Finding the best JB food can feel both exciting and overwhelming. The city, especially areas like Mount Austin, is a playground for food lovers, with endless options from traditional hawker stalls to sleek, modern cafes.
This weekend, I could only hit JB later in the weekend due to work, and my meals were limited as I had some home cooked meals. But I still managed to visit a few food spots for you all!
This post is my honest food diary from that weekend. Itβs a real-time log of everything I ate, the incredible finds, the good-enough meals, and the spots that didn’t quite hit the mark. My hope is that this detailed, unfiltered look helps you plan your own delicious trip to JB, pointing you toward the must-tries and helping you manage expectations for the rest.
Quick Rundown
| Eatery | Best For⦠| Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Good Husband Patisserie | Exquisite, modern cakes | π A Solid Choice |
| Me and my Roro | High-quality Japanese handrolls & value sets | π A Solid Choice |
| 365 Bakery | Classic Asian-style bread & pastries | π Go Out of Your Way |
| Good Taste Noodle Shop | A quick, no-fuss bowl of curry noodles | π€ Worth a Shot |
| ε°ζΉΎι»ιε°ηη | A hot, crispy, and chewy street snack | π Go Out of Your Way + π¨ Good for a Quick Stop |
My Detailed JB Food Diary & Reviews
The Ratings:
- π Go Out of Your Way: The highest praise. This spot is a destination in itself and is worth planning your day around.
- π A Solid Choice: A reliable, enjoyable spot that I would happily return to. It will likely deliver.
- π€ Worth a Shot: An interesting place that has potential but might have some downsides. Go if you’re nearby or curious.
- π¨ Good for a Quick Stop: This is meant for simpler food stops like bakeries, snack stalls, or coffee shops. It’s not a destination meal, but it excels at what it does and is worth visiting to pick something up if you are nearby.
- β‘οΈ I’d Skip It: An honest take. This place didn’t meet expectations, and I think your time is better spent elsewhere.
π Good Husband Patisserie: A Masterclass in Modern Cakes
The Vibe:
We stopped here for a dessert break after dinner at home, and the atmosphere was sleek. It’s a proper patisserie where the cakes are the undisputed stars of the show.
The Food/The Experience:
We tried two of their signature cakes. The Pandan Taro Pudding Cake was a standout. It had a savory biscuit base, a wonderfully fragrant pandan layer, and a sweet, smooth taro filling. A thin layer of strawberry white chocolate surrounding the take added a complementary sweetness that tied it all together. The Pistachio Latte Cake was more of an acquired taste. The pistachio flavor was pronounced and creamy, but the bitter note from the coffee layer wasn’t quite for me, though a coffee lover might enjoy it. The chocolate layer was good, but not memorable.
The Verdict: π A Solid Choice
This patisserie is creating some special and well-balanced cakes. The Pandan Taro Pudding Cake is an absolute must-try and reason enough to visit.
π Me and my Roro: Incredible Value and Unforgettable Handrolls
The Vibe:
This Japanese eatery has a casual and welcoming feel. We went for lunch, and it felt like a place you could go for a quick solo meal or a relaxed sit-down with friends. It manages to cater to different budgets without compromising on a friendly, efficient atmosphere.
The Food/The Experience:
The handrolls were the highlight. They were all torched (aburi-style) and delicious, a huge step up from the generic rolls you often find. The seaweed was fresh and crisp, and there wasn’t too much rice, letting the main ingredients shine. The Engawa (fluke fin) was so good I ordered a second one. I also tried the Unagi (with tempura crunch) and Beef (with garlic), both of which had fantastic contrasting textures. The Set Lunch, however, was a true steal. For the price of a single handroll, it included:
- A main of Chicken Karaage with rice. The chicken was meaty and well-fried, though the mayo-heavy potato salad on the side overpowered it a bit.
- Three small, well-made side dishes (okra, tamago, and crispy fried potato with prawn).
- Miso soup and a fresh salad.
The only letdowns were the Agedashi Tofu, which was just okay, and the Grilled Salmon Belly, which was cooked well with crispy skin but wasn’t fatty at all, which is the whole point of ordering belly.
The Verdict: π A Solid Choice
The handrolls are exceptional and the lunch set offers some of the best value for money I’ve seen for Japanese food here in JB. Stick to those, and you can’t go wrong. I didn’t splurge on the more expensive parts of the menu hence I can’t comment on them!
π 365 Bakery: Your Go-To for Fluffy Buns and a Killer Swiss Roll
The Vibe:
This is a bustling bakery. I went slightly after opening and the queue has already built up. The shelves are packed with a huge variety of buns, pastries, and cakes. It’s a grab-and-go spot, perfect for stocking up on breakfast or snacks for the road.
The Food/The Experience:
We grabbed a few items to try, and they were all fantastic. The Chocolate Swiss Roll is a must-get, the creamy dark chocolate filling and lighter chocolate cream contrast perfectly with the firm sponge cake. The Floss Bun was fluffy and filled with a slightly sourish sauce that cut through the richness. The Pain au Chocolat was buttery, light, and well-layered. My only tiny critique is that it could have used a bit more chocolate. Finally, we tried their number one bestseller, the Sweet Potato Bun. It’s shaped to look like a sweet potato, which is a fun touch, and contains a smooth, sweet potato paste inside a fluffy bun.
The Verdict: π Go Out of Your Way
This bakery nailed their stuff. Everything we tried was fresh, fluffy, and delicious, especially the Chocolate Swiss Roll. I’ll definitely be back with more reviews of their offerings.
π Good Taste ε₯½ε₯½ι£ι’ι¦ Crest Austin: A Decent but Mixed Noodle Stop
The Vibe:
The restaurant has a clean and comfortable interior. Itβs a simple, air-conditioned spot thatβs great for getting out of the heat and having a straightforward meal. It was pretty fill when I went.
The Food/The Experience:
For my appetizers, I got the toasted kaya bread (a must get no matter where you have breakfast in Malaysia if available) and a plate of Ngor Hiang. The bread was thin and well toasted, definitely enjoyable. The Ngor Hiang was meaty with a crisp crust and a good purchase
I ordered the Curry Mee with Steamed Chicken and their Signature Noodle Set for my mains. The curry itself was good, there’s a mild heat but not overly spicy until I added my own chili. It came with springy wanton noodles and tender pork skin. However, the meal had some definite highs and lows:
Hits: The steamed chicken, while a small portion, was cooked perfectly. The noodles in the signature set were well-coated in oil and had a great texture.
Misses: The char siew was fatty and tender but lacked the signature charred flavor and sweetness, making me question if it was char siew at all. The boiled wantons had skin that was too thick and contained very little filling, while the fried wantons had a slightly off, old-oil taste.
The Verdict:
While it provided a satisfying bowl of curry noodles, several components missed the mark for the signature set. It’s a decent option if you’re in the area and need a quick fix (or keen to get some Kaya Toast), but I wouldn’t seek it out specifically.
π ε°ζΉΎι»ιε°ηη (Fried Sweet Potato Balls): A Simple, Crispy Delight
The Vibe:
This was a small, unassuming street-side stall in the busy Mount Austin area. Thereβs no seating, just place your order from the truck. Itβs all about getting a quick, hot snack to enjoy while you walk.
The Experience:
These fried sweet potato balls were a textural marvel. The crust was incredibly light and crispy. As you bite, you hear the air escape and the shell collapses into the soft, chewy taro filling inside. Served warm, it’s a simple, comforting, and deeply satisfying snack.
The Verdict: π Go Out of Your Way + π¨ Good for a Quick Stop
This is a must-try when you see it. Itβs a perfect example of a simple street food done right. Trust me, ignore the Google rating and give this a try.
Final Thoughts on This Johor Bahru Food Trip
I overate as usual this weekend, can’t be helped (I’m eating so you know where to do)
If you have one perfect food day in Johor Bahru, Iβd suggest this itinerary based on my trip: Start your morning by grabbing a few fluffy buns and a Chocolate Swiss Roll from 365 Bakery. For lunch, head to Me and my Roro for their high-value set lunch and a couple of their phenomenal handrolls. In the afternoon, grab a hot, crispy Taro Ball as a snack, and end your day with a slice of exquisite cake from Good Husband Patisserie.
What are your must-visit food spots in Johor Bahru? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
- Looking for more tips? Check out my full Malaysia Travel & Food Hub.
- You can find my first and second JB food diaries here!
