Planning a drive to Singapore? Make your road trip less tiring and more memorable (and more filling!) by stopping at different places to rest and eat!
There are several stops that you can make along the way, including Melaka and Batu Pahat. The image below can help give you a clearer idea ?
All buckled up? Here we go!
Credit: Giphy
Kuala Lumpur
1. Nasi Lemak Mak Wanjor
Start your trip the Malaysian way with the national dish, nasi lemak!
Operating since 1955, Nasi Lemak Mak Wanjor is a popular place to get a dose of this dish. The highlight here is the sweet and smoky sambal that’s not too spicy, and perfect for those who like their sambal a little sweet. Parking is a challenge here in Kampung Baru, but we assure you that this nasi lemak is worth the trouble!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM6
Opening hours: Open daily; 6.30AM-1AM
Address: Nasi Lemak Wanjo, 8, Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 012-395 3884
2. Warung Pak Hassan
Everyone loves a good flaky roti canai, and Pak Hassan’s is exactly that. This famous breakfast spot has been serving delicious roti canai for 70 years, and what makes them unique is that their roti canai comes with free flow chicken feet curry! Don’t forget to also try the roti tampal, served with a fried egg seated right on top of your roti for extra protein boost.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM5
Opening hours: Tue-Sun; 7AM-1PM (closed on Mon)
Address: 31, Jalan Raja Abdullah, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +60 17-223 7871
Seremban
3. Mee Kari Railway Rasah
Previously located near Stesen Keretapi Rasah (hence the name!), the famous Mee Kari Railway Rasah now resides in Seremban 2. With perfect curry consistency and generous chicken serving, this curry mee is a hit among the locals and even attracts patrons from other states.
What makes this dish special is that they add in fried chicken, which adds a unique crunchy factor! Besides curry mee, the restaurant also serves nasi lemak and a variety of traditional kuih.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM7
Opening hours: Sat-Thu; 8AM-4PM (closed on Fri)
Address: 97, Persiaran S2 B1, Seremban 2, 70300 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Contact: 019-206 9768
4. Sate Minang Pak Rajab, Benteng
Credit: Minangkabau Negeri 9 Malaysia on Facebook
Almost everything can be done ‘banjir’ style (flooded) in Malaysia, and that includes satay. Pak Rajab serves authentic Sate Minang, and the meat is marinated overnight to create a rich flavour before they’re grilled to perfection. The highlight of this dish is the flood of special sauce poured over the satay! Do note that this place is only open for dinner, so plan your trip well if you’re thinking of making a stop here ?
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM6
Opening hours: Open daily; 5.30PM-12AM
Address: 18, Jalan Dato Abdul Rahman Seremban, Bandar Seremban, 70000 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, 7000, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
5. N9 Stick Factory
So instead of a heavy meal, you probably just need a coffee break with some light snacks. N9 Stick Factory is a cool place just behind AEON Seremban 2 that offers not just an extensive and bountiful menu, but also a trendy concept and atmosphere. People commonly come here for the steamboat, which is priced at RM1 per stick.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM12
Opening hours: Open daily; 6PM-12AM
Address: No 99, 2, Persiaran S2 B1, Seremban
Contact: +60 12-935 1845
Melaka
6. Kocik Kitchen
No trip (or stopover) to Malacca is complete without trying the traditional Peranakan cuisine, otherwise known as Baba Nyonya, which is a fusion of two different customs and traditions.
While most places don’t offer halal menu, Kocik Kitchen is where you can savour halal-certified Peranakan food without worries! Favourites here are Nyonya Assam Fish and omelette cincalok (made from fermented small shrimps). Don’t forget to also try their unique ball-shaped otak-otak (spicy fish cake) and the all-time favourite, cendol!
Halal status: Halal ingredients used
Average price of main dishes: RM12
Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 11AM-6PM (closed on Wed), Sat-Sun; 11AM-9PM
Address: No. 100, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Malacca City, Melaka
Contact: 016-929 6605
7. Jit Fan Restaurant
Credit: Jit Fan Restaurant on Facebook
Let’s be honest, how can you visit the land of chicken rice balls and not try this famous dish? We know that finding halal chicken rice balls is not easy, but Jit Fan Restaurant is here to put a stop to your search. This halal-certified restaurant serves soft Chinese-style chicken rice balls topped with juicy roasted chicken!
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price of main dishes: RM6
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays (9 am - 6 pm), closed on Mondays
Address: No 21, Jalan PNBBU 1, Pusat Niaga Utama, 75150 Bukit Baru, Melaka
Contact: 016-9811695
8. Putu Piring Generasi Ketiga
The name itself already suggests the legacy this stall holds. Operating since 1969, the stall has remained in almost the same exact spot since day 1, and now the third generation is involved in the business. What makes their putu piring, a traditional steamed dessert made of ground rice flour with gula melaka or palm sugar filling, is that the rice flour is homemade instead of store bought!
The putu piring here comes in different flavours: original, durian, durian chocolate chips and chocolate chips.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM1
Opening hours: Tue-Sun; 1.30AM-6.30PM (closed on Mon)
Address: 3123C, Jalan Limbongan, Kampung Limbongan, 75250 Melaka
Contact: 017-202 8669
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Muar
9. Mee Bandung Muar Abu Bakar Hanipah
Don’t skip mee bandung when you’re in Muar!
It’s said that Mee Bandung Muar Abu Bakar Hanipah is the originator of mee bandung, and they still follow the same recipe from when they started decades ago. This humble stall resides in a casual kopitiam-style restaurant with limited seats, but that doesn’t stop loyal customers to keep coming back for the perfect combination of rich and flavourful gravy, juicy prawns and spices.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM4.50
Opening hours: Sat-Thu; 7AM-4PM (closed on Fri)
Address: Wan Sah Kopitiam, 69-A, Jalan Abdullah, 84000 Muar, Johor
Contact: +60 12-264 2720
10. Sai Kee Kopi 434 Muar
You can’t stop by Muar without stopping by at this one-of-a-kind cafe. Instead of regular artisan coffees like long blacks and cappuccino, Sai Kee Kopi 434 serves locally grown coffee. Their signature blend is Elephant Bean Coffee, which comes in a choice of hot or cold. Typically, customers also order local style toast served with butter and kaya jam.
If you like the coffee, the cafe also sells the bean and instant sachets!
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price of main dishes: RM6
Opening hours: Open daily; 8AM-5.30PM
Address: 121, Jalan Maharani, Taman Sri Emas, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: 06-9513 828
11. Restoran Murtabak JD Singapore
If a regular sized murtabak isn’t enough to appease your hunger, then this is the place for you. Restoran Murtabak JD Singapore is said to be the first place to bring Singapore's famous murtabak (dough pancake stuffed with meat) over to Muar. The humongous murtabak is stuffed with fillings and served with their own chilli sauce
Halal status: Muslim owned
Average price of main dishes: RM10
Opening hours: Sat-Thu; 11AM-12AM, closed on Fridays
Address: Jalan Kesang, 84000 Muar, Johor
Contact: 013-693 7589
Batu Pahat
12. Nasi Beriani Mohd Shah
Johor’s version of nasi biryani is significantly different from regular ones you’d find in mamak restaurants. At Nasi Beriani Mohd Shah, the fragrant rice is cooked with a wide array of spices, and served with tender mutton or chicken rendang; both fall off the bone easily. Do note that this restaurant is so famous that they sell out quickly, so make sure to be there early!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM8
Opening hours: Sat-Thu; 8AM-6.15PM (closed on Fri)
Address: Nasi Beriani Mohd Shah (Stall No. 13 & 14), Gerai Niaga Peserai, Jalan Muar, Batu Pahat, Johor
Contact: 07-413 8322
13. Mee Racun Tulang Sri Jaya
Don’t let the name or look of this dish scare you away. Literally translated to “poison noodles”, the devilish red mee racun is an iconic food of Batu Pahat. This roadside restaurant is the pioneer in the dish. The spicy mee racun which is cooked with local ingredients and flavoured with sweet cattle broth is perfect as a pick-me-up after a long drive. Don’t forget to upgrade your mee racun to mee racun tulang, served with mutton bone marrow which is meant to be drunk!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM6
Opening hours: Open daily; 4PM-12AM (or sold out)
Address: Jalan Rotan Tunggal, Taman Seri Jaya, 83000 Batu Pahat
Contact: 017-674 6066
Kulai
14. Nasi Lemak Wak Kentut
Do not let the humble appearance of this stall deceive you because their nasi lemak is the best you can find in town—probably even in the state! Instead of offering many different sides, fried chicken and fried omelette are the only options here, and the fried chicken here is no joke - the crispy crunch is totally worth queuing up for ?
Do note that they’ve separated their restaurant into two different stalls - one for dine-in and the other for takeaway, so make sure to stand in the right queue!
Halal status: Muslim owned
Average price of main dishes: RM3-4
Opening hours: Thur-Tue; 5AM-12AM (closed on Wed)
Address: 140, Jalan Susur Kulai 2, Taman Kulai Besar, 81000 Kulai, Johor
Contact: 012-754 3818
Johor Bahru
15. Kacang Pool Haji
Another signature of Johor’s, kacang pool is made with broad beans, also called foul beans and loosely translated into Malay as pool beans. This dish was reinvented by Haji Makpol Kairon after he tried Egypt’s national breakfast, foul medammas, which he modified to suit the local palates. Kacang pool is stewed with minced meat and served with toasted bread and a sunny side up.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM8
Opening hours: Open daily; 7AM-1AM
Address: No. 3, Medan Selera Larkin Bomba (Susur 5 Jalan Tun Abdul Razak), Johor Bahru, Johor 8000
Contact: +60 13-737 7997
16. Restoran ZZ Sup Tulang
As the name suggests, sup tulang or bone soup is the pride of this restaurant, where you’ll be dining in small pavilions surrounded by trees providing shade and soothing ambience. Each bowl of sup tulang is generously served with two gargantuan lamb shank bones. The soup is rich with flavours from various herbs and condiments, perfect to re-energize your tired body after a long drive!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM10
Opening hours: Open daily; 7AM-12AM
Address: 20, Jalan Petri 5/1, Kampung Bahru, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: 012-7227209
17. Salahuddin Bakery
Don’t miss the chance to visit the oldest bakery in Johor Bahru! Not only does this 80-year-old bakery maintain the same look since they first opened, but they also use the original recipe and the same traditional method of baking bread. Salahuddin Bakery offers soft and fluffy bread at an affordable price. Their bakes often sell out fast, so come early especially if you plan to snag their signature triangle shaped curry puffs!
Halal status: Muslim owned
Average price of main dishes: RM2
Opening hours: Sat-Thu; 7.30AM-6PM (closed on Fri)
Address: No. 26, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Contact: 012-766 8380
Here's a round-up of all the food stops from KL to Singapore:
It’s no secret that Malaysia is a haven for foodies, and what better way to discover the best eats in the southern part of the peninsula than making pit stops during your drive between KL and Singapore? As the saying goes, it’s not about the destination, it’s the journey ?