Address: PTD 70521 LOT 111561, Persisiran Sutera Danga, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (Located within 佛光山新馬寺 FGS Hsingma Si Monastery)
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iBRhuWz98f6TYMso6
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)
About 佛光山新馬寺 FGS Hsingma Si Monastery
Located in Taman Sutera Utama, this is a Buddhist Monastery that our Favourite JB-Resident Amelia frequents to do her Regular Volunteer Work. They hold a Regular Annual Chinese New Year Light Up Event 新春灯会 and I was kindly invited by her to come visit.
If you are interested, the Event usually lasts the Whole Duration of CNY, usually from 初一 (CNY Day 1) to 初十五 (CNY Day 15). Even though this is a Buddhist Monastery, Anyone of Any Faiths are Very Warmly Welcome to Visit to enjoy the Festivities. As this is a Religious Location, it goes without saying to Dress and Behave Properly when you're here.
Credits to YouTube Channel Emcee Simon西门 for showcasing this 2026 CNY Event and Festivities.
Admission is Free
Monetary Donations are Not Required, but would be Appreciated.
Dates: 17-Feb-2026 (初一) to 3-March-2026 (初十五 元宵节 Chap Goh Mei).
End Date was Specially Extended to 21-March-2026
CNY Lights Turn on from 7.30pm in the Evening at the Outdoor Garden.
Obviously the Event is long over by the time you read this. If you are interested to know the Dates for Future CNY Events, you can head over to their Official Website at: https://fgs.hsingmasi.org The Website is in Chinese Mandarin Only, but you can easily use Google Chrome to auto-translate it.
Mandatory QR Code Scan required at the Entry Guard Post.
That said, coming to this Monastery itself can be a tad Challenging, especially if you were to take Grab. My Vehicle was absolutely not allowed to enter unless I scan a QR Code and fill in an Online Identity Form. The Guards are Polite but Firm on the Policy regarding this. There is No Workaround.
That said, the Online Form itself isn't Strict (Eg: there is no need to put in a Real Phone Number to get an OTP Code) I tested you can put whatever you want and it will still allow you through. That said, while entry is still ok as long as you do the QR Online Form, its the Exiting that may cause issues with Folks who are arriving via Grab as I did, because obviously the Grab Driver will not bother to Scan QR to pick you.
The Distance from the Actual Monastery to the Guard Post is actually quite abit of a Walking Distance so it can be a Tad Troublesome especially if you have Mobility Issues.
Personally I respect the Entry Guards for being Stoic and Firm (and Polite) enforcing the need for Extra Security given the Unfortunate Heightened Situation around the World recently.
But if you're going to need to do a QR Code entry, perhaps make it so that Visitors need to fill in an Actual Accurate Information instead of just anyhow filling in anything? I understand this would be more Troublesome, but if you want Security, then do it Proper would be best. Or perhaps shift the Entry Guard Post slightly Nearer to the Monastery itself so Visitors won't have to walk too Far? Just a Suggestion here.
Note: For People who are specifically protective of their Personal Identity Information (eg: NRIC), you might want to take note of this if you want to visit this Monastery should they change to a Stricter System in the Future.
Interior of the Monastery
Moving on, the Monastery itself is a Large Magnificent Building with a Giant Mural of the Head Abbot Venerable Hsing Yun (星雲大師). Not a Classic Traditional Looking Type of Buddhist Monastery, its more Modern in Design I feel. Looks more like a Modern Schooling Institution actually.
I won't describe Every Part of the Monastery but the Main Areas within Open to the Public are the Main Mahavira Hall 大雄宝殿 of course, an Air-Conditioned Library and the Vegetarian Cafe which are all located within the Main Courtyard Compound. I especially appreciate the Library which is Air-Conditioned with Seats if you need to sit down and take a Rest.
Perhaps because of the CNY Light-Up Event, it was Bustling with Activity when I was there. I think they were also doing some sort of Graduation Ceremony for some School Children? Truly Festive.
Overall, this was a Magnificent Looking Modern Buddhist Monastery with a Vibe that I would describe as a "Peaceful Majesty". No Wonder Amelia likes this Place so much and I am Very Grateful to have the Opportunity to come Visit!
Outside of the Monastery Compound (Outdoor Garden)
Uniquely, there is a Very Large Pond with a Huge Outdoor Garden which is where the Main Chinese New Year Light Up Event and Decorations are held.
The Festive Lights are turned on only after 7.30pm in the Evening.
Check out the Photos and Videos I've taken both during Day Time and Evening Time to get a Feel of the Place.
Monastery Compound (Outdoor Garden) - Day Time
Monastery Compound (Outdoor Garden) - Evening Time
The Festive Lights are turned on only after 7.30pm in the Evening.
Details about the Vegetarian Cafe (原點滴水坊 Yuan Dian Cafe)
Uniquely, there is a Very Large Pond with a Huge Outdoor Garden which is where the Main Chinese New Year Light Up Event and Decorations are held.
The Festive Lights are turned on only after 7.30pm in the Evening.
Check out the Photos and Videos I've taken both during Day Time and Evening Time to get a Feel of the Place.
Monastery Compound (Outdoor Garden) - Day Time
Monastery Compound (Outdoor Garden) - Evening Time
The Festive Lights are turned on only after 7.30pm in the Evening.
Details about the Vegetarian Cafe (原點滴水坊 Yuan Dian Cafe)
Mocha (Hot, No Sugar) = RM12.00
Mushroom Sandwich (吉祥角) = RM6.00
No Service Charges
⚠️ For Strict Vegans, you might want to take note that this place serves Cheese 🧀 and Milk 🥛 🐮 Dairy Products. I'm afraid I forgot to check, but I cannot confirm if this place also serves Eggs. 🥚 (Amelia, does this Cafe serves Eggs?)
And now we come to the Main Section of this Review.
As I mentioned previously, its housed at a side of the Main Courtyard and Easily Reachable if you were to just simply Walk Straight from the Main Entrance. Interestingly, it doesn't actually have any Signboard on its Entrance. I only know its name when browsing through their Main Website.
As soon as I stepped into the Cafe, I was surprised with how Beautiful it was. As you can see in my Video Walkthrough, it is renovated in what I would describe as a Classy Atas Ancient China 茶馆 type of Design.
Comfortably Air-Conditioned, it wasn't Full House although there were Quite a Few Customers within on a Saturday.
1) Go up to the Cashier Counter and order directly from the Only Menu available there.
2) After you've made your Purchase, take a Beeper Device and go back to your Seat.
3) Self-Service Collect your Food/Drinks when the Beeper Beeps. It took about 5 Mins for everything to be served up for mine.
Because the Only Menu in this Cafe is right at the Cashier Counter, it can feel abit of a Rush to Order especially if there is a Queue. You can refer to this Menu Photo I've taken as a Reference.
Maybe its the Fact that this Cafe is located within an Actual Buddhist Monastery itself, EVERYONE, including the Staffs and Customers all have this ... Peaceful Friendliness and Kindness that you would normally experience when you interact with a Religious Person. ❤️
I especially appreciate the Cashier Lady Staff who was Very Patient and Welcoming in explaining how to order in this Cafe. Perhaps this is the True Meaning of Religion, to bring out the Goodness in People like this. ❤️
Side Note: From what I understand from Amelia, this Cafe also employs Physically Challenged Folks. So please exercise some Patience if you are here. Do be nice and also Self-Service Return the Food Trays after you are done.
Mocha (Hot, No Sugar) = RM12.00
Interestingly, other than their Butterfly Pea Latte, all of the Coffee comes Default with Zero Sugar. Perfect if you are watching your Blood Sugar like me. Served in a Small Cup with an Adorable and Simple Coffee Heart-Shaped Art, this was Very Foamy.
The Actual Mocha was Decent Tasting although it tasted like it was brewed from a Coffee Machine. Abit Siap Siap, quite Strong in Caffeine, this was a Standard Decent Cup of Mocha. Acceptable but also Nothing Amazing.
Mushroom Sandwich (吉祥角) = RM6.00Honestly I had No Idea what to order when I was here. I ordered this only because of 2 Ladies infront of me Excitedly Discussing about this Particular Item. Hahaha, so I took it as a Sign from Heaven to order it! 这应该就是缘分吧. 😅
The Dish is Simple in Presentation, nothing fancy at all. Its just 2 Slices of White Bread Toast cut into Triangles and Toasted Sealed. The Bread is as Crispy Toasty as you'd expect, but its the Inside Filling was the one that surprised me.
It calls itself a Mushroom Sandwich but the Inner Filling is actually made of what tastes like Mashed Potato, a tiny bit of Mozzarella Cheese and some Very Small Negligible Pieces of Mushroom Slices.
Didn't get any Mushroom Taste from this, what I got was a More Prominent Taste of Mashed Potato with a Surprising Cheese Pull that I didn't expect. I totally get why the 2 Ladies are So Excited about this, because this Simple Sandwich is a Play on Texture. Imagine biting into a Hot Crispy Toast that releases a Burst of Warm and Soft Mashed Potato followed by a Slight Cheese Pull. Not a Long Cheese Pull, but still a Simple Playful Design.
This Mix of Crispy and Softness is a Decent Combo. The Mozzarella Cheese was the Surprise Gimmick in this because Most People wouldn't mind having a Cheese Pull for their Sandwich. Totally not stuffed with Mushrooms like how I expected, the Design of this Simple Sandwich was nevertheless quite Creative. The Chinese Name of this Sandwich 吉祥角 (Lucky Corner/Horn) is also Quite Appealing because of course it sounds Very Huat Huat to eat such an Auspicious Sounding Dish.
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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts
At the Price of RM12.00 (S$4.00) isn't cheap for this Cup of Mocha. It was a Very Standard Cup of Mocha with a Simple Heart-Shaped Coffee Art is what it is.
Nothing Especially Amazing, but also Nothing Particularly Wrong with it. It is what it is and nothing more.
I'm usually quite Meh about Mozzarella but I liked it's inclusion here which provided an Unexpected Surprising Fun Element of a Slight Cheese Pull with it. This Sandwich is quite Creative in Design. I'm surprised I don't see More Modern Kopitiams do a Variation of this in their Menu.
Affordable and Decent Tasting, I can understand why the 2 Ladies were so excited about it. If you have no idea what to order if you're here, this is an Affordable and Simple Snack to try.
As for this Vegetarian Cafe itself, I came with Zero Expectations simply because there are so Little Photos or Videos of this Place online. I was genuinely Surprisingly Impressed with how Elegant the Actual Place looked and it was actually Relatively Popular too.
As I mentioned in the Main Review, what impressed me more is this Peaceful Genuine Joyfulness and Friendliness displayed by not only the Staffs but also the Customers. ❤️ Its that kind of Joy and Peaceful Vibe that you'd normally feel when you interact with a Truly Happy Religious Person. ❤️ I guess this is the True Power of Religion, which is to bring out the Innate Goodness in People. ❤️
Nothing Michelin or Amazing about this Cafe, but it never claimed to be. Mocha Coffee certainly is not cheap, but I thought the 吉祥角 Mushroom Sandwich was Decently Priced and although Simple, was Perfect for a Decent Quick Bite.
I'm sure all proceeds from the Cafe goes directly to the Monastery itself though, so you can shunbian treat this like a Charitable Donation too. Overall I really like this Place. Even without the CNY Light-Up Event, this was still a Nice Place to come visit to get away from the Hustle and Bustle of Life. The Vibe I got from this Place was "A Peaceful Majesty". I can totally understand why Amelia likes this place so much.
That said due to Security Measures, that Mandatory QR Code Scanning Entry Procedures at the Guard Post that I mentioned can be Challenging especially when calling Grab to exit.
Note: For People who are specifically protective of their Personal Identity Information (eg: NRIC), you might want to take note of this if you want to visit this Monastery should they change to a Stricter System in the Future.
This is a Peaceful Monastery, but unfortunately this is Not a Peaceful World. It is what it is.
If you are ok with this, then I can still recommend to come visit this Monastery if you would like a Chance to step away from the Hustle and Bustle of Life and enjoy some Peace and Quiet Serenity.
If you are interested to know the Dates for Future CNY Events, you can head over to their Official Website at: https://fgs.hsingmasi.org The Website is in Chinese Mandarin Only, but you can easily use Google Chrome to auto-translate it.
Once again, Special Thanks to Amelia for inviting me and letting me know of this Special CNY Light Up Event and Location. Indeed an Interesting Experience, I enjoyed my time here. Happy Vesak Everyone. 🪷🙏
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