How can any Singaporean not get tempted by the super attractive SGD to ringgit exchange rate? It’s 1 SGD to 3.13 MYR when we last checked and if you have yet to take that leap of faith to brave the long queue at the immigration, let us tell you what you have been missing out.

HALF-PRICED massage, contact lens solution, movies, karaoke sessions, Secret Recipe cakes, Kenny Roger’s, Kim Gary and the list goes on and on. Just wake up early, aim to be at the immigration by 9am and you should spend no more than half an hour queue-ing.

Here’s our must-haves:

BREAKFAST

#1. Restoran Hua Mui

15-minutes walk from City Square, this old-school coffeeshop reminds me of the Chin Mee Chin Confectionery in Singapore! Although they are more well-known for their traditional Hainanese breakfast (think freshly toasted kaya bread, half-boiled eggs and their signature Hainanese chicken chop rice), they also offer other breakfast options such as french toasts and sandwiches. Honestly, this coffee-shop has such strong retro vibes that it seems to bring you back to the 1950s .

Open at 8.30am everyday, treat this as a huge reward for waking up early to cross the customs on a weekend! Furthermore, at just $2 ringgit for the fresh charcoal-grilled kaya/butter toast, this will soon be a staple on your JB day trips.

Locations and opening hours

• 总店 Jalan Trus HQ (Branch nearest to City Square)
No. 131, Jalan Trus, 80000, Johor Bahru.
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm

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#2. Hiap Joo Bakery

Known for their heavenly banana cake (zero preservatives) that’s baked to perfection with a charcoal oven, this traditional bakery just 7-minutes away from City Square is well-loved by Singaporeans. Almost everyone I know will make a trip down to the bakery just to bring a few boxes of those banana cake home! Although the bakery opens at 8, don’t queue too early because they only start selling the banana cake around noon.

If you are a fan of those traditional filled buns, they do sell those too! My personal favorite is the coconut and the otah, especially when it’s freshly out of the oven. By the way, it’s safe to go on a Saturday because they are on a while-stocks last basis on Sunday!

Location and opening hours

13 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Johor Bahru
Breads Available from:
Mon – Sat ☆11am
Banana Cakes Available from:
Mon ☆ 12nn-5:30pm
Tue – Sat ☆ 7:30am-5:30pm
Sun ☆ 8:30am-stock last

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LUNCH

#1. Soon Soon Heng Bak Kut Teh

Though Soon Soon Heng is not a walking distance from City Square/customs, it is still very accessible because it’s right opposite KSL mall (and there are buses from City Square to KSL!). I like my Bak Kut Teh peppery so I was a little worried when I heard that that Malaysia’s Bak Kut Teh are more herbal – but this hits the spot! Just the right amount of pepper and herbal taste!

Come here in a group of 4 or more so you guys can share all the sides! Otherwise, you’ll be too full for the long (foody) day ahead #notkidding

Location and opening hours

43, Jalan Serigala, Taman Abad Johor Bahru 80250
Opens daily from 8am – 5pm

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#2. Ah Piaw Wanton Mee 亚标云吞面

Open 24 hours a day, Ah Piaw wanton mee is my go-to place whenever I need a cheap (RM6.50 for a bowl), quick and good meal. Although it requires a short Uber/Grab ride from City Square, I keep returning for their noodles. You can pack it back to Singapore and it would still taste good even after those 2-3 hours journey!

As if the noodles are not appetizing enough, just look at those thinly shaved char siew!

If picture speaks a thousand words… just look at the video! Oh in case we haven’t mentioned, they make their own noodles with duck eggs. No wonder the noodles are sooooooo irresistible! Want to pamper yourself? Add on an abalone!

Location and opening hours

Address: 20, 12, Jalan Kelewang, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru
Opens daily 24 hours a day

(Update: They used to have a branch at KSL Mall but it has closed)

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DINNER

#1. 食客 Shik Gaek Korean Family Restaurant

It’s an unassuming Korean restaurant but the quality of the dishes and its super reasonable prices will help you understand why this place is so popular among locals. You’ll definitely need a ride to get here (it’s nearby, don’t worry!) and in case you are driving, parking may be an issue because there are very limited lots. Perks for those who are driving is that there are plenty of petrol kiosks around so you can get your last pump before your ride back to Singapore!

Fret not if you are no fan of Korean BBQ. They have a good variety of ala-carte dishes which are very value-for-money too. Go try their Kimchi fried rice! I wanted to share it with my cousin but ended up finishing most of it.

Location and opening hours

185 Jalan Sri Pelangi, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opens daily from 11.30am – 11.30pm

#2. Bev C

After a long day of food-hunt, Bev Cafe is a great place to chill with a slice of their signature chocolate mint pie. Ambience is lovely and laid-back, perfect for some quality catch-up with your makan buddies! What goes really well with the pie is a cuppa iced coffee and they do it very differently here with their coffee cubes. You have the option of (a) espresso + milk, (b) espresso+chocolate+milk and (c) espresso+caramel+milk, you can choose how much milk you wanna pour into your mixture depending how gao you like your drink to be.

Another bonus? This is walking distance back to the customs so for those who aren’t driving, you don’t have to worry about late-night transportation! In any case, do note that this place doesn’t open till late so do factor some time after dinner for this sweet treat.

Location and opening hours

54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, 8000
Opens 11am – 8pm (Sun-Thurs), 11am – 10pm (Fri – Sat)
Closed on Monday

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With this itinerary, your stomach will be well filled up and you’ll be all ready to return to Singapore! In case you are not a fan of driving / taking a bus into JB, you may want to take a train 😉

You may like: Guide to taking train to Johor from Woodlands