In this Mount Austin food guide, you can travel the world with your taste buds in JB — for just under S$5/dish!
Taman Mount Austin — the ever-so-popular place to go in Johor Bahru for Singaporeans due to its variety of things to do and eat! Ask any JB fanatic you know, and they will probably have their own sets of recommendations.
Given the overwhelming amount of choices… where do you even start?!
Fret not, we’ve gathered 9 must-try spots in Mount Austin that will make you feel like you travelled the world gastronomically — because almost every item on the list is from a different cuisine! Best of all? All dishes here are under S$5 so that you can get the best bang for your buck.
Now, let’s get started on this Mount Austin budget food guide!
1) Hong Kong Dim Sum: SekBao (from ~S$1.80)
It’s hard to miss SekBao with its bright yet rustic exterior! You might have guessed it from their name: they mainly serve dim sum, and other popular Hong Kong rice and noodle dishes.
Dim sum, if you’re not already familiar with it, means small plates of dishes — light yet satisfying bites that make for the perfect breakfast or tea-time treat.
Stepping inside, we were instantly transported into a space that fused the nostalgic Hong Kong cha chaan tengs (Hong Kong-styled cafe) vibe with a clean modern look.
A wall full of iconic Hong Kong actors really added to the retro charm with its sepia tones, while classic Cantonese tunes played softly in the background.
We enjoyed the SzeChuan Wanton Noodles (RM14.90) as the thin, springy noodles were coated with a tangy mild spice, making it really palatable! Meanwhile, we thought the Siumai (Pork) (RM7.80) was really value-for-money, with its juicy filling.
We were intrigued by the Bolo Bun with Luncheon and Egg (RM9.90) and Seasalt Coffee (RM8.90) — since they aren’t your usual traditional cha chaan teng dishes. Though not everyone’s cup of tea (or rather… coffee?), they would interest the adventurous palates who enjoy sweet-and-savory combinations!
Cost: From RM6/dish (~S$1.80)
Opening hours: 7:30AM – 6:30PM
Address: 17, Jln Austin Height 7/5, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
How to get there: 25min drive from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
2) Herbal Comfort Food: Nanyang Street Kway Chap 南洋老街粿条仔 (from ~S$3)
On Nanyang Old Street lies Nanyang Street Kway Chap 南洋老街粿条仔, well known for their braised duck and kway chap. Its a classic kopitiam (coffeeshop) style eatery with fun nostalgic murals inside the shop!
Aside from duck, they also sell other braised items like various pig organs, a variety of tofu options like tau pok (tofu puffs), and eggs.
The Signature Garlic Salted Vegetables (RM5, Small) really surprised us with its garlicky fragrance and generous topping of pork lard — both not commonly seen in salted vegetables!
Then, the Signature Herbal Braised Duck (Small, RM12) was so soft and had us continuously reaching out for more! Its sweet braised soy sauce perfectly paired with both of our mains option of Kway Chap (Soup, Thin Noodles) (RM2.50) and Porridge (RM2.50).
Comforting herbal soup first thing in the morning after a late nights out? Chef’s kiss.
The standout was undoubtedly the herbal soup served piping hot — rich, earthy, and satisfying enough for us to ask for refills!
Dishes mostly come in small, medium, and large portions, making it suitable for all party sizes. If you’re not looking to share, they also have a single portion of Herbal Braised Duck with either Kway Chap, Porridge, or Braised Rice (RM9.90).
Cost: From RM9.90/pax (~S$3)
Opening hours: 8AM – 10PM, closed on Mon
Address: 35, Jln Austin Height 7/3, Taman Austin Heights, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
How to get there: 24min drive from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
3) Chinese Dishes: Pin Wan Wan Mini Bowl (from ~S$0.60)
If you’re craving Chinese dishes on a budget, go to Pin Wan Wan Mini Bowl, which serves mini bowls of Sichuan, Hunan, and Cantonese dishes!
Our brains buffered for a moment as we stood before the spread of the different meat and vegetable options…
… and we eventually settled on three dishes!
The Enoki Mushroom with Chopped Peppers (RM6) really surprised us with a strong fiery kick from the chopped peppers, and definitely was calling for a side of rice to accompany it — I mean, just look at how much chilli peppers there are!
We also tried the Vinegar Pork Trotter (RM13.50), which had a strong tangy punch from the sauce — not the type that you can drink continuously from, but paired decently with meat. It had melt-in-your-mouth fatty parts, and slightly tough lean parts.
While the Stir-fry Egg and Tomato (RM4) was of good value, we thought it leaned more towards the ketchupy side and was lacking some smokiness we had expected from the egg.
Cost: From RM2/dish (~S$0.50)
Opening hours: 11AM – 11PM
Address: 23 & 25, Jln Austin Height 7/5, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
How to get there: 26min drive from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
4) Charcoal Grilled Skewers: Lai Lai BBQ (from ~S$0.90)
If you love chuan chuan (grilled skewers), head to Lai Lai BBQ where they offer a huge variety of skewers — from meats to vegetables! They grill it at the front of their store, so the smoky aroma hits you even before you reach their doorstep. Mouthwatering!
From L to R: Roast Baby Cabbage, Roasted Mushrooms, Baked Potato Chips, Big Prawns, Chicken, Roast Lamb
When the skewers arrived, we thought it looked really tasty with a fair amount of char on the edges, so we were in huge anticipation!
We tried the classic options like Chicken Skewers (three for RM8.90) — which were tender but a little dry, and Roast Lamb Skewers (three for RM10.30) — which were deliciously meaty and springy!
We also opted for the less-common Roast Baby Cabbage (RM3.50) which was so juicy on the inner stem part, and filled with smoky charred goodness on the outer leafy parts. I might have found my personal favourite vegetable chuan chuan…
In addition, the one that surprised us most was the Big Prawn Skewer (RM1) for its value-for-money!
We like strong flavours in our food but can’t take too much spice, so we thoroughly enjoyed the seasoning with the ‘normal intensity’ spice level.
Cost: From RM3/item (~S$0.60)
Opening hours: 4PM – 2:30AM
Address: 17, Jalan Austin Heights 8/5, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
How to get there: 24min drive from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
5) Tasty Taiwanese Street Food: Gatao Fried Chicken (from ~S$2.70)
Having the street food feels? Head to Gatao Fried Chicken for a mid-day Taiwanese snack! Its signature Fried Chicken dish is represented by its endearing bright yellow chicken character, which you can surely spot from a stone’s throw away.
We stopped by to pick up the Signature Batter Fried Chicken with Salt and Pepper Flavour (RM14), which was a total treat!
The succulent meat was enveloped in a thick, crispy, and slightly sweet crust, then topped with a generous amount of seasoning. This was a team favourite and I won’t be exaggerating if I said this was the fried chicken of my dreams…
Other signature Taiwanese favourites in the menu include the Signature Fried Chicken with Oyster Mee Sua (RM12), and the Signature Taiwanese Popiah (RM12)!
Cost: From RM8.90/item (~S$2.50)
Opening hours: 12PM – 11:30PM
Address: 25, Jalan Austin Heights 8/4, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
How to get there: 25min drive from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
6) Yogurt Bar with Korean-Inspired Croffles: Yogurt Yoogoo (from ~S$2.40)
Save some space for dessert as we head to Yogurt Yoogoo, a yogurt bar serving croffles — a hybrid of a croissant and waffle — with a variety of toppings, starting from RM7.90!
Croffles are typically made with croissant dough pressed into a waffle maker, and was popularised by Korean cafes.
Here, you can choose toppings for your croffles — like fruits, jelly, chocolate, and more. Take some time to decide how you want your croffles, as they are made-to-order, requiring 10 to 15 minutes for preparation.
These toppings are also available for their yogurt bowls (which start from RM14.90).
We tried two croffles — their signature Oreo Croffle (RM11.90) and Strawberry Croffle (RM13.90) for something fruity.
The light and crispy pastry was capped with an airy layer of cream. While I initially expected it to be a richer heavier treat, every component felt light, making it suitable for a post-meal dessert! Though, I just wish there were a little more toppings to accentuate our flavour picks.
Cost: From RM7.90/item (~S$2.50)
Opening hours: 11AM – 12AM
Address: 23, Jalan Austin Heights 7/8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
How to get there: 25min drive from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
7) Japanese-Style Teas and Eats: Craftea (from ~S$2.10)
Craftea is a cafe serving Japanese-style drinks and eats, with zen cosy vibes from it’s wabi-sabi, japandi interior. This spot seemed like a popular co-working spot that plays comfortable jazz music, and has multiple power outlets around the cafe.
You can even watch them brew the tea of your choice — right by the counter!
Having some decision paralysis? Go ahead and smell their selection of teas from different regions before making your choice!
From R to L: Sencha Kyoto Tea, Rich Genmaicha Latte
Our choice of drinks were their signature Rich Genmaicha Latte (RM13.90) and Sencha Kyoto Tea (RM9.90).
We thought the Rich Genmaicha Latte was lacking in its richness, and was overpowered by its milkiness. Meanwhile, the Sencha Kyoto Tea had a clean sharp fragrance, making it refreshing when served with ice. Suitable for the humid weather!
Cost: From RM6.90/item (~S$2)
Opening hours: 11AM – 11:30PM, closes 12AM on Fri and Sat
Address: 33, Jln Austin Height 8/8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
How to get there: 24min drive from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
8) Taiwanese-Japanese Bakery: Kenjo Bakery (from ~S$1.10)
Kenjo Bakery is a bakery with flavours inspired from Japan and Taiwan. The storefront is decked out in adorable graphics that instantly brighten your mood, making us feel light in our steps as we headed in!
From the wooden doors and its thoughtful neat storefront, to the woven trays that fill up the displays inside the store, the place gave off a homely vibe of a Japanese bakery.
Popular picks include the Shio Pan (RM4.70) with French butter, Honey Sugar Golden Brick (RM4.30) with a sweet caramelised layer on top, Purple Sweet Potato (RM7.70), and different focaccias (bread made from sourdough) (from RM5.90).
As we ventured deeper into the store, we found that there was an in-house cafe, meaning you can choose to have your bakes with a cup of coffee or tea!
They also have an array of cakes, including Basque Burnt Cheesecake (RM12), and Swiss Rolls (RM8) featuring flavours like yam, hojicha, black sesame sea salt, and earl grey. With such a variety, there is bound to be everything for everyone!
Cost: From RM3.70/item (~S$1.10)
Opening hours: 10:30AM – 8PM
Address: 29, Jalan Jaya Putra 7/4, Bandar Jaya Putra, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
How to get there: 28min drive from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
9) Modern Industrial Aesthetic Cafe: Podd (from ~S$3.70)
If you feel like splurging a little more for dessert, check out this new modern-industrial style cafe in the hood.
Located at Market Place Austin Lake, Podd by Vanilla Bean offers granola, cakes and coffee. This cafe that opened in April 2025 has the same owners as Vanilla Bean, which focuses more on brunch food.
They shared that they opened the cafe in this quieter side of the neighbourhood to honour their belief of slow living, and to provide a friendly space for communities to gather!
The cafe has two storeys: the first floor offers a charming modern-industrial heavy look with soft warm lighting and lots of natural lighting, and the second looks like a simpler, minimally-furnished loft.
We tried the Podd’s Favourite (RM18 for half, RM28 for a full waffle) — earl grey waffles with earl grey ice cream, topped with lavender sauce and earl grey crumble. The perfumey lavender sauce complemented the subtle earl grey flavour.
It was a playground of textures: airy yet crisp waffles, soft melty ice cream, and crumbly toppings with the occasional crunch from the chopped almonds.
We also picked up an Iced Kukicha (RM12): a light, fragrant, and slightly bitter green tea that reminded us of Sencha. It proved to be a nice pairing with the waffles! As we made our way through dessert, its crisp clean flavour served as a refreshing palate cleanser.
Market Place Austin Lake wasn’t so busy when we went, and we hope to see this place turn into a vibrant social hub!
Cost: From RM12/item (~S$3.70)
Opening hours: 11AM – 9PM, closes 11PM on Mon, Tue and Thurs
Address: B03, LOT 120122, Jalan Austin Perdana 1, Taman Austin Perdana, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
How to get there: 21min drive from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
Where to Hunt for Food Gems and Discover Deals for Maximum Savings
With so many food recommendations out there, we’re always on the lookout for both the popular and lesser-known places. Here are three ways we hunt for food gems online, and discover deals to save as much as we can!
1) Searching on Google Maps
This is my go-to method when looking for lesser-known gems. Though I must say, it requires patience to navigate through the app and scour through reviews. But this allows you to gain insight to more honest feedback, and places that haven’t blown up on social media yet.
2) Scroll XiaoHongShu 小红书 (RedNote)
Compared to other apps like Instagram and TikTok, there are much more food reviews on XiaoHongShu when you’re travelling around Johor Bahru — and just Malaysia in general.
Since it’s primarily in Chinese, the app may be daunting to non-Chinese speakers (and even for me, whose Chinese proficiency isn’t great…), but you’ll be pleased to know that they have a translation function at the bottom of the captions!
*Pro-tip: Here are some search terms to help you get started: 新山 (Johor Bahru), 美食推荐 (food recommendations), 便宜美食 (cheap food)
3) Getting Food Vouchers from Klook
Wish I could gatekeep this, but did you know you can get food vouchers from Klook? This allows me to find places I might have missed out on. Snagging a deal with vouchers definitely makes our cafe run sweeter! Just make sure to check if it’s valid at the specific outlet you’re visiting!
*Pro-tip: Redeem 5% OFF Klook activities for use later, up to 3x. Just enter code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> at checkout. New users get 10% OFF their first booking. T&C’s apply!
Read also:
– 9 Budget-friendly Things to Do in Paradigm Mall, JB from ~S$4 — Karaoke, Baking Workshop, Rock Climbing
– 18 Fun Things to Do in Mount Austin — A Guide to JB’s Trendiest Neighbourhood
– 9 Things to Do in Bukit Indah — JB’s Unexpected Hidden Gem with IG-worthy Cafes, Horse-riding and Pickleball
– Most Commonly Asked Questions About Travelling to Johor from Singapore
Have you tried any of the places we listed? Or is your favourite place to eat in JB not here? Let us know in the comments below!
