Seafood in Singapore is infamously expensive. A meal for two can set you back a three-digit bill. Right across the Causeway, however, you only need to pay a fraction of the price. Listed below are 10 cheap Johor Bahru seafood restaurants to satisfy your crab and lobster cravings without the pinch — so to speak. Do note that prices for their seafood are seasonal, so they may be different when you visit. If you’re looking for more affordable JB food, check out these Johor Bahru hawker stalls and Mount Austin food spots too!
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Averaging RM9 (~$2.96) per 100g, the Salted Egg Crab at San Low Seafood has the thick creamy goodness you’d expect in a good salted egg sauce. The crab is also fresh and tender, since it’s caught upon order.
Image credit: @theramenthief
Despite being a simple plate of bee hoon (RM10/~$3.29), this dish tickles the heart with its wok hei. If you’re feeling it, get their Sambal Kang Kong (RM9/~$2.96). It’s not as spicy as Singapore’s, but the vegetables are fresh and packed with flavour.
Address: 1 Jalan Merah, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 4:30pm to 1am
Formerly known as Krusty J Crab, LobsterCrab & Burger is a Spongebob-themed restaurant that offers burgers, lobsters and crabs. Prices start at RM129 (~$43) for a medium Canadian lobster (400g to 500g), which you can upsize to a large Canadian lobster (520g to 700g) at RM140 (~$46.70) — that’s only an additional RM11 (~$3.70)! There are two sauces available for the lobster, and our favourite is the creamy house-made butter sauce.
Find out more about LobsterCrab & Burger!
Address: 49 Jalan Bukit Aliff 4, Taman Damansara Aliff, Tampoi, Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Mon-Tue, Thurs 1pm to 11:30pm, Fri 3pm to 12am, Sat-Sun 12:30pm to 11:30pm
Website
Image credit: @ssophia_sophia
This place takes some crazy good navigation skills to locate. However, once you do reach Todak Seafood Restaurant, the food and view are worth it. The crab (RM8/~$2.63 per 100g) can be tailored to your liking. I personally recommend the garlic stir-fried rendition, where fragrant garlic has been caramelised and perfumes every nook and cranny of the luscious crab.
Address: 1 Kampung Orang Asli, Kampung Teluk Jawa, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am to 11:30pm
Tel: +60 7-386 3696
Image credit: @muhaiminrazak
At Anjung Senibong Malay Seafood, the crabs (RM7/~$2.30 per 100g) can be prepared in your favourite sauce. The Sambal Chilli Crab has a drier and more aromatic spice mix than the conventional Singaporean variant.
I also recommend getting the Cereal Prawns (RM20/~$6.58). The sweet and juicy prawns are accompanied by buttery and crispy cereal that binds everything together.
Address: 4 Persisir Pantai Senibong, Kampung Senibong, Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 4:30pm to 2am, Fri-Sun 4:30pm to 2:30am
Tel: +60 13-784 9476
Image credit: @_syiingg
Dining at Yi Jia Seafood is a slightly fancier affair than the other restaurants on this list. However, the premium you pay here is well worth your money.
I mean, just look at that huge pincer. At RM11 (~$3.70) per 100g , you get crabs with a substantial amount of meat. Salted egg yolk is a good bet to go with this oceanic gem. Despite being thick and creamy, the sauce enhances the sweet and delicate flavours of the crab.
Address: 1 Jalan Permas Utara, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 4pm to 1am
Tel: +60 16-725 7822
Image credit: @leezuun
At Tai Son Seafood, two chilli mud crabs go for RM50/~$16.46. You can taste the earthy-yet-fresh flavours resonating through the tender crustacean. The chilli crab does have a certain Singaporean style to it, reminiscent of those served at The Wonders of Pincers.
The Drunken Prawns are also a steal at RM27 (~$9) per 300g , with the aromatic scent of liquor saturating the plump prawns with a floral note. This gives a layered complexity to the dish.
Address: Lot C3, Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, Duty Free Zone, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 3pm to 1am
Tel: +60 7-221 9988
Website
Image credit: @yganiajy
The magical thing about the Chilli Crab at Tian Lai Restaurant is how concentrated the flavours are. The sheen of oil in the sauce makes a great conduit of spicy and garlicky goodness. At RM10 (~$3.29) per 100g , one can expect a different flavour profile from your typical chilli crab. The vibrant characteristics of the Malaysian-Chinese spice mix just bring the dish to life.
Address: 158 Jalan Leong Bee, 81550 Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 12pm to 10:30pm
Tel: +60 7-510 1521
Image credit: @ameera.my
Being one of the more popular places around the area, do expect a crowd at Ong Shun Seafood Restaurant The crabs here are sweet and pack a punch of flavour. The Salted Egg Yolk Crab (RM8/~$2.63) has a creamy, viscous texture. The mellow sweetness of the sauce is accentuated, courtesy of curry leaves, giving it a pepperish kick.
Address: 67 Jalan Abdul Samad, Kampung Bahru, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 4pm to 1am, Sun 4pm to 12am
Tel: +60 7-223 8953
Website
Image credit: @stanley_fjy
Chua Kee Restaurant is known for dishing up Chilli Crab (RM130/~$32.50) that has a thick, viscous gravy permeating the meat. It does have a certain sweetness and tang of SOS chilli sauce.
Piquant notes from the sauce inject excitement and intensity. This cuts through the rich and hearty crab roe, leaving you craving for more.
Address: Jalan Kacang Panjang, 81550 Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 11pm
Tel: +60 12-761 0529
Image Credit: @levaleurcafe
Leva Leur Café & Trading is a bit of a wild card. Featuring a hipster interior, the black walls of this café are scribbled with chalk notes and drawings of customers. This isn’t your traditional Chinese seafood restaurant. It’s a halal restaurant that whips up an amazing seafood bucket.
At RM8 (~S$2.70) per 100g for flower crab, there are many traditional or even ang moh sauces you can choose from, such as curry, black pepper and cheese.
Address: 110 Jalan Sierra Perdana 4/1, Taman Sierra Perdana, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tues-Thurs: 11am to 11pm, Fri: 3pm to 11pm, Sat-Sun: 11am to 11pm
Tel: +60 7-386 2622
Website
Indulge in mouthwatering crabs and lobsters that will not break the bank. If you’re JB bound, do give them a try! Comment below to tell us what your favourite seafood restaurant in JB is, or check out our favourite JB cafés and JB City Square Restaurants.
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