Johor Bahru is a beautiful city, capital to the Malaysian state of Johor. It is also a gateway for exploration of Singapore since it’s so near. If you’ve never been to Johor Bahru, we’re pretty sure you have at least heard of LEGOLAND located there, or the other theme parks and a royal palace built by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866. However, let’s not forget that you can find amazing and unique Johor Bahru Food here as well. Don’t believe us?
Here are some of the best foods you cannot miss out on when you’re travelling to JB.
1. Fish Head Curry @ Kam Long Restaurant
When you’re in JB, you must not miss out on this local favourite dish, which is the fish head curry. It is only a five minutes walk from City Square to reach this place. Although this eatery has been in business for more than 30 years, many people still swarm this place for their signature dish: the fish head curry.
The serving comes in different sizes, perfect for when you’re eating alone or with a large group of friends. This dish is served in a claypot upon order. Diners who eat here will get a taste of that tender flesh of the red snapper, along with other vegetables in the curry such as long beans, cabbages, ladies fingers and tofu skin. We believe the hot, mildly spicy gravy of that curry on top of steamed white rice will send your tastebuds to paradise.
Address: 74, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – 8:00am to 4:00pm
Wednesday – 8:00am to 4:00pm
Thursday – 8:00am to 4:00pm
Friday – 8:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday – 8:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday – 8:00am to 4:00pm
Contact Information: 016-752 8382
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/pUZaBtbkd2MgEH4r7
2. Fish Ball Noodles @ Lai Kee Restaurant
Lai Kee Restaurant is also another local favourite as it serves up delicious fishball noodles. Although this humble shop may seem unassuming at first, the food there should not be underestimated. Diners can order the noodles dry or with a soup base. You can also choose from mee or kuey teow. With every order of fishball noodles, the dry noodles are coated with a mouth-watering sauce, topped with fish cake and lean pork slices, and served with a side of fish ball soup.
Another signature dish that visitors can order here is the fish cake or the fish cake wrapped in tofu skin. It tastes best when paired with the sweet sauce. With that said, this is another shop that visitors must not miss when travelling to JB. Another tip, you may have to wait a little longer during the peak hours because of the many customers dining here, but it will be worth it.
Address: Johor, Skudai, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Jalan Pahlawan 2, 邮政编码: 81300
Operating Hours:
Monday – 7:00am to 4:30pm
Tuesday – 7:00am to 4:30pm
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – 7:00am to 4:30pm
Friday – 7:00am to 4:30pm
Saturday – 7:00am to 4:30pm
Sunday – 7:00am to 4:30pm
Contact Information: 019-715 9866
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/rwCnkHjGW6iaX7td6
3. Roti Canai @ Bukit Chagar Roti Canai
Word on the street is Bukit Chagar serves up one of the best roti canai in town. Delicious, affordable and filling; roti canai is the favourite go-to meal for breakfast! Each dough is flipped into a round shape and fried till golden brown. A local favourite here is the pratha which is crispy on the outside, but soft on the inside. You can pair it with curry or dhal. If you want it a little more spicy, you can opt for extra sambal to be added in the middle.
This eatery is always filled with customers lining up to get their breakfast fix here. If you’re planning to visit, then you’ve got to be patient or come earlier. Only priced at RM1, it is affordable and delicious and will help you kick start your day.
Address: 394, Jalan Tengku Azizah, Bukit Chagar, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor
Operating Hours:
Monday – 6:45am to 11:00am
Tuesday – 6:45am to 11:00am
Wednesday – 6:45am to 11:00am
Thursday – 6:45am to 11:00am
Friday – 6:45am to 11:00am
Saturday – 6:45am to 11:00am
Sunday – 6:45am to 11:00am
Contact Information: /
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/LnSbi6MZE714MZPFA
4. Deep-Fried Durian Fritters @ Restoran Wah Cai 3-in-1 Chinese Cake
If you’re looking for unique and extraordinary food, you could also visit this place. What Wah Cai serves here is one of a kind and unheard of anywhere else! They are famous for their deep-fried, golden crispy durian with fragrant and steamy durian filling. That’s not all as visitors should also try their other fried items such as the fried 3-in-1 Chinese cake, fried cempedak, fried bananas, and curry puffs. Their signature, which is the 3-in-1 Chinese cake, is made up of sliced yam, sweet potato and Chinese cake or ‘nian gao’ sandwiched together and deep-fried.
As it is deep-fried on the spot, the food is best eaten while it is hot. However, this eatery invites in a long queue of loyal, and maybe even curious customers. Seeing what they have to offer, even our mouths start to water and we can’t wait to visit this place.
Address: 86, Jalan Pahlawan 2, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Skudai, Johor
Operating Hours:
Monday – 11:00am to 4:00pm
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – 11:00am to 4:00pm
Thursday – 11:00am to 4:00pm
Friday – 11:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday – 9:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday – 9:00am to 4:00pm
Contact Information: 019-750 5616
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/cNJ7jfYRFUuoFrXD7
5. Lamb Special Biryani @ 7 Spice Restaurant
If you’re craving a good Banana Leaf Rice meal, you should give 7 Spice Restaurant a try. Located at Jalan Bertingkat Skudai, this eatery will treat you to one of Johor’s best Indian cuisine. This restaurant is a clean, spacious and air-conditioned to give you a comfortable dining experience away from the heat. Besides that, they serve vegetarian-friendly dishes as well.
If you’ve never been to this eatery before, favourite local recommendations would be the Lamb Special Briyani. Diners can enjoy the juicy lamb pieces with fragrant Biryani rice. On top of that, visitors can also try out their Butter Chicken, Butter Naan Bread, and Tandoori Chicken with mint sauce. The Gobi Masala is also a must-try.
Address: G-01, Block 5, Jalan Bertingkat Skudai, Danga Bay, 80200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Operating Hours:
Monday – 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Tuesday – 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Wednesday – 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Thursday – 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Friday – 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Saturday – 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Sunday – 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Contact Information: 07-235 6969
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/uNP9ZM1w3wsh3EjT6
6. Chicken Chop @ IT Roo Cafe
Deemed to have one of the best crispy chicken chops in town, IT Roo Cafe is a must-visit eatery establishment. This cafe attracts many locals and tourists with their mouth-watering food and a homey ambience. Since the signature dish here is the chicken chop, diners can choose to have it grilled or deep-fried. You can also choose from black pepper sauce, BBQ sauce or mushroom gravy to pair with the chicken.
Each plate of chicken chop comes with potato wedges and coleslaw. If you’re looking for something extra, you can even add a sunny-side-up egg on your chicken. Although IT Roo might serve no-frills Western food, it is still one of the best places to go to for a hearty meal.
Address: 17, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Operating Hours:
Monday – 11:00am to 8:15pm
Tuesday – 11:00am to 8:15pm
Wednesday – 11:00am to 8:15pm
Thursday – 11:00am to 8:15pm
Friday – 11:00am to 8:15pm
Saturday – 11:00am to 8:15pm
Sunday – 11:00am to 8:15pm
Contact Information: 07-222 7780
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/xAf7jKmSkm68Mv7v6
7. Herbal Soup Kuey Teow @ Restoran Woon Kiang
Have you ever had Kuey Teow made by someone with over 80 years of experience? Restaurant Woon Kiang is the place to be for such a rare experience because they’ve spent ages trying to perfect this one dish! Their kuey teow isn’t your typical kuey teow either because it is usually eaten with herbal soup.
Although herbal soup kuey teow is their main dish, Restaurant Woon Kiang also prepares other Chinese dishes so customers can go ahead and order a full course of Chinese food. Some also recommend their braised duck and tea eggs because they’re incredibly flavorful and affordable! They’re the perfect accompaniment to delicious Herbal Soup Kuey Teow.
Address: Jalan Pandan 2, Taman Stulang, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor
Operating Hours:
Monday – 9:30am to 3:30am
Tuesday – 9:30am to 3:30am
Wednesday – 9:30am to 3:30am
Thursday – 9:30am to 3:30am
Friday – 9:30am to 3:30am
Saturday – 9:30am to 3:30am
Sunday – 9:30am to 3:30am
Contact Information: 07-220 0310
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/UP7zuHVYc1pCAa4e8
8. Chee Cheong Fun @G. Cheong Fun Restaurant
Established in 1999, G. Cheong Fun is a veteran in the art of making Chee Cheong Fun. Their Chee Cheong Fun is praised for being deliciously springy, thick and long. After all, “The longer, the better” is what some experts say. G. Cheong Fun also takes their speciality up a notch by offering special sauces ranging from curry, red sauce, and soy sauce.
Another menu item that G. Cheong Fun is known for is their Pork Skin Curry because it’s a guilty pleasure that is difficult to find elsewhere. The sinfulness of a fatty pork skin curry goes perfect with a side of Chee Cheong Fun that contrasts with an incredibly lighthearted flavour.
Address: 新山, 176, Jalan Pahlawan 2, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Skudai, Johor
Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – 6:30am to 4:00pm
Wednesday – 6:30am to 4:00pm
Thursday – 6:30am to 4:00pm
Friday – 6:30am to 4:00pm
Saturday – 6:30am to 4:00pm
Sunday – 6:30am to 4:00pm
Contact Information: 018-473 4118
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/DEVZdrMo8fqHo6A98
9. Kuih @ Restoran Min Corner
Are you looking for Kuihs, Chinese pastries or Malay food? Look no further because Restoran Min Corner is a 3-in-1 that is an expert in the local fare of snacks, desserts and cuisine. They’re also an incredibly popular venue operating since 1977, a testament to their success as a restaurant.
Entering Restoran Min Corner will surprise you because it’s filled with colourful desserts, kuihs, and snacks in their self-service display trays. You’ll also find warm meals such as nasi lemak, mee rebus, char kuey teow and many more on their menu. We can easily admit that Restoran Min Corner is the perfect representative of local flavours all under one roof!
Address: 110, Jalan Pahlawan 2, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Skudai, Johor
Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – 6:30am to 5:00pm
Wednesday – 6:30am to 5:00pm
Thursday – 6:30am to 5:00pm
Friday – 6:30am to 5:00pm
Saturday – 6:30am to 5:00pm
Sunday – 6:30am to 5:00pm
Contact Information: 012-768 1573
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/gaKh2LvwHLGzVJhu7
10. Braised Duck @ Baliban Braised Duck
Braised duck is a delicious side dish to have alongside warm piping hot rice. In fact, you can have this professionally crafted dish right at Baliban Braised Duck. Why do we call it professionally crafted? It’s because it’s challenging to obtain the right consistency of a cooked duck that isn’t too dry and packed with gamey-ness in flavour. However, Baliban Braised Duck begs to differ because their duck is guaranteed ultra-tender and super smooth without the gamey aftertaste.
Established in 1972, Baliban Braised Duck is a local favourite and go-to place for duck. Their braised duck is not the only star on the menu, but their braised pork leg is also a must-try. The head chef isn’t just a braised duck professional but an expert in the art of braising food!
Address: Johor, Johor Bahru, 6719409, MY JOHOR SKUDAI 1.5244786, 103邮政编码: 81300
Operating Hours:
Monday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Tuesday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Wednesday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Thursday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Saturday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Sunday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Contact Information: 017-763 2188
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/sAPQvpNV9ZR298UZ9
Did this list make you hungry? Wait no more and try these places out. While Johor Bahru is home to some famous attractions like the LEGOLAND theme park and beautiful buildings, visitors should not miss out on the food there either. Treat yourself to a hearty and fulfilling meal today.
