Planning for a local trip soon in Malaysia and don't know where to go? Why not travel to Melaka and experience the exquisite culture of the locals? Or travel south a little to Johor to see the unique features of Johor's arts and cuisines? Everybody knows about the famous chicken rice balls and satay celup in Melaka as well as the numerous shopping malls that is renowned in Johor. But in this blog, we are going to introduce you to some of the hidden gems that cannot be missed during your trip to Melaka and Johor. Let's get started!
The Hidden Gems of Melaka
1. Putu Piring
Putu Piring, a must try in Melaka. Putu Piring is a food that filled with ‘gula melaka’ and serve with shredded coconut flake. Imagine the gula melaka melts in your mouth with the coconut flake triggering your taste buds. You will never get tired of eating Putu Piring and will forever repeat it again. Once you get the taste, you will not forget it. Wonder where it is? Get yourself moving to Putu Piring Melaka at 252, Jalan Tengkera and grab yourself a Putu Piring at RM1.30 per piece. Make your time because the stall only opens in the afternoon from 1.00pm to 6.00pm.
2. Asian Seafood Cuisine
Craving for Asian style of seafood cuisine with affordable price? This Chinese restaurant offers great Chinese dishes with really cheap prices. Cockles (siham), Saltwater clam (lala), Okra (lady fingers), Kangkung (local vegetables), you name it. You can come and eat all you can with much cheaper price that other restaurant. It is one of the secrets of Melaka only for us to reveal to you to visit. Quick, get your fingertips on Google Maps, type in Restoran Hock Chin and you are set to go! This restaurant operates only in the evening from 6.00pm to 12.00 am. It is surely a great place to rest and enjoy your supper after a day long of visiting Melaka. One of the recommended dishes is the saltwater clam, also known as lala. It is served boiled or stir fry chilli. For boiled lala, a special sauce is prepared to allow you fully experience the great taste of the dish. Besides lala, the stall also serves steamed okra, sotong, and si bao (四宝) which consists of bean sprout, fishball, tofu and pineapple slices. Prepare to get spice up by the cuisine!!
The Hidden Gems of Johor
1. G. Cheong Fun Restaurant
Chee Cheong Fun aka steamed rice roll originated from Guangdong Province in southern China. Due to local culture and taste, every Chee Cheong Fun tastes slightly different in every state. G Cheong Fun Restaurant serves different kinds of chee cheong fun with various sauces and Hakka yong tau foo style side dishes.
G Cheong Fun has Teluk Intan style Chee Cheong Fun which is rare in southern Malaysia. There are 4 types of dressing sauces - aromatic oil with light soy sauce, sweet savoury sauce, spicy savoury sauce, and curry sauce. Personally, I like to douse the chee cheong fun in the Kampar style curry sauce which is mildly sweet spicy savoury.
Price: RM 5 / Teluk Intan Chee Cheong Fun
Location: 👉 G. Cheong Fun Restaurant (Skudai)
176, Jalan Pahlawan 2, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
👉 G. Cheong Fun Restaurant (Johor Jaya)
No.19, Jalan Dedap 19, Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Operating Hours: 7.00 am - 4.00 pm
Contact Number: 011-10662739 (Johor Jaya Outlet)
Official Website / Social media: https://www.facebook.com/MingjiiJJ/ (Johor Jaya Outlet Official FB)
2. Permas Rojak
I’m pretty sure that nobody can resist a simple, yet flavourful bowl of rojak right? In Johor Bahru, you can have rojak with a variety of tropical fruits and crunchy deep-fried dough sticks.
The fruits and dough are coated with their thick decadent sauce consisting of ground peanuts and lemon juice, making it very appetizing and refreshing with a hint of nutty richness.
This combination produces a mild explosion of crunch and refreshing bite of succulent fruits. There is a ‘rojak’ of textures - soft and crispy, tender and crunchy, juicy and biscuit dry.
Price: RM 7.00 per pack
Location: In front of Pasaraya Cinwa Sdn Bhd, 8, 10 & 12, Jalan Permas 4/3, Permas Jaya, 81750, Johor Bahru, Johor.
Operating Hours: Saturday & Sunday (afternoon)
3. W.W Laksa HouseAround 42 years history, W.W Laksa House serves authentic Johor Laksa with rich coconut milk flavoured spiced soup at decent prices. The laksa bowl is loaded with various fritters (fried soya bean skin, tau pok, fried fish cake slices, fried vegetarian balls), bean sprouts, grated dry basil leaves and fresh cockles.
Besides its signature laksa, you can also find the traditional Kelantan Nasi Kerabu (Khao Jam) here. Originally a rice dish from Thailand, Khao Jam means "mixed rice" in Thai. Less commonly found in Thailand nowadays, Khao Jam is now more associated with Kelantan. The green rice is cooked with 15 vegies essences and served with freshly prepared Keropok (Seafood Crackers), fish floss, coconut floss, ginger flower, lemon grass, cucumber, daun kesong and salted egg.
The restaurant claims that they are a place where there is no pork, no lard but there is no HALAL certificate in sight.
Price: RM 7 / Khao Jam, RM 7 / Laksa (Normal), RM 8 / Laksa (Big)
Location: 36A & 36A1, Jalan Kolam Air, Taman Kolam Air, 80100, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Operating Hours: 8.30 am-3.00 pm
Contact number: 016-776 7695
4. Loving sister mural
The Loving Sisters mural was painted on the wall of a four-storey building in Muar. The murals portrayed two young local girls, 7-year-old Nur Najwa and her 3-year-old sister, Nur Najiyah Amani. The mural was completed on 17th July 2016. In fact, it was painted by a Russian muralist, Julia Volchkova in just 12 days and has made it to The Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) as the “Largest Portrait Mural” in the country.
You might expect historical or cultural paintings around Johor, but this is definitely one of a kind. It certainly reminds you of the importance of family members, sometimes your sibling(s) is/are all you need in life.
Location: Loving Sisters-1986, Jalan Arab, Pekan Muar, 84000, Muar, Johor.
5. Rock Beach Tanjung Balau
Featuring the natural rock formations which are believed to exist since 275 million years ago during the Permian period, the geological heritage site known as the Rocks Beach located in Tanjung Balau is truly a hidden gem of Malaysia. The beauty of the beach stands out prominently during low tide season. Wake up early and head to this place as the first rays of the morning stream up from the horizon. You'll be amazed by the wonderful view of rays of the morning stream up from the horizon, spreading yellowish lights over the deep blue sky.
Location: Tanjung Balau, 82200 Benut, Johor.
So now you know where to go in Melaka for a hearty snack or meal after exploring the historical sites there. You should have also realized that Johor has much more to offer than just shopping malls and outlets. There are countless of places yet to be explored in Melaka and Johor so make sure you add these places to your next getaway and go for an adventure! Stay safe!
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