Sept 2026 JB Trip Preview - Exploring Bukit Chagar, SKS City Mall and Re-Visiting Jalan Tan Hiok Nee

Hey Everyone,
I must say, Time really does fly pass in a Flash isn't it? It didn't feel that long ago when I enjoyed my 12 Days Food Holiday in Thailand Hat Yai at the End of August 2026 .... and Suddenly its already the End of September 2026!

Anyway, we're back in Good Ole Malaysia Johor Bahru once again. Not Too Far this time, re-visiting Classic Jalan Tan Hiok Nee 陳旭年文化街, and checking out the Recently Opened SKS City Mall at Bukit Chagar.

Also Moving Forward streamlining some processes, Future Monthly JB Trip Previews that I make will be compiled and posted only on the Last Sunday of the Month instead of After Every Trip. Lets see how this Schedule goes.

Officially Opened quite recently on 1st May 2026, this SKS City Mall is actually located at Jalan Storey, Bukit Senyum. For the Ease of Compiling JB Suburbs and Neighbourhoods for this Food Blog however, I thought I'd classify this Place as "Bukit Chagar" since its also kindda near to it. 

Actually I'm thinking of combining the Current Wadi Hana Suburb I have in this Blog to form a New Bukit Chagar Suburb. Let's see how it goes as I explore more in the Future I guess.

Video Credits to Youtube Channel: SCM Southern Corridor Malaysia

As for this SKS City Mall, it certainly was Quite an Event as you can see in the Video during Opening Day back in May 2026. It has been a Couple of Months now in September 2026 after the Hype has certainly Cooled Down.

I'll be very honest, this is Yet Another Standard Modern Shopping Mall. If you've seen 1 Modern Mall, you've seen them all. Crowd Level is not 冷清清, but compared to its Opening Day as shown in the Video, has become Noticeably Much Quieter as I explored around even on a Saturday Weekend Afternoon. This is to be expected I guess since Johor Bahru keeps springing up New Malls almost Every Month it seems.

Not a Very Convenient Mall to reach from JB CIQ too especially with the RTS Constructions going on blocking everything. If its not because I want to explore the Bukit Chagar Area, I really don't see myself purposefully hailing Grab just to visit this. Perhaps they might want to have a Regular Free Shuttle Service near JB CIQ Kastam?

Whether this Mall can survive will probably be 100% Dependent if the Future Completed RTS Stations will make it easier to visit I suppose? I personally thought this Mall is a Nice Place to Retreat back to Rest and Recharge if I am exploring the Bukit Chagar Area. A Mall's Success is Never a Sprint, but a Marathon. Only Time will tell how this Mall will ultimately fare in the Future I guess.

Alright anyway without further ado, lets get into the Culinary Highlights! 😄

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

士多利茶餐室 Storia Cafe

Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/R1GzDvxrkwkybJpu7

THIS is the Place that specifically made me want to explore the Bukit Chagar Area.
Kindly recommended by our Favourite JB-Resident Amelia, her Quote was:

Have you try the Storia Cafe aka Shidouli otak - otak, nasi lemak & mee siam? This is another legend family run kopi tiam in JB. Open 6am till noon but usually finish very fast. It's at Kim Teng Park. They serve one of the best otak otak in town. Those day my office in Pelangi, so we go very often or my boss will tapau for me.

She's Certainly Right about this Place being Legendary. Just looking at the Signboard they have here, you can tell this is an Old Place. According to the Really Friendly Owners, this Eatery has been around for at least 60 Years! 

Conveniently Located literally just Opposite SKS City Mall itself among a Row of Shophouses.
As you can see, it was Very Popular on a Saturday Morning at 8.00am when I visited.

I didn't notice any Singapore Cars as I took a Quick Glance, so I'm guessing this is a Place that even the Locals visit and support. This is the Power of 60 Years of History I suppose. 六十年的历史真不是盖的.

So apparently, their Main Signatures here as I've also checked with Google Reviewers are their Nasi Lemak and their Otak-Otak. The Nasi Lemak is made by them and as I understand, the Otaks are sourced from Muar 麻坡 which is a Johor Town that is Famous for Otaks

I've never been to Muar yet, but if this Otak-Otak is indeed from Muar, then I totally understand why its so Famous already. I also totally get why their Nasi Lemak is Famous. Its their Rice that is the Soul of the Dish for me. Total Combined Price for Everything I ordered that you see was RM15.80 (S$5.00).

This Place gets my Top Score not only for their Culinary but also their Customer Service. People who have visited this Place will probably know what I am saying. Coming here to eat really does feel like visiting an Old Friend. Its the type of Simple Kampung Kampung Neighbourly Bond shown here that I really love about Malaysia.

Do Stay Tuned for my Future Review of this Place!
Totally understand why Amelia recommended this. This was a Good One thanks! 😄

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

陈记国泰辣沙 Tan Kee Cathay Laksa

Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YNX9LyGafcZHvuqW6

This is a Famous 40 years old History Laksa in Johor Bahru that I visited back in 2024 when it was located in Shang Ji Kopitiam (itself has changed name to Wong Ga). It has since shifted to Heng Kee Kopitiam in Jalan Lumba Kuda which is just a 200m Short Easy Walk away.

As you can see in this Old Google Review that I've written back in 2024, I didn't really appreciate the Laksa because its not the Very Gao Gao Coconut Milk type of Laksa that I prefer but is more towards a More Milder Savoury Type.

2 years later in 2026, after trying out More Laksas in JB since, I've come to appreciate this alot more and totally understand why this is considered Famous in JB. Really Popular too as you can see.

One thing that has remained Constant is the Super Friendly and Adorable Elder 大姐 that runs this Stall. She was such a Lovable Friendly Lady back in 2024 and 2 years later now in 2026 she's still as Adorable Friendly as Ever.

Hahaha how come all the Laksa Aunties in JB are so Sweet in Nature one har? The Elder Lady Owner at the also Equally Famous 淡杯叻沙 Tampoi Laksa was also a Very Friendly Sweet Lady. Hahaha does Cooking Laksa somehow magically makes you a Really Sweet Person!?

Latest 2026 Price of the Laksa (Small) is RM9.00 (S$2.90) compared to RM8.00 (S$2.50) back in 2024 which I feel is still Acceptable and 合理 given how much Prices of Ingredients have risen.

If you are OK with a Laksa that isn't the Very Gao Gao Coconut Milk type and is actually More on a Gentler Milder Taste, I can still definitely recommend to come give this a Try if only just to support this Super Adorable Elder 大姐. She is an Absolute Adorable Gem!

I do recommend to come visit this as soon as you can because 大姐 is also not young anymore and it might not be long when Age finally forces her to Retire. I think Amelia also mentioned that this Jalan Lumba Kuda Area may soon be going for Re-Development too.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

惠苑港点 Wai Yuen Dim Sum

Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mYQoeeNKbfrW3buC7

This is a Very New Air-Conditioned Dim Sum Eatery that only just opened 2 Months ago in July 2026 at Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street. Located along the Same Street as the Famous 協裕麵包西菓廠 Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory and also right next to Roast & Coffee that I reviewed previously actually. If you are familiar with this Street, you will probably have seen it too.

Owned by a Very Friendly Youthful Looking Malaysian Lad slightly younger than me, he had been working in Singapore F&B Industry specifically on Dim Sums for at least 18 years before deciding to venture out and open this Business on his own. In fact, this is his First and Only Restoran in the Whole of Malaysia.

Being a Very New Place, inevitably its not the type of place that has Massive Queues or anything. But don't be fooled by this because I have personally tried them and I can honestly say the Standard of their Basic Fundamental Dim Sums won't lose to even the Dim Sums that I personally tried in Hong Kong itself. Here is their Full Menu if anyone is interested.

The Items I ordered that you can see here are:

D13 Chinese Tea = RM1.50 

S01 Shrimp Dumpling (Har Gao) (3pcs) = RM8.90

S02 Steamed Siew Mai w/Shrimp & Pork (3pcs) = RM8.90

B01 Cha Siu Bao (2pcs) = RM8.90

H03 Stir-Fried Radish Cake w/ Hongkong Style = RM12.90

Service Charge 6% = RM2.47


Everything you see here for a Combined Final Total Price of RM43.60 (S$14.00) as you can see in this Receipt I feel is Very Reasonable and 合理 for the Taste and Quality. No need to travel too far away for Dim Sum, when an Already Decent One is located near to CIQ itself in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee.

I especially adore both their Siew Mai and Har Gao and at the Same Price RM8.90 (S$2.80) for each of them are Absolutely Worth the Money. Well Made, Well Wrapped Dough Skin for the Har Gao, these are Beautifully Lovingly Handmade. Skin was Not at all Dry or Doughy. The Har Gao Filling was Tender and Made with a Full Bouncy Prawn.

Siew Mai was also likewise Beautifully Made and the Mix of both Prawn and Pork were in Balance Harmony with Neither Trying to Outdo or Outshine in the Dish. Never Overly Prawny or Porky, there is No Jelak when eating this Siew Mai.

Their H03 Stir-Fried Radish Cake RM12.90 (S$4.10) is the One that had Many Google Reviewers on Google Maps really raving about it and was one of the Reason why I specifically wanted to visit. Once I tasted it, I understand why. 

Every Radish Cake Cube is Coated and Fried with a Delightful Crispy Batter with Nice 油香味 but the Magic is really the Creamy Soft Radish Meat within that really swims in your mouth. Together with a Generous Portion of Egg and Taugeh, the Whole Combination was a Crispy, Soft Creamy, Veggie Crunchy and Eggy Mix of Taste in your Mouth. 


You may be wondering why I am practically giving the Full Review for this Place despite this Post being only a JB Trip Preview and the Reason is basically this Location its in.

Jalan Tan Hiok Nee is perhaps one of the Most Expensive Place to rent in Malaysia Johor Bahru and that is even before the RTS Train is up. According to my Currently Planned Schedule, it might be Next Year 2027 before I post the Review for this Place and I honestly cannot confirm if this place will still be around by then.

I had a Heart to Heart Very Honest and Candid Chit-Chat with the Friendly Boss, and he himself acknowledged the Insane Rental Prices for this Location, but still wanted to rent it simply because:

"This is my First Restoran, and I want Singaporeans to know my Brand. Opening at a Popular Place like Jalan Tan Hiok Nee is still worth it for Public Exposure than paying a Slightly Lower Rental Price at a Lesser Known and Lesser Visited Suburb. Even if I fail, at least People may remember my Branding even if I open somewhere else in the Future"

Truly a Very Interesting Perspective and a Very Brave Thing to forge ahead even knowing of a Likely Imminent Failure. Perhaps this is the True Mindset of an Entrepreneur. What I can do is to use this JB-Trip Preview as my means of Support. If you are near the Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Area, why not swing by and give this a try if you are ok with the Prices on the Menu? I certainly enjoyed my time here.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Alright with that aside, here are a Couple of More Places I visited and a Sneak Peak of the Other Dishes I ate! 😄 (Hahaha these are all the Places I visited in the Month compiled so thats why you are seeing so many of them. Of course its impossible to eat so many in just 1 Weekend lah.) 😅

Dona Bakehouse

Google Map Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/AvJiSzRY3M8qk3uE9

Restoran Hua Mui (Jalan Tan Hiok Nee)

Google Map Link:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/aDYzEKPSgjcqWS2Z7

The Replacement - Lodge & Kitchen

Google Map Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cA66KZATqn6SautY8

添心楼 Tian Xin Lou

Google Map Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jha5SbYk56ggxNUVA

Nasi Ayam Kee Chup

Google Map Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DukYwWJnPfRtSCsr8

沁园咖啡馆 Qin Garden

Google Map Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7F8utxPnvbid1BsC8

Warung Roti Canai Bukit Chagar

Google Map Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JRy4ZDQdLG7YtQn66

司機餐室 Restoran Sekee

Google Map Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ErHSSBYeTaDsVUKP6

锦华茶室 Restoran Kin Hua

Google Map Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sxR3GUJtWCwLMYoC9



Alright, this ends my JB-Trip Preview for September 2026. 👍 Taking another Short Break for now. Tune in Tuesday 29-Sept where we will continue with More JB Food Reviews!

And as always: Queue? What Queue? 😄