Johor Bahru
epicure x OCBC Cards brings you the best of dining in Singapore’s neighbour across the straits, Johor Bahru. Check out the finale of this three-part guide, or download the whole issue at epicure.com/ocbcjb.
Merk Group: This homegrown F&B group is the creative muscle behind some of the most innovative dining concepts in Johor
Check out the movers and shakers
What’s new and happening in Johor? Bring your OCBC Credit/debit Card to score the best savings as you check out the latest concepts over the Causeway. Here are 10 you can’t miss.
THE REPLACEMENT LODGE & KITCHEN
Known for their perennial brunch menu that’s served till 6pm, The Replacement’s Eggs Benny and Croque Madame will never go out of style. But it’s the creative menu that keeps us coming back, whether it’s to try the churros with salted egg yolk dip, unagi bao or crab meat mentaiko aglio olio with smoked duck. You’ll also find Melbourne-inspired hand brews and specialty teas like Cascara coffee cherry fruit tea from Bolivia.
OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE:
10% OFF TOTAL BILL 33-34 Jalan Dhoby, 80000 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 12 547 7885
FACULTY OF CAFFEINE
F.O.C for those in the know started off as a cosy brunch spot, evolving into a modern diner that takes a gleeful hopscotch through cultural influences. The tight menu doesn’t make it easy to choose between crispy chicken confit with mushroom gravy, and an unagi and mixed tempura topped donburi. The sambal fried chicken is an appropriate snack in between meals, as is Madam Lim’s Brownies – made with love by the owner’s mom.
OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE:
10% OFF TOTAL BILL 106 Jalan Trus 80000 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 12 547 7885
TROPIQUE CAFÉ & RESTAURANT
The Merk Group has upped its stakes by going full-tilt into contemporary modern dining with a 120-seater restaurant. Tropique Café & Restaurant whisks you out of Malaysia with its mod-french decor wrought around marble and wood accents. Casual in the day, the menu turns serious at night, with sashimi crudo, foie gras chicken breast and a curated cocktail and wine list.
OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE:
10% OFF TOTAL FOOD BILL Lot D Jalan Ekoflora 1 Taman Ekoflora 81100 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 12 547 7886
SHAKESPEARE MILKSHAKES
Shake off your thirst at this pitstop for all things sweet and savoury. Crêpes, waffles and milkshakes are the Instagram order of the day especially when topped with Pocky sticks and Kinder Bueno. Fancy some croffles and sweet potato fries? A croffle is a perfect marriage between a croissant and a waffle, while the fries are topped with marshmallows, sour cream and truffle oil.
OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE:
10% OFF TOTAL BILL 9 Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 16 421 8530
AMAYA FOOD GALLERY
Given the hotel’s Thai origins, the 246-seater Amaya Food Gallery is beautifully decorated with a Thai-peranakan nod. Explore the rhythm, colours and tastes of Southeast Asia through the live cooking stations that transform into a marketstyle street at dinner. Executive sous chef Kanokwan Pungjaroe nkijkul (Gina) will have you coming back for more of her Thai green curry, phad Thai with seafood, and spicy stir-fried chicken.
OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE:
20% OFF À LA CARTE FOOD BILL AND WEEKEND BUFFET Amari Hotel Johor Bahru No. 82C Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 7 266 8888
Amari Johor Bahru: The first Amari in Malaysia is a 5-star addition with 242 guest rooms, adjoining Zenith Lifestyle Centre.
Zenith Lifestyle Centre: Its handy location and top-notch selection of dining and entertainment options place this newest mall ahead of the pack
GUOMA STEAMBOAT
First housed in a shophouse in 2012, Guoma has continued to win over bellies with their comforting Taiwanese-style hotpot cuisine. You have a choice of two soup bases and an unlimited serving of prawns, fishballs, meats, noodles and braised meat rice. The self-service extends to the sauce station too, where you’re recommended to crack an egg yolk into the nutty and appetising Special Guoma Sauce.
OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE:
10% OFF TOTAL BILL 02-05,06,07 Zenith Lifestyle Centre, 82C Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 10 653 6868
GOGIROU BBQ MEAT STREET
Inspired by the “meat street” or BBQ area of Ilsan town, this trendy Korean restaurant is Johor Bahru’s favourite BBQ meat specialist. Indoor round tables are equipped with round grills and overhead exhausts, while you grill up juicy beef, chicken and pork at the table. Look out for other favourite dishes, such as japchae and the signature Jurassic beef ribs.
OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE:
10% OFF À LA CARTE FOOD BILL G-05 Zenith Lifestyle Centre, 82C Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 7 268 9771
MACGREGOR’S
A fine Irish pub awaits just five minutes across the Causeway. Whether you love live sports screening, live music, a wide choice of beers and whiskies, fine feasts or all of the above, Macgregor’s aims to please. Its all-day menu ranges from Irish oysters and chicken wings, to the famous mussels in a pot, beer-battered fish and chips, mutton rendang and Granny’s Classic Lamb Shank. You’ll be rocking away in good company.
OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE:
10% OFF FOOD AND SPIRITS BOTTLE G-06 Zenith Lifestyle Centre, 82C Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 7 277 6818
KEITO
Beautifully plated bowls and plates of ramen to sashimi, are top of the mind. Minimalist in light blond wood colours, the restaurant offers a large bar, private tatami-style dining rooms and a no pork, no lard policy. Customers rave about the finely grilled robatayaki skewers as well as the chef’s special chilli sauce that accompanies the ramen bowls.
OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE:
15% OFF TOTAL BILL G-03B Zenith Lifestyle Centre, 82C Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 11 1146 9812
NEW ZEALAND UNLIMITED
At this brand’s second outlet, expect the same great New Zealand oysters, king salmon, green-lipped mussels, grass-fed ribeye, lamb leg and more that boast the fresh, pure flavours of Kiwi-land. They also handpick 70 wines from 19 vineyards, along with boutique whiskies, beers and spirits.
OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE:
10% OFF TOTAL BILL 01-03A Zenith Lifestyle Centre, 82C Jalan Trus 80000 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 7 505 0768