Hailam Cafe - a Hainanese Coffee Shop in Taman Molek, Johor Bahru

I must have walked past Hailam Cafe in Taman Molek literally hundreds of times as I come here regularly for banking errands. But, I have never stepped in before.

7 Kauthar Cafe in Setia Tropika. One of JB's Best Laksa Johor

Buddy Yvonne who always gives me great foodie tips on the best eats in JB, alerted me to a newly opened restaurant which she said serves the "best laksa Johor now". I quickly went for breakfast at 7 Kauthar Cafe in Setia Tropika as l am always on the look out for good laksa Johor. It is the representative dish of Johor but good ones are very hard to find commercially even in JB.

Laksa Johor at Selera Johor at Plaza Larkin

Whenever I am asked to name foods that represent Johor, I always include Laksa Johor in my list. Yet, a good laksa Johor is very hard to find at hawker stalls in JB. I am glad that today, I tasted a good one at Selera Johor at Plaza Larkin.

Warong Hijau Pokok Ceri Nasi Lemak in Johor Bahru • Malay Breakfast • Laksa Johor

Whenever I drive by a long row of cars parked by the roadside, I often remarked to my passenger, "You know, I think there must be some good food there. One day I shall stop and find out".

Laksa Johor 🍝 History of Uniquely Johor Tradition & Heritage Food

✍16 Nov 2024. There are many forms of laksa according to regions - there's Penang laksa, Kelantan laksum, Katong laksa, Sarawak laksa, etc. But, only Laksa Johor can claim a royal connection. 

In 2023, the Johor government, through Yayasan Warisan Johor (Johor Heritage Foundation) gazetted Laksa Johor as a heritage dish of Johor.

Laksa Johor & More @ Dann's Café in Taman Daya, Johor Bahru, Malaysia Update 2019

Way back in 2012, Encik Kamalluddin the founder of Dann's cafe said I should come back for his nasi briyani (I was at Dann's to taste their Laksa Johor which is one of the best in the country). I finally kept the date, seven years on 😂

Laksa Johor @ Bumbu Asli in Kolam Ayer, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Laksa Johor is Johor's unique signature dish, not found anywhere else in Malaysia, or the world. Laksa Johor is something special, uniquely Johor heritage food.

 

According to legend, shared by famous celebrity Chef Wan, Sultan Abu Bakar travelled to Europe in the 1800s. There in Italy, Sultan Abu Bakar took a liking to Spaghetti Bolognaise. When Sultan Abu Bakar returned to Johor from Europe, he directed his Chef to modify this spaghetti dish with a fish based gravy. And so, the uniquely Johorean Laksa Johor was created - an early example of East-West fusion cuisine.

 

Ironically, my makan kakis and I have been lamenting about how hard it is to get a good authentic Laksa Johor, right here in Johor. Actually, this should not be a surprise to anyone. This is because making Laksa Johor is a tedious and labour intensive task. Laksa Johor uses many ingredients like Ikan Kembung, salted fish, belacan, fresh shrimps, dried shrimps, chilies, lemon grass, and various spices and herbs. Assembling the many ingredients for Laksa Johor is in itself, already a daunting task.

Then, there is the preparation and cooking. Preparing the ingredients is very labour intensive and so is usually assigned to different members of the family, and extended family. Making Laksa Johor is a community affair. One person will grind the fish, another grate the coconuts, someone else will pound the chilies and spices, and so on. And, finally, only the person who has mastered the art and skill of cooking the gravy correctly will cook it.

Since it is so labour intensive and skill intensive, Laksa Johor is usually only made at home, and then only on special occasions and during festivals. Little wonder then that Laksa Johor sold in stalls and restaurants, often has to be a watered down version for it to be commercially viable.

Fortunately and thanks to my friend Kumes, I was introduced to a very good Laksa Johor stall and I want to to share it with you :) This Laksa Johor is in Restoran Bumbu Asli along Jalan Kolam Air. Well, Bumbu Asli's Laksa Johor is home made in a sense. All the ingredients and gravy were prepared at the owner's home and then brought to the shop to serve.

 

The gravy which is the soul of Laksa Johor was gritty from the ground fish, salted fish and dried shrimps, spicy from the chilies, tangy from the calamansi, naturally sweet from herbs, and savoury from blending all the ingredients together. Pair this marvellous gravy with relatively bland but al dente spaghetti and we have Laksa Johor magic.

Click on picture for video on making Laksa Johor

 

 

Restaurant name: Restoran Bumbu Asli

Address: 36-L, Jalan Kolam Ayer, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/3mvtF
GPS: 1.472003,103.736649
Hours: 7:00am to 4:00pm (closed on alternate Sundays)
Halal

Date visited: 3 Oct 2012

Laksa Johor at Al Ansar Café📍Taman Permas Jaya Johor Bahru

Laksa Johor is one of Johor's signature dishes but it is not easily found in stalls or restaurants as it is mostly served at home, and even then only during special occasions like festivals and celebrations. Good Laksa Johor is even harder to find outside the home and only a handful of stalls sell good ones.

Fortunately, I have good friends who helped me out in my quest for Laksa Johor. My friend Francis Kee brought me to his favourite breakfast place, Al Ansar Café in Permas Jaya to try out their famous Laksa Johor.