It seems like Singaporeans have an innate affinity for all things JB. No, we’re not talking about Justin, but just have a gander at the lines at both the Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints on the eves of weekends and PHs. Chances are you’ll spot droves of cars hopping the border en masse.
Can you really fault them though? Johor Bahru is essentially a haven for economically-priced thrills. Among the affordable luxury hotels in JB, you’ve also got a throng of supermarkets near the Causeway to stock up on groceries at slashed prices. If you’re looking to be spoilt for choice, then head to the newly opened Jaya Grocer Eco Galleria.
No points for guessing where Jaya Grocer Eco Galleria is located; it’s right beside the Eco Galleria shopping mall, which is roughly a 30-minute drive from the Tuas Checkpoint. Having opened earlier this year in August, it also holds the title of being Jaya Grocer’s largest outlet yet, standing at 335,000sqft big, with more than 40,000 products on its shelves.
Don’t be taken aback by the sheer scale of the premises; it’s split into different zones, all of which are sorted accordingly, with products ranging from your run-of-the-mill foodstuffs to various quirky exports. To start off, begin at the Fresh Market which contains organic produce like fruits, vegetables, meat, and poultry that rotate on a seasonal basis.
Another familiar section to hit up is the Home Living section, where you’ll find your typical household essentials. Diversity is the name of the game here, as you can pick up dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents, disinfectants, and electronic accessories. There are even necessities you can pick up for your fur babies – think pet food, shampoos, and treats.
But here’s where Jaya Grocer sets itself apart from your typical supermarket. They’ve got a whole section dedicated to offbeat snacks from abroad. Aptly named the Asian Grocer, it’s a haven for those with a sweet tooth as it stocks harder-to-find chips, cookies, and sweets from Japan and Korea that you might not be able to get in Singapore.
For a taste of Australia, Jaya Grocer even has a section dedicated to Aussie supermarket chain Coles. The shelves are stocked with goodies from Down Under, where you’ll be able to snag items like pure Australian honey (RM29.90, ~S$8.58) and a carton of their very own barista oat milk (RM13.90, ~S$3,98) before you checkout.
The Baker’s Son at Jaya Grocer’s the Starling outlet.
Image credit: The Starling via Facebook
Roaming about the lengthy aisles is bound to get one’s stomach rumbling. Thankfully there’s an onsite bakery called The Baker’s Son at all Jaya Grocer outlets, and the one at Eco Galleria is no different. Make a pit stop here and you’ll find fresh bakes to munch on, like Chicken Floss Buns (RM4.20, ~S$1.20) and Sugar Ring Donuts (RM7.30, ~S$2.08).
Image credit: @theiskandarian via Instagram
With Jaya Grocer Eco Galleria sitting on the fringes of the Causeway, you can easily squeeze in a grocery run here within your weekend escapades in JB. Those particular with their produce also need not hop between supermarket chains to get their favourite brands; they’ve got it all here at Malaysia’s biggest Jaya Grocer outlet.
Address: C0110, Block C, Eko Galleria, 3, Persiaran Eko Botani, Taman Eko Botani, 79100 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Jaya Grocer website
For more Johor-related activities:
Cover image adapted from: @theiskandarian via Instagram, Fang Hooi Lee & Ivan Lam via Google Maps
Last updated 18th December 2023.
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