We are taking you to another food adventure around Johor bahru with the hopes that only good food will enter your mouth, down the oesophagus and being process by your stomach.
The insider’s guide to the best local food places in Johor bahru will bring you to places only Johorean knows best and has been keeping a secret from outsiders till today.
To those who are visiting JB for the weekend and wanted something authentic and not those hipster list; well look no further as we have compiled a list of places you MUST visit and taste their scrumptious food in order to know what JB is like.
So without further ado, here are 15 places you must visit when you’re in JB.
1. Roti Canai Mat Salleh
There are a lot of Roti Canai stalls in Johor Bahru as besides Nasi Lemak, Roti canai is considered to be a staple food among many Malaysian.
Its smooth and crispy roti canai will definitely love everyone wanting more. Those who loves roti canai which can be eaten as so or with their curry then roti canai mat salleh is the place to go. Apart from that they also serve Nasi lemak and Mee Goreng but we would definitely recommend their Roti Canai
A: Jalan Pingai (Opposite Pelangi Leisure Mall)
2. Asam Pedas lama jadi baru (Asam Pedas Botak)
Now every Johorean should know Asam Pedas botak as it is not only a popular spot among locals and foodie as well. The famous asam pedas botak has been visited by numbers of popular public figure like the Sultan of Johor.
It is imperative for one to taste their famous asam pedas which is packed with wholesome flavour which are a prefect balance of sweet, sour and spicy. The next thing one should order is their Ikan goreng Senangin which ensues a perfect balance of salty and sweet and of course their Otak-otak which will leave you craving for more.
Asam Pedas botak is definitely the place to go during lunch but remember to come earlier and take a seat because it will be packed with humans who are craving for their asam pedas.
A: 142, Jalan Lumba Kuda, Bukit Chagar, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
M: 07 224 9225
3. Tip Top Ikan Bakar
Another place on the list of everyone should visit is Ikan Bakar Tepian Tebrau. One of the best places to have anything grilled, Ikan bakar tepian is the place to go.
Tip top ikan bakar will leave you wholesomely satisfied with their food. One of the thing to order here is their grilled sting-ray which is packed with onion and their secret ingredients, salted egg crab and their sweet and sour lala.
I do recommend everyone to Tip Top Ikan Bakar for a great dinner experience with the family but be warned though as it tend to get packed with people.
A: Gerai 11, Jalan Mohd Amin, Sri Gelam, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
M: 016 783 6966
4. Mee Rebus Haji Wahid/Mee Rebus Zainal
The next place on our list of of best local food in Johor Bahru is Mee Rebus Haji Wahid/ Mee Rebus Zainal. Now for a side history information, Mee Rebus Haji Wahid and Mee Rebus Zainal belongs to the same family but they ventured out with different names.
Although the name is different yet both of this places stick to their original recipes which is a thick and creamy kuah mee rebus. You can’t practically tell them apart but I prefer the Mee Rebus Zainal as they always give me extra of their homemade keropok which adds a crunchiness towards their scrumptious mee rebus.
Those who are looking for a food that defines johor bahru, Mee rebus haji wahid/ mee rebus zainal is definitely it.
A: L1.2 Plaza Angsana, Pusat Bandar Tampoi, 81200, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (Mee Rebus Hj Wahid)
A: 89, Jalan Keris, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (Mee Rebus Zainal)
M: 07 235 0443 (Mee Rebus Hj Wahid)
M: 07 334 1325 (Mee Rebus Zainal)
5. Ais Kacang Tan Kee (Rojak and Char Kwee)
If you’re visiting Johor bahru on a hot day than turn to Ais Kacang Tan Kee for a cool down. We would definitely recommend Ice Kacang Koko, Ice jagung and also their Ice jelly.
Our favourite is their Ice jagung lebih susu that is filled with creamy goodness. Their ice kacang koko is definitely a must try here as well. Apart from their famous Ice Kacang, their Rojak and Youtiao is the next thing you have got to try.
Smothered with rich peanuts sauces, their rojak and youtiao will leave you back for more.
A: Jalan Biru (stall in hawker centre opposite San Low seafood restaurant), Taman Serene, Johor Bahru (Taman Pelangi outlet)
A: Menara Tjb, Jalan Syed Mohamed Mufti, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (Istana Bukit Serene outlet)
6. Tomyam Malaysia (Tomyam Kak Mek)
At first we were quite apprehensive of putting this in our list but after hearing comments from a friends of ours saying that “it was the best food in the entire world”, we have to include it is.
Tomyam kak Mek brings a whole new meaning to delicious street food. Imagine tom yam at Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur but with cheaper and delicious food. I highly recommend for you to eat their Sotong Goreng Tepung because their fried squid is full of crunchiness flavours.
Apart from their sotong goreng tepung, Kak mek tomyam makes the best tom yam soup which will cure your blocked nose in matters of minutes.
A: 28, Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa, Johor Bahru.
7. The Grand Straits Garden
Those with extra money and craving for really good Chinese seafood place then the Grand Straits Garden is the place to be. It may look like an ordinary seafood place from the outside but the place will marvel you with its food.
One of its speciality is their green apple sauce fish that will leave you licking the plate off. The perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy and crunchy from this particular dish will leave one stomach feeling full and happy.
Other dishes that one must try is their salted egg calamari, black pepper venison and for dessert their chilled longan with sea coconut.
A: 3, Jalan Persiaran Danga, Kawasan Danga Bay, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
M: 07 238 8118
8. Restoran Yeo Sekeluarga
If you’re tight on budget, the next best thing for a great seafood place is Yeo Sekeluarga restaurant. The place is located at Gelang Patah whereby you could hear the water waves as you indulge in their food.
The menu of the this place is the same as any seafood place but their speciality will be their hong kong styled steamed fish. This salty and sweet dish is definitely their go to dish accompanied by their kangkung belacan.
To those who wants to catch a glimpse of sunset, Yeo’s sekeluarga will offer you a spectacular view with a cheaper rate for seafood.
A: Jalan Tanjung Kupang, Kampung Pok, 81550 Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia
M: 07 507 3210
9. Restoran Sup Anis
To those who are looking for the traditional Malay kuih for tea time, Restoran Sup Anis is the place to go.
Although customers would have a hard time locating a parking spot, its colourful variety and delicious kuih will make be worth all the trouble. We’re are also fan of their mee hoon goreng wrapped in banana leaf.
Asides their delicious kuih muih and mee hoon goreng, Restoran Sup Anis is the place to go for to those who wish to have nasi lemak during tea time. The tips that we have for our readers when visiting Sup Anis is to come a bit later, around 5.30pm as their beef soup (which will only serve after 5.30 pm) is one of the dish that one must try.
A: Kg Melayu Majidee, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
10. Goreng Pisang Mawar
Located opposite of Dataran Bandaraya, Johor Bahru, Goreng Pisang Mawar is the place to go for some crunchy banana fritters. You will fell in love with the rustic place whereby a you can actually see the frying of the bananas.
There a saying that when in rome do as the Romans do and when you’re in Johor you eat pisang goreng like the Johoreans do. Just take a piece of banana fritters and dipped in their sambal kicap. The taste of spicy and sweet mixed with the crunchiness of the banana fritters will leave you wanting more.
A: No.888, Jalan Sungai Chat, Johor, Malaysia, 80100, Malaysia
M: 019 754 9595
11. Otak-Otak Jalan Storey/Otak Shiduoli
Now this is one of the stall many even Johorean do not know about. Otak-otak Jalan story is the place to go for a great Otak-otak.
Their moist and succulent fish will put other otak-otak to shame. The best thing about their oak-otak is that it could be eaten with almost anything but for us we always eat the otak-otak with nasi lemak as it filled us up for the rest of the day.
A: Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru
12. Yong Tau Foo Aris JB
Thinking of having something soupy for dinner but doesn’t want to go anywhere expensive? Yong Tau Foo Aris JB is the place to go.
Located at intersection between Larkin Perdana and Kampung Melayu, this stall has been there for more than 30 years. Its variety of fresh seafood will make one wide eyes and indecisive of what to pick. Fret not as the most important part of the yong tau foo is the soup and its soup is the best in Johor.
To those whom says that yong tau foo is not filling enough, don’t you worry as they serve delicious nasi goreng kampung topped with telur goyang.
A: Kampung Melayu Majidee, 80350 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
13. Mee Wantan Serambi Uda
Mee Wantan Serambi Uda is the next food place on our list that one must definitely try when in Johor Bahru. Located at Jalan Padi, Serambi Uda is the place to go for breakfast.
One of their specialty is their mee wantan kering which is packed with shredded chicken and wantan soup. Their wantan soup is full of wholesome flavours which one will be craving for more.
We highly recommend their mee wantan kering to anyone who is new to Johor Bahru and have no idea where to get breakfast.
A: 2-26, Jalan Padi 2, Bandar Baru Uda, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
14. Kedai Minuman Kok Yow Yong
It has been relatively hot nowadays so why not head to Kedai Minuman Kok Yow Yong for a cold down. This stalls has more than 100 years worth of history and has been a family secret recipes for ages.
Their chrysanthemum tea is highly recommended as it is not too sweet for the taste bud and perfect to cool down your body in this hot and dry season.
A: 131, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
15. Soto Madu Tiga Skudai
The last on our list of the best food place to go and eat is Soto Madu Tiger Skudai. Yes, we know the name is very interesting isn’t it?
Those who crave for real good soto then soto made tiger skudai is the place to go. The ingredients which are fresh and the soup which is packed with flavours is definitely the go-to soto in Johor bahru.
Be warned as does get crowded in the morning and so do prepare to queue for your bowl of hot, wholesome soto.
A: Skudai Kiri, Johor Bahru (near to CIMB Jalan Skudai Kiri)
There you go readers, these are the 15 best places in Johor Bahru when you’re in the mood for some jalan-jalan cari makan. We hope by following this list, you’ll have an memorable gastronomic adventure. Enjoy!
