Pandan Wanton Mee

Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (Average)

Address: Kampung Baru Pandan, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GoqsJgsDDiH2wkwk8
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)

Kopi O Kosong = RM2.00
Wanton Mee (Small, Clear Soup) = RM6.50

No Service Charges

 Here is the Full Menu of the Eatery/Restaurant.
Prices are Accurate as of the Date of the Post.

This place has been featured in Many Food Blogs and Articles that talks about this Neighbourhood. That said, there are actually 2 Different Wanton Mee Eateries located at the Same Location. They are even located Side by Side together right behind the Chinese Temple. Both of them are housed in a Small Makeshift Kampung Kampung Thatched Building sharing the Same Roof.

When People talk about Famous Wanton Mee in Kampung Pandan, THIS is specifically the Eatery that they are referring to.  The Other Wanton Mee located beside it is called 葆记云吞面 Poh Kee Wanton Mee which you can click on the Link to read the Review.

Interior of the Eatery

Really Small obviously Non-Airconditioned Kampung Kampung Eatery, this was a Pretty Small Place with at most around 7 Tables. It was Warm and Humid even on a Saturday Morning when I visited. 

Not Particularly Crowded at 7.16am on a Saturday Morning when I visited, it nevertheless quickly filled up as time went on as I observed. It is noticeably more Popular too compared to Poh Kee WTM next door.

Protip: Because the Place is Small with Limited Tables, be prepared to Share Tables with others especially when Customers start streaming in.

Staffs consists of Mostly Myanmar Folks and the Owner was a Friendly and Somewhat Shy Young Chinese Lad. Just place your orders with him, and he will deliver it to your Table. Drinks are ordered from a Separate Owner, also a Pretty Friendly 大哥. It took about 2 Mins for the Kopi-O-Kosong, and about 8 Mins for the Wanton Mee to be served up.


Kopi O Kosong = RM2.00

Served with a Nice Fragrance of a Classic Old Kopitiam type of Aroma. Interestingly the Kopi itself doesn't have a Robust Flavour. There are No Bitterness, No Siap Siap. Its Not Diluted but still Decently Strong to wake me up in the Morning. Interesting Kopi.

Wanton Mee (Small, Clear Soup) = RM6.50

The Dish Consists of:

Clear Soup
Noodles of course
7 Small Slivers of Char Siew
3 Small Wantons
Some Fried Pork Lard Pieces

Quality of the Soup

Interestingly, I couldn't tell whether this is a Pork or Fish Based Soup. It has a Light and Clear Savoury Flavour but not those 清甜 Taste. It also doesn't taste like MSG is used. Not Alkaliney and also Not Very Salty. I neither really like nor dislike this, I found it to be an Interesting Soup for a WTM.

Quality of the Noodles

Most Certainly from some Package, the Amount given was Acceptable for the Price. Not the Super QQ Bouncy Type but still has a Slight Bouncy Bite Texture. Also Not Doughy and Slides Smoothly down my Throat. Decent Noodles.

Quality of the Char Siew

This is the use Food Colouring Type, not Legit Roasted type. The Bite Texture is not unlike eating Breast Meat, Meaty and Firm with a Meaty Porkish Flavour thats also not Overly Porky. Acceptable for a Char Siew of this type.


Quality of the Wanton

Baby Small types that we're familiar with. I thought the Skin was abit Doughy actually, Pork Filling within was Soft, not the Quick Shot of Saltiness type, but Noticeably Peppery. Again, Nothing particularly Amazing, but Acceptable.


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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

At the Price of RM2.00 (S$0.70) was an Acceptable Not Gao Gao, but also Not Diluted Very Not Bitter No Siap Siap Kopi-O that still managed to wake me up in the Morning. Nothing Amazing really, but also nothing Particuarly Wrong.

At the Price of RM6.50 (S$2.10) for this Famous Pandan Wanton Mee, I'll be honest I feel that its quite Average. None of the Ingredients within particularly stood out for me, and eating everything together gives a Pretty Light Taste. If you are someone who prefer a Lighter Taste for your WTM, you might enjoy this better.

What I found interesting was actually the Soup which as I mentioned.
Culinarily, I can't tell whether this is Pork or Fish based.

Personally though, I feel its the Price that makes this Famous, because a RM6.50 Wanton Mee is practically Unheard of in JB nowadays when an Average Meal cost at least RM10.00 and above.

What I do like about this place is the Classic Old School Traditional Kampung Kampung Feel. I have no issues with the Friendly and Shy Stall Owner and eating WTM in such a Rustic Environment adds alot to the Dining Atmosphere which probably also contributes to its fame.

Don't let my Average Score deter you. This is a Very Famous, Much Written WTM Eatery here in Kampung Pandan that is being Praised and Well-Written in Many Food Blogs. While I personally don't feel it is that Famous to queue 7 hours to come to JB for, there is no harm giving it a try if you are nearby the Area really. I still enjoyed my time overall.