Deciding on a spontaneous day trip to Johor Bahru (JB), we woke the kids early at 6am and secured them in their car seats. The drive was smooth with minimal traffic, and we crossed over to Malaysia in no time.
AUSTIN HEIGHTS
Just a 20-minute drive from CIQ, Austin Heights is a lively neighbourhood that has become a trendy favourite among both locals and visitors. Known for its bustling entertainment scene, the area is dotted with an array of cafes, restaurants, karaoke bars and bubble tea shops, making it a hotspot for foodies and night owls alike.
First stop: Breakfast at Sek Bao. We chose this cha chaan teng with a nostalgic 90s Hong Kong ambience, complete with retro decor and classic Cantonese tunes. Perhaps we were very early, but the roads were nearly empty with lots of parking everywhere. We parked right outside, and popped in.
Their menu features creative dim sum and Hong Kong-style dishes. We enjoyed the Polo Bun with Luncheon Meat and Egg, known for its sweet, crispy crust and savory filling. YB really loved the frothy ice milo!
After this light breakfast, we walked around Mount Austin but the area was really quiet save for other breakfast spots like Restoran Hua Mui, The Toast and High School Kopitiam. Most of the other shops weren’t open, so we thought we’d while away some time with an affordable mani-pedi.
We managed to pop into a random nail salon the minute it opened at 9am. Despite its simple decor, the staff at Elegance Nail Salon greeted us warmly, their kindness and patience immediately putting us at ease. I was happy with the extensive selection of nail polish colours (I remember some KSL nail salons with lesser choices). J eagerly selected a sparkling pink shade, and she thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
Then we met up with the boys to have our 2nd breakfast at Sunday Brew. We were drawn to this spot not only for its cosy ambiance but also because it features an indoor playground — a perfect setup for families with energetic little ones. The kids had an absolute blast, laughing and playing to their hearts’ content, while we savoured our meals in a relaxed, air-conditioned setting.
Kids had to wear socks to enter the playground.
Then, we decided to treat the kids to an interactive experience at D.A Little Farm, a petting café. The entry fee included a choice of a drink or ice cream, which was a nice touch.
The kids were absolutely thrilled, especially when feeding the friendly alpaca that roamed freely, eagerly accepting gentle pats and posing for photos. The staff were also quite helpful, even guiding us into glass enclosures to observe animals like fennec foxes and skunks up close.
However, we soon became uncomfortable due to the strong odours, presence of animal waste and the crowded environment. The confined space on the second floor seemed inadequate for the number and variety of animals housed there. Concerned about the welfare of the animals and our own comfort, we chose to leave before our allotted time was up.
Despite leaving early, the kids thoroughly enjoyed their time interacting with the animals, making it a memorable part of our trip.
After our morning adventures, we headed to Mid Valley Southkey for some leisurely shopping. At MR.DIY, we let the kids pick out affordable toys, which kept them entertained. We also spent a considerable amount of time at PALO, an arcade offering a variety of games suitable for all ages. They were sooo happy to discover Pokemon machines, we were so happy each game was much cheaper than in Singapore.
While exploring the mall, we also stumbled upon the KF Kiddy Circuit, an indoor go-kart track designed specifically for children. The kids were ecstatic, racing around the 200-meter themed circuit several times, making it the highlight of our trip!
For dinner, we headed to Restaurant Teck Sing in Taman Sentosa. Known for its signature Paper Baked Chicken, this decades-old establishment is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The chicken is marinated with a blend of Chinese herbs, wrapped in parchment paper, and baked to tender perfection, resulting in a flavorful and aromatic dish! We also ordered standard zhi char dishes like hotplate tofu, sambal kang kong (it was sooo good!) and cereal prawn.
On our way back to the checkpoint, we made a much-anticipated stop at Yamada Beancurd a couple of streets down, a renowned food truck in Johor Bahru celebrated for its unique pandan-flavored beancurd.
So I don’t understand why pandan beancurd isn’t more of a thing. I first drank pandan soy bean milk during my undergraduate days in Melbourne, and I absolutely loved it, often lugging back bottles of it from Asian supermarkets to my dorm room. When I first saw Yamada going viral on IG, I knew I had to try it!!!
The pandan infusion added a subtle sweetness and fragrance to the silky-smooth beancurd, making it a delightful and refreshing dessert. Given its popularity and limited operating hours from 6 PM to 10 PM (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays), we were fortunate to arrive just shortly before opening. As the prep-work was going on behind-the-scenes, there was already a long line.
But the ordering system was efficient, and the wait was bearable. We just stood around waiting for our numbers to be called. Even when it started drizzling, the staff actually handed out umbrellas efficiently to everyone!
We only ordered two original pandan beancurd, but they turned out to be really yummy and we vowed to return to try the various toppings! This stop was the perfect sweet ending to our day!
This Little Season 