R&F Mall in Johor Bahru sits right next to the CIQ checkpoint, making it one of the most accessible malls for Singaporeans crossing the border. The food scene here punches above its weight, spanning everything from South Korea’s top pork belly BBQ chain to authentic Chaoshan beef hotpot, and a Japanese omakase spot with ingredients from Japan.
Whether you’re making a dedicated food trip or just grabbing a meal before heading back, here are 12 best eateries at R&F Mall worth knowing about.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.31 as of 14 August 2026.
Hanam BBQ is a popular South Korean BBQ franchise, and their R&F Mall outlet is consistently one of the busiest restaurants in the mall. Diners grill thick-cut pork belly at the table over charcoal, complemented by traditional Korean banchan, steamed egg with flying fish roe, and a choice of stews including Pork Kimchi Stew (RM30++) and Soybean Paste Stew (RM30++).
The Set For 2 Pax (RM137++) is the most popular order, while solo diners can opt for individual cuts such as Samgyeopsal Pork Belly (from RM45++). Expect queues, especially on weekends.
Unit: Lot 1-106 to 1-108, Level 1
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 3pm, 5pm to 10:3pm, Sat to Sun 12pm to 10:30pm
Tel: +60 7-706 0094
Website
Hanam BBQ is not halal-certified.
CMJ Kitchen is run by a Teochew couple from Shenzhen, and it’s one of the most talked-about restaurants at R&F Mall. The restaurant receives one freshly slaughtered cow daily—no frozen beef here—which is then hand-sliced across multiple cuts for the hotpot.
The Beef Bone Soup Base (RM25) is a classic choice, with cuts such as Chablong Eye Round (RM25), Sirloin (RM25), and premium Five Flower Toe (RM48), which is cooked tableside. Beyond beef, the Braised Goose (from RM58) is a must—only two birds are cooked per day and often sell out by dinner.
Unit: Lot G-001, Ground Floor
Opening hours: Thurs-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: +60 17-512 6678
CMJ Kitchen is not halal-certified.
This fast-casual chicken rice stall does the job well and at a fair price. A plate of Chicken Rice Express’ Signature Hainanese Steam Rice or Roasted Chicken Rice starts from RM8.90, with customers consistently praising the fragrant rice, well-seasoned chicken, and generous portions. For something more substantial, the Jumbo Value Set (RM29) is popular for sharing, and the Chicken Porridge with Salted Egg (RM9.90) is a solid alternative.
Unit: Lot G-072, Ground Floor
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Chicken Rice Express is not halal-certified.
My Noodle Shop is a casual restaurant on the ground floor of R&F Mall with a diverse menu that covers most noodle cravings. The Tomyam Ramen (from RM14.90+) and Curry Laksa (from RM14.90+) are popular picks, while the standout, according to regulars, is the Dry Mala Pan Mee (from RM14.90+), which is said to be numbingly spicy. For something lighter, the Dry Fish Ball Noodle (from RM9.90+) is the most affordable option on the menu, featuring QQ noodles and a flavourful broth.
Unit: Lot G-149, Ground Floor
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: +60 11-1129 6612
Website
My Noodle Shop is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
R&F Mall’s Tang Tea House is the brand’s original flagship outlet and is the one to visit if you’re in the area. This Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng serves the full range of classic comfort food, including Fried Silky Egg Hor Fun (RM13.50), Cheese Prawn Mee Hoon (RM38), Fried Seafood Kway Teow (RM13), and a solid Nasi Lemak Set (from RM15). For breakfast, the classic Kaya Butter Toast with Half Boiled Eggs and Yuan Yang (from RM4) is the go-to.
Unit: Lot G-075 & G-076, Ground Floor
Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 8:40pm
Tel: +60 12-588 2143
Website
Tang Tea House is not halal-certified.
Pacific Kopi is a Nanyang-style kopitiam chain that’s been around since the 1990s, and their R&F Mall outlet is open till midnight, making it one of the later options in the mall. It’s best known for its Pacific 3-in-1 Fried Rice Cake (RM8.90++), which has reportedly sold over 100,000 pieces in a year. Beyond that, the Pacific Char Lou Shu Fen (RM14.90++) with its strong wok hei and the Pacific Briyani Rice with Briyani Lamb (RM22.90++) are worth ordering. For drinks, their aromatic Pacific Kopi C (RM5.30++) is the house specialty.
Read our Pacific Kopi feature.
Unit: Lot 110, Ground Floor
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 12am
Tel: +60 16-751 8201
Website
Pacific Kopi is not halal-certified.
If you’re looking for solid Japanese food in JB, drop by Tora Japanese Cuisine—It’s consistently described as one of the best Japanese restaurants in JB, with ingredients including fish and seafood flown in fresh from Japan on a near-daily basis. The restaurant operates an omakase counter where head chef “Chef Tiger” and his team serve a sequence of meticulously executed courses. Courses start from the Haru Sushi Course (RM338++), a 10-piece sushi omakase with chawanmushi, seasonal soup, and dessert, all the way up to the Fuyu Omakase Course (RM898++) for the full experience. The restaurant is open Thursday to Sunday only, with reservations strongly recommended.
Unit: Lot 01-105, Level 1
Opening hours: Thurs–Sun 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10:30pm
Tel: +60 16-716 1987
Website
Tora Japanese Cuisine is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
Those looking for Klang bak kut teh can head over to Pao Xiang. Their signature technique sees each cut of pork tied with cotton string before slow-simmering, locking in tenderness and preventing the meat from falling apart. The Value Combo Set for 1 Pax (RM32.90++) includes a choice of main cut, a side dish, and Chinese tea. Individual cuts such as Chew Pai Bah Signature Pork (RM28++) and Pork Belly (RM28++) are popular orders, while the Dry Bah Kut Teh (RM38++) is worth trying for a thicker, more intense broth. Soup refills are available.
Unit: Lot 1-017 & 1-018, Level 1
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 10pm
Website
Pao Xiang Bah Kut Teh is not halal-certified.
Zhu Da Xia, which translates to “Pig Hero”, is a casual Chinese restaurant with a fun identity and a menu centred on pork dishes. Their Taiwanese Style Braised Pork Rice (RM13) is the signature, featuring tender braised pork over white rice, à la lu rou fan. Other popular picks include the Mala Pork Slice on Rice (RM14), Fried Pork Belly on Rice (RM14), and Three Cup Chicken Rice (RM16). Snacks including Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (RM12) and Sweet Potato Balls (RM10) are good for sharing.
Unit: Lot G-144 & G-145, Ground Floor
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Zhu Da Xia is not halal-certified.
Uncle Five Coffee has been around since 1992 and is one of JB’s most recognisable Nanyang kopitiam chains. The R&F Mall branch is one of their most central locations, with a menu that covers all the kopitiam classics: Kaya Butter Toast (from RM3.40), Half Boiled Eggs (RM3.60), and hand-brewed Pacific Kopi (from RM3.90). For something more substantial, the Penang Char Kway Teow (RM10.90) and Heng Hwa Seafood Fried Mee Hoon (RM14.90) are popular lunch options, alongside a solid Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken Drumstick (RM14.90).
Unit: Lot G-025 & G-026, Ground Floor
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 9:30pm
Tel: +60 11-2666 9735
Website
Uncle Five Coffee is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
Shi Quan Shi Mei Mini Bowl is one of the rare 24-hour dining options in R&F Mall. The concept serves Chinese dishes in small individual portions—think tapas-style Chinese comfort food across boiled, stir-fried, and steamed preparations. Highlights include Mapo Tofu (RM48.80++), Spicy Chicken (RM36.90++), Water-Boiled Beef (RM46.90++), and Braised Pork Belly (RM36.90++). Smaller individual bowl options such as Steamed Egg Custard start from RM4++.
Unit: Lot G-153 & G-154, Ground Floor
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours
Tel: +60 18-369 3366
Shi Quan Shi Mei Mini Bowl is not halal-certified.
Tealive is arguably Malaysia’s most popular homegrown bubble tea brand, and their R&F Mall outlet is a convenient stop for a quick drink fix. The menu spans milk teas, fruit teas, smoothies, and coffee, with plenty of customisation options for sugar and ice levels. Their Signature Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea (RM7.90) is the classic order, while the Bang Bang Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Warm Pearls (RM8.90) is worth trying for something creamy. Fruit tea fans can go for the Mango Fruit Juice with Mango Bits (RM6.90).
Unit: Lot 1-101, Level 1
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
Tealive is halal-certified.
R&F Mall might not be the biggest mall in JB, but the food options here are varied enough to fill an entire day of eating. If you’re planning a JB trip and want to maximise your food stops, this is a solid place to start, especially with the direct link to JB Sentral making the commute that much easier.
For more food in Johor Bahru, read our guide to the best JB supper spots or check out our list of best JB cafes worth crossing the border for.
Feature image adapted from @hanambbq.johor, @yoshiko_lifeistravel, @rnfmalljb, @paoxiangbkt, @cmjkitchen and Tealive Asia FB
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