IT Roo Cafe - (Halal / Voted as the Best Chicken Chop by The Star in 2003 / Nostalgia Place / Recommended )

I decided to try the difference between Hua Mui and IT Roo Cafe where both claimed they sell the Best Chicken Chop in town (Or should I say Jalan Dhoby?). IT Roo has the offcial title as they are voted as the Best Chicken Chop by The Star in 2003.

Verdict : It is a draw. Hua Mui for its chicken meat and IT Roo for its sauce. 

The humble looking shop didn't appear to be any award-winning cafe. It is a narrow & small shop with decorations of old pictures of Johore Bahru and old posters hanging on the wall, bringing a nostalgia feeling. The dining crowd at almost 3pm justified its popularity as people would immediately replace a table of people that left. 

A simple menu was presented to us upon our arrival. The Award-winning chicken chop was the first item on the menu. The menu is quite extensive, ranging from Western dishes, Chinese dishes, varity of Noodles, Soups and Sandwiches, drinks & dessert. They offer fresh juices, local kopi, tea,"westernised" coffee like coffeecino and canned drinks for their drinks menu. They also have ice-cream for dessert. 

My overall take on this place, an above average cafe to have a decent Chicken Chop in JB. 

Information

Address :   17, Jalan Dhoby, Johor Bahru 80000 Johor. 

Award Winning Cafe!

They have officially embraced
the title!

iUIt reminded me of the old style
of colonial coffee house food.

Ever Crowded!

Nothing fancy and over exaggerate.
It doesn't appear to be any award winning
cafe. Simply down to earth.

Crispy Fried chicken chop
with mushroom sauce

Like Hau Mui,
Sirloin Steak was difficult to chew.
Stick to their Chicken Chop.

Reasonable at Sing $23.00

Ya Wang Restaurant ( Duck King / Near City Square / Can still try... )

Ya Wang is Mandarin for ‘Duck King’, and this little restaurant is very near to City Square Shopping Centre. Many Singaporeans visit Yawang to savour their juicy, delicious and herbal duck at half the price. Yawang appears to have found a firm following amongst the Johorians from the surrounding area. On this weekend occasion, the dining room was packed with large groups of all races, enjoying a long and relaxing lunch.

As the name suggests, Yawang is particularly proud of their various preparations of the esteemed water bird: four different ways in total.  I ordered their Herbal Roast duck.  The meat was tender and the skin, a beautiful caramelised brown. However, the herbal flavour was too overpowering and too sweet for my liking. Surprisingly, the duck meat was lacking in both taste and too hard to chew.

I strongly bet to differ that they are the Duck King (maybe only in Johor Bahru). I am definitely sure that I tasted way better duck meat in Singapore or Malaysia. The price is also not that fantastic as perceived. At Sing$15 for 2 person, it does not seem a bargain to me. 

Thankfully, Duck King made up for it with a varied menu that comes with set meals for 2 to 10 person. I personally feel that our meal will be more affordable if I have brought more people along, order their set lunch for 2 at RM48(Sing$25) which comes with 4 more dishes. On an ending note, Ya Wang will be a place I will return only if I crave for ordinary duck meat. In addition, I must have three to four friends with me to enjoy the economics of scale of visiting this restaurant.

            Information

            Address : 28 Jalan Segget
            Tel No. :   +607 224 8624

Near Hua Mui, just round the corner

The interior is a lot more cleaner
than it seems from outside.

Their menu is placed on a whiteboard.

The economics of scale set meals. 

This are what you can choose if
you order their set meals.

Sweet but lacking the spicy punch
of the chilli to blend with the
Duck Meat.

Too sweet and chewy for my liking.
Herbal Aroma is too strong....
Rating : 6/10

Suprisingly, the best dish of the day.
Kai Lan......:) Not what I came for.

Not a price  to scream for
at Sing$15 for 2.

Chamek Kopitiam (Pelangi Leisure Mall / Cheap and Good / Halal)

Want a weekday evening routine to Johor Bahru? Try this: Pump petrol at Jalan Sri Pelangi, Grocery Shopping at Pelangi Leisure Mall Giant and finally, Dinner at Chamek Kopitiam (which is also located in Pelangi Leisure Mall). 

JB citizens must know about the existence of Chamek Kopitiam which is fast becoming a franchise business to rival Old Town Coffee. 

Many branches are springing up in JB around Seri Alam, Setia Tropika, Johor Port, Bandar Baru Uda and TTDI Jaya(Selangor). The first shop was in Pasir Gudang Pusat Bandar. Kopitiam Chamek is 100% owned by a Muslim thus we need not doubt its Halal status. I give this store 4 stars in terms of service, cleanliness, environment and pricing.  The service is really excellent with their ever so friendly staff.

Information

Address : Pelangi Leisure Mall

Signature Dishes : 

• Roti kawen, Roti Pattaya, Boiled Sweet Sambal Ikan Masin, 
  Kuew Teow, 
  Char Kuew Teow, Nasi Lemak, Western Food.

Nice Cafe Styled Environment
serving Arabian Food.

Check out the menu...

Address of all the branches

Rice Menu

Roti Menu

Chinese Style Noodles
They can match a Chinese
eatery anytime....

Western Food

Appetisers

Superb and aromatic Coffee

Mee Soto, it's been a long time
that I have tried a Mee Soto with
deep Soup base. Most of
the SG type are quite diluted
and tasteless.

My favourite : Nasi Pattaya !

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Promotion.

Sing $12 with a Nasi Lemak
 Cheap and good price.

Directions to the nearest Petrol Stations. (Shell, Mobil and Esso)