Have 3D2N to spare? Instead of spending hundreds on last minute flight tickets to Bangkok or Hong Kong, why not consider a trip to Johor Bahru? This is the only itinerary you need because we’ll include the top breakfast choices, the cheaper AND better things to eat/buy in JB and tips to get back to Singapore without spending hours at the customs.
Are you ready? Let’s go!
.
DAY 1 (BREAKFAST)
#1. Bukit Chagar Roti Canai
What’s better than a freshly made prata that costs just SGD 0.30 (RM 1)? Egg prata costs just RM 2. Still extremely value for money!
It’s self-service here so you’ll need to chope your seats before you head over to the counter to place your order. We heard they usually sell out before 11am so don’t jalan jalan too much before you make your way here!
If you are driving, there’s a huge empty space for your car so not to worry about parking!
Location and opening hours
Address: Jalan Tengku Azizah, Bukit Chagar, Jalan Jim Quee, 80300 Johor Bahru
Opens daily from 6.30am – 11am
.
DAY 1 (POST-BREAKFAST)
#2. Shop and stock up on your toiletries!
Need we say more? Toiletries and groceries are already affordable before the exchange rate went up to RM1:SGD3. With such a favorable exchange rate, I always make it a point to stock up on my shampoos, contact lens solution, etc whenever I’m in JB!
.
DAY 1 (LUNCH)
#3. Ah Piaw Wanton Mee
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. Just look at those thinly shaved char siew! Plus, the noodles are made from duck eggs which explain its super springy texture that doesn’t seem to get soggy at all.
Location and opening hours
Address: 20, 12, Jalan Kelewang, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru
Opens daily 24 hours a day
.
DAY 1 (POST LUNCH)
#4. Watch a movie on beanbags
They really should bring this into Singapore! Nothing is quite comfortable as lying on a huge beanbag when it comes it watching movies. Moreover, you have this HUGE space all to yourself (and your partner/friend – it’s a seat for two) so you can stretch as and when during the movie. At just RM54 for two (approx SG18), I think this is a steal!
There are two cinemas with beanie halls: TGV Bukit Indah and TGV Tebrau.
Book your tickets early as the weekend tickets tend to be sold out by Friday! I
f you just want a movie with the good ol’ normal seats, it’s just about RM37 (approx SGD12) for two. Yes, that’s the price of ONE movie ticket in Singapore! Check out TGV and MMCineplex (at City Square) for the movie timings.
.
DAY 1 (DINNER)
#3. 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. 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 actually finished one huge plate all by myself.
Location and opening hours
185 Jalan Sri Pelangi, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opens daily from 11.30am – 11.30pm
.
DAY 2 (BREAKFAST)
#1. Restoran Ah Koong Fishball noodles
This is one of my must-have breakfast because the fish cakes are soooooo well done! Not only that, there are a few soup bases you can choose from (original, laksa, tomyum) but my favorite is to have it dry. The dry version goes extremely well with the deep-fried prawn cake, yummy!
This place may not be walking distance from the checkpoint but it isn’t too far away so you can always Grab or Uber over if you are not driving! Parking is available for those who are driving 🙂
Location and opening hours
Address: 266, Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opens daily from 6.30am – 11.30pm
.
DAY 2 (POST-BREAKFAST)
#2. Legoland
Legoland isn’t a place just for kids. If you are looking for a place to unwind and have some fun, why don’t you spend day two at the Legoland themepark? Revisit your childhood and have some cheap thrill with the amusement rides. The older we get, the more we need some silly fun like this isn’t it?
Not driving? Find out how to get to Legoland using public transport.
Opening hours
10am to 6pm on Weekdays
10am – 7pm on on Weekends (Fri-Sun) and Public Holidays
.
DAY 2 (DINNER)
#3. Taman Sri Tebrau Hawkers Centre 大馬花園小販中心
Instead of spending such a long time queuing at JB Ah Meng for the San Lou Bee Hoon (I call it the chao tar bee hoon), you can have it at almost every cze char stall at this huge hawker centre! And of course, prices are so reasonable that I can’t wait to be back again for the seafood.
Can you believe we had all these at less than SGD 60? There are some dishes that are not pictured actually. So you can imagine how reasonably priced the food are!
Address: Taman Sri Tebrau, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
.
DAY 3 (BREAKFAST)
#1. Kin Wah Coffee Shop
Before you return to Singapore, make a quick stop at Jalan Trus (it’s enroute to the immigration customs) for some delicious traditional toasted kaya toast! You won’t miss this coffee shop because it’s always brimming with locals (and Singaporeans) who want to have a taste of the 1960s breakfast fare.
By the way, their kopi and milo peng are AWESOME.
Location and opening hours
Address: 106, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opens daily from 7am – 12pm
.
#2. Dabao Hiap Joo Bakery banana cake
Known for their heavenly banana cake (zero preservatives) that’s baked to perfection with a charcoal oven, this traditional bakery is just right opposite Kin Wah coffee shop. Likewise, you won’t miss this bakery at all because you’ll definitely see a queue.
Unless you are very lucky, expect to spend about 30 mins to an hour waiting! But trust us, it’s worth the wait because the banana cakes are always fresh out of the oven and will be still warm when you collect it!
Location and opening hours
13 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Johor Bahru
Banana Cakes Available from:
Mon ☆ 12nn-5:30pm
Tue – Sat ☆ 7:30am-5:30pm
Sun ☆ 8:30am-stock last
.
DAY 3 (POST-BREAKFAST)
#3. Massage your stress away
My absolute favorite is Bangkok Spa because they provide pick-up and drop-off services from shopping mall. They pick you up in their huge MPV so no issues even if you are travelling in a big group.
Most importantly, their price is really affordable (only RM62 for a one-hour Thai massage) and their masseuse are indeed from Thailand which explains why the massage tactics are pretty authentic.
They accept reservations via Whatsapp so do reserve a few days in advance!
Locations and contact numbers:
1. Bangkok Spa (Taman Pelangi. JB)
Jalan Abiad, Taman Pelangi, 80400, Johor Bahru
Whatsapp : +60173382277
2. Bangkok Spa (Taman Sri Tebrau. JB)
Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050, Johor Bahru
Whatsapp : +60173382233
They are open 7 days a week, from 11am until 5am. Closed on CNY Eve
.
You should probably be on your way back to the checkpoint after massage because traffic gets really bad after lunch. If you think it’s too early to head back to Singapore, you can consider these 8 better and cheaper things to do in Johor Bahru!
