Seafood restaurants

Sam Chai Seafood Cafe

3.8 419 reviews 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM No.10, Sematan Bazaar, Sematan, 94100, Kuching, Sarawak, 94100, Malaysia

Discover this place

Located in the heart of Sematan, Sam Chai Seafood Cafe stands out as a beloved seafood destination. Customers rave about its diverse selection of seafood dishes, from the delectable steamed shark head to the crispy ochien (oyster pancake). The dishes, noted for their generous portion sizes and freshness, showcase the high quality that keeps patrons returning.

While some reviews indicate a need for improvement in hygiene and service consistency, the majority express satisfaction with the dining experience. Highlights include the sea cucumber soup and salted egg squid, which consistently impress. The ambiance, enhanced by a picturesque view near the Sematan Waterfront, adds to the charm.

Despite its higher price point—around RM388 for four—the perceived value remains strong thanks to flavorful, abundant dishes. Overall, Sam Chai Seafood Cafe is recommended for seafood lovers craving an enticing meal in a relaxed setting. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this cafe is certainly a gem worthy of your culinary exploration.

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Amenities & More

Service options

Outdoor seating
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights

Great coffee
Great tea selection

Popular for

Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Dining options

Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Seating
Table service

Amenities

Restroom

Atmosphere

Casual
Trendy

Crowd

Groups
Tourists

Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with Sam Chai Seafood Cafe before visiting.

Reviews for Sam Chai Seafood Cafe

3.8

419 reviews

100%

91%

44%

18%

30%

Review highlights

Based on 419 reviews

Sam Chai Seafood Cafe in Sematan is widely appreciated for its fresh and flavorful seafood offerings, with many dishes praised for generous portions ideal for sharing. Patrons frequently highlight the variety of menu options available throughout the day, including unique items like oyster pancakes and sea cucumber soup. The quality and taste consistently meet expectations, often described as good value for money. While service is generally friendly, some feedback notes occasional lapses in staff enthusiasm. A recurring concern involves hygiene, particularly the presence of flies around the dining area, indicating a need for improved cleanliness to enhance the overall dining atmosphere. Despite this, the restaurant remains a popular choice in the quiet town of Sematan for seafood enthusiasts.

Jason Ong

Sep 18, 2025

Finally back to this restaurant after so many years. My first time pre ordered steam shark head. It was quite good and easy to chew. Sea crab was not as good as my last time here. As it gets cold easily. I suggest to place on a warmer to keep it steam and hot. There were some housefly flying around our food. We were busy keep them away. The restaurant should provide a hygienic and welcoming atmosphere. The price is higher than other seafood restaurants. 4 person spent RM388. They should upgrade the restaurant.

TCS 87

Sep 11, 2025

one of the best restaurants in Sematan, they have many food already even early in the morning

Maggie Tiong

Sep 01, 2025

We ordered lala soup, steam prawn, fried sotong, fried wu yu, shark skin and vege. All we're so delicious and no complain. The waitress's face is not the happiest but delicious food won't stop us from coming

Tiffanie Ng

Jul 01, 2025

We had a great seafood dinner, and we're glad they opened for dinner in the quiet Sematan town! My favourite here is their ochien aka oyster pancake So good! Crispy and generous serving of fresh fried oysters! Also loved their ginger pork! Yum Other dishes we ordered - sea cucumber soup, steamed white pomfret, salted egg squid, prawn omelette and stir fried midin. Service was friendly and prompt, but you do have to double triple check when ordering. Will return when we next go to Sematan.

Vivina Barbra

Jun 25, 2025

We had an amazing dining experience at Sam Chai Seafood Sematan! The food was served in good portions, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends. Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared. What I loved most was that the meal was truly worth the money. The quality of the seafood and the generous servings made it a great value, especially compared to other seafood restaurants. To top it off, the nice location added to the experience. Situated near the Sematan Waterfront, the restaurant offers a relaxing atmosphere with a beautiful view, making it a great place to enjoy a meal. If you’re in Sematan and craving delicious seafood, Sam Chai Seafood is definitely worth a visit! Highly recommended!

kevin koh

Jun 15, 2025

Good place to have dinner. Try fried squid, four beans, butter chicken and lala clam. Pretty tasty and not too salty.

Simmonette Tan

Jun 13, 2025

We stayed at a nearby Airbnb, instead of BBQ decided to skip the hassle and eat at this restaurant instead. Food was decent and really affordable for a seafood restaurant. For the 2 of us, we've ordered stir fry vegetables, salted egg sea crab (2pcs) and steamed scallops. Including rice and 2 drinks price came up to RM 104 (which was a steal for us)