Malaysia is full of good eats. So while we cuti cuti Malaysia as the border is still closed, we ought to Jalan Jalan Cari Makan as well! This is one of the many road trips we took recently from Kuantan to Johor Bahru and back. Hope this can become a guide for everyone else who has decided to take this route!
We drove from Kuantan towards Muadzam Shah heading to Segamat. The road is non toll but the road condition has improved a lot -- much wider, less windy and flatter.
The first pit stop was morning tea at Segamat. This Chinese eatery is famous for the crispy Roti Canai with flavours like egg, sardine and onion. Their Mee Siam is equally delicious.
Tengah Chinese Roti Canai
16, Jalan Cheng Kuok Tong, Kampung Tengah, 85000 Segamat, Johor
07-932 2681
https://g.co/kgs/NuMHgb
We then stopped by this traditional bakery. The must buys are Tau Sha Peah (Mung Bean Cookies- with sweet/savoury variety), Hong Peah and Ma Fan (Twistie Biscuits). They have various packaging, catering to both own consumption as well as gifting purposes.
Hock Hoe Seng Confectionery 福和成糕饼厂
B, 25, Jalan Segamat, Labis, 85300 Labis, Johor
07-925 1714
https://g.co/kgs/w28ZFr
If you decide to stop halfway for lunch, I will suggest to try the famous fish ball noodles and grab the famous ogura cake from Family Bakery, both in Yong Peng town along Jalan Besar.
We took PLUS highway from Yong Peng to Johor Bahru. These are the two places that you should try as well. Both located along the cultural street in JB.
Hiap Joo Bakery
13, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
072231703
https://g.co/kgs/Jvrexj
They have the best charcoal baked banana cake in town. It's fragrant, fresh and soft without artificial preservatives, best consumed within the same day.
Salahudin Bakery
26, Jalan Dhoby, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor.
0127668380
https://g.co/kgs/54qE1p
This bakery is full of the memories from the old days. Their signature puff pastry with fillings are best eaten after being microwaved for 10 seconds-- mutton curry, classic potato curry, sardine and chicken curry. Their buns are also rich in the aroma of charcoal.
If you fancy street food, you should definitely pay a visit to Tea Garden. Fried tofu with dried squid and peanut rojak sauce, nasi lemak with fried chicken, egg tart, fried radish cake are among the must order items here.
Tea Garden Bukit Indah
11, Jalan Indah 15/1, Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru.
https://g.co/kgs/DCBUzW
From JB, we headed back to Kuantan by driving through Kluang.
Restoran Hock Mun
3, Jalan Tembikai, Taman Suria, Kluang
https://g.co/kgs/ynHVKh
Yum cha with their signature dim sums is the way to go when you are after some brunch. Prawn dumplings, custard lava bun, Cheong fun, fried yam balls with mince pork filling, Char Siew bun, bun with braised pork in caramel sauce and chive dumplings were all fresh and finger licking good. Musang King mochis are also their signature dessert.
Yuen Fatt Biskut Sdn Bhd.
39, Jalan Haji Manap Nordin, Kluang Baru.
https://g.co/kgs/MYZG6e
This is the place to be if you are after some traditionally baked pastries, especially great for gifts. Their Shang Hai Mooncakes are famous throughout the nation and we were lucky enough to be able to grab a dozen of boxes as we were disappointed on many occasions as they were sold out like hot cakes. They came in flavours such as red bean paste, lotus seed paste and pandan lotus seed paste with 0/1/2 salted egg yolks. Other pastries like Tau Sha Peah, Shao Bao and egg tarts are available all year long.
There you go, our complete list of Kuantan- Johor Makan loop! *non-halal*