The drive from Singapore to JB, then Malacca and KL takes about 5-6 hours, non-stop. I love a good road trip and even more so when there’s great food to eat along the way. Whether it’s a roadside warung, restaurant at a JB mall or a famous eatery, this Singapore to KL route is a foodie’s delight.
Here are the best places to stop on the first leg of your Singapore to JB, Malacca & KL road trip. There’s something for everyone — first, the best locality in JB for the foodie, then the most popular malls in JB with the best restaurants and, lastly, standalone restaurants in JB that you will love.
Our itinerary for the Singapore to JB foodie road trip is limited to places within 20 minutes (5-7 km) from Woodlands Checkpoint. It is divided into:
Foodie locality
- Stop 1 – Taman Mount Austin (~20 mins from Woodlands)
Malls
- Stop 2 – KSL City Mall (~16 mins from Woodlands)
- Stop 3 – Paradigm Mall JB (~20 mins from Woodlands)
- Stop 4 – Johor Bahru City Square (14~ mins from Woodlands)
Restaurants and others
- Stop 5Â – Restoran Hua Mui JB (~14 mins from Woodlands)
- Stop 6Â – Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory (~14 mins from Woodlands)
This list isn’t meant to be a must-follow route but rather a planning guide so you can decide how long you want to travel after crossing the Causeway before eating some great food. All times are estimates as traffic conditions vary by time and day.
Stop 1 – Taman Mount Austin (~20 mins from Woodlands)
Less than 18 km from Woodlands Checkpoint, Taman Mount Austin is perfect for your first pit stop across the border from Singapore to JB. With a variety of food, shopping and entertainment, it is one of the most popular destinations in JB for both Singaporeans and locals.
Here are our recommendations worth a stopover at Taman Mount Austin.
1. Meng Meng Roasted Duck Mount Austin
As a chicken rice fan, I recommend only a few duck rice restaurants, and Meng Meng Roasted Duck is one of them.
Their signature is Roasted Duck with Chinese Herbs (RM80 for whole duck, RM40 for half, and RM26.80 for a quarter). Enjoy crispy, flavour-laden skin over rich, juicy meat. They also have Roasted Honey Pork (RM100 for 1kg, RM50 for ½kg) or Crispy Roasted Pork (RM100 for 1kg, RM50 for ½kg).
There’s also a choice of dim sum, including Shrimp Dumplings (RM8.80), Mango & Shrimp Rolls (RM6.80), Creamy Salted Egg Yolk Buns (RM6.80 for 3), Honey Roasted Pork Bun (RM6.80 for 2), Red Bean Bun (RM3 each).
5-1H, Jalan Austin Heights 3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
+6017 631 4922
Mon to Thu: 9am – 9pm
Fri to Sun: 8am – 9pm
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2. Restoran Anisofea Asam Pedas Johor Asli
The name says it all at Restoran Anisofea Asam Pedas Johor Asli. If you crave a burning tongue, their asam pedas fish (usually mackerel) is prepared in a rich and spicy tamarind-based gravy that includes dried chillies, fresh chillies, ginger, garlic and other aromatic ingredients.
Their Ikan Asam Pedas (RM28 to RM40), Ayam Goreng Berempah (RM5), Deep Fried Siakap Sambal Kicap (RM23 – RM30), Ikan Tenggiri Masin (RM5.50), and Tempe Goreng Berempah (RM4) are all mouthwateringly delicious.
G07 Block, 4, Jalan Mutiara Emas 9/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
+6012 717 3477
Daily: 10am – 10pm
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JB Mall food
Most families play it safe and hit a mall for a food break on their Singapore to JB trip. There are plenty to choose from but here are our recommendations for 3 of the malls in JB with the best food.
Stop 2 – KSL City Mall (~16 mins from Woodlands)
3. D’Shanghai Dim Sum (L2-132)
D’Shanghai Dim Sum specialises in fresh handmade dim sum, with each item prepared daily and steamed upon order.
There are just too many delicious delicacies to list but here are our 3 faves: the Signature Xiao Long Bao (RM9.40), D’shanghai Shrimp Dumpling (RM9.70), and Meat Dumpling in Spicy Sauce (RM9.70). also popular are the classic Siew Mai with Fish Roe (RM8.70), Steamed Pork Ribs with Yam (RM9.70), and Hong Kong Style Steamed Yam Cake (RM8.70).
Also, their Traditional Handmade Char Siew Bun (RM8.90) and Steamed Creamy Custard Bun (RM8.90) are heavenly-soft!
+607 557 6388
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
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4. You Kee XO Restaurant (LG-33)
You Kee XO is backed by almost 60 years of heritage and its traditional Cantonese cuisine is a firm favourite among locals. Its standouts include special tonic soup and delicious roasted meats.
Their Soup of the Day (RM25.80++) is a safe bet every time we’ve tried it. For juicy goodness, the Classic BBQ Platter (RM48) has delicious roasted pork, char siew and duck.
Beyond their renowned roasted meats and soups, we recommend the Golden Yam Ring with Char Siew (RM40++) and Indonesian Curry Sea Prawn (RM65++).
+607 289 1483
Daily: 10.30am – 9pm
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Stop 3 – Paradigm Mall JB – (~20 mins from Woodlands)
5. MyeongDong Topokki (Lot 30, Level 4)
It’s never too early for Korean food and MyeongDong Topokki is always a reliable stop for delicious K-food like topokki, kimchi and bimbap.
The usual favourites are done well, so go ahead and order the Kimchi Bokkeumbap (RM15.90) or Dol Sot Bimbap (RM20.90 for chicken, RM21.90 for beef). In a soupy mood? The Kimchi Jigae (RM17.90 for chicken, RM18.90 for beef), Seafood Kimchi Jigae (RM20.90) and Soondubu Jigae Seafood (RM20.90) are the reigning trio.
Looking for a quick pick-me-up before the next leg of your journey? The Kimchi Topokki (RM9.90 for regular, RM13.90 for large), Cheesy Fries (RM4.90), Kimbap (RM3.90 – RM7.90) and flavourful Yangneyeom Wings & Drummetts (RM11.90) all work wonders!
Daily: 10am – 10pm
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6. Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks (Lot 40, Level G)
Does anybody, anywhere do better street food than Taiwan? I think not, and you can indulge in some of the best fare at Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks. It’s my favourite spot to pick up an easy-to-hold nibble as I stretch my legs for the next stretch of driving.
One of them is the XXL Crispy Chicken (RM21.90 for a set, RM12.50 for à la carte). You can customise the spice level for this huge succulent slab of fried chicken.
Some other recommendations are the Happy! Rice Box (RM15), Crispy Floss Egg Crepe (RM19.90 for a set, RM10.50 for à la carte), Seafood Tempura (RM19.90 for a set, RM9 – RM10.50 for à la carte), and Sweet Plum Potato Fries (RM7.50 for medium, RM9.50 for large).
+603 9212 3628
Daily: 10am – 10pm
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Stop 4 – Johor Bahru City Square (~14 mins from Woodlands)
7. Dragon-i Peking Duck Restaurant (Lot J3-36, Level 3)
1 of only 4 outlets across the country, this branch of Dragon-i Peking Duck Restaurant in Johor Bahru City Square is the only one in southern Malaysia. Established over 20 years ago, it is celebrated for its authentic Shanghainese cuisine.
Prices are very reasonable by Singapore standards — the 3-course Whole Peking Duck (RM188) offers a delightful 3-course meal. It begins with personalised duck wraps, moves on to Duck Bone Soup with Soft Beancurd, and ends with a choice of Fried Duck Bones with Salt & Pepper, Stir Fried Duck Bones in Hunan Style, or Braised Rice Noodles with Black Truffle and Shredded Duck Meat. Amazing!
Other dishes include La Mian with Braised Beef Brisket (RM32.80), Deep Fried Soon Hock with Sweet and Sour Sauce (RM20 per 50 grams), and Fried Rice with Deep Fried French Pork Chop (RM30.80).
+607 222 1288
Mon to Thu: 11am – 2.30pm & 5pm – 9.30pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
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8. Ho Seng Kee (Lot J6-07, 07A, 08 & 08A, Level 6)
Known for its handmade noodles made fresh daily using duck eggs, chicken eggs and high-protein wheat flour, Ho Seng Kee is your go-to wantan mee stop.
The signature Gourmet Wantan Mee (RM15 for medium, RM22 for large) has dry noodle options of original, black sauce, spicy, spicy and black, and there is a soup version, too.
Vegetarians should try the Meat Free Cutlet Mee (RM24 for medium, RM31 for large). Otherwise, the Unagi Protein Mee (RM55 for medium, RM62 for large)Â and Prawn Dumpling Mee (RM22 for medium, RM29 for large) are good options. Our favourite side dishes here are the Xito Fish Balls (RM12) and Golden Crispy Skin (RM2).
+6012 710 7140
Daily: 10am – 8pm
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Restaurants and others
There are a few places which I take a detour to when on a Singapore to JB road trip. These are my 2 top choices.
9. Restoran Hua Mui JB (~14 mins from Woodlands)
Established right after WWII, Restoran Hua Mui JB is a rustic kopitiam that specialises in authentic Hainanese cuisine. It is best known for its signature Hainanese Fried Chicken Chop (RM20.90).
Immersed in Hua Mui’s unique seasoning blend, the succulent chicken is expertly fried to a wonderful crisp, achieving a tender and flawless texture.
Some of the other popular kopitiam offerings are the Hainan Fried Mee (RM11.90 for chicken, RM14.90 for beef), Signature Laksa (RM13.90), and amazing Polo Buns (RM8.90 for double butter & kaya, RM9.90 for double butter, kaya & peanut).
131, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
+607 224 7364
Daily: 8am – 5pm
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10. Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory (~14 mins from Woodlands)
Yes, I go (a few minutes) out of my way on my Singapore to JB trips for good banana bread. First opened in 1919, Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory easily takes the title of best banana cake in JB, in my humble opinion. I’m not alone— be prepared for long queues.
Baked in a wood-fired oven, the soft and fluffy Banana Cake (RM12) comes with 10 slices per box. Come on a Tuesday morning and you will get the chance to buy the exclusive Butter Cake (RM15) and Coffee Cake (RM15).
They also bake fresh bread, available in Coconut, Red Bean, Peanut and Kaya flavours, all priced at RM5 for 4 buns. You can also try the Otak-Otak Bun and Butter Bun, both at RM5 for 2 pieces.
13, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
+607 223 1703
Daily: 7.30am – 5pm
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So, that’s the first leg of our Singapore to JB, Malacca and KL foodie trip done! Next, we travel from JB to Malacca, the longest stretch of our 3-leg journey. It will be linked here once it’s up!
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