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Explore Johor, Malaysia
Johor (柔佛) is the southern-most state of Peninsular Malaysia and the nearest to Singapore. The state is divided into 10 districts with Johor Bahru as its capital city and economic centre, whereas Muar is the royal capital. Although not as well-known and popular as its Malacca neighbour, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the laid-back towns of Johor's districts are hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Johor Bahru (Capital)
JB Buy: Bei's Pastry (鲍小贝糕点) Meat Floss Xiaobei @ Tan Hiok Nee
Bei's Pastry's different flavours of meat floss xiaobei, fruity snowy mochi and red date cake are nice.
Nov 6
JB Eat: SK Nanyang Cafe (兴记茶室) Kopitiam @ Tan Hiok Nee
SK Nanyang Cafe's signature Hainanese chicken rice and bee hoon series are delicious and must try.
Nov 5
JB Eat: Okid Barbecue House (褔記兰花霸王鸭) Roasted Duck @ Permas Jaya
Okid Barbecue House's roasted duck and other delights are must-tries. Their dishes are well-cooked.
Oct 31
Kota Tinggi District
JB Bus: To Kota Tinggi Town, Johor (柔佛.哥打丁宜)
Get to Kota Tinggi via public bus service from Singapore via JB Sentral or Larkin Sentral.
Oct 7
Johor 2025 Day 3: Kota Tinggi to Mersing (丰盛港)
I arrived in Mersing. Explored the town, Mersing Jetty, Mersing beach, etc within half a day.
May 29
Kota Tinggi Eat: Laughing Canteen (啦枫食堂) Kopitiam @ Bandar Kota Tinggi
Laughing Canteen serves traditional kopi, long list of Malaysia local delights and western food.
May 28
Kulai District
JB & Kulai Buy: Verbena Bakery & Pastries
Verbena's pastries are attractive and with nice flavours too. The garlic bun, sweet potato bun are nice.
Oct 18
Kulai Eat: Mok Gao / Mok Jiu Restaurant (莫搞牛肉面) Beef, Pork & Seafood Noodles
Mok Jiu's beef, pork and seafood noodles in clear broth are delicious. Must try when in Kulai.
Oct 8
Kulai Eat: Big Tree Lei Cha (大树下擂茶) Thunder Tea Rice
Big Tree Lei Cha's two Hakka dishes: tea rice and fried yong tau foo are really delicious.
Oct 8
Pontian District
JB / Pontian Eat: The Chicken Rice Shop
The Chicken Rice Shop serves steamed, roasted, soy sauce and honey barbecued chickens and more.
Oct 18
JB Bus: To Pekan Nanas & Pontian District in Johor (柔佛.笨珍.北干那那)
For those who likes to explore quiet places for hidden gems, Pekan Nanas is a good place to try. Get there.
Oct 7
SG-Johor Bus: Singapore to Pontian Kechil & Kukup Village, Johor (柔佛.笨珍)
Get to Pontian District and Kukup Village in Johor from Singapore using public bus services.
Oct 7
Kluang District
Johor 2025 Day 6: Kluang to Batu Pahat (峇株巴辖)
It was an easy day, going for more eats in Kluang before moving to Batu Pahat at around noon.
Jun 1
Kluang Eat: Zao Wan Jian Mian (早碗见面) Chinese-Style Noodles
Zao Wan Jian Mian's fried kway teow and beef noodle are delicious. Meat dumplings is nice as side dish.
Jun 1
Kluang Eat: Old Pasar Kopitiam (老巴刹古早味食阁)
I have tried Hakka noodle and beef brisket noodle soup at Old Pasar Kopitiam so far. More to go.
Jun 1
Batu Pahat District
Batu Pahat Eat: Mee Downstairs (楼下见面) Yong Tau Foo, Noodles & Buns
Mee Downstairs's yong tau foo with noodle is nice. Will go for their polo buns next time.
Jun 4
Batu Pahat Eat: Ko Zao Bi Noodles House (古早味云吞面) Wanton Noodle
Ko Zao Bi's traditional-taste wanton mee, with mee pok, has nice texture and delicious.
Jun 4
Johor 2025 Day 9: Batu Pahat to Tangkak (东甲)
From Batu Pahat, I travelled to Muar and took another bus to Tangkak, a town that I had yet to visit.
Jun 4
Muar District
Muar Eat: My Kim Mama (金夫人) Kopitiam @ Pekan Muar
My Kim Mama serves Malaysian and Thai delights in an air-con environment. Try its seafood hor fun.
Jun 7
Muar Eat: New Town Authentic Cuisine Kopitiam @ Taman Sri Tanjung
New Town's wanton noodle with spiced chicken and roti canai are nice. The coconut kopi latte is must try.
Jun 6
Johor 2025 Day 9: Batu Pahat to Tangkak (东甲)
From Batu Pahat, I travelled to Muar and took another bus to Tangkak, a town that I had yet to visit.
Jun 4
Tangkak District
Tangkak Buy: Chop Hua Bee (和美饼家) Big Salty Tau Sar Peah
Ko Zao Bi's traditional-taste wanton mee, with mee pok, has nice texture and delicious.
Jun 6
Tangkak Eat: Tangkak Kopitiam (东甲咖啡店)
Tangkak Kopitiam's Siham Kuey Teow and Fried Xiang Di surprised me with their taste and portion size.
Jun 5
Tangkak Eat: Jia Jia Bak Kuet Teh (家家肉骨茶)
Jia Jia's traditional-style bak kut teh with yam rice and unique braised chicken feet are delicious.
Jun 5
Mersing District
Mersing Eat: Sri Mersing Cafe (丽丰西果饮冰室) @ Mersing Kechil
Sri Mersing Cafe is a nice place for traditional kopi, roti bakar, egg tarts and other confections.
May 30
Johor 2025 Day 4: Mersing to Kluang (居銮)
After spending the morning in Mersing, I continued the journey to Kluang, a town I was familiar with.
May 30
Johor 2025 Day 3: Kota Tinggi to Mersing (丰盛港)
I arrived in Mersing. Explored the town, Mersing Jetty, Mersing beach, etc within half a day.
May 29
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