Johor Food Trail: What’s Good in Johor Bahru

Mention the word “Johor” or “Johor Bahru” in general, some of the first things that popped into mind are Legoland Malaysia, Johor Premium Outlet and Sanrio Hello Kitty Town. However, this southern state of Peninsular Malaysia actually offers something more than just popular tourist attractions. So, what are the other attractions that can be found in Johor? Well, the short answer is food.

In the first part of “Johor Food Trail” series, we are going to explore some of the best eateries you should try in the capital city itself: Johor Bahru or otherwise known as JB. Without further ado, here is the list below.

1. Restoran Ya Wang

If you are a fan of roast duck, then Restoran Ya Wang (which is literally translated as “Duck King”) should be at the top of your food itinerary. In this popular Chinese restaurant, there are different types of roast duck you can choose from such as Normal Roast Duck and Peking Crispy Roast Duck. But no matter what, there is one roast duck you can’t afford not to try: the signature “Ten Herbal Roast Duck”. The roast duck is packed with a distinct flavour, thanks to the aromatic presence of herbal gravy soaked into the duck meat. Although the soaking method means you won’t be expecting the typical crispy skin, the mouth-watering combination of savoury herbal sauce and tender duck meat makes the dish all the more palatable. Not to mention, it’s the kind of dish best served with white rice.

Restoran Ya Wang is more than just a duck restaurant as they also served other dishes such as honey char siew (honey BBQ pork), roast chicken and seafood varieties. You can find this restaurant at Jalan Segget and Jalan Sutera 4 in Johor Bahru.

Address:

a) 28, Jalan Segget, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor (Tel: 07 224 8624 / 07 227 1633)

b) 2, Jalan Sutera 4, Taman Sentosa, 80350 Johor Bahru, Johor (Tel: 07 335 7653)

Operation Hours: Daily 8am - 6pm

Price Range: $$ out of $ $ $ $ $

* Non-halal

2. Ah Yong Beef Noodles @ Restoran Yong Mui / Tin & Tin (Cathay) Beef Noodle @ Restoran Shang Ji

Looking to crave a good bowl of beef noodles? In Johor Bahru, there are two shops worthy of a mention here: Ah Yong Beef Noodles at Restoran Yong Mui and Tin & Tin (Cathay) Beef Noodle.

Let’s start with the first one. Located at the corner shop lot of Restoran Yong Mui, Ah Yong Beef Noodles is best known for its signature Hainanese-style varieties. Served either in dry or soup version, Ah Yong’s Hainanese-style beef noodles are packed with scissor-cut beef such as tendon and tripe. If you order the dry version, the beef noodles are coated with Ah Yong’s very own thick black sauce and later topped with chopped spring onions and a handful of crunchy groundnuts. The dry version of beef noodles also comes with a side serving of herb-infused beefy broth.

Next up, it’s Tin & Tin (Cathay) Beef Noodle. Like Ah Yong Beef Noodles, this shop is also known for serving Hainanese-style version. Although you can order the soup variety, it is the dry version that topped the must-have list when you dine at Tin & Tin (Cathay) Beef Noodle. Here, there are four types of noodles you can choose from which include lai fun (thick noodle), kuey teow, yellow mee and mee hoon. The noodles are then doused with Tin & Tin’s signature dark sauce and topped with assorted ingredients including beef slices, fried shallots, ham choy (salted vegetables) and groundnuts. Served with a bowl of beefy broth on the side, the noodles are best eaten with the accompanied chilli dip.

Address:

a) Ah Yong Beef Noodles @ Restoran Yong Mui (149, Jalan Lumba Kuda, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor / Operation Hours: Mon-Tue & Thu-Sun 7am - 3pm)

b) Tin & Tin (Cathay) Beef Noodle @ Restoran Shang Ji (141-142, Jalan Lumba Kuda, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor / Operation Hours: Tue-Sun 7am - 2pm / Tel: 014 618 5189)

Price Range: $ out of $ $ $ $ $

* Non-halal

3. Restoran Ho Seng Kee

Ever encounter a plate of wanton mee where the noodle itself is ruined by alkaline taste? Fortunately, you won’t get that here in Restoran Ho Seng Kee. Located at the comfort of spacious and air-conditioned Johor Bahru City Square premise, Ho Seng Kee’s wanton mee is all specially handmade with chicken and duck eggs. On top of that, the noodles contain no artificial colouring as well as preservatives and best of all, they are made fresh on a daily basis! The wanton mee, which can be ordered in either dry or soup version, is served with thinly sliced char siew meat, wantons and chopped spring onions.

Address: Lot J6-07, Level 6, Johor Bahru City Square, No. 108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

Operation Hours: Daily 10am - 9pm

Contact Number: 012 710 7140

Price Range: $ out of $ $ $ $ $

* Non-halal

4. Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory

When you talk about banana cake, you can normally get them in bakery shops and supermarkets. So, what’s so special about the banana cake sold in Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory? Well, for a starter, this old-fashioned bakery shop has been around for almost 100 years since 1919 and still going strong until today. A favourite for many Johoreans, Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory is particularly famous for its signature banana cake. Now, unlike your average factory-made banana cake, Hiap Joo’s version is traditionally made using wood fire oven. Apparently, this old-school method gives the cake a distinctly spongy and moist texture. If that’s not enough, the cake is packed with strong banana aroma and has no artificial preservatives whatsoever. And if you happen to be there to purchase a box of banana cake, it’s best to consume them when they are still fresh and piping hot.

Address: 13, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

Operation Hours: Mon-Sat 7am - 6pm & Sun 9am - 1pm

Contact Number: 07 223 1703

Price Range: $ out of $ $ $ $ $

* Halal

5. Azmie Wawa

ABC, or better known as “Air Batu Campur” is dime a dozen. In fact, you can easily get this local dessert anywhere from most coffee shop to cafe as well as restaurant and food court. But indulging a scrumptious bowl of ABC is another question altogether. So, if you’re wondering the best place to crave ABC dessert, make your way to the food court of Kampung Melayu Majidee. Known as Azmie Wawa, this particular dessert stall is a hit among many Johoreans who can be seen queuing for the stall’s signature ABC dessert. Not only the ABC dessert is affordably-priced, the ice kacang itself is truly a mouth-watering heaven. Make sure you order their ABC Special, which topped with a scoop of ice cream. As for the mountain of shaved ice, you’ll get a generous heap of ingredients such as red beans, crushed peanuts, grass jelly, attap seeds and drizzled with colourful flavoured syrups.

Address: Medan Selera Kampung Melayu Majidee, Jalan Tebrau Lama, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor

Operation Hours: Daily 12pm - 11pm

Price Range: $ out of $ $ $ $ $

* Halal

Well, we have reached the conclusion for the first part of “Johor Food Trail” series. Till then, bon appetit and look out for more “Johor Food Trail” in the near future!