Mango Garden Restaurant at Rumah Terbalik

The other day I was invited by Chloe to Mango Garden Restaurant for a food review! 

Mango Garden Restaurant is located at Rumah Terbalik Tamparuli. You will surely pass by Tamparuli if you are going to Kundasang so drop by and visit!

Tadah! The Rumah Terbalik (Upside down house)

Let's start  with the food!
First with the starters:

Tinutuk Mangga - RM5.50

Selected julienne young mango dresses with traditional fresh herbs, lime, shrimp paste and chili. 

I love mango and the sour and spicy taste is just right for my taste bud.

Nonsoom Bambanggan - RM5.50

Homemade preserved sweet, sour and salty bambangan fruit (Wild Mango) with bird's eye chili.

This is a traditional dish made by the natives in Sabah and I always love to try traditional food to get to know more about the cultural in Sabah. I like this dish but it's a bit salty for my liking and the owner explains that this batch of Bambanggan have not been fermented enough.

Hinava Sada - RM7.50

Freshly selected fish fillet marinated in lime juice, shallots, ginger, sliced chili and grated Badu (wild mango seeds).

This is a must try dish, very popular in Sabah and originated from Kadazan Dusun Tribes. 

I absolutely love the combination of sour, salty and spicy starters and Hinava is my favourite Sabah ethnic food of all! 

Tuhau Miampai Daging Salai - RM10.50

Char-grilled sliced beef marinated with Tuhau (Local Ginger Stem pickles), chili, lime, lemongrass and herbs.

This dish is taken during drinking session knows as Pamulas(titbits) but it's also delicious if taken with rice. 

Sup Tombol Ekor - RM12.50

A chef's specialty, tasty oxtail soup slowly braised with vegetables, local herbs and spices till perfection. 

The chef behind our delicious food

Sotong Bakar Masak Sambal Tomato - RM12.50

Barbeque marinated squid topped with a rich, sweet and spicy home made tomato sambal and onions.
This dish is a favourite dish of the Bajau Ubian tribes.

Sayur Rebung Masak Lemak Ikan Masin - RM10.50

Braised young bamboo shoots cook with herbs, fresh coconut cream and salted fish.
A rich and refreshing local vegetable dish which is usually eaten with either steamed white rice or boiled fresh tapioca.

Rendang Daging - RM13.50

Beef cubes slowly braised with local herbs, spices and thick coconut milk till soft and tender. 
A well known traditional Malay dish which is a must have during special occasions such as weddings and Hari Raya Open House Celebrations. 

Manuk Tinapah - RM13.50

Boneless chicken back quarter marinated with selected herbs and spices, rolled and barbequed to perfection, topped with delicious and thick coconut milk gravy. 
A fusion dish originated from the east coast of Sabah which is usually served during the breaking of fast in the holy month of Ramadan.

Ikan Goreng Sambal Hijau - RM12.50

Deep fried marinated fish top with tangy saute green chili sambal and shrimp paste. 
A Bugis' traditional dish which is commonly served during weddings or on special occasions. 

Sayur Kailan Masak Dua Rasa - RM10.50

Kailan served in two styles of preparation, deep fried and stir-fried with seafood, topped with crispy anchovies.
A fusion dish between the Bajau Semporna tribe and Chinese methods of cooking. 

Mango Smoothies - RM8.50

Your choice of either Banana, Strawberry, Mango, Avocado, Tradional Lassi or Papaya smoothies available.
Mango is their specialty!

Left: Kit Chai Sui - RM 3.50 (H) RM 3.90 (C)
Calamansi with Sour Plum
Right: Cucumber Apple juice - RM6.50

Both drinks are refreshing according to Chloe.

Interior of the restaurant

Buffet Area

Photos of Real people from various tribes in Sabah

By the way, the decorations( giant mirror) in the Restaurant is similar to one of the rooms in Rumah Terbalik (I can't show you any photos so imagine) XD

Inside Out

Spacious restaurant that can fit at least 40 person at a time.

Chocolate Blueberry cake, Berangan Banana Caramel Chocolate Cake, Casata With Kundasang Strawberry Compote & Sweet Mango Coulis - RM6.50 each

Chocolate Brownies, Apple Crumble Tart with Caramelized Chopped Nuts and Cheese cake - RM6.50 each

After that filling lunch, we can still eat all the desserts because it's just so good! The texture and taste of the cake is just right that keeps us wanting more.        

Freshly Brewed Rumah Terbalik Coffee - RM5.50 (H) RM6.00 (C)

Their very own in house coffee blend which has 3 types of selected coffee beans (Arabica, Robusta and locally grown Liberica) and is only available at Rumah Terbalik.

I truly enjoy the food review session with fellow bloggers: Chloe, Tom and Margaret.

Us bloggers and Rumah Terbalik owner and staff

We even tour Rumah Terbalik after that. We went on the bridge connecting to the house and Tom hit the Gong like a doorbell before we went inside.
 Check out the photos below!

Rumah Terbalik ( Upside Down House)

This unique house in Tamparuli would definitely turn your world upside down during your visit -literally!
The 'Rumah Terbalik' (which translates to Upside Down House) is the first of its kind in South East Asia and among the five upside-down structures in the world (3 are found in Europe and another in Japan).

That Kancil sure is so heavy 

The house was opened to the public in early February 2012 and has since been attracting visitors from near and far. The house itself is hard to miss, having been flipped upside down, with its floor facing skyward. Everything inside the house, from furniture to household appliances, hover above your head, as the ceiling is actually the floor.

Fancy going to a Upside Down Toilet? 

You will notice some distinguishing Sabahan decor and features showcased in this house. (There's even a fictional family staying inside the house!)

In the garage, a car is parked upside down. It might  seem disorienting in the first few seconds, but the fascination of it all takes over. This architectural wonder has also been includedin the Malaysian Book of Records for being the first of its kind in the nation. 

You can enjoy a meal at Mango Garden Restaurant or afternoon snack at Rumah Terbalik Cafe or pick up a souvenir at the Gift Shop. Guided tours are available.

Upside down garden! 

You can take photos at the Garage, Upside down garden and also upside down toilet! 

I am confused - upside down? 

Getting There

The house is located along Mile 21, Jalan Telibong, Tamparuli. The journey by road takes approximately 40 minutes. Taxis can take you from the city centre but be sure to make return arrangements as taxis on standby may not be readily available at this location.

Opening hours

Daily (including public holidays): 8:00am to 10:00pm

Admission fees

MyKad holders: RM10.00

Others: RM18.00

Students/Children below 12 years: RM5.00

Children below 3 years: Free of charge

** Kindly note that indoor photography is prohibited.

Contact details:

Tel : +6088 260263

Website : www.upsidedownhouse.com.my

Email : sales@trekkerslodge.com