Johor delicacies are found all over the state and all these yummy dishes should be tried and tested by locals and tourists alike. Here are 5 yummy dishes everyone should try at least once.
Johor Delicacies #1: Laksa Johor
Laksa Johor is considered an iconic dish and a must-have delicacy that one should not miss while in Johor, Malaysia. Unlike the common laksa in the rest of the Malaysian states, this dish is special — instead of rice noodles, it comes with spaghetti. This changes the entire texture of the dish from its varieties entirely. This dish which has a notorious creamy, savoury gravy made from mackerel, coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal and a host of spices rounds up the sauce. It gives a rich flavour but is layered. The thick, creamy gravy coats the spaghetti well and provides bursts of flavour in every bite.
But for Laksa Johor, toppings make the dish go from good to great. Laksa is typically topped with fresh condiments such as cucumber, bean sprouts, shredded herbs like daun kesum — better known as Vietnamese coriander and lime wedges that give a nice acidity to the richness of the noodle soup. Sambal belacan is given on the side for a spicy kick for those who enjoy a little more spice. Salted fish is also often added as a topping — bringing in a umami taste that further enhances the eating experience.
Laksa Johor is more than a meal — it is a cultural thing as it is a form of exposure to the rich food culture of Johor. It is among the common dishes at festivals and special gatherings but this dish can be found in local restaurants and food stalls across Johor. The representation of Malay, Indian and Javanese influences blended together tells much of the multicultural essence of Johor’s cuisine. To any food enthusiast visiting Johor, this delicacy called Laksa Johor is a must to try since it is something which offers a flavourful journey of the state’s diverse food culture.
Johor Delicacies #2: Mee Bandung Muar
Mee Bandung Muar is something that one should never miss when visiting Johor especially if one is a foodie who wants to taste Johor specialities. Coming from the historic town of Muar, it is a rich and hearty noodle meal that has gained widespread popularity across Johor. Despite the name “Bandung”, it does not have anything to do with the Indonesian city — it actually refers to a mix of flavours which come together to create a strong and satisfying flavour.
Yellow egg noodles feature in this dish drenched in thick gravy made from a rich blend of spices, dried shrimp and fresh prawns. The Mee Bandung Muar is different — it is loaded with beef and egg and fresh seafood which give it that added depth of flavour, making it almost every local and tourist’s favourite.
In essence, the broth is actually the star of the dish — simmered with prawn shells, beef stock and chilli paste to give that perfect poise between spiciness and umami that hardly anyone will resist. The noodles are usually garnished with boiled eggs, wedges of lime and fresh herbs for texture and freshness. This play of spicy, sour and savoury flavours creates a mouthwatering experience that reflects the rich culinary heritage of Johor.
Be it from a street stall or from a local restaurant, a plate of Mee Bandung Muar always hits the spot for comfort and flavour. Indeed, with such unique ingredients put together and an unmistakable depth of flavour, it automatically becomes one of those dishes that every foodie venturing into Johor’s vibrant food culture should try. One would only need to take one bite to understand why it has become the face of Johor’s identity in food and should not be missed on any tour covering foods in this region.
Johor Delicacies #3: Asam Pedas
Spicy sour Asam Pedas is among the dishes that one should try in Johor — filled with flavour explosions from sour to spicy. This is a classic Malay fish stew which is liked for its boldness in combining tamarind with chilli for sour and spicy taste. Traditionally made with stingray, mackerel or another varieties of fish, the meal is stewed in a broth full of aromatic herbs and spices such as lemongrass, turmeric and galangal which give the fish the most complex and rich flavour. The tamarind provides a sourness that is offset perfectly by the spiciness from the chilli while the fish is tender and juicy.
It is also widely served with steamed white rice — a comforting yet fiery meal in Johor loved by locals and tourists alike. Variations include okra, eggplant and tomatoes which soak up the flavourful gravy and add texture and variety to the dish. While Asam Pedas can be savoured in every state in Malaysia, Johorean Asam Pedas holds a special fame for strong and robust flavours that differ from any other. Whether it is consumed at a local warung or through a traditional restaurant, Asam Pedas is quintessentially part of Johor’s culinary identity.
The complex flavours in this dish combine sour, spicy and naturally sweet flavours of fresh fish — creating a lingering memory of the dish. For food lovers visiting Johor, Asam Pedas is just one of those that needs to be tried as it manifests the love of the region toward strong flavours and how good it is at mixing traditional spices and ingredients into one dish that would be satisfying and memorable.
Johor Delicacies #4: Pisang Goreng With Sambal Kicap
If there is one snack one should really try when coming to Johor, it has to be Pisang Goreng with Sambal Kicap — a truly local delicacy that one must never miss. The dish starts with pisang goreng or fried bananas as a popular snack in Malaysia. However, it is elevated to the next level in Johor with a special addition — sambal kicap or a spicy dip made from soy sauce that takes this humble fried banana into an extraordinary level.
It consists of coating the ripe but firm bananas in light batter and deep frying them until golden — creating a crunchy exterior against the soft, sweet interior. All it takes is dipping these golden fritters into the sambal kicap, which is made from soy sauce, chilies, garlic and sugar. The sweetness of the banana mixed with that spiciness and saltiness, not to mention the slight tangy taste of sambal, is just a burst of flavours dancing in your mouth. The spiciness of the chilies really complements the natural sweetness of the banana while the soy sauce brings depth and umami, comfort and excitement into this snack all at once.
Goreng Pisang with Sambal Kicap is really a manifestation of Johor’s rich culinary heritage where the traditional Malay flavours meet the creativity of using local ingredients. Being in this region and not having tasted it is like never having tasted Johor’s knack for balancing bold flavours into simple dishes. Whether it is eating quickly from a stall by the wayside or enjoying it at a cafe in the locality, this dish is sure to create a lasting impression on your palate and is not something to be missed during your Johor trip.
Johor Delicacies #5: Otak-Otak
Otak-otak is among the most iconic delicacies that Johor has to offer and must-try food when one is in the state. This local delicacy basically consists of spiced fish paste steamed in banana leaves with a nice, smoky aroma and savoury flavour that both locals and tourists alike have learned to love. Originally from Muar, a town in Johor, otak-otak has grown to become synonymous with the region’s culinary pride. The name “otak-otak” is derived from the Malay word meaning “brain,” describing its soft and slightly mushy texture. However, the taste of this dish is altogether more pleasant compared to what its name could have suggested.
The fish paste usually mackerel or tenggiri is first mixed with a concoction of local spices and herbs such as lemongrass and turmeric together with coconut milk that provides this kueh with a really rich and fragrant flavour. The mixture then gets wrapped in banana leaves and is grilled over a charcoal fire to give the otak-otak its trademark smoky essence that goes so well with its spicy and creamy taste. Even though it is better consumed as a snack or an appetiser, one can eat it with rice for a fuller meal.
What really sets Johor’s otak-otak apart is the fact that it is quite versatile. While fish is used, this delicacy from Muar does not skimp on squid, prawns or even chicken around the country. Muar’s versions are also particularly famous for being spicier and more aromatic compared to those found in other states within Malaysia. So, whether you like spicy food or you are willing to try the local famous dishes, Otak-otak is one dish you should not miss when visiting Johor. It accentuates the rich flavour of the state and the food culture with a unique blend from Malay, Chinese and Javanese.
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