Just a few weeks ago, I went on an impromptu weekend trip to Johor Bahru with my Malaysian colleagues. For someone who can't stand staying at home, I wish I can go for more weekend trips and yet busy schedules are always holding me back.


First stop of the day was People and Places Cafe, a cosy cafe right inside a neighbourhood compound. Upon arriving, we had to wait about half an hour to get a seat, which was still a reasonable waiting time.

Funny backstory — we were seated at the edge of a long table, and it is just 4 of us girls, and at the other end it was a group of guys and no one else in the middle. Funny that it felt like a blind date kind of setting, but sadly it's not.


From the Menu: Wild Mushroom Risotto, Quesadilla Brekkie, Kampong Eggs Anyways and Signature Hotcake.

The recommended Quesadilla Brekkie was a bit too overwhelming. Luckily I shared half of it and the other half of the hotcakes with my colleague, so it balances out the savoury and sweet taste. Personally, I will suggest to order a few dishes like this and share, rather than eating a dish on its own for this cafe.

People & Places Cafe

6, Jalan Kencana Emas 2/3, Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau 3, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

What do we do after lunch? Karaoke for a break before more food....

Bubble Tea doesn't hurt, especially when you're on a holiday, right?

Yunique Tea

39, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin

Johor Bahru

Trying out the local grilled seafood place, and yes I found Kedondong Juice in Malaysia! It's been so long since I had it. We ordered sotong, muar otah, stingray, lady finger and mee goreng.

This was super delicious.

Foodie Rating: 9/10

Ikan Bakar Tampin

94, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Woke up at 7am on a Sunday to work out at a nearby fitness centre, super random decision to exercise when you're travelling but at least I can get to burn a little before more food intake. Last but not least, a dim sum brunch before we head back to Singapore.

Not the typical restaurant kind of dim sum, the people there carried the dim sum over to you and you choose them at the table. Memorable dishes were their lo mai gai and sesame balls, really like the peanut sesame ball.

Foodie Rating: 7/10

佳香手工包店

14 Jalan Perkasa 4, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Skudai

Johor Bahru

Next time you want to go JB, it's best to go with people who knows the area best. All these places weren't really on the website list when you google "Places to go in JB", so I felt like I've tried a little of their local flavours. However, this is strictly more towards the Chinese flavours, I've yet to try their Malay food stalls there in JB.