Image adapted from (clockwise from top-left): 少1点, 少1点, @kaoxin_0409, 少1点.
We’re used to grabbing our bubble tea on the go from little kiosks, but our friends in Johor Bahru have it better – they’ve got actual sit-down cafes with comfy seats and aircon, so you can relax and sip the tea with your friends.
Instead of going for the usual Gong Cha during your next JB visit, try some of these bubble tea brands that you won’t be able to find in Singapore. What’s more, many of these places open till midnight or later so you can take all the time you want.
Read our other articles on cafes to visit in JB here:
Charcoal Pearl Organic Oolong Milk Tea (RM 8.90/ S$3)
Image credit: @smackyourlips
Chatto Tea serves tea flown in from Japan, Taiwan and China in a space that exudes a zen feel with its wooden decor. They sell an array of handcrafted bubble teas from an affordable RM 6.90 (S$2.30).
Mount Austin outlet
Image credit: @afiqah__faudzi
Flavours worth trying include Brown Rice Tea (RM6.90, ~S$2.30), Charcoal Pearl Organic Oolong Milk Tea (RM 8.90, ~S$3) and Chatto Milk Hojicha (RM 7.90, ~S$2.60).
Mount Austin outlet
Image credit: @ohohziehare
There are actually 12 stores across Johor – 8 of them being in JB itself – with the nearest located at Taman Pelangi. There are also branches at Paradigm Mall, Mount Austin, and one near Sutera Mall.
Address: 73A, Jalan Anggerik Emas 1, Taman Perusahaan Ringan Pulai, 81300 Skudai, Johor
Full list of outlets available here.
Opening hours: 11.30am-10.30pm
Telephone: +60 11-5682 7385
Website
Image credit: @johordivercity
If you’re looking for a shop that sells more than just bubble tea, visit Holatea for smoothies, coffee, finger food, and desserts for a change. But you do not want to miss out on their signature Taiwan tea series with options like Taiwan Sun Moon Lake Black Tea (RM7.50, ~S$2.50) and Taiwan Four Season Green Tea (RM11.50, ~S$3.80).
Image credit: @xtrashiok
The Signature Milk Tea option starts from RM9 (~S$3) while other options like the Devil Pearl Latte – which is basically brown sugar milk tea – will cost from RM11.50 (~S$3.80).
Image credit: @nicokong10
The cafe has a cosy European-style setting, with brick walls, lamp posts, and a Victorian mantelpiece with an artificial fireplace within.
Image credit: @hi.lsa
Address: GF-L009 Austin International Convention Centre, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: 11AM-1AM
Telephone: +60 13-715 0088
Website
Permas outlet
Image credit: @jiayimalaysia
Using tea that’s imported from Taiwan, JiaYi Milk Tea, also known as Plus One Tea has an array of bubble tea concoctions starting from just RM8 (~S$2.64).
Image credit: @theultimateangela
If you prefer smaller pearls to chew on, they’ve got a baby pearl option. Amongst their bestsellers are Honey Latte with Aloe Vera and Special Red Bean with Pearl Milk Tea, both priced at RM11.90 (~S$4).
Image credit: @jiayimalaysia
They’ve got 7 outlets across Johor with the closest one being Jiayi Permas, about a 30-40 minute drive from Woodlands checkpoint. The biggest outlet is located at Mount Austin, with an industrial decor of bare grey walls and cement floors.
Image credit: @jiayimalaysia
For that picture-or-it-didn’t-happen moment, look to their interesting wall art. The Mount Austin outlet in particular has a feature wall with neon lights and a painting with an old-school Hong Kong vibe.
Permas outlet
Image credit: @jiayimalaysia
Address: No. 8, Blok A, Pusat Perniagaan Taman Daya, Jalan Daya, Taman Daya 81100, Johor Bahru, Johor.
Find their full list of outlets here.
Opening hours: 12PM-1AM
Website
Image credit: @enxiaoo
SuperTea.JB has a dark interior brightened up by 2 murals – one of cute bug-eyed jungle animals, and another with penguins. Their classic Milk Tea costs only RM6.50 (~S$2.10) and every cup served has a different image of scenery plastered onto it.
Image credit: @krei.yl
Don’t leave without trying their lok lok – sticks of deep-fried light snacks like hotdogs and fish cakes. These costs from just RM 0.70 per stick (S$0.20) in the evenings till late into the night.
Image credit: @kokrong66
They also serve sweet treats including froyo, ice cream and waffles, snow ice, as well as takoyaki that costs only RM6 (S$2) for 4 pieces – cheaper than at any of our pasar malams.
Image credit: 哇，盡在新山!
Since they’re open till 2AM, this cafe would make the perfect supper spot whether you’re craving something sweet or savoury.
Image credit: @maharajmohan
Address: No.27, Jalan Austin Heights 8/5, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: 12PM-2AM
Website
Image credit: @ xiaonuocheong
Tea & Ju has that MUJI aesthetic going on, with minimalistic wooden furniture and clean white walls – making it an ideal place to relax at before continuing on with your shopping adventures. Artificial sakura blossoms add on to that Japanese vibe and give a pretty pop of colour.
Image credit: @tea_n_ju
Go-to favourites include Fresh Milk with Brown Sugar Pearl, Stecia Leaf Tea with Cheese, Elderflower Green Tea with Cheese and fruit teas.
Image credit: @tea_n_ju
Address: 121, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Website
Image credit: @regiustea
Hailing from Hong Kong is Regiustea, a bubble tea shop that prides itself on its New Zealand imported cheese. Try their Signature Pearl Milk Tea with Cheese Foam or a fancy Uji Matcha Cheese, both priced at RM12.90 (S$4.25).
Image credit: @catherine.wong.589100
This enchanting cafe is decorated with vines hanging from the ceiling, and many plants topping the tables as centrepieces.
Image credit: @regiusteamountaustin
Other items you can enjoy here include includes fruit teas, coffee and yoghurt.
Pro tip from the shop: you’ll have to drink at an angle of 45 degrees to taste both the cheesy layer and the drink
Image credit: @junfaiwong
Address: 59, Jalan Austin Heights 8/5, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: 11.30AM-12.30AM
Website
Image credit: @hana_0804
Fruity bubble teas topped with a big cloud of cotton candy are an Instagram favourite at TiCoTi. Prices start from just RM9.90 (~S$3.30) and there are flavours like Watermelon with Matcha Cream Iced Tea, Assam Red Tea and Macchiato Mango Iced Tea. Basic tapioca pearls come free with each drink, but you can top up a little for their gula melaka pearls for added sweetness.
Image credit: 新山生活誌 / JB City Guide
For a fuller meal, they’ve got specials like a boba-filled croissant paired with ham and cheese and simple all day breakfast sandwiches like the Chicken Ham Croissant (RM12.90, ~S$4.20). For the sweet tooth, they’ve got pastries and cakes like the Almond Danish (RM4.9, ~S$1.60) and New York Cheesecake (RM11.90, S$3.90).
Image credit: @sheenz_94
Painted in bright yellow with a long table smack in the middle, this cafe is a great hangout place for large groups. There are also comfy armchairs all around for smaller gatherings.
Image credit: TiCoTi Cafe
Address: 10, Jalan Austin Heights 8/7, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: 12PM-11.30PM
Telephone: +60 07-350 4035
Website
Image credit: 少1点
At 少1点 (shao yi dian), you can enjoy refreshing beverages from just RM4.90 (~S$1.60). They’ve got the classic bubble tea, fruit tea, as well as cheese tea.
Chic interior of cafe
Image credit: 少1点
Even if it’s not for the drinks, the interior of this cafe is worth a visit. The walls are painted in a soothing blue and decorated with modern paintings. With metallic hanging lamps instead of harsh overhead ceiling lights, the cafe exudes a luxurious vibe that one might expect in an upmarket cafe instead.
Image credit: @jbgfgoodfood, @k_ningb
Fluffy pancakes and tea eggs are also on the menu.
Image credit: @xiaoting93_yuting
There’s a blue floral photo wall
Image credit: @g.jeannn
Address: GF-L007, Austin International Convention Centre, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: Sun-Thu: 2PM-12AM | Fri-Sat: 1PM-1AM
Telephone: +60 19-777 8161
Website
Image credit: @pursuitofhappeatness
Chun Yang Tea is a famous bubble tea brand in Taiwan, and one of their most well-loved flavours is the Black Tea Cheese Macchiato (RM9.90, ~S$3.20) – Taiwanese black tea topped with creamy cheese foam that’ll give you the best of sweet and savoury.
A sleek interior with high bar stools and pink mod-style chairs
Image credit: Chung Yang Tea
Other popular picks include the Brown Sugar Pearl with Fresh Milk (RM12.90, ~S$4.25), Oolong Tea with Honey Lemon (RM9.90 / ~S$3.25) and Grapefruit Green Tea (RM12.90, ~S$4.25). No artificial milk powder is used so you can be assured of freshness.
Image credit: Chun Yang Tea
Address: No. 32, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/4, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: 11AM-1AM
Website
If you’re running out of new places to explore in JB, check out these bubble tea cafes for your next food hunt. Best part is, most of these places open till midnight or later so your craving can be easily satisfied at any time of the day. Now that’s something Singapore can learn from, for sure.
For other JB-related activities, read our articles here:
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