Johor Bahru makes for a convenient day trip from Singapore to Malaysia. There is not much stuff to do there, especially if you restrict yourself to City Square mall. However, venture slightly further and you will be surprised to discover some hipster area or hidden food haunts in the city.

How to go to JB the local way
– Take the MRT to Kranji
– Change to bus 170 to Woodlands Checkpoint
If you are planning to go to Larkin terminal to catch a bus to another city in Malaysia, bus 170x goes there.
– At Singapore checkpoint, tap your ez-link card to suspend the ride and clear Singapore customs.
– Go back down to queue for bus 160, 170 or 950 to go across the Causeway.
– If you are just planning to go to JB Sentral, alight here and clear Malaysia customs, then walk across the complex to the shopping centre.
– For those going to Larkin, clear Malaysia customs and go back down to take bus 170x.

As a geographer, maps are very important as they provide the locational context. So the image below (from johorkaki) is the map of the Johor area which can be easily explored on foot. I still have not checked out all the stalls recommended on this trip even though I have been there 3 times this month.

Firstly, I would like to recommend Kam Long fish curry for its delectable fish head curry.
Prices: RM 22 for small, RM 33 medium and RM 44 for large; rice RM1 per bowl
Open: 0800 – 1600

Be prepared to queue. I queued 30 minutes on the first time and the second time it was raining heavily when we arrived around 11.30am, so we got seats in the restaurant as soon as we arrived.

What’s so good about Kam Long that is worth going back?
The fish is very fresh and not overcooked. Even the vegetables such as lady’s fingers, carrots, French beans tasted good with the curry. The beancurd skin is the best of course, as it absorbed all the curry and made it very flavourful.

Next up would be Restoran Hwa Mui, a nondescript corner coffee shop which has a signature Hainanese chicken cutlet dish. The piece of chicken was quite huge, freshly fried and the sauce was awesome too. This coffee shop also serves traditional snacks like kaya toast and is also well-known for the Hainanese coffee.

Thirdly, if you are feeling under the weather, drink some herbal tea from Kow Yau Yong herbal tea shop which is packed with goodness. You can choose between two kinds – bitter or sweet. Both have positive effects on your health and especially walking under the scorching sun, it serves as a respite from the weather. At RM1 per cup, it is amazingly affordable.

For desserts, head back to City Square mall to Hui Lau Shan for some mango sago or pudding. This chain of restaurant is also found in Singapore, but the price in Malaysia is cheaper. After satisfying your tastebuds, it is time to walk back to CIQ and cross the border back to Singapore.

Mango sago pudding at Hui Lao Shan

For an alternative form of transport, try the KTM shuttle train between JB and Singapore. The total time takes only 5 minutes, but it is the experience. I would usually take the train from JB as it costs RM5, compared to $5 if you take it from Singapore. There are a few timings during the day, such as 4pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm and 10pm. If you are trying to go back to Singapore during peak hour, I would suggest taking the train so that you won’t be caught in the traffic jam.

taking the shuttle train from JB to Singapore is a fun experience