Johor Bahru – the southernmost urban sprawl in Malaysia, and only a stone’s throw away from Singapore. A vibrant city filled with a variety of attractions, shopping hotspots and a little bit of history. But in between all these, lies an amazing food scene catering to almost every level of taste buds! Many may be looking for places to eat in JB that are halal. So, if you're planning that trip to Johor Bahru soon, make sure to check out this list for the best halal food in Johor Bahru! JB halal food? Let's go!
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Halal Eateries In Johor Bahru
1. Ads Corner
If you've been craving for something sweet, Ads Corner's signature “Teh Tarik Madu Kaw” (honey ice tea) is just the thing you're looking for! Using powdered milk mixed with honey, the foam overflows from the glass and you can take a bite of the yummy foam. The flavours range from bandung to green tea, so you can savour all your favourite drinks with an even sweeter twist.
But don't just stop at their drinks! This stall is not just popular for their drinks but also their unique food. Nasi Kak Wok hails from Kelantan but if you’re not willing to go that far, this is the best place to try it. The dish is made of chicken fried to perfection, curry and rice – a popular dish in Kelantan! Check out how perfectly fried the chicken is.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
2. Me’nate Steak Hub JB
This bustling steak joint first gained traction during the opening of its first store in KL and now, almost a decade later, the legendary Western eatery has finally opened its store in Johor Bahru, helping Johorians and Singaporeans alike enjoy an array of meaty dishes! If you love chargrilled meat, this is the place for you! Enjoy ribs, steaks, burgers, pasta and much more.
P.S. There's even live bands playing at the restaurant at certain hours of the day for your delightful dinner and entertainment ritual.
Me’nate Steak Hub JB
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Address: 113 & 115, Jalan Glasiar, Taman Tasek, 80200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun; 11am - 11pm | Friday; 11am - 12:30pm, 2:30pm - 11pm
3. Muara Steamboat & Grill
Have you ever wanted to enjoy a hotpot with a perfect view? Just 20 minutes away from the causeway in JB, Muara Steamboat & Grill offers premium halal hotpot, which includes meat, seafood and even vegetable platters. Using only premium ingredients, Muar Steamboat & Grill offers an extensive selection of seafood, meats, and much more. It starts from RM22.80 for the soup base to RM308 for the Alaskan King Crab!
Muara Steamboat & Grill
Halal status: Halal Ingredients are used. In the midst of getting halal-certification
Address: No. C1, Blok C, PTD 213607, Persiaran Senibong, Teluk Senibong, Masai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily, 4pm - 11pm
4. Lazy Monday HQ
We should warn you that the burgers are not for the faint of heart! The thick beef patties are grilled on the spot for the ultimate hot and fresh satisfaction. You also can’t go wrong with their chicken burgers that are battered and fried to a golden crisp. ? Enjoy thick beef or chicken burgers and a side of loaded nachos drowned in heaps of cheese, minced beef, peppers and jalapenos! While the sheer size of the burgers might hurt your jaw, the heartiness of it will surely not deter you. The burgers start from RM27.45!
Lazy Monday HQ
Halal status: Halal-certified
Address: 71A, Jalan Abdul Samad 1, Sri Gelam, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily; 3am - 12pm
5. O’se Kitchen
Located along Jalan Aliff in Johor Bahru, O’se Kitchen is a new hidden gem that has made quite the name for itself for serving up mouth-watering dishes like hand rolled sushi, udon, curry rice, nabe (Japanese hot pot) and much more! ? If you’re looking for light bites for lunch, why not go for their Makimono Zen Roll? It comes with salmon and cucumbers rolled in rice and topped with raw salmon slices and fish roe.
O’se Kitchen
Halal status: Halal-certified
Address: 7, Jalan Aliff 4, Taman Damansara Aliff, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily; 12:30pm - 3pm (Lunch) | 5:30pm - 10pm (Dinner)
6. Membawang King Crab JB
Owned by a Muslim chef, the restaurant is the newest seafood spot for seafood lovers. Be sure to try out their cheese-baked lobsters. With huge chunks of sweet flesh, the cheese is melted right in front of you! Mm… yum! ? The seafood is served Shellout-style, which means the food is served right on the table — no plates needed! This makes a great bonding experience as you get to share your food with your gang.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Address: Jalan Lurah 18, Kawasan Kempas Lurah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: Daily; 3pm - 11:30pm
7. Asam Pedas Pakndak
Credit: Asam Pedas Pakndak on Facebook
If you’re in JB and craving some fresh seafood, you must visit Asam Pedas Pakndak in Muar! Its location is a little off the beaten path - about a 2-hour drive from the city centre. But its well-known for its delicious homestyle dishes and welcoming atmosphere, Asam Pedas Pakndak is popular among the locals for its reasonably priced seafood. ?
There’s always a crowd at this restaurant, but it's rightfully so! Asam Pedas Pakndak offers a platter of 10 oysters for just RM35 which is affordable considering its freshness and presentation. To give the oysters an extra kick, the restaurant also serves its signature spicy sauce with the platter so you can get a taste of the combination of fresh and flavourful oysters! ?
Asam Pedas Pakndak
Address: Pengkalan, Kg Pt Tiram, Jalan Exit, Jln Salleh, 84000 Muar, Johor
Opening hours: Tue - Sun; 10.30am - 5pm
8. Salahuddin Bakery
Step back in time for a visit to one of the more historical shops in Johor! Salahuddin Bakery has been in operation for almost 75+ years and is still going strong with its daily offerings of freshly baked bread. Still keeping with their age-old tradition of baking bread with a charcoal oven, the bread is soft and fluffy and is a hit with the locals! Come early if you want a good slice of the daily action. Most of their fresh bread, buns and puffs are available early in the morning and can be sold out by noon. After that, you may still get some leftovers (if you’re lucky!), otherwise, an assortment of biscuits is available.
#HHWTTip: Drop by early as some of their crowd favourites can be sold out by 11AM!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Website
9. Restoran ZZ Sup Tulang
Rich, thick and flavourful... That is precisely what the soup served at Restoran ZZ Sup Tulang is all about! Head on over to enjoy a good serving of sup tulang (chunky pieces of bones with some flesh to it); both big in taste and portion! The mutton-based soup is cooked with different herbs and spices to both flavour it and reduce the strong mutton smell. There are a few variations to how you can enjoy it – from adding additional meat and tulang (bones) to mixing it all up with some noodles and fresh green chillies! If you're still feeling hungry, try out the kerang bakar (grilled cockles) and otak-otak (grilled fish paste mixed with flour and spices, wrapped in banana leaf)!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
10. Roslin Beriani House
Nothing is more synonymous to the Johor food scene than the famous nasi briyani gam! If you’re in JB, drop by Roslin Beriani House for one of the best briyani dishes in this side of town. Expect long grains of fluffy basmati rice, cooked to perfection with a rich medley of spices and herbs, which gives off an amazing scent! Topped with generous amounts of meat, the briyani gam served at Roslin’s is amongst the best in Johor. They’ll also serve every plate of briyani with a side of pajeri nenas (pineapple curry), acar buah (pickled fruits) and some crunchy papadoms.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
11. Anisofea Asam Pedas Johor Asli
Credit: Anisofea Asam Pedas Johor Asli on Facebook
The south of Malaysia is always synonymous with its asam pedas; a hot and spicy stew, with a hint of lemongrass and mostly served with seafood offerings. When in JB, there is no excuse to not try out the local version of the asam pedas! At Anisofea, the dish is served in a claypot bowl, allowing it to retain its heat. With the dish still boiling hot when it reaches your table, be assured that you'll get the freshest servings here! There are a variety of fish and fish cuts (tail, head, flesh) to go with your bowl of asam pedas, so choose to your liking!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
12. Warung Saga
You can’t go wrong when you start your day with a comforting plate of nasi lemak, lontong or soto ayam! Head over the Warung Saga to have your daily fix of any of these delicacies. It's a simple restaurant in terms of its ambience and set-up. However, don’t be fooled by its simplicity – they still serve amazing food here! The place retains the authentic kampong feel, which further complements its amazing and delicious local cuisine! When you're here, you HAVE to try their signature dish, lontong kering! It’s a twist on the local favourite (lontong) but without the gravy.
Halal status: Halal-certified
13. Hiap Joo Bakery
No trip to JB would be complete without paying a visit to Hiap Joo Bakery! Opened since 1919, this is one of the oldest and traditional bakeries in the city. Anyone who's been to Hiap Joo will tell you not to miss their signature banana cake. This cake has just the perfect moisture and the taste isn't too sweet as well. If you love banana cakes, this is definitely one not to miss! Other than the banana cake, another highly recommended item is their coconut bun. This freshly baked bun has grated coconut fillings with palm sugar and you'll definitely want more after tasting it! Amidst all the hipster cafes and makan places around, Hiap Joo stands out as a gem. It is probably one of the only bakeries which still uses a wood-fired oven to bake their buns and bread. It is very affordable as well with prices starting from RM4.
Halal status: Halal-certified
14. Molten Chocolate Cafe
This chocolate cafe's menu is perfect for treating yourself to something sweet! With everything on offer from crepes and waffles to a fondue tower, Molten Chocolate's Aeon Mall branch has our sweet tooth feeling excited! For a mid-week snack, pick up a plate of churros and try out their chocolate dip. Their sizzling plate comes loaded with decadent chocolate, a chewy brownie, and even a scoop of your favourite ice cream!
Halal status: Halal-certified
15. Leva Leur Cafe & Trading
Credit: @ohfoodyhuin on Instagram
For a different seafood experience that you won't get enough of, head on over to Leva Leur Cafe & Trading. Imagine this: a row of slipper lobsters, baby crabs, prawns, squid, mussels and other seafood each cooked in your sauce/s of choice with mounds of rice lining the sides. There are no plates or utensil as you and your party dig right into the feast with your bare hands. Yup, that’s right! This restaurant offers one of the popular food trend of “shell out”! Unlike other shell out restaurants, Leva Leur cooks each seafood type in a different sauce so your experience is varied. Nevertheless, it is all going to be mouth-watering and nothing beats eating with your hands for that communal dining experience!
Halal status: Muslim-owned