Kulai Day Trip: Your Guide to Food, Fun & Finds (From SG & JB!)
Looking for a simple, enjoyable day trip? Kulai in Johor offers a great escape. It is easy to reach from Singapore and Johor Bahru. This town is known for good food and a friendly feel.
This is the first guide that I have written. Kulai was also the first place I drove to in my trusty old Proton Saga that is out of JB. More importantly it was my grandmother’s hometown, hence I felt it would be an appropriate start to this blog with this and for me to share my itinerary with you all.
📍 Why Choose Kulai for a Day Out?
Kulai is a great choice for a day trip for several reasons (especially if you are tired of always being around JB):
- Great Food: Kulai is famous for its food. You can find tasty Hakka dishes and local coffee shop treats.
- Easy to Reach: The journey from Singapore or Johor Bahru is not long, and despite this, it already feels different from JB itself.
- Local Charm: Experience a relaxed town with interesting temples and local life
- Good Value: Food and activities are often affordable here.
🚗 Getting to Kulai: Smooth Travels from Singapore & Johor Bahru
Reaching Kulai is straightforward and easy.
From Singapore:
- By Car: The most common way is via the Woodlands Checkpoint. Then, use the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) and exit Kulai from the North-South Expressway. The drive usually takes about 45-60 minutes from the checkpoint, without traffic.
- Remember your VEP, Touch ‘n Go card, and valid passports.
- Public Transport: You can take a bus to JB Sentral, then a local bus (T30) or Grab to Kulai. A car is easier for a day trip.
From Johor Bahru:
- By Car: Kulai is a short drive from JB city center. Use major roads like the North-South Expressway.
- Grab/Taxi: This is also an option. Check your app for fare estimates.
Getting Around Kulai:
- A car is best for exploring Kulai.
- Grab services are available within the main town area.
🌞 Your Kulai Itinerary: Craft Your Perfect Day!
Mix and match these options to create your ideal Kulai day.
A. Morning Kick-Start (Choose 1-2 options, ~9 AM – 12 PM)
Option 1: Breakfast Like a Local
- What: Enjoy a traditional breakfast at a Kulai kopitiam – I went to Yong Juan Hin. Try their Hainanese Kopi, Kaya butter toast, and soft-boiled eggs. The coffee was old-school, unique and aromatic (even for a non-coffee drinker like me!)
- What: A less conventional breakfast option would be at Kulai Mok Gao Beef/Seafood/Pork Noodles. Please try the Beef or Pork Kway Teow – in both the soup and the dry version (the dry version tends to run out fast)! Come early they can get very crowded very quickly, and they close by 2pm or when they run out. It is found under a zinc roof in a rustic environment and has been around for a long time – even my grandmother has eaten there in her younger days.
Option 2: Peaceful Moments at Putuo Village
- What: Visit this calm Buddhist temple complex. It has two main parts covering 43 acres – the main temple complex (Bodhi Sanctuary) and the bamboo forest (Purple Bamboo Forest).
- Be in awe at the architecture of the main hall, and especially the bamboo dragon hanging at the entrance of the temple. Once you step in, you cannot miss the largest indoor statue of Zhunti Bodhisattva in Southeast Asia.
- Right outside of the main hall, you cannot miss the old Wishing Tree. Do make a donation and write down your wish and try your luck and throwing it onto the tree.
- You will also encounter a serene corridor lined with traditional Tibetan-style prayer wheels. Each wheel is inscribed with the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” and is filled with thousands of similar mantras. Spinning the wheels clockwise is believed to have the same spiritual benefits as orally reciting the prayers,
- If you are tired, Fat Bamboo Café offers a spot to enjoy various refreshments and rest your legs.
- Upon arriving at the entrance of the Purple Bamboo Forest, you find a stand selling food presented in authentic bamboo – ranging from ice cream to glutinous rice. The ice cream is worth a try especially in a hot weather.
- There is an entrance fee of 5RM for locals and 10RM for foreigners (children and elderly may enjoy different prices). In my opinion it is definitely worth it given that it will likely be a highlight of your trip.
- The forest itself is dotted with artistic installations and scenic backdrops perfect for photographs. The installations ranges from a Rainbow Road, to arches, to Giant Animals. All of these nested in the serene and beautiful backdrop of a bamboo forest. Don’t forget to take some time just to take in the environment and enjoy the peace. I will not spoil the experience for you with too many photographs.
- Why: A cultural and peaceful experience. A must visit if you are making the journey all the way to Kulai.
Option 3: Farm Fun (Check for day visit suitability)
What: Some local farms may offer day visits. You might see animals or learn about farm life. (Example: Star Fish Leisure Farm – check their policy for short visits).
Why: A different activity, good for families with children of different ages. For example pet feeding, water games and even ATV
Note: Do check opening hours in advance and if you need to book.
Option 4: Go for a hike at Hutan Lipur Gunung Pulai (Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest)
- What: A forested trail to a waterfall and views of Johor’s greenery, a great place for hiking with friends and family while enjoying some greenery and fresh air. Elevation reached is about 600m. There are two main trails, the main road trail and the jungle trail. Either one will take about 4 hours to complete.
B. Midday Munchies: Kulai’s Famous Food (Choose 1, ~12 PM – 2 PM)
The Kulai Hakka Experience
- What: Try authentic Hakka dishes. Popular choices include Yong Tau Foo (vegetables stuffed with fish paste), Abacus Seeds (a chewy yam dish), and Lei Cha (herbal tea rice).
- Where: Many restaurants in Kulai specialize in Hakka food. I personally tried the food at Kedai Makanan Hakka Sawit 好客坊客家小吃店. For someone who hates vegetables and is also not a fan of tea, I found the Lei Cha more than palatable, but rather delicious and opened up my eyes to another dish which I would not have tried otherwise. The fried tofu and deep fried pork are must-trys as well. I did not have the chance to try the Choy ban (a kueh similar to Soon Kueh) – no one backed me up as they were too full.
- Other options I found include Man ting fang restaurant, and 大树下擂茶 (Lei Cha under the Large Tree – my translation).
C. Afternoon Adventures & Sweet Treats (Choose 1-2 options, ~2 PM – 5 PM)
Option 1: Cafe Hopping & Street Art
- What: Kulai has a growing number of cafes. Enjoy coffee and cake at Cafe Jufei 聚啡馆, known for it’s rustic and retro vibes.
- Also: Look for colorful street art or murals in the town area – on Google it is titled Kelapa Sawit Wall Art. If you have not taken enough photos for your Instagram at Putuo Village, this is another spot for you! Murals in alleys and village backstreets – Totoro, heritage scenes, and quirky cartoon characters from our childhood.
Option 2: Shop for Local Goodies
- What: Buy local products to take home. Popular items include Heong Peah (fragrant biscuits), traditional egg tarts (often called “oitart”), and other local snacks.
- A Hidden Gem: Tokyu Collections, a large shop with many secondhand items and antiques. You can easily spend a lot of time browsing things there and chancing upon items from your younger days. They even have a section which you can purchase items by a fixed weight.
Do also consider the options that you have not done in the morning as well!
D. Evening Indulgence (Optional – If Staying for Dinner, ~6 PM onwards)
Option 1: Nasi Lemak
- What: I love Nasi Lemak and I’m always on a quest to find the best ones available. Kulai’s most popular Nasi Lemak is Nasi Lemak Wak Kentut. Fried chicken is flavourful, well seasoned, crispy and juicy. The sambal is not too spicy (a slight miss in my opinion but might not be the case for those who cannot tolerate spice). Find a seat and head to the counter to order and point to the ingredients that you want on your plate
Option 2: Outlet shopping at Johor Premium Outlets
- What: There are more than 150 outlet shops at JPO with many brands available and you can shop with great savings, ranging from luxury brands, to sportswear, to lifestyle stores – there is something for everyone. There are many dining options as well. JPO is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, allowing ample time for shopping and dining. I would recommend about 1.5-2hours day unless you have some serious shopping to do.
🍽️Must-Try Kulai Food: A Checklist
Here are some foods to look for in Kulai:
- Hakka Yong Tau Foo
- Hakka Lei Cha (Thunder Tea Rice)
- Hakka Abacus Seeds (Suan Pan Zi)
- Kulai Herbal Chicken or Duck
- Kulai Pork/Beef Kway Teow Soup
- Kopitiam Breakfast (Kopi, Roti Bakar, Eggs)
- Kulai “Oitart” (Egg Tarts)
- Heong Peah (Fragrant Biscuits)
✨Pro-Tips for Your Kulai Day Trip
- What to Wear: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for walking.
- Money: Most places can accept e-wallets (Touch ‘n Go) but some cash is always helpful
- Connectivity: Consider a Malaysian SIM card or check your mobile roaming plan (many include some form of free roaming to Malaysia nowadays.
- Be Respectful: Show respect when visiting temples or interacting with local people.
🗺️Sample Kulai Day Trip Itineraries
Here are a few ideas:
- The Foodie’s Trail: Kopitiam Breakfast -> Hakka Lunch -> Shop for Local Biscuits -> Cafe for Dessert.
- Culture & Nature Explorer: Gunung Pulai -> Local Lunch -> Putuo Village -> Cafe.
- Relaxed Pace: Late Morning Kopitiam Brunch -> Explore Town Murals -> Local Snacks Shopping -> Early Dinner.
- Shopper: Breakfast -> Shopping for Local Goodies -> Hakka Lunch -> JPO
👋Kulai is Calling!
Kulai offers a pleasant day trip with good food and local charm. We hope this guide helps you plan your visit and venture out further from JB. Enjoy exploring Kulai!
Have you visited Kulai? Share your favorite spots or tips in the comments below!
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