If you’re craving the trendy vibes of Seongsu but cannot simply make time for a trip to Korea, Johor Bahru might just be the next best option. Here are three must-visit spots in Johor Bahru that will take you right to the happening streets of Seongsu.
Brooos & Co
Adopting an office aesthetic, this cafe in JB truly screams Seongsu. The first thing you’ll notice is the seating area outside of the cafe, which immediately reminds you (us at least) of Seoul. It’s a hot spot for photos.
Inside, you’re greeted by a coffee counter, alongside an office-inspired interior. The space is decorated with brown and beige leather chairs, alongside modern tungsten lamps on each table. To further bring out the office theme, there are photocopier machines decorated with plants and flowers, which are very avant garde.
Apart from coffee and desserts, the cafe also offers a variety of main dishes such as open-faced sourdough toasts, pizzas, and burgers. There also are snacks like fries and Korean fried chicken which go well with their cocktails.
We picked from one of their six signature drinks, the Why Dirty, which felt like a sweet flat white, topped with a familiar nut biscuit. We enjoyed this a lot! Their Matcha Magnum Roll was also a nice treat, featuring different textural components, such as chocolate, cream, cake, and even a pudding jelly.
1061KONA
Located further away from the JB Sentral Area, and nearer to Paradigm Mall is 1061 KONA, a handcraft goods select store.
The store is hidden away on the 2nd floor, stocking items from accessories to clothing and even cute stationary items and homeware. Some brands you can find are Regional Craft Lab, Kakomi, and Evelin By Na.
Our favourite spot is their cafe corner, where they sell a small menu of drinks such as Americano, Latte, and Matcha from Niko Neko Matcha.
While the journey might be slightly out of the way for most people, we do feel that this spot’s aesthetic is worth checking out. Coffee’s not bad too!
Google Maps | Instagram | Do note that they’re closed on Monday
Chaos Natural Wine Bar
Seongsu is home to lots of wine bars, like this spot we visited during one of our trips. We were so happy to have found Chaos Natural Wine Bar in JB, which serves up good wine, good food, and good vibes.
The wine bar operates by reservations only, which you can make via a DM on their Instagram.
It’s a very simple space, with tables and chairs filling up the space and a counter bar where you choose your wines and learn more about each bottle. The interior is tastefully decorated with overflowing wax candles and tiny lamps contributing to the dim ambience after dark.
Apart from natural wines, their menu also consists of small plates and mains that go well with the wine. Items like Foccacis Bread, Cold Cut Plates, Roasted Tomatoes with Ricotta Cheese & more.
We had the Beef Ragu made using thick pasta, together with a salad featuring fresh chayote, homemade ricotta, and extra virgin olive oil. Both were delicious, but that beef ragu was simply chef’s kiss.
Day Trip to JB
If you’re looking to do a day trip, these 3 spots in Johor Bahru will fit right into your schedule, with time to explore other parts even. After this, you might feel even more inspired to visit Seongsu, so make sure to check out these articles before you go:
*All featured cafes in this article are independent reviews by MiddleClass.sg
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