Ten years and uncounted foodie trips to Kulai. Most in this list are townsfolk favourites recommended by long time Kulai friends. Over the years, we have eaten at all the stalls in this list (and also stalls we did not include the list) many times.
☝click to follow me on Instagram
This kampung house is like a little factory where ladies and some gentlemen work as a team to hand make traditional Hakka chive, mang kuang and leek dumplings. We get to eat choy ban steamy hot from the steamer here.
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Much loved local favourite, small family run lei cha shop. Full complement of hand picked fresh ingredients, lovingly cooked.
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Nice lei cha fun here but Ying Jie's yong tau foo is what many regulars come here for. Hakka yong tau foo is filled with minced pork and salted fish for that extra umami savoury kick. Nice kampung ambiance, the shop is nearly completely hidden by a large tree.
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Happy Land is an institution in Kulai. Generations here grew up on Happy Land's ice desserts like ice kachang, mango ice, ice balls and even home made, cleaver cut ice cream. It is common to see 3 generation families, all of whom enjoyed Happy Land food from their childhood in the often packed cafe (which is more like a kopitiam).
☝click to follow me on Instagram
One of the last old school kopitiam that still roast their beans with a cast iron, rolling drum over wood fire. Good place for black caffeine, char grilled home made kaya & butter toast and soft boiled kampung eggs as well as local delights like nasi lemak.
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Sze Hwa is synonymous with Kulai bak kut teh. Many people said that to appreciate Sze Hwa bak kut teh, you have to come to this shop in Kulai. The reason is simple - this is the only Sze Hwa in the world and they have no branches or franchisees at all.
This kampung house is like a little factory where ladies and some gentlemen work as a team to hand make traditional Hakka chive, mang kuang and leek dumplings. We get to eat choy ban steamy hot from the steamer here.
Restaurant name: Man Ting Fang 满庭芳茶餐室 (客家菜粄)
Address: Jalan Kelapa Sawit 6, Kampung Sri Paya, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1°40'21.1"N 103°31'42.0"E 🌐 1.672519, 103.528331
Waze: 满庭芳茶餐室 (客家菜粄) (type Man Ting Fang)
Tel: +6016-764 4264
Hours: 7:00am - 3:00pm (Weds off)
Address: Jalan Kelapa Sawit 6, Kampung Sri Paya, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1°40'21.1"N 103°31'42.0"E 🌐 1.672519, 103.528331
Waze: 满庭芳茶餐室 (客家菜粄) (type Man Ting Fang)
Tel: +6016-764 4264
Hours: 7:00am - 3:00pm (Weds off)
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Much loved local favourite, small family run lei cha shop. Full complement of hand picked fresh ingredients, lovingly cooked.
Restaurant name: Volcano 火山 Coffee House
Address: Jalan Sri Paya, Kampung Sri Paya, Kelapa Sawit, Kulaijaya, Johor
GPS: 1.673064,103.529438
Hours: 05:00am to 2:00pm (Closed on Sunday)
Address: Jalan Sri Paya, Kampung Sri Paya, Kelapa Sawit, Kulaijaya, Johor
GPS: 1.673064,103.529438
Hours: 05:00am to 2:00pm (Closed on Sunday)
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Nice lei cha fun here but Ying Jie's yong tau foo is what many regulars come here for. Hakka yong tau foo is filled with minced pork and salted fish for that extra umami savoury kick. Nice kampung ambiance, the shop is nearly completely hidden by a large tree.
Restaurant name: Ying Jie Lei Cha Fun & Yong Tau Fu 古来大樹下擂茶 | 古來21哩大樹下擂茶 | 英姐擂茶
Address: Off Jalan Susur Kulai 5, Taman Nam Tak, Kulaijaya, Johor (across the road from Petronas station)
GPS: 1.668333, 103.589081 🌐 1°40'06.0"N 103°35'20.7"E (Rough. Ask locals when you are here.)
Hours: 11:00am to 2:00pm (Closed on Thurs)
Address: Off Jalan Susur Kulai 5, Taman Nam Tak, Kulaijaya, Johor (across the road from Petronas station)
GPS: 1.668333, 103.589081 🌐 1°40'06.0"N 103°35'20.7"E (Rough. Ask locals when you are here.)
Hours: 11:00am to 2:00pm (Closed on Thurs)
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Happy Land is an institution in Kulai. Generations here grew up on Happy Land's ice desserts like ice kachang, mango ice, ice balls and even home made, cleaver cut ice cream. It is common to see 3 generation families, all of whom enjoyed Happy Land food from their childhood in the often packed cafe (which is more like a kopitiam).
Restaurant name: Happy Land Café 欢乐园饮冰室
Address: 1-38 Jalan Pinang, Taman Kota Kulai, Kulai
GPS: 1.668227,103.578801
Hours: 11:00am to 4:30pm
Address: 1-38 Jalan Pinang, Taman Kota Kulai, Kulai
GPS: 1.668227,103.578801
Hours: 11:00am to 4:30pm
☝click to follow me on Instagram
One of the last old school kopitiam that still roast their beans with a cast iron, rolling drum over wood fire. Good place for black caffeine, char grilled home made kaya & butter toast and soft boiled kampung eggs as well as local delights like nasi lemak.
Restaurant name: Tai Chiang Coffee Shop 大眾茶餐廳
Address: 7 Jalan Jelawat, Taman Saleng Jaya, Senai, Johor, Malaysia
GPS: 1.628250, 103.636160 🌐 1°37'41.7"N 103°38'10.2"E
Hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm
Address: 7 Jalan Jelawat, Taman Saleng Jaya, Senai, Johor, Malaysia
GPS: 1.628250, 103.636160 🌐 1°37'41.7"N 103°38'10.2"E
Hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Sze Hwa is synonymous with Kulai bak kut teh. Many people said that to appreciate Sze Hwa bak kut teh, you have to come to this shop in Kulai. The reason is simple - this is the only Sze Hwa in the world and they have no branches or franchisees at all.
Restaurant name: Restoran Sze Hwa 古来世华肉骨茶
Address: 2, Jalan Seruling 1, Taman Sri Kulai Baru 2, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1.668189,103.587137 🌐 1°40'05.5"N 103°35'13.7"E
Tel: +6012 785 2234
Hours: 8:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 9:00pm (closed on Monday)
Address: 2, Jalan Seruling 1, Taman Sri Kulai Baru 2, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1.668189,103.587137 🌐 1°40'05.5"N 103°35'13.7"E
Tel: +6012 785 2234
Hours: 8:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 9:00pm (closed on Monday)
☝click to follow me on Instagram
No frills, comfortable restaurant serving familiar delicious Teochew dishes like steamed fish, aspic, braised meats, fried noodles, orh nee etc at affordable prices.
Restaurant name: Chao San Restaurant 潮汕海鲜餐厅
Address: 48, Jalan Kenanga 29/3, Bandar Indahpura, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1°38'29.5"N 103°37'11.9"E 🌐 1.641515, 103.619972
Waze: Chao San Restaurant
Tel: 012 773 9880 / 07 665 4498
Hours: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Address: 48, Jalan Kenanga 29/3, Bandar Indahpura, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1°38'29.5"N 103°37'11.9"E 🌐 1.641515, 103.619972
Waze: Chao San Restaurant
Tel: 012 773 9880 / 07 665 4498
Hours: 11:00am - 10:00pm
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Mok Gao beef noodles need no introduction to Kulai folks. Old school Hainanese beef noodles in a kampung house. Opens at 5am and by 8am most of the beef will be gone, leaving only pork and seafood. So, this is only for early birds or crazy foodies.
Restaurant name: Mok Gao Beef Noodles 莫九牛肉面
Address: 31, Lorong Ismail, Taman Kulai, Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
GPS: 1.660484,103.603670 🌐 1°39'37.7"N 103°36'13.2"E
Hours: 4:30am to 3:00pm
Address: 31, Lorong Ismail, Taman Kulai, Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
GPS: 1.660484,103.603670 🌐 1°39'37.7"N 103°36'13.2"E
Hours: 4:30am to 3:00pm
☝click to follow me on Instagram
You know those Taiwanese or Japanese food shows where Taipei or Tokyo folks go out to the countryside for oishii foodie adventures? Kulai is that countryside food haven for JB and Singapore folks. One of the memorable food experiences could be this kiln baked chicken, pork ribs place in a large kampung house.
Restaurant name: Kulai Wengyaoji 古來甕窯雞
Address: C48, Jalan Air Bemban 5, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1°42'00.6"N 103°29'02.9"E 🌐 1.700157, 103.484142
Tel: 016 777 7760 ☎ 016 766 6362 ☎ 012 760 6620 (strictly by appointment only)
Hours: 6:00pm - 10:30pm (Fri, Sat & Sun only)
Address: C48, Jalan Air Bemban 5, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1°42'00.6"N 103°29'02.9"E 🌐 1.700157, 103.484142
Tel: 016 777 7760 ☎ 016 766 6362 ☎ 012 760 6620 (strictly by appointment only)
Hours: 6:00pm - 10:30pm (Fri, Sat & Sun only)
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Undisputed most famous nasi lemak in Johor. Overrated or not? Come to Kulai to find out 😄
Restaurant name: Nasi Lemak Wak Kentut
Address: 2130, Jalan Susur Kulai 2, Taman Kulai Besar, Johor
GPS: 1°39'07.6"N 103°36'36.5"E 🌐 1.652105, 103.610124
Waze: Nasi Lemak Wak Kentut
Tel: +60 12-754 3818
Hours: 5:00pm - 12:00 midnight
Address: 2130, Jalan Susur Kulai 2, Taman Kulai Besar, Johor
GPS: 1°39'07.6"N 103°36'36.5"E 🌐 1.652105, 103.610124
Waze: Nasi Lemak Wak Kentut
Tel: +60 12-754 3818
Hours: 5:00pm - 12:00 midnight
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Number 2 nasi lemak in Kulai with their own loyal following.
Restaurant name: Yellow Corner Nasi Lemak
Address: 215 Jalan Pinang 1, Taman Kota Kulai, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1.668044,103.582105 🌐 1°40'05.0"N 103°34'55.6"E
Tel: +016-730 3006
Hours: 6:00pm to 12:00 midnight (Sunday closed)
Address: 215 Jalan Pinang 1, Taman Kota Kulai, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1.668044,103.582105 🌐 1°40'05.0"N 103°34'55.6"E
Tel: +016-730 3006
Hours: 6:00pm to 12:00 midnight (Sunday closed)
☝click to follow me on Instagram
Not a food stall or restaurant but I don't think anyone will object to a mention of durian in this list. Their signature cultivar is "Green Dragon", a bitter sweet fruit. If you are bored to death with Mao Shan Wang, you may find new love in Zhong Cheng durian farm in Kulai.
Zhong Cheng Durian Farm 忠诚榴莲园
Address: 817, Jalan Merpati 6, Taman Sin Sawit, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1°41'30.6"N 103°32'13.5"E 🌐 1.691826, 103.537094
Waze: Zhong Cheng Durian Farm
Tel: +6012-709-1106 (best to call ahead of visit)
Hours: 9:00am to 6:00pm during durian season (May - Aug)
Address: 817, Jalan Merpati 6, Taman Sin Sawit, Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1°41'30.6"N 103°32'13.5"E 🌐 1.691826, 103.537094
Waze: Zhong Cheng Durian Farm
Tel: +6012-709-1106 (best to call ahead of visit)
Hours: 9:00am to 6:00pm during durian season (May - Aug)
Details of the 10 best 👍
Happy Land cafe 👈 click
Sze Hwa bak kut teh 👈 click
Man Ting Fang choy ban 👈 click
Volcano lei cha fun 👈 click
Ying Jie lei cha & yong tau foo 👈 click
Chao Shan Teochew 👈 click
Mok Gao beef noodle 👈 click
Wak Kentut nasi lemak 👈 click
Yellow Corner nasi lemak 👈 click
Kulai Wengyaoji 👈 click
Tai Chiang coffee shop 👈 click
Zhong Cheng durian farm 👈 click
More good places to eat in Kulai 👈 click
Happy Land cafe 👈 click
Sze Hwa bak kut teh 👈 click
Man Ting Fang choy ban 👈 click
Volcano lei cha fun 👈 click
Ying Jie lei cha & yong tau foo 👈 click
Chao Shan Teochew 👈 click
Mok Gao beef noodle 👈 click
Wak Kentut nasi lemak 👈 click
Yellow Corner nasi lemak 👈 click
Kulai Wengyaoji 👈 click
Tai Chiang coffee shop 👈 click
Zhong Cheng durian farm 👈 click
More good places to eat in Kulai 👈 click
Kulai Snippets
Kulai is a small town about 30 km from Johor Bahru. Kulai is on the KTM railway route, near to Senai airport and was on the JB to Kuala Lumpur trunk road. When the North South Expressway opened in 1994, bypassing Kulai, the town dozed off a bit. But now with expansion of the airport, opening of Johor Premium Outlet 2011, and Aeon mall in 2013, Kulai is enjoying a revival. It is becoming popular with foodie day trippers who want to experience kampung or small town culinary adventures.
The Chinese community in Kulai are mainly Hakkas. So, if you want to try authentic Hakka cuisine like lei cha fun and choy ban, there is no better place in Johor to enjoy these than in Kulai.
The rubber and palm plantations around Kulai are gradually making way for new crops like Liberica coffee. Jason Liew of My Liberica is spearheading this transformation in Kulai.
Kulai is a small town about 30 km from Johor Bahru. Kulai is on the KTM railway route, near to Senai airport and was on the JB to Kuala Lumpur trunk road. When the North South Expressway opened in 1994, bypassing Kulai, the town dozed off a bit. But now with expansion of the airport, opening of Johor Premium Outlet 2011, and Aeon mall in 2013, Kulai is enjoying a revival. It is becoming popular with foodie day trippers who want to experience kampung or small town culinary adventures.
The Chinese community in Kulai are mainly Hakkas. So, if you want to try authentic Hakka cuisine like lei cha fun and choy ban, there is no better place in Johor to enjoy these than in Kulai.
The rubber and palm plantations around Kulai are gradually making way for new crops like Liberica coffee. Jason Liew of My Liberica is spearheading this transformation in Kulai.
This Kulai food list is always under construction and will be improved with your suggestions.
👆 Click to go to Johor Bahru Best 100 page
Almost 7 years I settled down in Kulai... And I think Wak Kentut's nasi lemak is what I will recommend for halal food... If goreng2 or Thai delicacies there is many but not satisfying enough...
ReplyDelete