KL-SG Road Trip: 17 Awesome Halal Food Stops You’ve Got To Visit Along The Way

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 Facebook

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 Facebook

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 Instagram

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 Facebook | Instagram

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 Facebook | Instagram

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 Facebook | Instagram

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 Website | Facebook | Instagram

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 Facebook

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 Facebook | Instagram 

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 Facebook

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 Facebook

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 Website 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 ?