Thanks to Puan Chong's recommendation, I came to know about Moons Cafe in Taman Impian Emas in Skudai. Moons Cafe is a warm, family run eatery popular with local residents of all communities but is a little under the social media radar so far. In 2019, Moons Cafe opened a second outlet in Southkey, Johor Bahru (update: Moons Southkey has closed).
Moons Cafe is in a spacious corner shop lot at Jalan Impian Emas 4. Bare bones decor, simple furnishing, cooled by ceiling fans, the space is airy, comfortable and clean.
Moons Cafe is truly a 3-generation family affair. The little cafe is headed by energetic Mdm Teo (right) and assisted by her daughter, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Moons Cafe was established in 2000, and is Impian Emas' best kept good food secret.
Friendly Mdm Teo grew up in a Nyonya family and have always been passionate about cooking. Now, she passes her infectious passion to her children and grandchildren. Mdm Teo is an expert in spices and flavours which we can taste in her dishes.
Moons Cafe's extensive menu ranges from local delights like nasi lemak and lontong, pork free Chinese classics like fried noodles and rice, and Western favourites like steaks, burgers and pastas. They also have traditional hand made Teochew and Nyonya kueh. I enjoyed the food we had today - they were delicious, portions are generous and prices are competitive.
Curry Mutton with rice. Made in-house from scratch with spices, lemongrass, potatoes and lots of onions etc, the curry is aromatic, mildly spicy and sweet. The curry is a little greasy with chili oil. The tender mutton has a slight gaminess which I like. Perfect with simple boiled white rice.
Moon's Ayam Masak Merah with rice RM8.90+
Tender chicken drumstick smothered in a thick savoury spicy sauce.
Moon's Rendang Chicken with rice RM8.90+
Chicken drumstick cooked in creamy sweet spicy curry till tender.
Chicken Satay.
The satay made with chicken breast had no fat or skin. The meat was well marinated with mild spices and grilled to a slight char outside. I like the sweet and nutty peanut sauce with mild spices.
Fried Kway Teow with tender beef slices RM9.90+
Cantonese Fried Noodle (wat tan hor) RM8.90+
Caramelised flat rice noodles blanketed in a thick mildly savoury sweet egg sauce.
Sizzling Sirloin Steak RM25.90+
A very good value tender juicy slab of beefy sirloin served with house made mushroom sauce. Excellent budget steak.
Moons Cafe serves a range of traditional Teochew and Nyonya kueh. The soft skin and tasty fillings are all hand made in-house by Mdm Teo and family. Moons Cafe makes very good Teochew and Nyonya kueh.
I am told that Moons Cafe at Impian Emas is very popular for their breakfast nasi lemak and lontong which I will come for next time 😃
The newly opened (2019) Moons' outlet at Southkey has a minimalist, more contemporary feel.
In the kitchen at Moons Southkey are chef Yong who has been with Moons for many years and one of Mdm Teo's grandsons, Calvin. Nearly 80 now, Mdm Teo still personally does the marketing daily for both Moons outlets to hand pick the freshest ingredients. She also keeps herself busy in the kitchen, so we can be sure that the dishes served have her Dhoby mark 😄
A word about the coffee at Moons Southkey. Both times I was there, I stressed I wanted kopi O kurang kurang manis but both times the coffee came out too sweet for me. I can sense that the coffee was aromatic and has nice flavour but it was overwhelmed by the sugar even though I stressed less less sweet when I was ordering and wrote it down in the order slip. So, next time I shall order kopi O kosong (no sugar at all).
👉 Moons Cafe is a family friendly place for simple, lovingly made, delicious meals at reasonable prices. It's a quintessential Malaysian cafe where the menu is multicultural and all communities enjoy eating together.
Restaurant name: Moons Cafe
Address: 28, Jalan Impian Emas 4, Taman Impian Emas, Skudai, Johor
GPS: 1°32'34.5"N 103°40'57.4"E | 1.542915, 103.682614
Tel: +6 012 727 1163 (Mdm Teo) | +6 012 7211 163 (Mdm Bek)
Hours: 8:30am to 8:30pm (alternate Tues off)
Update: Moons Cafe Southkey has CLOSED
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert
Date: 8 Feb 2017, 14 Dec 2019
Indeed this is a good place for family or friends to go for food or gathering. The friendly folks there make you feel like their friends not just customers. ( Pn Chong)
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