THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE AT PANTAI PENYABONG

     29th JUNE 2026     ~ During our stay at Pantai Mawar, we had to drive a bit to Pantai Penyabong to get breakfast. There was this food court with a few stalls but only a few were operating in the morning. We were too lazy to hunt for food somewhere else and the beach was the easiest spot.

There were many people that Monday morning who looked like locals. I wonder if they were all not working that day.

I had a plate of Nasi Dagang which I would rate as an average grade.

My friend ordered Mee Soto but unfortunately it tasted more like Mee Soup. There was no taste of Soto spices in the bowl.

The Pulut Panggang [sticky rice in banana leaf with spicy shredded coconut filling] was delicious as it was grilled on the spot.

We had to leave as it was time to do some exploring at Pantai Mawar right after, before it got too hot. But before that, we decided to drive up Penyabong Hill and to get to the most popular spot of the place [READ HERE].

THE BREAKFAST SESSION AT PONDOK SANTAPAN

Eventually we managed to get breakfast at Pondok Santapan in Larkin. It had been Selera Johor for sarapan all this while, therefore we needed a change. Mr. Ridwan Wahid and his family was on a one night weekend getaway in Johor Bahru and it was customary for us to embark on the gastronomic adventure Johor style. We had dinner the evening before [READ HERE] and we met one more time before they headed home to Shah Alam in the afternoon.

We arrived at about 8:20 a.m. and there were still a few empty tables. What a relief.

We had Mee Kari [Curry Noodles], Soto, Laksa Johor, Lempeng Kelapa [Coconut Pancake] and a variety of "kuihs" [sweet dessert].

By 9:15 a.m, diners arrived in bigger number and a few were standing, looking for empty seats. It was time to leave the dining area to give way for the newly arrived. And I was about to introduce them to the Pasar Tani [Farmer's Market] that Saturday morning.

God willing, I will be seeing them again next week in Kuala Lumpur/Selangor.

THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE IN JB WITH GUESTS FROM PENANG - PART ONE

Puan Aishah Aboo Bakar was back in Johor Bahru, so it was time to get her to embark on another gastronomic adventure Johor style. This time, the husband, Mr. Arif, was tagging along.

I decided to introduce them to another breakfast place called Pondok Santapan. She had been to Selera Johor twice already so it was time to try something new.

We were there at about 8:30 a.m. and the place was already with people dining in. The long queue of people ordering food was already formed. One good thing the service was fast and you would get your food and drinks in no time. PRECAUTION: The place would be super crowded during the weekends, always blame the Singaporeans.

Laksa Johor

Mee Soto

Mee Kari

We had Mee Kari, Laksa Johor, Mee Soto, Lempeng Kelapa, Popia and some kuih as well. Truly Johorean kind of breakfast choice.

That was just the beginning of the adventure. Lunch date will take place tomorrow for Part 2.