It’s no secret that Singaporeans love flocking to shopping malls in JB to get their retail fix and indulge in the local cuisine. It’s time to extend that shopping list to include some well-known – as well as a couple of lesser-known – CNY snack shops in JB to stock up on goodies.
Pineapple tarts, almond cookies, love letters… is your mouth watering yet? We’ve found places that are conveniently located just a short drive across the causeway, mostly within 30 minutes of the checkpoints, so you can easily go on a last-minute snack run before the CNY long weekend.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 24th January 2025.
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If you’re planning to buy your CNY snacks in JB with the intention of bringing them back to Singapore to enjoy, do note that not all food products can cross the border along with you. That’s because the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has a strict list of food products that can be brought from overseas, and you can find the full list on the SFA website.
Image credit: Eatbook
As far as CNY snacks are concerned, travellers coming in from JB carrying goodies such as pastries and cookies will be allowed to bring them into Singapore as they are classified as processed food. The only caveat here is that the food should only be for personal consumption as the combined weight of all items should not exceed 5kg and the total value should not exceed $100 per traveller.
However, meat-based snacks, in particular, bak kwa, are not allowed to be brought into Singapore, as meat from Malaysia is not approved by the SFA for import into the country.
Image adapted from: 明安特產專賣店Ming Ang Confectionery SDN.BHD via Facebook
With 5 outlets in JB, Ming Ang Confectionery is pretty well-known amongst Singaporeans for its wide array of confectionery. The nearest outlet to Woodlands Checkpoint is at JB City Square mall, where the retail store stocks freshly baked products both sweet and savoury.
Best sellers include the Signature Original Heong Peah (RM15) and Pineapple Cakes (RM13.80). If you’re looking for vegetarian-friendly options, they’ve got coconut and walnut cookies too.
Psst… we know that Ming Ang Confectionery has an SG online store too but the prices are about 40% cheaper when you make a visit to the stores in our neighbouring country.
Ming Ang Confectionary review: “Love the pandan biscuits and the piah here, the pastry is soft, crumbly, and buttery which makes it so addictive and delicious. The pandan filling is also yummy though sweet, and is a crowd favourite at home.”
– Nicole Yang via Google Maps
Full list of Ming Ang Confectionary outlets
Better known amongst the locals as the spot for handmade tarts, Kiah Tat Klasik sees a crowd almost on a daily basis with popular items selling out by lunch. As a standalone snack shop, there’s just 1 outlet about 15 minutes from the JB checkpoint so go early and take your pick from their wide variety of pastries.
Of course, there is the quintessential CNY goodie – Pineapple Tarts that come in a large box for RM33 or a smaller box for RM22. Other popular items include the Nutella Tarts (from RM23) and peanut-based Kuih Makmur Kacang (from RM23).
Kiah Tat Klasik review: “The best and fresh kueh tart ever you can get in Johor. Excellent service and we get to sample the kueh tarts. The price is a little expensive but it’s hard to get fresh pineapple tarts elsewhere.”
– Sam K via Google Maps
Known for their addictive snacks, Mr Sotong sells crackers and chips that are mainly seafood-based – featuring cuttlefish, squid, codfish, and lobster. Their best-selling snack is the Mr. Sotong Crispy Cuttlefish (RM49.90) flavoured with tomatoes and chillies.
Image adapted from: 鱿鱼先生 (Mr Sotong) via Facebook
While a lot of their snacks are considered spicy, there are also options for those with low tolerance – such as the Japanese White Shredded Squid (from RM34.50) and Crispy Seaweed Codfish (RM35). You may also be glad to know that they’ve got outlets in many popular malls like AEON Bukit Indah and KSL City Mall.
Mr Sotong review: “The dried cuttlefish and plums were really tasty and the staff allowed us to taste-test as many choices as we’d like. Loved the variety and taste of the products.”
– Joc Hannah via Google Maps
Full list of Mr Sotong outlets
Some of us may have had more than our fair share of pineapple tarts and almond cookies. In that case, look to The Cookies General to find alternatives such as Seaweed Squid Rolls (S$18.80), Salted Egg Muruku (S$18.90), and Charcoal Beehive Cookies (S$16.90).
Image adapted from: 启饼将军 The Cookies General via Facebook
Every year, they have a pop up at JB City Square – located right next to the checkpoint – for a quick grab-and-go for busy folks.
Contact: The Cookies General website | 启饼将军The Cookies General Facebook
Image adapted from: @yongshenggiftshop via Instagram
Specialising in wedding favours, Yong Sheng Gift Shop is arguably the most famous of the lot when it comes to ordering snacks and pastries. This CNY, they’ve introduced a pair of ornate lion jars (RM18.80) filled with delicious cookies, which serve as perfect gifts for when you’re house-visiting.
For a varied spread of bakes, get their CNY Cookies Tin (RM39.80). Each tin contains 6 different cookie flavours, such as salted egg, macadamia nut, pineapple, and almond. You can snag these goodies at any one of their outlets in Johor; they’ve set up shop at popular spots like JB City Square and Sutera Mall.
Yong Sheng Gift Shop review: “A gift shop that has a good variety of biscuits, cookies, and swiss rolls. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, providing excellent service and information on the products.”
– Ng Peng Lan via Facebook
Full list of Yong Sheng Gift Shop outlets
Image adapted from: Lavender Bakery Malaysia via Facebook
Anyone who needs to give out angbaos this festive season will appreciate Lavender Bakery for its super affordable snacks. Stay within budget and still get your hands on some yummy CNY goodies such as Almond Tulles and Biscotti for just RM16/bottle.
There are 6 outlets in the city including at JB City Square, Mid-Valley Southkey, and Paradigm Mall.
Lavender Bakery review: Always great bakes, nice cakes, and kueh lapis. There’s also a Lavender Cafe next to the bakery at their AEON Mall Tebrau City outlet. The pies and toasted bread are very nice indeed.
– Noorzidah M N via Google Maps
Full list of Lavender Bakery outlets
Image adapted from: SDS Bakery & Cafe via Facebook
Yup, you read that right – there are 28 SDS Bakery outlets within Johor itself. Wherever you’re headed to in the city, chances are you’re near a shopping mall that houses the bakery. They’ve got over 20 types of snacks starting from RM28.80 including cookies, cracker rolls, and crisps.
Image adapted from: SDS Bakery & Cafe via Facebook
Those fond of the more traditional Kueh Lapis can get their hands on the Original, Prune, or Pandan flavours for RM48 each.
If you’re looking to buy back a gift for someone special, SDS also has beautifully packaged CNY hampers from RM128 that highlight some of their best goodies.
SDS Bakery review: “I like their buns and cake as they come in lots of designs and flavours. We can even order for special occasions with cakes of different types and designs. Their customer service was also really good.”
– LETCHUMY GOVENDASAMY via Google Maps
Full list of SDS Bakery outlets
Image adapted from: 刘 Mama Bakery via Facebook
Famous for its mooncakes, Liu Mama Bakery has a unique offering – bite-sized snacks known as Cloudy Cookies. The crunchy cookie base is topped with a soft layer of meringue and almond flakes, and filled with a layer of strawberry jam in the middle. A tin of 24 pieces will set you back RM38.37.
Parmesan Cheese Kuih Bangkit.
Image adapted from: 刘mama Bakery via Facebook
Other snacks on offer include traditional CNY treats such as pineapple tarts (RM33.96) and various butter cookies. However, if you’re looking for something different, there are also exciting flavours such as matcha-flavoured almond cookies (RM31.75).
Liu Mama Bakery review: “The Cloudy Cookies are a must-buy! They are the only [bakery] in Johor Bahru that has this kind of cookie, and the taste and texture is very unique.”
– Ruth Kee via Google Maps
Full list of Liu Mama Bakery outlets
There are fortune cookies and then there are fortune-beckoning CNY-themed cakes. Moonlight Cake House offers the latter from RM200, featuring a battery-operated windmill whose blades can hold real bank notes to usher in the huat. Simply order 4 days in advance and pick up your chosen cake from any of the 12 outlets in JB based on the given date and time slot.
Apart from the IG-worthy cakes, the bakery also has Kueh Lapis (from RM51.90) that comes in a slab of 700g in 3 flavours – Original, Pandan, and Prune. In addition, there are cookies and snacks such as Shrimp Rolls (RM16.80) and Pineapple Rolls (RM30).
Moonlight Cake House review: “Lovely place to buy bakery, bread, cake, and even chips. Lots of variations and good prices also.”
– Cyclops Grey via Google Maps
Full list of Moonlight Cake House outlets
Whether you decide to make a quick shopping trip across the border before CNY or you plan to visit Malaysia during the break anyway, make sure to check out these snack shops in JB.
The bigger chains are also displaying their goodies at CNY fairs happening across town. Some popular malls where these fairs are happening include Johor Bahru City Square, KSL City Mall, and Sutera Mall.
For more CNY-related reads, check out:
Cover image adapted from: 明安特產專賣店Ming Ang Confectionery SDN.BHD, Moonlight Cake House & Lavender Bakery Malaysia via Facebook
Last updated by Khoo Yong Hao on 24th January 2025.
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