Mid Valley Southkey is considered among the largest and most modern shopping malls in JB, making it a top getaway choice for Singaporeans!
Planning what to do in Johor Bahru can be overwhelming with so many malls and areas to explore. That’s why we’re here with one of our top recommendations — The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey!
Not to be confused with Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur, this mall is just a 15-minute drive away from Woodlands Checkpoint. It is a one-stop destination, boasting a wide array of shops, a variety of delicious cuisines, and fun activities for a memorable day out!
You can even spend the night in the hotel right above the mall… but more on that later!
Above all, this mall is modern looking and well-maintained, making it our top choice when looking for a comfortable experience on a JB day trip. If you don’t know where to start, let me take you through 16 fun things to do in Mid Valley Southkey!
What to Do in Mid Valley Southkey
1) Immerse Yourself in another World at VR+ Zone
Step into another world and unleash your inner gamer at VR+ Zone. From multiplayer VR shooter games and escape rooms, there’s bound to be something for you to play!
We tried the mini-games — Beat Saber, Clash of Chefs, and Top of the World — which start from just RM10 per game!
We didn’t expect Beat Saber (RM20) to be that intense! It’s a rhythm game where you slash through blocks to the beat using lightsabers, all while dodging laser obstacles flying your way.
Clash of Chefs (RM35) was adrenaline-pumping from the get-go. Seeing our virtual chef turn from side to side while furiously poking the air almost got us rolling out of our chairs! In contrast, Top of the World (RM40) is a slower-paced rock-climbing game that focuses on calm exploration.
Cost: From RM10/pax (~S$3)
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
How to get there: Level 4 of Mid Valley Southkey
2) Bowl in the Dark at Supreme Cosmic Bowl
Try bowling in the dark at Supreme Cosmic Bowl, where lanes are lit up with cosmic-themed projections!
It was fascinating to see glow-in-the-dark elements, from bowling balls down to the rental shoes! Although, we were quite intrigued by the projection of… fishes?! Aside from bowling, they also have dart stations and a punch machine!
If you’re considering this activity, wear sneakers or sports shoes! Otherwise, you will need to rent bowling shoes for RM4. Walk-in rates start from RM35 per game, inclusive of a free drink and popcorn.
Cost: From RM35/pax for one game (~S$11)
Opening hours: 10AM – 12AM (Sun – Thu), 10AM – 1AM (Fri – Sat)
How to get there: Level 4 of Mid Valley Southkey
3) Catch the Latest Blockbuster at Golden Screen Cinemas
Watching a movie is our go-to activity when in JB since it’s easier on the wallet than back home! Golden Screen Cinemas boasts 18 halls, with comfortable and spacious leather seats.
Thinking of a more luxurious option? Consider Aurum Theatre, which has a hall full of luxury recliners, with pillows and blankets!
View showtimes and book your tickets here.
Cost: From RM22 (~S$7)
Opening hours: 10AM – 12AM
How to get there: Level 3M of Mid Valley Southkey
4) Give Yourself a Fresh Look at D’ Luxe Studio Spa
Photo credit: Luxe Hair Group via Facebook
If you’re looking to snip, colour or perm your hair, consider refreshing your look at D’Luxe Studio Spa, a highly-rated salon known for their Japanese and Korean styles!
Aside from hairdressing services, this outlet also features a concept salon spa featuring Japanese hairstyling techniques and products. Take a look at the variety of services they offer here.
Cost: From RM38 for Wash, Blow and Styling service (~S$12)
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
How to get there: Level 2 of Mid Valley Southkey
What to Eat in Mid Valley Southkey
5) Kedai Kopitiam Oriental Kopi
Legend has it… if there’s a line for it, then the place must be good.
This rings true for Oriental Kopi, which serves Nanyang Cuisine and attracts both younger and older palettes alike. If you like local flavours and are undeterred by the long queues, definitely don’t miss out on this one!
We decided to have a breakfast spread of breads and pastries, including their signature Oriental Honey Polo Bun (RM8.90), Oriental Egg Tart, and an iconic overflowing glass of Oriental Kopi (their signature version of Kopi — coffee with condensed milk).
When the Curry Double Lava Egg Toast (RM11.90) was served, my jaw almost dropped — I didn’t expect it to come in a bowl full of curry! The amount of curry was so generous, the two of us could barely finish it!
For a change to our usual morning kopi runs, we got the Kopi Butter (RM7.80), better known as kopi gu-you. The butter surprisingly incorporated into the drink well, and was not cloying.
Opening hours: 9AM – 10PM
How to get there: Level LG of Mid Valley Southkey
6) Mr. Dakgalbi
Craving Korean cuisine? Mr. Dakgalbi (which means stir-fried diced chicken in Korean) offers their signature tender stir-fried chicken on a loaded plate with customisable side options.
The marination with their secret Korean spicy sauce was on-point!
If you have cheese lovers in your party, consider getting the popular Cheese Falls Dakgalbi Set (RM79) which comes with two persons’ worth of dak-galbi, fried rice, kimchi, and a river of cheese right in the middle. Talk about a cheese pull!
Cost: From RM24/dish (~S$7)
Opening hours: 11AM – 10PM
How to get there: Level 3M of Mid Valley Southkey
7) FUIYOH! It’s UNCLE ROGER
FUIYOH! It’s UNCLE ROGER in JB! In case you didn’t know, yes, the man behind the endearing character of Uncle Roger has opened a chain of restaurants with the spotlight on his signature Fry Rice.
Given the hype when it first opened, we were expecting to be waiting in line for a fair bit. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived with no queues at all — perhaps because it was a weekday.
Since we were here, of course we had to try the iconic Special Fry Rice (RM16) + Grilled Chicken (RM13). It turned out to be lacking more umami and wok hey than we expected, and was heavy on the chillies and oil.
The Fish Keropok (RM9) was the standout for us — thin, crispy, and was wonderfully complemented by its accompanying sauce, Kaffir Lime Thai Chili Sauce.
Another dish worth mentioning was the Aunty Helen’s Chicken Gyoza (RM23), which had a satisfying skin-to-filling ratio. It had thin soft skin with a delicious meat filling, topped off with a slightly crispy charred base.
Cost: From RM16/main (~S$5)
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
How to get there: Level LG of Mid Valley Southkey
8) Verrona Hills Bread & Pâtisserie
The highly raved-about bakery, Verrona Hills Bread & Pâtisserie, has reached the shores of Johor! Their iconic orange bags and receipts are sure to catch your eye when walking around the mall.
We went right before it was about to close, hence most types of bread got wiped out, leaving us with a small selection. We were glad to be able to try out different kinds of pastries at affordable prices: the Roasted Almond Croissant (RM6.90), Lava Cheese Toast (RM4.90), and Blueberry Danish (RM9.90).
While queuing up for payment, we couldn’t resist adding one of these French Vanilla Swiss Rolls (RM7.90) onto our tray… I mean, look at the amount of cream?! For someone that prefers dense cakes, the sponge was soft with a sufficiently firm bite. Given the overwhelming amount of cream, we would have preferred the vanilla punch to be more muted.
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM, closes 8PM on Sun
How to get there: Level LG of Mid Valley Southkey
9) Chagee 霸王茶姬
Photo credit: CHAGEE MY 霸王茶姬 via Facebook
Milk tea fans — you’ll be delighted to know that there is a Chagee outlet at this mall! They’re known for having an extensive range of Chinese pure teas and milk teas. Popular choices include the White Peach Oolong Milk Tea (RM11.90) and the Osmanthus Long Jing Tea (RM12.90), while the Tie Guan Yin Milk Tea (RM14.90) is a unique option rarely found in other stores.
It is recommended to make your milk tea stop here only if you have the time to spare, as it is the general sentiment that the waiting time here is noticeably longer than other outlets.
Cost: From RM10.90/drink (~S$3)
Opening hours: 10.30AM – 10PM
How to get there: Level 2 of Mid Valley Southkey
10) Milky Farm
Photo credit: Milky Farm MidValley Southkey via Google Maps
If you’re a fan of Taiwanese flavours and milkshakes, consider checking out Milky Farm. There might be no need to travel all the way to Taiwan just to get papaya milkshake with their Signature HaoJia Papaya Milk (RM9.90).
Photo credit: Milky Farm Mid Valley via Facebook
Recommendations include the Avocado Milk (RM14.90) which comes in limited quantities per day, and the Signature Golden Pearl Milk Tea (RM9.90).
Cost: From RM7.90/drink (~S$2.50)
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
How to get there: Level 2 of Mid Valley Southkey
Where to Shop in Mid Valley Southkey
11) KKV: A Vibrant Energetic Lifestyle Store
You definitely can’t miss KKV with its bright yellow interior! They sell a wide variety of lifestyle products, which we love because they usually come in cute characters or graphics!
This place is a great stop to do some shopping that will heal your inner child. It’s also a cute spot to pick up a gift if you’re on the hunt for a present — think blind boxes, cute phone accessories, matching cups and more!
Stock up on travel-sized necessities and some tech essentials — one of us forgot to bring a charging cable, and they got one from here at an affordable price!
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
How to get there: Level LG of Mid Valley Southkey
12) Mr D.I.Y. Plus: From Bathroom Fixtures to Mega-sized Snacks
Doesn’t look like your average MR D.I.Y.? That’s because this is a MR D.I.Y. Plus outlet featuring more interactive and visually striking displays!
I’ve always known this chain as a no-frills lifestyle shop selling a really wide variety of products and handy tools, so to walk in to bright colours of display and interesting features like an infinity room and a huge LED screen caught me by surprise. They even have a children’s playground! However, all of these were unfortunately closed when we went there, and they don’t seem to open up very frequently.
Nevertheless, the store already boasts an impressive selection of products, all beautifully displayed to wow us as we turn every corner!
The last thing I expected at MR D.I.Y. was a section full of snacks — including mega-sized packs suitable if you’re hosting a large party, or stocking up your pantry!
If you’re a paw-rent, check out the small selection of pet products — with pet toys, edible treats, and more!
They even have bathroom fixtures like shower heads and water taps?!
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
How to get there: Level 1 of Mid Valley Southkey
13) Impulse Gaming: Wide Range of Collectibles
If you collect toys, figurines, blind boxes, or are looking for new video games, visit Impulse Gaming. Upon walking in the brightly-lit shop, we were charmed by the tall shelves of different collectibles, the array of gacha machines, and wide variety of video games.
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
How to get there: Level 3 of Mid Valley Southkey
Things to Do in The Lakefront@Southkey
After you have explored enough of the mall, consider spending your time right across the road from Mid Valley Southkey, at The Lakefront@Southkey (Google Maps link). It’s a quaint area filled with offices, food establishments, and lots of beauty services. We think this might resemble Jalan Tan Hiok Nee in time to come, given the amount of aesthetic cafes in this small area!
If you’re walking from the mall, exit from the South Entrance, then walk across the carpark towards the first line of shops you’ll see, including Soffa Patisserie and Bakery. Do take extra care when crossing the roads when getting around this area as it can get quite busy, and we didn’t manage to find a proper traffic crossing.
Without further ado, let us introduce three unique cafes in this area, each with a different theme!
14) Foca Foca: Wine Bar and Focaccia Deli
Tucked in a dimly-lit space with warm brown hues, Foca Foca is a wine bar and focaccia deli that looks sleek from its polished counters and wood accents, softened by the playful charm of plush, chunky sofas. It’s intimate and cosy, which makes it suitable to chill with your friends, or to bring someone for a special occasion!
Recently opened this year (by the owner of the neighbouring Brewsmith Coffee Roasters), it is both a day and nighttime bar, and holds space for small community events! They also feature live music sets on Friday and Saturday evenings.
They serve by glasses and bottles, so we had a glass of sweet sparkling moscato and a glass of dry red wine (RM30–60).
We wanted to go for their signature Focaccia — Mortadella E Paradiso, but it was unfortunately not available, so we had the Salmone E Crema D’Erbe (RM42). The focaccia had a nice crunch, and was surprisingly sweet and refreshing with the yuzu citron!
The star of the show was the Tiramisu Della Casa (RM28). As expected from a wine bar, the bottom layer was soaked with a generous amount of alcohol, and was beautifully complemented with the top layer of ladyfingers and cream. BRB, still dreaming about this today…
*Pro-tip: Visit them on Thursdays for Ladies Night deals!
Cost: From RM12 (~S$3.50)
Opening hours: 10AM – 12AM (Thu – Sat), 10AM – 6PM (Tue – Wed, and Sun), closed on Mon
Address: C-1-11 Block C, The Lakefront, Persiaran Southkey 1, Kota Southkey, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
15) Brewsmith Coffee Roasters
Right next door to Foca Foca is Brewsmith Coffee Roasters, a minimalist cafe that takes its coffee seriously and has been serving brews for the past six years. Within its clean white interior and barebones furniture, there lies a lone brown tree which is sure to catch your eye.
Sit beneath the tree with your cuppa for maximum zen vibes! With our varied preferences, we each ended up with a different coffee in hand.
The filtered coffee brewed with Genuine Antigua Jasmine beans from Guatemala (RM30) stood out with its harmonious blend of fruitiness and nuttiness, with its tasting notes of grapefruit, tangerine, honey and hazelnut.
Cost: From RM15 (~S$4.50)
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM (Tue – Thu), 10AM – 6PM (Fri – Sun), closed on Mon
Address: C-1-12 Block C. The Lakefront, Persiaran Southkey 1, Kota Southkey, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
16) Bee Hive Honey Cafe
Honey lovers, visit Bee Hive (The Place to Bee) Honey Cafe in Southkey for all things honey!
With its softly dimly lit interior combined with natural lighting, they offer a calm vibe with a dash of whimsy from the pink roses. We also noticed that the cafe was a moderately popular spot for co-working and casual meetings among nearby office workers.
We had to try their Signature Honey Layer Cake (RM17.90), and many ooh-aahs in acknowledgement were shared. The honey layers were a total treat and left us wanting for more — filled with fragrant honey richness but not cloyingly sweet!
On the other hand, the Honey Cheese Mousse (RM18.90) — the cake that mimics a cheese slice with holes — was a dense mousse with subtle honey flavours, so much that I momentarily forgot it was a honey cake.
For drinks, we were so glad to have tried the Honey Jun Tea (RM17.90), a green tea kombucha with raw honey. It was a well-balanced harmony of sweet and tangy!
Overall, we loved the atmosphere, and would love to be back to bring honey-loving friends to try more from the menu!
Cost: From RM15 (~S$4.50)
Opening hours: 11AM – 8PM (closed on Wed)
Address: Block F-02-07 Komersil Southkey Mozek, Persiaran Southkey 1, Kota Southkey, Southkey, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
The Best Place to Stay Near Mid Valley Southkey
St Giles Southkey: The Hotel Right Above the Mall
Nothing beats being able to start your day right outside your doorstep — and by staying at St Giles Southkey, you can do just that! This hotel is connected to Level G of the mall, which offers unmatched convenience.
We found our room (Urban Twin) to be spacious, with ample space to pack our luggages, and a roomy wardrobe for our outfits! Multiple separate light switches at the bed side are also useful for setting the mood based on your preference, including cove lighting and bedside floor light!
The hotel also houses a newly stocked gym, a business lounge, and probably the best part — a rooftop swimming pool and bar which offers a panoramic 360° view of Southkey and beyond!
Cost: From ~S$93/night (2 pax)
How to get there: Level G of Mid Valley Southkey
Read also: 7 Fancy but Affordable Hotels in JB with Rooftop Pools, Gyms, and Bars (from S$62/night)
Did we miss out any of your favourite stores in Mid Valley Southkey? Let us know in the comments below!
WOW what an informative post!!!!! ❤️ is there also good karaoke in this mall?
Yeah Red Box is there!