Tony Johor Kaki Travels for Food · Heritage · Culture · History

Adventurous Culinary Traveler's Blog with 65 million+ reads 📧 johorkaki@gmail.com

Pacific Mixed Vegetable Rice. Porridge. Food @ Woodlands North 883

Pacific-Mixed-Vegetable-Rice-Porridge-Food-Woodlands-883

Long suffering Singapore northlanders have been at the receiving end of cruel jibes from eastsiders that "Woodlands got nothing nice to eat.... ". (But, we got JB 😜, that's another story though.... .)

Ah Mah Bak Kut Teh at Sun Coffee in Ulu Tiram Johor JB

Bak-Kut-Teh-Sun-Coffee-Ulu-Tiram-Johor-JB

I've heard about Ah Mah's bak kut teh at Sun Coffee in Ulu Tiram for a while but this morning was the first time I managed to get to taste it 😄 You see, Ah Mah only cooks one (yes, 1 only) pot of bak kut teh on Sunday and it usually sells out before 10am 😂

东升的阿妈肉骨茶. 猪肉新鲜. 汤的香跟猪肉搭配刚刚好. 阿妈亲手煮了20年. 老字号咖啡店充满人情味. 在新山, 要来吃吃哦. Jalan Tembusu, Ulu Tiram.  只有星期天早上才有. 大概10点钟卖完. 喜欢吃阿妈的肉骨茶的朋友要早哦.


Ramadan Bazar 2017 at S'MART Pandan. Johor Bahru JB

Ramadan-Bazar-S'MART-Pandan-Johor-Bahru-JB

One of my favourite times of the year in Johor Bahru is Ramadan. During the Muslim Holy Month, I can join my Muslim friends to enjoy traditional Malay food, many of which are not available for sale at other times.

全記得 Braised Duck @ Happiness (formerly Shang Hai) Kopitiam. Desa Cemerlang Johor JB ⭐⭐⭐⭐

全記得-Braised-Duck-Shang-Hai-Desa-Cemerlang-Johor-JB

Thank you my makan kaki Ong for showing me 全記得 at Shang Hai coffee shop in Desa Cemerlang, JB - the little stall serves one the best braised duck that I've tasted in JB and Singapore so far.

新山好好吃的卤鸭. 卤汁的味道不会太重. 鲜甜的鸭和有微微药材味的卤汁搭配的刚刚好. 全記得的卤鸭可说是非吃不可. 地址 - Restoran Shang Hai 上海美食中心, Jalan Johar 4, Desa Cemerlang. 早上9点到下午1点.

Menzo Ramen at AEON Tebrau City's Ramen Street in Johor JB

Menzo-Ramen-AEON-Tebrau-City's-Ramen-Street-Johor-JB

As I am a ramen lover, I am always on the lookout for good ramen in Johor Bahru but I have to admit that choices are limited so far. So, I am excited that AEON Tebrau City Mall recently launched a Ramen Street. 

Hwa Mui Kopitiam Sutera Johor Bahru JB

Chicken-Chop-Hwa-Mui-Kopitiam-Sutera-Johor-Bahru-JB

I was at the Hwa Mui outlet in Taman Sutera for lunch. You know what? The very first blog post on Johor Kaki is on the original Hua Mui outlet in JB's old downtown - that was on 20 Dec 2011. Six years on, I am back at Hwa Mui again for their famous chicken chop.



Johor Bahru 2 day 1 Night Food Trail Mon & Tues (Non Halal)

Johor-Bahru-Food-Trail-Non-Halal

My dear friends from The Philippines are visiting Johor Bahru next week but I am away in Manila 😂

So, I planned this 2 day 1 night food trail with as much information as possible for them to enjoy JB without me 😄

Re-imagine Possibilities at World Street Food Congress 2017 with Seetoh

WSFC-KF-Seetoh- Makansutra

This morning I met up with KF Seetoh of Makansutra for a Singapore style kopi (coffee) and breakfast at one of the homegrown food guru's favourite haunts.

Fried Spring Rolls at Jalan Jenang Side Lane in Batu Pahat Johor

Fried-Spring-Roll-Jalan-Jenang-Batu-Pahat-Johor

We were eating by the side walk on our Batu Pahat food trail when Jenny disappeared again.... 😣 Then, she suddenly popped back grinning with a greasy bundle wrapped in old newspaper. The Batu Pahat girl was rediscovering her hometown... the aromas and flavours of her childhood 😄

Yuzu Japanese Theme Restaurant at Mount Austin Johor

Yuzu-Japanese-Theme-Restaurant-Mount-Austin-Johor

Met up with KK and his team for lunch at the Yuzu outlet at Jalan Austin Heights 8/4 today. They come here for lunch every week as it is accessible, the food is nice and very reasonably priced, especially the daily lunch specials.

Gangnam BBQ. Korean Restaurant in Kulai near Senai Airport, Johor

Gangnam-BBQ-Korean-Kulai-Senai-Airport-Johor

Gangnam BBQ is a Korean theme restaurant in Kulai near to Senai Airport. The owner Mdm Kim is a Korean expatriate. I was enjoying dinner here with family friends, the Tans.

KL Pork Noodles at Yong Kee Sam Kan Chong in Johor JB 勇记三间庄

KL-Pork-Noodles-Yong-Kee-Sam-Kan-Chong-Johor-JB-勇记三间庄

When 勇记三间庄 opened in Johor Bahru serving their KL style pork noodles last year, I went to try it immediately as I love this type of noodles. My favourite Kuala Lumpur pork noodle stall is at Jalan Imbi in KL since I first tried it over 20 years ago. I was hoping 勇记三间庄 can help satisfy my craving for KL pork noodles.

Turtle Soup at Labi-Labi Herbal Soup near KSL City Mall in JB

Turtle-Soup-Labi-Labi-Herbal-Soup-KSL-City-Mall-JB

I know some of you will not be happy when I say that I do enjoy turtle soup 😝 It's a taste I acquired in the 1980s from lunching regularly at the turtle soup restaurant at MacPherson Road in Singapore. But, till now I haven't come across a turtle soup specialist in Johor Bahru after blogging JB food for 5 years.

Ramly Kopitiam (Chop Tong Ah) in Batu Pahat 南利咖啡店 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ramly-Kopitiam-Chop-Tong-Ah-Batu-Pahat-南利咖啡店

Ramly Kopitiam 南利咖啡店 at the junction of Jalan Engan and Ibrahim was our first stop for our Batu Pahat food trail.

好喜欢这家在峇株巴特的古老咖啡店. 这里的沙爹和爪哇麵都很好吃. 不过还没吃过他们的招牌 lontong 因为每次来到这里都卖完了. 这家有80多年历史的咖啡店的三代老板把咖啡店交给了跟他工作 30 多年的马来助手. 南利讲得一口流利的华语. 东亚茶室改名为南利咖啡店. 南利咖啡店一样是那么的受欢迎, 受到大家的支持. 如果有来到峇株巴特, 一定要来吃南利咖啡店的沙爹, 爪哇麵和龙东.

Batu Pahat's Famous Chop See Kee Wanton Mee 亞泗雲吞面 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Batu-Pahat-Chop-See-Kee-Wanton-Mee-亞泗雲吞面

Chop See Kee wanton mee wasn't on the itinerary of today's one-day food trail to Batu Pahat, Johor. I have eaten Batu Pahat's most famous wanton mee many times before and wanted to save my stomach space for the many other good food BP has to offer. But, how dare I come within 100 metres of Chop See Kee and not eat their legendary wanton mee, especially when my buddies have never eaten it before? 😂

Lee Heng Kopitiam Char Kway Teow in Taman Daya Johor JB

Lee-Heng-Kopitiam-Char-Kway-Teow-Taman-Daya-Johor-JB

In Malaysia and Singapore, char kway teow is everywhere at almost every coffee shop or hawker centre but good ones are few and far in between. The fried kway teow stall in Lee Heng kopitiam in Taman Daya is one of the better ones, and hence, have a strong following in Johor Bahru.

Hometown Flavours 拉美士雞絲粥六味湯 Labis Chicken Porridge

Hometown- Flavours-拉美士雞絲粥六味湯-Labis-Chicken-Porridge

Labis Chicken Porridge was our last makan stop during our day trip to Labis town. Mr Tien, admin of FB Page Labis Ecotourism said, "..... 我從小吃到大 I grew up eating this" as the bowls of hot porridge were being served at our table.

Curry Pork Ribs at Multi Mart Kopitiam in Taman Century Johor JB

Curry-Pork-Ribs-Multi-Mart-Kopitiam-Taman-Century-Johor-JB

Chatting with Alexis, we recalled that curry pork ribs is a favourite of JB folks. The standard bearer is Qiu Bo Curry House in Ulu Tiram (shop has closed). Alexis shared that Multi Mart kopitiam in Taman Century also have a pretty good curry pork rib stall.

Best Food in Ghim Moh List. Char Siew @ Jiu Jiang Shao La Roasts

Ghim-Moh-Jiu-Jiang-Shao-La-Roasts

Today is my regular medical appointment at NUH Singapore, and a chance to explore the hawker centres nearby. I picked Ghim Moh Market & Food Centre (near Buona Vista MRT station) today as I have not been here for almost 10 years.

Best Crispy Prawn Crackers in Johor Jaya Seroja 炸虾饼

Best Crispy Prawn Crackers in Johor Jaya Seroja 炸虾饼

Updated 28 May 2019. Finally tracked down the Johor Jaya fried prawn cracker stall after they moved to Restoran Soon Lee Lai coffee shop, 9 months ago. The stall opens from 10am - 4pm (rest on Monday and Friday) but there are often unscheduled off days. I missed them many times before I finally found them opened today.

Ah Tee Kway Teow Kia in Labis Johor 亚弟果条仔

Ah-Tee-Kway-Teow-Kia-Labis-Johor-亚弟果条仔

Our first stop for our day trip to Labis town in Johor was Ah Tee kway teow kia. We linked up here with Mr Tien, the admin of Facebook Page Labis Ecotourism.

Hock Guan Famous Bao Pau in Labis Johor 福源茶餐 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hock-Guan-Bao-Pau-Labis-Johor-福源茶餐

I am grateful to Mr Tien the admin of FB Page Labis Ecotourism for bringing us to this old kopitiam in a Labis backstreet 😄 Thank you for showing us the delicious old school hand made bao 手工包 at Hock Guan kopitiam at Jalan Tenang in Labis 😋

Auntie Amy Curry Laksa Food Truck. Mount Austin, Johor JB. Power! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Auntie-Amy-Curry-Laksa-Food-Truck-Mount-Austin-Johor-JB

This is one of my JB makan buddy Keng Chong's favourite curry laksa. When KC recommends something, I can't wait to check it out 😄

这个咖哩叻沙很够力好吃. 餐车就停在 Mount Austin Subway 外面 ( 41 Jalan Austin Heights 3). 鸡骨汤底加上浓浓的香甜椰奶, 还有多多的咖哩香料和辣椒. 豆腐, 豆干, 鱼丸, 鱼饼, 鲜蛤, 鸡肉, 样样都有. 辣椒酱也是真材实料的. 非食不可. 晚上7点开到11点. 星期二休息. 感谢 Keng Chong 的介绍 😄

Delicious Ramen in Johor JB at ShenYeKitchen 深夜食堂 Food Truck

Delicious Ramen in Johor JB at ShenYeKitchen 深夜食堂 Food Truck

I was so excited to try this ramen after posts about Shen Ye Kitchen 深夜食堂 food truck keep popping up on my Facebook while I was still in Canada 😂 I love ramen and am also fascinated with food trucks, so the idea of a ramen truck is irresistible to me 😄

Taste of Old JB. Ho Seng Kee Wanton Noodle 老新山的味道. 何成記

Taste-Old-JB-Ho-Seng-Kee-Wanton-Noodle-老新山的味道-何成記

My JB buddy wanted to have another taste of Ho Seng Kee wanton mee, a taste of Old JB which she grew up with. She remembers eating this Old JB wanton mee when it was a coffee shop stall near the present Merlin Tower Hotel a long time ago. 

Lovely Cakes at Flowers in the Window. Jalan Dhoby Johor JB

Cakes-Flowers-in-the-Window-Jalan-Dhoby-Johor-JB

After lunch in downtown JB today, my JB buddy suggested cakes at Flowers in the Window cafe. Oh my.... this pretty carrot cake was so delicious!

Best Johor JB Pasar Malam Food. Hae Piah Ji or Fried Prawn Fritter

Pasar-Malam-Hae-Piah-Ji-Fried-Prawn-Fritter

Stumbled upon this popular stall selling delicious hae piah ji 蝦餅煎 or deep fried prawn fritters while browsing the pasar malam (night market) in Johor Jaya (opens every Tuesday).

这个在新山夜市的炸虾饼, 是两姐妹开的. 他们的炸虾饼有两种. 有纯的虾饼 (RM1.50). 还有加菜的虾饼 (RM2). 两种都好吃. 饼炸得脆脆的. 里面还有一点松软. 我个人更加喜欢吃包菜的虾饼. 饼里面有萝卜丝, 葱头, 葱, 还有一点泡菜丝. 不要小看那些小白虾, 他们是多么的新鲜, 软又香甜. 喜欢吃炸虾饼的朋友,下次有到新山夜市, 一定要找这个炸虾饼小档口.

Kopi-O Kampung Chicken Eggs & Kaya Butter Bun @ Kin Hua in JB Johor

Kopi-O-Kampung-Chicken-Eggs-Kaya-Butter-Bun-Kin-Hua-JB-Johor

So nice to be back in JB after three months away overseas. First things first, a Nanyang style breakfast to get my bearings. Outside of Malaysia and Singapore, there is just no breakfast like these anywhere else in the world.

Best Singapore Hawker Centre Coffee. Kopi More @ Golden Mile ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best-Singapore-Hawker-Centre-Coffee-Kopi-More-Gold-Mile

You know... we hear it all the time. Singaporeans often lament how the standard of kopitiam or hawker centre kopi (coffee) has dropped so much yet prices kept going up. It's really hard to get a quality cup of coffee in Singapore hawker centres these days. Sadly, to get good coffee, we have to resort to hipster cafes and even there, the quality is hit or miss.

I feel more sad than upset by the decline of Singapore kopi.

But now, there is hope.

Ramen Benkei in Asakusa ラーメン弁慶 Tokyo ⭐⭐⭐⭐✱

Kaminarimon-Gate-Asakusa

Dropped by Asakusa today for a day of sightseeing at Sensō-ji Temple, one of Tokyo's most important shrines, popular with both domestic and overseas visitors. The Kaminarimon (dedicated to the God of Thunder) which is the first of two gates leading to Sensō-ji Temple was crowded with visitors to the revered shrine.