Restoran Kacang Pool Haji: Traditional JB Breakfast Spot Open From 7AM

Restoran Kacang Pool Haji is a popular breakfast place in Johor Bahru

Breakfast is—arguably—the most important meal of the day. And while I enjoy an occasional brunch comprising an iced coffee with eggs benedict, my heart still leans to homely local dishes that are simple yet tasty and affordable. If we’re on the same wavelength, Restoran Kacang Pool Haji is a popular breakfast spot you should check out the next time you’re in Johor Bahru.

My colleague and I wanted to fill ourselves up before heading to our Airbnb, so we got a plate of their Kacang Pool Daging (RM7/~S$2), Lontong Basah (RM7/~S$2), and a cup of Iced Limau (RM2.50/~S$0.70).

As a fan of coconutty flavours, their Lontong Basah was my cup of tea. Our plate came with chunks of rice cake, tempeh, fried tofu, and vegetables in a flavourful coconut broth. And of course, it was topped with two must-haves: spicy peanut sauce and sambal.

Though the bold colours of this dish may seem daunting as a breakfast choice, it was surprisingly light on the palate. My small gripe was that the broth was too runny for my liking—a slightly more viscous consistency would have worked better here.

We then tried the Kacang Pool Daging, an equally hearty and delicious dish. In case you’re not too familiar, kacang phool is essentially a Malay-style bean stew cooked with a variety of spices, coupled with ingredients such as onions, minced beef, and fried egg. It’s also served with a slice of margarine toast.

This was my first time trying kacang phool, and I thought it tasted quite similar to minestrone—it was very nutty and slightly earthy with a hint of curry. I enjoyed dipping my toast in the stew, but you can also have it on its own as it wasn’t overly salty. 

The eatery isn’t air-conditioned, so we decided to get an Iced Limau to cool ourselves down from the heat. If you need some caffeine in your system, opt for their Kopi (RM3.50/~S$1) or Teh C (RM3.50/~S$1) instead.

Restoran Kacang Pool Haji doesn’t just offer breakfast options—they also make for a great supper spot as they are open till 12am every day. Oh, and don’t forget to greet their cat with a blue bell on its collar!

For more affordable breakfast spots, check out Ah Ma TeoChew Kuih, an old-school cafe in JB with orh nee bun, Teochew porridge and more under $3. Alternatively, read our Johor Bahru cafe guide for Y2K-themed cafe and seaside eatery with Bali vibes.

Address: Jalan Sabar, Taman Dato Onn, 80350 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 12am
Restoran Kacang Pool Haji is a Muslim-friendly eatery.

Photos taken by Paula Formantes and edited by Melvin Mak.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg