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6 Delicious and Budget-Friendly Makan Spots in JB

Johor Bahru, Malaysia (JB) is a popular destination for Singaporeans looking for a quick getaway filled with delicious food. With its diverse culinary scene and hidden gems, here are 6 must-visit makan spots in JB that you should try!

#1: IT ROO CAFE

For mouthwatering Western cuisine, It Roo Cafe is the place to be. Located in JB’s historic city center, it has been serving the best chicken chop since 1961. Crowd favorites include It Roo Fried Rice (RM9.90 / SGD 3.00), Fish and Chips (RM18.50 / SGD 5.50), and the customizable Hailam Mee (RM9.90 / SGD 3.00).

Image Credits: IT Roo Cafe via fb.com

Location: 17, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

#2: ONN KITCHEN

Famous for its fluffy Roti Canai (RM1.50 / SGD 0.45), Onn Kitchen offers a self-service gravy station where you can choose your favorite curries. Go for the Lontong (RM8 / SGD 2.40) and Nasi Lemak with Fried Egg (RM5 / SGD 1.50) for a true taste of Malaysian cuisine.

Location: 29A, Jalan Tarom, Kampung Bahru, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

#3: RESTORAN KACANG POOL HAJI

At Restoran Kacang Pool Haji, you can enjoy one of the best kacang pool in JB. This dish features seasoned fava beans topped with a fried egg, served with toast for dipping. Try the Kacang Pool (RM7 / SGD 2.10) alongside Nasi Ambang (RM7 / SGD 2.10) or Nasi Lemak (RM2 / SGD 0.60) for a hearty breakfast.

Location: Jalan Sabar, Taman Dato Onn, 80350 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

#4: YUMMY NASI LEMAK HOUSE

As its name suggests, Yummy Nasi Lemak House specializes at nasi lemak. Have a bite of the Nasi Lemak Basic Set (RM10.50 / SGD 3.10) for its delicious sambal and coconut rice, or go for the Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah Set (RM14.50 / SGD 4.30) for a generous piece of spice-fried chicken.

Location: 104, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

#5: TONG GUAN NYONYA KOPITIAM

For authentic local cuisine, visit Tong Guan Nyonya Kopitiam. Don’t miss the Nyonya Mee Siam with Fish Otak (from RM14.90 / SGD 4.50) and the indulgent Nasi Lemak Seafood Special (RM24.60 / SGD 7.40). To calm your body, you may eat the hot Three Eggs Porridge (RM13 / SGD 3.90).

Location: 14, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

#6: PACHEM THAI FOOD

I recently visited Thailand, where my favorite dishes are Mango Sticky Rice and Pad Thai—both of which are simply delicious. To satisfy my cravings, Pachem Thai Food is a must-visit for Thai food lovers, offering dishes like Mango Sticky Rice (around RM12/SGD 4) and Tom Yum Soup (around RM20/SGD 6.50).

Location: 2, Jalan Dedap 15, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Image Credits: facebook.com/pachemthaifood

With these 6 spots, your food adventure in JB will be both tasty and budget-friendly. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The prices listed in this article were accurate at the time of writing, but they may change as restaurants or eateries update their pricing.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Hotels in JB to increase room rates from March 2024 due to this reason

Bad news to end the first quarter of 2024 but here’s it:

Hotel room rates in JB are going to be going up a bit starting in March 2024.

This is due to the sales and service tax (SST) which is increasing from 6% to 8%.

And it doesn’t help that Ivan Teo, who is the chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels in Johor, reminds us that their member hotels have already raised room rates by 20 to 30% in the middle of last year due to higher electricity bills.

But still, he’s hoping for hotels to focus on getting more customers during the week and non-peak times.

Hotels usually do well on weekends, holidays, and school breaks, which is not a surprise at all.

Mr. Teo doesn’t think the higher room rates will be a problem for most guests, especially those from Singapore, China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

However, explaining it to guests from Indonesia could be tougher since their currency isn’t doing as well against the ringgit recently.

Singaporeans still make up a big part of hotel guests since prices seem significantly lower when compared to our dollar.

The number of South Korean visitors staying in Johor Bahru and Iskandar Malaysia is also trending up, especially golfers and folks trying to escape the cold back home during those winter months and people going to English schools or visiting hospitals there.

There are about 90 three-star, four-star, and five-star hotels total in Johor.

But not all are increasing room rates.

For instance, the CEO of Lotus Desaru Resort, R. Indra Ghandi, said they won’t increase rates but will now include the SST starting 1 March.

She mentioned they currently charge net rates without taxes.

Ms. Indra added that customers pay close attention to prices, so raising rates could backfire on them.

But she doesn’t foresee issues with the tax change since half their guests are Singaporeans with good spending power.

Nonetheless, she proposed that the government offer visa-free entry to more countries besides China and India to attract more visitors.

Ms. Indra also hopes the new Johor leader with the tourism portfolio will organize roadshows to bring in more travelers from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

On the other hand, Mariam Mohd from the Katerina Hotel Batu Pahat said their rates will go up a little in March.

The operations team is still finalizing the details but mentioned the increase depends mainly on which packages guests choose.

So what say you?

Will the increase in room rates in JB deter you from spending that overnight stay or is it sup-sup sui?

Paradigm Mall JB Offering RM100 Cash Voucher For RM10, Perfect For S’poreans Going To JB For Shopping

After 2 long years of border closure, the wait is finally over! Singaporeans can finally resume land travel back into Johor Bahru without having to go through quarantine measures. As the preferred destination amongst travellers from Singapore, Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru is more than ready to welcome Singapore-based shoppers back! There is no better way to celebrate this long-awaited occasion with Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru (‘PMJB’)’s Border Opening Sale. Besides simply taking advantage of the currency exchange difference, find out how you can truly save from PMJB’s Border Opening Sale.

Exclusive Cashback for only Singaporeans, PR holder and Work-Permit holders

Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and Work-Permit holders who spend a minimum of RM50 is entitled to 1 spin on the spin & win e-wheel. Attractive prizes to be won include WCT Buddy points worth up to 5,000 and cash vouchers worth up to RM300! Of course, this chance is exclusive for Singaporeans, PR holder and work permit holders only. Don’t forget, the more you spend, the more chances you have to spin the wheel.

Pay RM10 for Cash Vouchers Pack valued at RM100

Shoppers enjoy instant 90% savings by purchasing the Cash Voucher Pack from the Concierge counter. Simply pay only RM10* to get RM100 worth of vouchers.

*Non-WCT Buddy members pay RM20 instead

Note that each shopper is entitled to 1 redemption only and payment must be made via cashless methods.

Limited Time Promotion, Hurry Down

The Exclusive Cashback and Cash Vouchers Pack promotions are only happening from 15 April to 15 May 2022. Concurrently, various tenants including Parkson, Burger King, Harvey Norman, Daniel Wellington, Vivo Pizza, A&W, and many more are participating in the Borders Reopening Sale. Find out more details about the Borders Reopening Sale via Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru’s Facebook page.

Din Tai Fung now opened at City Square, Johor Bahru. Prices in ringgit are about 40% cheaper!

Foodies can now enjoy their favourite xiao long baos at Din Tai Fung for less!

If you are not aware, Din Tai Fung has opened its first outlet at City Square, Johor Bahru a few months ago. What this means is that we can now cross the border and enjoy the food at Din Tai Fung at a much cheaper price due to the favourable exchange rate!

Awarded one Michelin Star and ranked as one of the world’s Top Ten Best Restaurants by The New York Times, this celebrated restaurant is famous for its xiao long baos (Steamed Pork Dumplings) with 18 intricate folds, and Steamed Chicken Soup.

Prices are in Malaysian Ringgits and cost about 30-40% lesser as compared to Singapore. For example, their famous Pork Xiao Long Bao costs about RM13.20/6pcs or RM21.00/10pcs. That is equivalent to about S$4.19 or S$6.67 respectively based on current exchange rate.

The Pork Chop Fried Rice costs about RM 22.00 (S$7). In Singapore, you’d have to pay around $10 – $11 for the same plate of fried rice.

Menu for reference:

Din Tai Fung, City Square

Share this information with your friends and loved ones, and head over to Din Tai Fung, JB today!

CITY SQUARE, JOHOR BAHRU
Lot J2-06, 07, 08, 09, Level 2
Business Hour:
Mon – Thurs 11am – 10pm
Fri – Sun & PH 10am – 10pm

Tel: +607 2070 069

New Balance: Sale – Up to 80 % Off at JB (1 – 10 Apr 16)

Looking to replace your worn running shoes?

There is a New Balance Sale across the causeway at the atrium of Komtar JBCC, a shopping mall in Johor Bahru. (next to City Square Mall)

Enjoy up to 80% off until 10 Apr 2016. New stocks are brought in every day.

If you don’t mind travelling, it’s worth a visit considering you can bag a steal with the discounts and the favourable exchange rate. (Note: You can get a rate of 2.88 at the money changer in JB on 8 Apr 16)

There are some shoes that are priced around RM79.80! (approximately S$28)

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KOMTAR JBCC
Centre Management Office
Level 5, Menara KOMTAR,
Johor Bahru City Centre,
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor,

Malaysia

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