Discover the Best Malay Food in Johor Bahru

Experience the Authentic Flavors of Malay Cuisine

Malaysia is known for its diverse culture and rich food heritage, and Johor Bahru is no exception. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’ll find a variety of mouth-watering Malay dishes that will tantalize your taste buds.

From savory curries to fragrant rice dishes, Malay cuisine is a delicious blend of spices, aromatics, and fresh ingredients. In this article, we’ll explore the best Malay food in Johor Bahru and highlight the top eateries that serve up these delectable dishes.

1. Nasi Lemak

🍚 One of the most popular dishes in Malaysia, nasi lemak is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves. It’s often served with sambal chili, fried chicken, anchovies, peanuts, and a boiled egg. For the best nasi lemak in Johor Bahru, head to

Mamak Zaini Nasi Lemak

📍 Jalan Dato’ Abdullah Tahir, Johor Bahru

This humble roadside eatery is a favorite among locals for its flavorful nasi lemak and generous portions. Be sure to try their fried chicken and sambal, which are both spicy and delicious.

2. Mee Rebus

🍜 Mee rebus is a popular noodle dish served in a sweet and savory gravy made from sweet potato, tomato, and spices. The dish is garnished with boiled egg, fried shallots, and lime. If you’re looking for the best mee rebus in Johor Bahru, try

Mee Rebus Haji Wahid

📍 Jalan Petri, Johor Bahru

This longstanding eatery has been serving up authentic Malay cuisine for over 50 years. Their mee rebus is a must-try, as it’s cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor.

3. Rendang

🍛 Rendang is a rich and spicy beef curry made with coconut milk and a variety of spices. The dish is slow-cooked until the meat is tender and the gravy has thickened. If you’re in Johor Bahru, make sure to visit

Warong Pak Mat

📍 Jalan Khairuddin, Johor Bahru

This simple eatery serves up some of the best rendang in town. The meat is cooked to perfection and the gravy is a perfect balance of spices and coconut milk.

4. Satay

🍢 Satay is a popular Malay dish consisting of skewered and grilled meat (usually chicken or beef) served with a spicy peanut sauce. For the best satay in Johor Bahru, head to

Haji Samuri Satay

📍 Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Johor Bahru

Haji Samuri is a household name in Malaysia when it comes to satay. Their meat is well-marinated and grilled to perfection, and their peanut sauce is a perfect accompaniment.

5. Laksa Johor

🍜 Laksa Johor is a spicy noodle dish that’s unique to Johor Bahru. The dish is made with thick vermicelli noodles and a rich fish broth. It’s topped with shredded fish, bean sprouts, and herbs. For the best laksa Johor in town, try

Laksamana Cheng Ho

📍 Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, Johor Bahru

This popular eatery serves up a mean bowl of laksa Johor, with a flavorful and aromatic broth that will leave you wanting more.

6. Ayam Masak Merah

🍗 Ayam masak merah is a spicy chicken dish cooked in a tomato-based gravy. The dish is often served with rice and is a favorite among Malaysians. For the best ayam masak merah in Johor Bahru, try

Restoran Warisan

📍 Jalan Maarof, Johor Bahru

This cozy eatery serves up some of the best ayam masak merah in town. The chicken is cooked to perfection and the gravy is a perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

7. Apam Balik

🥞 Apam balik is a popular Malaysian dessert that’s similar to a pancake. The pancake is filled with sweet corn, peanuts, and sugar. For the best apam balik in Johor Bahru, try

Apam Balik Ujung Pasir

📍 Jalan Ujung Pasir, Johor Bahru

This roadside stall serves up some of the best apam balik in town. The pancake is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the filling is generous and sweet.

8. Otak-Otak

🐟 Otak-otak is a popular Malaysian snack made from fish paste and spices. The mixture is wrapped in banana leaf and grilled. For the best otak-otak in Johor Bahru, try

Otak-Otak Muar

📍 Jalan Abu Bakar, Johor Bahru

This eatery serves up some of the best otak-otak in Johor Bahru. Their fish paste is well-seasoned and the banana leaf adds a subtle aroma to the dish.

9. Kuih

🍰 Kuih is a type of Malaysian dessert that comes in various shapes, colors, and flavors. Some popular types of kuih include onde-onde, kuih lapis, and kuih talam. For the best kuih in Johor Bahru, try

Taman Universiti Market

📍 Jalan Pendidikan, Johor Bahru

This market is a popular spot for locals to get their kuih fix. You’ll find a variety of kuih here, from steamed to fried, and they’re all delicious.

10. Biryani

🍲 Biryani is a fragrant rice dish that’s popular in India and Malaysia. The dish is made with long-grain rice, meat (usually chicken or mutton), and a variety of spices. For the best biryani in Johor Bahru, try

Mee Rebus Ramli

📍 Jalan Petri, Johor Bahru

This eatery is known for its flavorful biryani. The rice is cooked to perfection and the meat is well-marinated and tender.

11. Murtabak

🥙 Murtabak is a stuffed pancake that’s popular in Malaysia and Indonesia. The pancake is filled with meat, onions, and spices, and is often served with a spicy sauce. For the best murtabak in Johor Bahru, try

Roti Canai Kayu Arang

📍 Jalan Kempas, Johor Bahru

This roadside stall serves up some of the best murtabak in town. The pancake is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the filling is generous and flavorful.

12. Gado-Gado

🥗 Gado-gado is a popular Indonesian salad made with boiled vegetables, tofu, and peanut sauce. The dish is often served with rice cakes or crackers. For the best gado-gado in Johor Bahru, try

Pondok Selera Taman Pelangi

📍 Jalan Serampang, Johor Bahru

This eatery serves up a delicious gado-gado that’s packed with flavor and texture. The peanut sauce is a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

13. Mee Siam

🍜 Mee siam is a spicy noodle dish that’s popular in Singapore and Malaysia. The dish is made with thin rice noodles and a spicy gravy made from tamarind and spices. For the best mee siam in Johor Bahru, try