[Year 2023] Food Hunting- of Cafes/ Must-Eats @ Johor Bahru, Johor.

Johor Bahru, the southernmost city in the Peninsular Malaysia, is a mere 1-hour flight away from Penang. It is also the 2nd largest city in Malaysia. With its strategic location and links to Singapore, the city is often busy. For foodies, Johor Bahru has a lot to offer- from the popular Johor Laksa, Muar Otak-Otak, Koay Teow Kia to Chicken Rice or Banana Cake. The place is best explored by car as some of the good eateries/restaurants are scattered around in the city. 

We stayed in GBW Hotel for this trip as we needed to travel to Singapore for a short day trip. The stay was good and there's a link bridge right in front of the hotel which connects to the JB Sentral for Train to Woodlands CIQ (you need not hail a taxi to head there, it is just a short 5-min walk from the hotel). For folks traveling to Singapore but staying in JB, GBW Hotel is a good choice. 

1) WW Laksa House 水塘。辣沙

Pork-Free

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Address: 36A, Jalan Kolam Air, Taman Kolam Air, 80100, Johor Bahru, Johor.

Business Hours: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Closed on Wednesdays.

Contact Number: 012- 703 2263

WW Laksa House Facebook Page

Kesum Art Restaurant @ Stewart Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

An art gallery and a restaurant, Kesum Art Restaurant is one of the perfect spots for visual art lovers. The newly opened restaurant at Stewart Lane offers a menu featuring Southern Malaysian favorites; diners can have a simple tour at the art gallery on first floor and move on to lunch at the restaurant one floor lower. The restaurant is simple with only 5 tables available; not only seats are limited but they have limited quantity for their offering too (only 30 sets available daily). Exceptional food quality but sluggish service, it took them more than 40 minutes to serve our orders. The heat-intolerant be forewarned- while the place is fully air-conditioned, the temperature is usually kept at room temperature (approx. 28'C). But if you have great interest in both arts and Southern Malaysian cuisine, this is the place to go... without breaking your budget. Kesum Art Restaurant occupies a corner unit at Stewart Lane, right next to Chulia Lane.