor and greenery is inspired by the tropical rainforest in Borneo; and ‘Dry Garden’ with its large boulders, stone floors and cinnamon-coloured wooden panels, which pay tribute to Sabah’s rich biodiversity and the mighty Mount Kinabalu.

With a live kitchen headed by the versatile and illustrious Executive Sous Chef, Ho Jun Yip, also affectionately known as Chef Jun, the menu at ON22 is a delight for all foodies as it’s an invitation to a multitude of tastes. From locally-inspired dishes like Lamb Shank Rendang, Cheeky Masaman, to Asian interpretations like Curry Cauliflower, Grilled Sweet Miso Pumpkin and other delights like Grilled Chili Lobster Pasta and Salmon Laksa, guests are truly spoilt for choice. These sumptuous dishes have been curated to be best enjoyed through a sharing experience.

Chef Ho Jun Yip

With a masterchef at the helm of the kitchen, it’s no wonder that ON22 is currently ranking high on the local must-visit list. Chef Jun personifies the saying ‘Jack of all trades’ when it comes to cooking. A graduate of Taylor’s University Kuala Lumpur with a Diploma in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s Degree in F&B Management, Chef Jun started his career with an internship in an Asian restaurant in France. From there, Chef Jun sharpened his calibre, honed his business and team management skills and cooking finesse in both fine-dining and casual restaurants in both Malaysia and Singapore including the renown Lafite Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur and one Michelin star Corner House restaurant in Singapore.

His carefully curated and personalised menus embody the hotel’s way of ensuring shared worthy experiences. With a unique style of having an open-communication kitchen, where everyone of all ranks are encouraged to speak up, he and his team have created a Modern Asian inspired cuisine. This menu takes local flavours and enhances them with modern cooking techniques to create a playful yet contemporary dining experience for all guests.

Chef Jun says, “We want to take the dining experience here in Kota Kinabalu to the next level. With the location being so ideal for seafood, we also want to make it sustainable by supporting local suppliers and fishermen. At present, we aim to import less as we want our guests to truly experience the taste of Kota Kinabalu through their dining.”

ON23 Sky Bar

Catch the spectacular sunset or end the evening with a nightcap with perfectly crafted cocktails accompanied by creative snack sharing platters by heading up the striking, spiral staircase to ON23, a cool sky bar conveniently located on the 23rd floor. It features stunning panoramic views of the islands and sea, making it the perfect location to snap unforgettable shots during the golden hour. The full dining experience is further elevated by the visually striking design of the restaurant which incorporates the natural beauty of Sabah, and to complement the lively atmosphere is the vibrant and fun attire of the service team with bold, eye-catching prints as a fun conversation piece.

The beverage menu features a wide range of thirst-quenching drinks including signature cocktails like Haus Bah! and Citrus Market which have been carefully curated with the traditional and locally sourced rice wine. Fans of classic cocktails will not be disappointed as the usual Negronis, Long Island Teas, Mojitos, Aperol Spritz and more are also available. If cocktails are not your preference, there is also a great wine list, draught beer and cool selection of mocktails, soft drinks, local craft soda, juices and iced tea concoctions.

For more information, please visit www.hyattcentrickotakinabalu.com or call +60154 874 1234.