Johor Bahru Food Guide

Any recommendation for good food in Johor Bahru?
Here are some great food in Johor that I've personally tried and enjoyed!




monsoontnl map

Top Best Food in Johor by Area

Near Customs

华美茶餐室
131, Jalan Trus (intersect with Jalan Dhoby)
Tel: 07-224 7364
Recommendation: Chicken Chop

金龙咖喱鱼头 Kim LongCurry Fish Head
Near City Square
19 Jalan Wong Ah Fook, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

協裕麵包西 Hiap Joo Bakery and Biscuit Factory
13 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
Recommendatio: Bread, banana cake

Sweet Banana
Jalan stulang darat (opposite Jalan Perdana)


Taman Pelangi / Taman Sentosa / Taman Sri Tebrau
三楼干米粉 (4*)
No 33, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru
Tel 07-334 0589
Recommendation: fried Bee Hoon, 干香魚頭，招牌豆腐

Swee Ang (瑞安炖汤)
70, Jalan Kuning, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru
Recommendation: 螃蟹碗, 卤汁粉肠

北京海鲜楼 Restaurant Pekin (Sentosa)
No 38 Jalan Daidu Lima, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru
Tel: 07-333 2928, 332 0902

顺发 Restoran Soon Soon Huat
236, Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel 012-7639777
Recommendation: Bak Ku The, preserved vegetables, pig trotter

金都 Kimdo BBQ
Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa (opp. The store)
Tel: 07-333 2209
Recommendation: Chicken wing, fish, oyster mushroom

飘香 瓦煲鸡饭 Kedai makan Kee Kim Huat
No 80 Jalan Badik Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru
Tel: 016-7552211
Recommendation: Claypot rice


East Johor
亿家海鲜 YiJia Seafood restaurant
No 17, 19,23, Jalan Setia 9/17, Taman Setia Indah, 81100 Johor Bahru
Tel: 07 359 7782
http://www.yijiaseafood.com

You Kee XO Restaurant (有记XO) @ Johor Bahru
93, Jalan Pendekar 2, Taman Ungku Aminah, 81300 Skudai Johor Bahru.
Tel: 075543879, H/P: 016-7718802
83 Jalan Dedap 7, Taman Johor jaya
http://www.youkeexo.com.my/

桂苑Gui Yuan Restaurant (Dim sum) - 4*
27 Jalan Dedap 8 Taman Johor Jaya Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia
Cheap and nice (although not exquisite)

On Kee Restaurant 安记楼
No. 84, 86 & 88, Jalan Permas 10, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Johor Bahru.
Tel : +607-3882261

Restaurant TKK (Seafood) 天公仔海邊海鮮村
N1 28.606 E103 50.728. Lot 684, Kampung Teluk Jawa
Recommendation: Salted Egg Crabs, Claypot Drunken Prawn, Hotplate Tou-Fu, Sweet Sour Squids

Tampopo

There is always a long queue outside the restaurant during dinner time. Without reservation, you will be given a self-made paper number tag and asked to wait.  Wonder why we did not make a reservation before we come.

Their specialty is black pig. We ordered there signature Black Pig Ramen.  The broth boiled from pork bones is quite nice, with lots of chilli flakes.  The portion is actually a bit small, with only a few pieces of pork, bamboo shoots and cabbage.

Black Pig Ramen
Rating: 3.75/5

Another signature dish is the Black pig cutlet.  The cutlet is nicely deep fried and crispy.  The pork within seems layered instead of one whole piece and is still juicy after the deep frying.

Black Pig Cutlet
Rating: 3.5/5

 

 
We were seated at the table with the delivery conveyor belt and an electronic ordering system.  This delivery belt is different from the usual sushi conveyor belt as its supposed to be deliver selected food items from the kitchen directly to your table. 
 
Whatever we've ordered cannot be delivered through the conveyor belt, for practical and safety reasons. To try out this cool thing, we decided to order an additional salmon & roe handroll with the help of the waitress.  We got busy trying to find the best spot to take a video, studying the direction and speed of the conveyor belt. We get our camera all ready and waited patiently for the handroll to come. After a while, the handroll was delivered to us, but ... by a waitress?!  We can't help but check with the waitress why it was not delivered to us with the conveyor belt, she just casually point to the small light attached to the table and said "Red light means its not working".
 
Hey, they should have informed us in the first place! Especially when we enthusiastically enquiry about the electronic ordering machine and what can be delivered using the conveyor belt. Was really irritated by their attitude and poor service.

Delivery Belt

Well, to complete the task, we just take a picture with the handroll on the belt and pretend that it was delivered to us using the conveyor belt.  Pathetic...

Liang Court Shopping Centre

#01-23/24, 177 River Valley Road S(179030)
Tel: 63383186
Mon-Sun: 11.30am-10.00pm

Paradise Inn - 313@Somerset (樂天客棧)

We were at 313@Somerset looking for value for money lunch set. Only managed to come across the Paradise Inn at basement 3 after we had our lunch. We were quite attracted by their Seasons of Paradise set lunch and decided to come back again another day.

Finally we are here at Paradise Inn 313@Somerset today. Paradise Inn is part of the Paradise Group of Restaurants. Its a casual dining concept offering traditional and popular chinese cuisine, fruit fusion tea and variety of desserts.  To me, I interpret casual dining as affordable or cheap dining and I am truly satisfied with this meal.

Paradise Inn

The settings in the dining area are quite nice for casual dining. We get to choose a more spacious table as there isn't a lot of customers. If it gets crowded, believe you may need to sit side by side with strangers.

Dining Area

Seasons of Paradise are the first individual set lunch for Chinese cuisine offered by Paradise Inn @$11.80++ (U.P $15.80++).  Didn't really sight any use of ingredients that really goes according to the seasons, just pick the dishes you like.  Each set comes with a choice of double-boiled soup. It was an easy decision, we ordered the Summer and Autumn Lunch sets.

Seasons of Paradise Set Lunch

You can top up another $1.50 (U.P $4.20) for a choice of fruit-infused iced tea (水果冻茶).  We picked Rosy Vanilla Iced Tea (玫瑰与香草兰冻茶) and Lychee Mojito Iced Tea (荔枝与薄荷冻茶). Rosy Vanilla Iced Tea is a soothing blend of rose extract, vanilla and earl grey tea with some rose buds on top of the foamed tea. This drink is a bit sweet with a strong scent of rose. Didn't really taste the vanilla.

Lychee Mojito Iced Tea is quite nice, not too sweet.  I like the fact that the mint is not over-powering, well balanced with the lychee taste. From the menu, its tropical lychee and mojito with Earl Grey tea which is supposed to be an invigorating drink perfect to chill the summer heat. Wondering what's "Mojito"? Here's the description from Wikipedia -  A Mojito is traditionally made of five ingredients: white rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime, sparkling water and mint.

 Rosy Vanilla Iced Tea (玫瑰与香草兰冻茶)
and Lychee Mojito Iced Tea (荔枝与薄荷冻茶)
Rating: 3.5/5

Summer Set consists of Sliced Smoked Duck, Crisp-fried Crystal Prawns with Wasabi Mayo Dressing, Poached Chinese Spinach with Egg Trio in Superior Stock, Stir-fried Curly Noodle "Hong Kong" style and sliced Osmanthus Jelly.

Sliced Smoked Duck (熏鴨片). Though the sliced duck is not juicy, but it goes with the refreshing cucumber, with a smoky fragrant and the salty and sweet sauce.

Sliced Smoked Duck (熏鴨片)
Rating: 3.75/5

Crisp-fried Crystal Prawns with Wasabi Mayo Dressing (青芥末蝦球).  This Wasabi Mayo Prawn is also an item in Taste Paradise signature trio (pan-seared Foie Gras, Wasabi Mayo Prawn and Bejing duck) which cost more than the Summer lunch set.  You can taste the crispness and freshness of the fried prawn and the well balanced "hotness" of the wasabi and sweetness of the creamy mayo.
The watermelon base is not complimenting the dish, I suppose its for clearing the taste bud before moving onto another cuisine.

Crisp-fried Crystal Prawns with Wasabi Mayo Dressing (青芥末蝦球)
Rating: 4.25/5

Stir-fried Curly Noodle "Hong Kong" style looks simple and good. Can't say much as I only get to eat a tiny bit of leftover, which is less than a mouthful. But I would have to say that the small mouthful is enough to convince me that its good.

Stir-fried Curly Noodle "Hong Kong" style (樂天炒麵)

Poached Chinese Spinach with Egg Trio in Superior Stock (金銀蛋浸莧菜) taste quite good as well. The difference between this and other poached chinese spinach egg trio is maybe the additional minced pork which adds more flavour to the stock.



Poached Chinese Spinach with Egg Trio in Superior Stock (金銀蛋浸莧菜)
Rating: 3.5/5

 For the soup, we get the double-boiled spare ribs and sea whelk.  Was a bit disappointed as its a bit salty.

Autumn Set comes with Sweet and Sour Pork with Lychee, Crisp-fried Prawns with Fluffy Pork Floss, Poached Lettuce with Supreme Soya Sauce, Supreme Seafood Fried rice, Sliced Osmanthus jelly. For the choice of soup, we get the double-boiled Spare Ribs and Winter Melon.

Autumn Set

Crisp-fried Prawns with Fluffy Pork Floss (肉鬆蝦球) tastes heavenly. I like this more than the Wasabi Mayo prawn. You can taste the different texture - fluffy pork floss, creamy mayo, crispy and springy prawn. I can't deny that the taste is a bit complicated and it may get a bit "jalut" if you eat more. But with only one precious piece in the set, its only right that it should give its best shot and thus the full-bodied taste. Yum yum.

Crisp-fried Prawns with Fluffy Pork Floss (肉鬆蝦球)
Rating: 4.5/5

Sweet and Sour Pork with Lychee (荔枝咕噜肉).  The pork is fried to perfection and is still crispy with the sweet and sour sauce. I have to admit that I realised that this is lychee sweet and sour pork only after seeing the one and only piece of lychee on the plate. Besides lychee, there is still the usual pineapple, onion, capsicum included in the dish.



Sweet and Sour Pork with Lychee (荔枝咕噜肉)
Rating: 3.5/5

 Poached Lettuce with Supreme Soya Sauce (玻璃生菜) and the double-boiled Spare Ribs and Winter Melon (冬瓜燉排骨湯) are normal. The Supreme Seafood Fried rice (海鮮皇炒飯) is a bit disappointing.  Its quite dry and is really not up to the usual fried rice standard of a chinese restaurant.

Supreme Seafood Fried rice (海鮮皇炒飯)
Rating: 3.25/5

Sliced Osmanthus jelly (飄香桂花冻) is a soft jelly dessert.  Its not sweet and has some floral or herbal taste which we couldn't quite appreciate.

Osmanthus jelly (飄香桂花冻)
Rating: 3/5

The whole bill comes to only $32. Can't believe that we are spoiled with all the variety of fine Chinese cuisine at only $32! Will definitely be back for more, before the promotion ends.  Great Lunch deal!


Paradise Inn (樂天客棧)
313@Somerset  
#B3-39/40
Tel: 6733 0348
website: http://www.paradisegroup.com.sg/ParadiseInn/index.html

Refer to my previous blog on Paradise group
- Taste Paradise (ION)

Bimi Kaiho Restaurant - 美味海鵬

A small japanese restaurant at one corner of International Plaza. Don't think we can find this restaurant if there is no one to recommend and show the way.

I think the restaurant is run by a Japanese guy and his chinese wife.  Believe the food is quite authentic and that's why you will always find a few japanese among the customers having dinner and drinking sake. 

Japanese menu hanging on the wall

whole row of japanese wine

Restaurant is small and setting is simple, it can accomodate at most 20-30 customers. There is a japanese menu hanging at the counter. On the counter, you will also be able to see a long row of japanese wine bottles with names of the customer written on the bottles. Good gesture of the restaurant to help their regular customers to store their unfinished wine for next visits.

Cha Soba Set
Rating: 4/5

My favourite in this restaurant is the Cha Soba set. Usually i will request to change all the sushi to Salmon, with an additional cost. Their sushi taste great, the fish is fresh and the amount of rice is just enough to complement the fish.  The chawanmushi is soft and you can taste the stock flavour, unlike the bland chawanmushi elsewhere.

Dinner Set - chicken karaage + grill fish (Pacific Saury)
Rating : 3/5

Dinner set which u can choose any 2 items within the list, we picked chicken karaage and grill fish.  A bit disappointed with the chicken karaage as its not hot when served. The grill fish is nice, but need to be careful as there are lots of bones.

The set meal are quite affortable, range from $15 to 20+.


10 Anson Road
#02-28 International Plaza
Singapore 079903
Tel: 6220-2262
Opening Hours : 11:30~14:30hr, 18:00~22:00hr
Closed on Sunday & PH

TWG

ION TWG is just next to the ION taxi stand (which is outside of CBD). Had always been attracted by the lush and impressive looking cafe when we pass by. During tea time, there is always see a long queue in the shop waiting for a seat. Since there is no reservation for tea time, we make a reservation for lunch instead to avoid the queuing.

TWG Tea Salon & Boutique

The cafe is actually quite small, with almost half of the space used for store front, there isn't much space left for the dinning area.  Its actually quite camped in the dinning area, when seated, the back of the chairs are actually touching each other. The ambience is quite nice though, like the tins of teas as a backdrop in the dinning area.

Dinning Area

TWG had a long tea list, was a bit disappointed that the waiter can't really help to do much recommendation. We just settled for Orange Blossom Oolong @$10.50 and Smoky Russian @$11. The Orange Blossom Oolong taste is quite normal, some floral fragrance and citrus taste. The Smoky Russian is quite strong and there is really some smoky taste and "fragrance".


We ordered Soup of the day @$10. Can't really catch the name of the soup but it does taste good.  Its creamy, smooth and there seems to be quite a lot of vegetables in it . It come is a small cup portion with bread and TWG tea jelly and whipped cream.

Soup of the Day
Rating: 3.5/5

The bread is crispy on the outside and a bit chewy or tough inside.  It goes well with the soup, especially the crispy "skin".

Bread

Was initially quite impressed with its decor, plates and cutlery until i finish the soup. Was really disappointed when the base of the soup cup is revealed as i finish the soup, its quite badly scratched.

We ordered 2 scones @$8 which comes with TWG tea jelly and whipped cream.  The scone are light and crumbly, it goes really well with the refreshing whipped cream and the fragrant tea jelly.

TWG Homemake Scone

TWG Tea jelly and whipped cream

We also ordered a patisserie from their trolley @$8.50.  Quite nice, a bit crunchy, creamy chocolate moouse with some tea leaves on top. 
 

Chocolate Cake
Rating: 3.5/5

 
ION Shopping Mall
2 Orchard Turn, #02 - 21
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6735 1837 +65 6735 1837
Fax: +65 6736 1837

Fruit Paradise

Their fruit tarts are simply stunning and gorgeous.  Wonder if they taste as good as they look.

They offered a Tart Set @$9.80, with a choice of 1 sliced Tart with blend Tea / Coffee / Soft Drink.  I ordered some citrus tea (can't remember the name) and a mixed fruit tart.

Citrus Tea

There are too many different tarts to choose from, with the "Kia-Su" spirit, decided to have the mixed fruit tart so as to have a bit of everything.  The tart is served on a plate decorated with sauces and blueberry.  There is a lot of japanese cream in the tart, not too sweet and quite light.


Mixed Fruit Tart
Rating: 3/5

Got the chance to try a lot more flavours during one of my colleagues' farewell dessert party.  He got 4 different fruit tarts - Mango Strawberry Tart, chocolate banana tart, mixed berries chocolate tart and mixed fruit tart.

Mixed Fruit Tart.  Same as what we had previously. There is blueberry, banana, strawberry, kiwi, mango, orange, grapefruit and i think apple.

Mixed Fruit Tart
Rating: 3/5

Chocolate Banana Tart.  Chocolate and banana suppose to be the best combination, but somehow this doesn't impress me. The banana flavour is so strong that i seems to missed out how the nuts and tart base actually taste.

Chocolate Banana Tart
Rating: 3/5

Mango Strawberry Tart.  Mango is one of my favourite fruits.  For the price paid, will be expecting much more mango slice and cubes.  Doesn't really get the fragrant of the mango as well, not too sure if its due to the jelly coating.

Mango Strawberry Tart
Rating: 3.25/5

Mixed Berries Chocolate is my pick among the 4. There is lots of stuff in there, not in a messy way but complementing one another. You can taste the nuts, the freshness of the berries, the sweetness of the chocolate, lightness of the cream and the crunchy base. With all the fruits and thee notion of free of unhealthy additives and preservatives, somehow we feel less sinful gobbling a few more pieces.

Mixed Berries Chocolate
Rating: 3.5/5

Verdict? Think its a bit pricely for take-away and they do not taste as gorgeous as they look. For dine-in, its definitely a cheaper alternative to hotel hi-tea.


Fruit Paradise VivoCity
VivoCity #01-59
1 Habourfront Walk
Tel: 6376 9978
http://www.ajisen.com.sg/fruitparadise/

Taste Paradise 味之樓 @ ION Orchard

Taste Paradise is in a modern chinese settings with a number of Chinese Emperors' portraits as a backdrop in the dinning area.  The dinning tables are laid with matching tablecloth and exquisite cutlery and china plates.

Dinning Area

Dinning chair and table

Century egg with Pickled Ginger in Chestnut Roll with Wasabi Mayonnaise (芥末皮蛋子姜卷) @$4.20. The name sounds delicious and the it looks appetising as well. However, its a disappoinment. The ginger is too tough that you have to practically tear them apart. The sourness of the ginger also overwhelmed the mayonnaise and century egg.

Century Egg Wasabi Roll (芥末皮蛋子姜卷)
Rating: 2.5/5

Taste Paradise Famous XO Carrot Cake (金典萝卜糕) @$7.80. The carrot cake is soft but the XO sauce was a bit disappointing.  Find the XO sauce a bit choking and overpowering, the spiciness cover the other taste.

XO Carrot Cake (金典萝卜糕)
Rating: 3.5/5

Their Steamed Chicken Claw with Black Bean Sauce (豉汁蒸凤爪) @$3.80 is very nice. The chicken claws had absorb the black sauce and skin is tender yet chewy, unlike some which can be too soft, wet and oily.

Steamed Chicken Claw with Black Bean Sauce (豉汁蒸凤爪)
Rating: 4/5

Steamed Pork Dumpling Siew Mai (香菇魚子蒸烧卖) @$4.80 is pure delicacy. The tenderness of the pork, the aroma of the mushroom and the refreshing roe definitely mark it different from the other Siew Mai.

Steamed Pork Dumpling Siew Mai (香菇魚子蒸烧卖)
Rating: 4.5/5

Crispy Spring Roll with Smoked Duck Meat (脆皮熏鴨春捲) @$3.80. The fried spring roll is so-so, the smoked duck meat taste like ham and a bit salty and dry.  Still prefer the usual spring roll that is more juicy with those bean sprouts and vegetables.

Crispy Spring Roll with Smoked Duck Meat (脆皮熏鴨春捲)
Rating: 3/5

Crisp-Fried Egg Plant Tossed with pork Floss (肉鬆茄子)@$9.80.  A bit costly and somehow not as fluffy as what we expect it to be.

Crisp-Fried Egg Plant Tossed with pork Floss (肉鬆茄子)
Rating: 3.5

Steamed Cheong-fun with Dough Fritter (蔥花炸兩腸粉) @$4.80.  The fried dough fritter is crispy but a bit hard. Maybe we should have pour the black sauce onto the dish instead of using it as a dip.  The cheong-fun is thin, soft and nice with the sesame.  They also provide some extra dipping sauce that goes well with the cheong-fun.  Think its average rating is purely our fault for not pouring the black sauce.


Steamed Cheong-fun with Dough Fritter (蔥花炸兩腸粉)
Rating: 3.5/5


Pan-fried Pumpkin Pastry (煎南瓜餅) @$3.20.  Was hoping that the pumpkin pastry will be something like what we had at Summer Pavalion, but its just a normal pumpkin dough fried pastry with some fillings.

Pan-fried Pumpkin Pastry (煎南瓜餅)
Rating: 3.5/5

No. 2 Orchard Turn
#04-07 ION Orchard
Singapore 238801
Tel: 6509 9660
website: http://www.tasteparadise.com.sg/

Reference other blogs on Dim Sum
- Summer Pavalion
- East Ocean

Reference an cheaper alternative for Paradise group
- Paradise Inn