KSL City Johor Bahru food guide
Like many Singaporeans, I love heading to Johor Bahru (JB) for good meals. And this is why I brave the JB customs’ queues, which can sometimes mean a two-hour wait. Besides City Square Mall, which is located right beside the customs, KSL City is a popular mall that many visit to shop and dine at. Here is a list of must-try KSL City food spots I’ve compiled during my trip there to help you decide what to eat when you’re there!
What’s more, we’ve also got a selection of eateries near KSL City, because the mall is situated around some of JB’s most popular eats.
The current exchange rate as of 5 December 2024 is RM1 = ~S$0.30.
1. D’Laksa
Image credit: @genie_the_foodie
You don’t have to travel all the way to Penang for legit assam laksa with D’Laksa located in KSL City. They’re popular for their super flavourful Assam Laksa (RM9.90) that’s spicy and delightfully sour, enhanced with a touch of belacan, and garnished with fish, as well as a medley of veggies. Definitely add a serving of Assam Fishball (RM6.90), where large QQ fishballs are cooked in the same curry broth as their laksa.
Unit number: LG-63/64
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
D’Laksa is a halal-certified eatery.
2. You Kee XO Restaurant
The large urns on display outside the eatery are used to simmer the famous herbal soup that You Kee XO Restaurant sells. Besides their herbal soup, You Kee XO Restaurant also serves roasted meat that many rave about.
It was quite an experience watching the staff members reach into the urn with a rod to get my Tonic Soup (RM25.80). It may not look like much, but after having my first mouthful, I was immediately reminded of the kind of soup my grandma would make when I’m sick. The soup is left to simmer over constant charcoal fire, which brings out the flavours of the herbs and meat used.
Unit number: LG-33
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 9pm
Tel: +60 7-362 1838
Website
You Kee XO Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
3. Meng Meng Roasted Duck
Meng Meng Roasted Duck caused quite the splash when they opened in Singapore, and for good reason. They’re one of Johor Bahru’s most well-known roast meat stalls, and they’re especially famous for their roast ducks, marinated with Angelica root, AKA dang gui. Enjoy this with either rice or noodles, priced from RM15.80, with a side of their tangy house-made chilli sauce.
Unit number: L2-132C
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 10am to 10pm, Sat 10:45am to 10pm
Meng Meng is not a halal-certified eatery.
4. Moonlight Cake House
Moonlight Cake House offers a variety of unique bakes, including eye-catching whole cakes. Their Fresh Cream 3D Durian Cake (RM138) is a bestseller and looks like actual durian. There’s a touch of brown on the green cream added depth to the durian “shell”, and vanilla sponge mixed with MSW flesh within.
Unit number: LG-S43
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: +60 7-362 1122
Website
Moonlight Cake House is a halal-certified eatery.
5. Cuan Yue Mala Tang
If you’re craving something spicy, try Cuan Yue Mala Tang. You get to pick from five different soup bases, from a not-too-spicy tomato soup to a fragrant, numbing mala broth that isn’t super oily either. DIY your mala tang combo from a wide variety of ingredients, including smoked duck, fried tofu, and plenty more.
Unit number: LG-02
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9:30pm
Website
Cuan Yue Mala Tang is not a halal-certified eatery.
Food near KSL City
We’re adding some must-eat food places around KSL City, because that mall is surrounded by some of Johor Bahru’s most popular eats too!
6. Nimmies Pastry
Image credit: @nimmies.pastrycafe
There are plenty of JB cafes to check out, but if you’re looking for a spot for brunch and bakes around KSL City, check out Nimmies Pastry. The minimalistic cafe is housed in a stanadalone building that is beautifully decorated, both indoors and outdoors. They’re best known for the sheer variety of pastries they have, in a selection of unique flavours, think Chilli Crab Salted Egg Croissants (RM18) and Hoe Lemak Croissant (RM16), the latter featuring the flaky French pastry topped with an egg, sambal, anchovies, and a peanut.
Address: 171 Jalan Beringin, Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru 80250
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 11pm
Tel: +60 11-2337 6867
Website
Nimmies Pastry is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
30 Johor Bahru Cafes Near Customs, Including A Y2K-Themed Cafe And Korean Cake Shop
7. Yong He Kway Teow
Image credit: @wander.maverick
Just a short walk away from KSL City is Yong He Kway Teow, a kway teow soup hotspot that’s a great pick for breakfast. You get to choose their signature dish in three sizes here: small (RM9), M (RM12), or large (RM16). Each comes with your choice of noodle, though we obviously suggest you get the kway teow, and a flavourful clear pork broth that’s topped with a medley of ingredients, including veggies, pork, and pig’s liver slices.
Address: 165 Jalan Harimau, Taman Century, Johor Bahru 80250
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 8am to 12am
Yong He is not a halal-certified eatery.
8. Pin Ming Xuan
Image credit: @ollollollolloll
If you’re looking for a spot to enjoy dim sum, try Pin Ming Xuan. They have quite a wide variety of dishes, from classic dim sum to interesting options with a twist. Do note that queues start even before they open, so head down early if you want to be sure of bagging a seat! They’re also located a short walk from KSL City, which makes this a great pick for meals in between your jalan jalan.
Address: 10 Jalan Serigala, Taman Century Garden, Johor Bahru 80250
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs 8am to 4pm, Fri-Mon 7:30am to 4pm
Tel: +60 17-767 7399
Pin Ming Xuan is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. Da Cheng Lok Lok
Image credit: @tofuxihuanchi
Da Cheng Lok Lok is where it’s at if you’re looking to have supper near KSL City. They’re open till 2:30am on Friday and Saturday, and till 2am for most of the rest of the week. Choose your skewers and enjoy them fried and seasoned, paired alongside their signature chilli and other sauces. Expect to spend around RM20 to RM40 when dining here!
Address: 284 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, Johor Bahru 80250
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 6:30pm to 2am, Fri 6:30pm to 2:30am
Tel: +60 11-6204 3101
Da Cheng Lok Lok is not a halal-certified eatery.
10. Kayuapi By Naughty Bali
Image credit: @yoshiko_lifeistravel
For Bali-style BBQ a la Naughty Nuri’s, swing by Kayuapi By Naughty Bali, located in the vicinity of KSL City. The lunch and dinner joint is known for their Indonesian barbecue dishes, including Signature Pork Ribs (RM68.90), complete with a smoky-sticky glaze. Pair this with Nasi Campur (RM45), which comes with pork cooked multiple ways, and you’ll feel like you’re in Bali.
Address: 195 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, Johor Bahru 80250
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 12am
Tel: +60 16-717 4628
Website
Kayuapi is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. K-Fry Urban Korean
Image credit: Kenneth Chan
With a whopping 15,000 reviews and 4.8 star Google rating, K-Fry Urban Korean is where you might find the most well-known Korean fried chicken in the entire Johor region. They are renowned for their K-Fry Chicken Bumbuk sets, which consist of 12 pieces of boneless fried chicken served with a heap of mozzarella cheese! You also get to choose your spice level: Mild, Spicy, and Very Spicy.
The platter is served on a hotplate which allows the cheese to melt and get extra gooey. Then, wrap your hot fried chicken in melty cheese, elevating each bite to levels of ultimate indulgence. Their must-try Krazy Spicy Cheesy Fried Chicken Bumbuk (RM77.60++) stars fried chicken dipped in a spicy Yangnyeom sauce, but they also do other addictive flavours such as Original (RM73++) and Honey Mustard (RM74.20++).
Address: 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Tel: +60 7-266 0902
Website
K-Fry Urban Korean is not a halal-certified eatery.
12. August Drip Coffee
Image credit: August Drip Coffee
August Drip Coffee is not just any regular coffeehouse—they boast an impressive selection of over 30 different types of coffee blends sourced from around the world, a state-of-the-art roastery, and knowledgeable baristas who are extremely dedicated to their craft.
Just to give you an idea of how many hand-brew coffee varieties they have to offer, the noticeboard—as seen above—shows their full range! Depending on the blend chosen, prices start from RM15 and can go up to RM78 for more premium options. Tip: if you’re overwhelmed by the extensive selection, ask the baristas for a recommendation that’s tailored to your taste!
Address: 2 Jalan Kancil, Taman Century, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 6pm
Tel: +60 11-2480 8005
Website
August Drip Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
What to eat in and near KSL City
Here are all the best KSL City food places, with some other spots to eat around the mall. For more JB food, check out our best JB hawkers guide. Else, check out our list of the best Bukit Indah food spots for fluffy souffle pancakes and affordable Korean BBQ!
Address: 33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, Johor Bahru 80250
JB Bukit Indah Food Guide: 10 Places For Souffle Pancakes, Korean BBQ And More
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