Danakan Grill Family Platter

We made good on our promise to try Danakan Grill, a new addition to the local dining scene that we missed on our last trip to the area. As we stepped in, the boss lady greeted us with a wide smile, remembering us from a month ago. That touch of hospitality already set the tone for the meal.

We went with the Happy Big Family Set (RM99), which she recommended as ideal for a group of four. There was supposed to be sotong, but they had run out. Instead, she offered to replace it with extra chicken, and we were more than happy to go along with it. What arrived was a feast - and then some.

A mountain of rice dominated the platter, but it was the other components that truly stood out. The fried chicken pieces were golden, crisp, and well-marinated, striking that balance between juicy and crunchy that makes you reach for more. In place of the sotong, we got a fried chicken burger.

The black pepper sauce that came with the platter was savoury and not the sweet kind, which I appreciated. Another surprise was the sambal. It was flavourful without being overpoweringly spicy, with a well-rounded umami depth.

The set came with a jug of syrup drink, which rounded out the meal nicely, especially in Sabah’s heat.

The portions were generous to a fault. We barely touched the rice because the chicken and grilled lamb and the accompaniment were more than enough to fill us up. For what it offered, the Happy Big Family Set is excellent value, and the personal touch from the owner made it even better.