Time and time again, the pull of JB has proven to be far too irresistible whenever we Singaporeans fancy a short getaway from the humdrum of our 9-5s. A stop at the various head spas in JB serves as the perfect mental reset, while a feast at any one of the city’s night markets is bound to satisfy the food critic within.
Well, here’s another reason to swing by our neighbour’s – SKS City Mall is one of JB’s newest shopping haunt. Here’s what we saw on our trip to the mall, from yummy bagels for a quick bite to a popular Japanese drugstore that hasn’t quite reached the Little Red Dot’s shores.
*All prices are quoted based on the exchange rate of 1 MYR = ~S$0.31 as of 6th August 2026.
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Getting to SKS City Mall is easy; it’s located just a 7-minute drive from the JB checkpoint. In fact, Google Maps doesn’t even give public transport recommendations if you’re setting off from the customs. If you’re choosing to travel on foot, the 1.3km walk from the customs should take you roughly 20 minutes.
If you ask us, we’d recommend taking a private-hire vehicle, as with getting anywhere in JB. On Grab, prices for a ride to SKS float around RM5 (~S$1.60), which comes out to slightly under S$2. For even more convenience, opt to travel with Grab’s new cross-border taxi services; for about S$110, you can board a cab from your doorstep and alight anywhere in JB, including SKS City Mall.
Should you be driving in yourself, there’s ample parking available within the mall as well. The mall’s carpark is equipped with EV charging lots too, so you don’t have to worry about running out of juice on the way back. The mall’s carpark accept payment methods like Touch “N Go, MyDebit, Visa, and Mastercard, and its rates are as follows:
Serial cafe hoppers, you’ve got another spot to add to your list in Palates & Bagels, as they’ve opened an outlet on Level 1 of SKS City Mall.
No prizes for guessing what they specialise in; for something light, go for their fluffy bagels (from RM6, ~S$1.90) which come in flavours like Black Truffle, Sweet Potato, Mixed Sesame, and our favourite: Garlic Cream Cheese (RM10, ~S$3.10). For brunch, their Truffle Mash with Poached Eggs (RM24.90, ~S$7.80) will definitely hit the spot, while the Smoothie Yogurt Bowl (RM24.90, ~S$7.80) is an excellent option if you’re eating clean.
For something more substantial, order their Spicy Butter Milk Chicken (RM29.90, ~S$9.40) or Smoked Salmon Bagel (RM39.90, ~S$12.90) – both are stuffed with proteins that will more than satisfy big eaters. As for drinks, the refreshing Mint Cubana Fizz (RM17.90, ~S$5.60) is just the thing to combat the sweltering heat, and we couldn’t resist passing up on a glass of Strawberry Matcha (RM19.90, ~S$6.20).
Palates & Bagels review: “This is a nice place for meals. Zayar, our server, was very friendly and attentive. The bagels we ordered had a generous amount of cream, and the chicken penne was particularly good. We would definitely visit again.” – Eileen Kua via Google Maps
Parents whose kids are blessed with boundless energy can head on over to Jungle Gym. As its name suggests, this massive indoor playground is wonderfully jungle-themed and packed with fun installations for little ones to tire themselves out on.
Image credit: Darren Yeo via Google Maps
There are rope tunnels to crawl through, slides that splash you down into ball pits, trampolines to go bananas on, and even a small circuit for children to ride pedal-operated vehicles on. For imaginative tots, they can don the hats of doctors, grocers, and chefs at a role-play area. While they run wild, parents can grab a bite at Jungle Gym’s on-site canteen as they keep tabs on their kids.
Day passes for Jungle Gym cost RM35 (~S$11) for kids under 2 and RM66 (~S$20.70) for kids aged 2-16, and guardians tagging along can enter for RM10 (~S$3.10). They’ve also got a special admission rate on weekdays only, where children can enter for just RM28 (~S$8.80) for the first hour, and RM20 (~S$6.30) for every additional hour afterwards.
Jungle Gym review: “I recently visited Jungle Gym and it was truly one of the best moments for my kids! The play area has so many fun and engaging elements that kept them entertained the whole time. The environment felt safe, clean, and cozy, which made it very comfortable for both kids and parents.“ – Darren Yeo via Google Maps
If you can’t get enough of the thrill of cracking open a blind box, KKV is the place to be. Its shelves are lined with them, and the ones here feature characters from beloved franchises such as Pokémon, Butterbear, Crayon Shin-Chan, Maltese, and Zootopia, to name a few. They’ve also got a whole corner dedicated to plushies to cuddle up with, starting from RM25.90 (~S$8.10).
You can also pick up a slew of beauty products right here. I’m no guru myself, but the selection here looked mighty impressive. We saw:
All going for pretty reasonable prices once you factor in the SGD-RM exchange rate.
KKV review: “The staff are very friendly and when you ask anything, they always have a smile on their face. They have lots of items here and the prices are affordable.” – Aliff Hakimi via Google Maps
While Johor Bahru City Square houses FamilyMart, SKS City Mall plays host to another Japanese mainstay of its own. Japan’s largest drugstore chain, Matsumoto Kiyoshi AKA Mastukiyo, is found on Level 2 of the mall, the second of its kind on Malaysian soil – the first being the one in Toppen Shopping Centre.
Again, I haven’t got a clue when it comes to beauty products, but from the looks of it, they’ve got plenty in stock; we’re talking about well-established Japanese and Korean brands such as Kate Tokyo, MilleFée, PeriPera, and Wakemake.
Outside the store, there’s also a rack of their best-selling products and a couple of Malaysia-exclusive products, like charcoal cleansing foam (RM18.90, ~S$5.90) and Rice Masks (RM39.90, ~S$12.50), and facial towels (RM19.90, ~S$6.20).
Matsukiyo review: “It’s a spacious store with lots of items to choose from, so it’s easy to find what you need. The customer service is also very good, the staff are helpful and make the shopping experience pleasant.” – Liaw via Google Maps
Unit number: L2-11, 12, 13
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Matsukiyo Instagram
Those in the market for new prescription glasses know that optical shops in JB have some of the most reasonable prices around, and VistisC is no different. You can get your eyes checked out here and get custom-made eyewear best suited for your needs.
They’ve also got plenty of trendy frames in all sorts of styles in stock, and you can pick up a pair from just RM69 (~S$21.60); they’ll even be fitted with UV400 lenses for extra protection from the sun. According to their Instagram page, they can get your order ready in as fast as 1 hour, so you won’t need to make a repeat trip across the border to pick up your new frames.
VistisC review: I visited this shop recently to get a new pair of specs. Their staff are professional and friendly, and explained all details clearly. The shop owner is so nice and helpful, and addressed all my concerns with care.” – Chua Emely via Google Maps
Hailing from Singapore with 3 outlets on the Little Red Dot, Freia Aesthetics has ventured Northwards and has set up shop in JB with their latest opening in SKS City Mall. They’re a clinic which specialises in facial treatments, and their menu is extensive, providing soothing release for any skin type.
Solve your acne-related woes and smooth out scars with their 7-step Clear Skin Facial (RM850, ~S$266.40) to rejuvenate your skin’s microbiome. On the other hand, turn back the hands of time with their award-winning anti-ageing Notox Facial (RM799, ~S$250.40) which gets rid of expression lines for a youthful look.
To further entice you, first-time customers to Freia Aesthetics can enjoy a whopping 50% discount on facials worth RM650 (~S$203.70) and up, along with a free 3D skin analysis consultation (U.P. RM300, ~S$94).
Freia Aesthetics review: “Great experience overall. The team was professional and welcoming, with especially good service from aesthetician Fion. The first-time 50% off offer and bundle deals are a nice bonus too. Aesthetically pleasing environment. Would recommend!” – Rana Jose via Google Maps
Ladies who’re looking for a fresh set of talons, look no further than Luxe Nail and Nail Bar by Luxe. They’re sister nail salons, both located on Level 4 of SKS City Mall, with pretty much the same prices when it comes to glamming out your nails, so pick whichever one you fancy.
Classic Gel Manis go for RM116 (~S$36.30), while Extension Gel Manicures are priced from RM308 (~S$96.50) to RM368 (~S$115.30). Boyfriends who’ve got some time to spare can also sit in for a Men’s Pedicure for RM80 (~S$25).
Meanwhile, Luxe Nail also offers eyelash extensions (from RM208, ~S$65.20) and eyebrow microblading (RM588, ~S$184.20) services, making it a one-stop shop for all your grooming needs.
Luxe Nail review: “The ladies were incredibly friendly and meticulous. There were five of us, and they managed to attend to all of us promptly without compromising on the quality of their service. They made us feel so welcome and well taken care of throughout the experience.” – Meow Choice via Google Maps
Complete your makeover at Stay B Hair Salon. It boasts a unique cave-inspired theme, with granite walls partitioning the entire salon into cosy nooks where you can kick back and have your hair cut. They’re also pretty inclusive, boasting a dedicated Muslimah Room for those wanting a tad more privacy.
As for services, they’ve got all bases covered as far as hair goes. From haircuts ranging from RM69 (~S$21.60) to RM189 (~S$59.20), depending on the stylist you choose, to hair dyeing services (from RM199, ~S$62.30) like colouring and highlights, you can trust them to give your mane a proper refresh.
If you’re planning a complete makeover, consider booking multiple treatments and services on your visit, as you’ll get discounts of up to 40% for massive savings.
Stay B Hair Salon review: “Today was my first time here and I’m really impressed with their services! Special thanks to my hairstylist Yis for giving me great recommendations on which hairstyle suits me best and Emily for washing my hair, and the head massage she gave was awesome.” – Zai Ni Xin Li via Google Maps
Of course, you’re headed to JB for a good rubdown; after all, the city’s got no shortage of quality spas and massage parlours, and one of them’s Qi Odyssey. FYI, they’re affiliated with the more popular Thai Odyssey, so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
Image credit: Qi Odyssey
What’s special about Qi Odyssey is that they’ve integrated elements of a Chinese teahouse with Chinese massage techniques such as foot reflexology. As such, every treatment comes with a complimentary selection of small bites like shrimp rolls, crispy twist rolls, and pineapple tarts. Additionally, you can choose to get a pot of tea (from RM10.90, ~S$3.40) to go along with the bites.
Treatments-wise, melt away with their full-body Qi Meridian Massage (from RM158, ~S$49.50), which targets meridian points to dispel stress knots in the body. If you’re in a hurry, the Silver Cloud half-body massage (from RM68, ~S$21.30) will leave you rejuvenated in just 30 minutes, while the Monk’s Feet Massage (from RM98, ~S$30.70) aims to target pressure points on your stompers to relieve muscle tension and improve blood circulation.
If you’re still on the fence, from now till Merdeka Day on 31st August 2026, the Qi Odyssey outlet at SKS City Mall is shaving RM69 (~S$21.60) off any pair of 60-minute and above services, for services booked before 4pm on weekdays and on Merdeka Day.
Qi Odyssey review: “The experience was incredibly relaxing from start to finish. The outlet was clean, pleasantly scented, and very comfortable. The therapist was highly professional and skilled at identifying areas of tension in the body. After the massage session, I felt much lighter, refreshed, and rejuvenated.” – Muhammad Farid via Google Maps
We all know how expensive medicinal products can get here in sunny Singapore, so restock your medicine cabinet without breaking the bank at AEON Wellness. Pharmacies in JB are known to stock medicine and supplements at more affordable prices than in sunny Singapore, and this rings true here as well.
Grab all sorts of Panadol (from RM4.20, ~S$1.30) products to stave off the occasional flu or fever, and grab health supplements from reputable brands such as Blackmores, Kinohimitsu, and Nature’s Way, just to name a few. There are also self-checkout kiosks if the queues get too long at the counter, but you might still need to make a stop there to purchase certain products such as antihistamines.
Moreover, as part of their Merdeka Day promotion, from now till 31st August 2026, shoppers can enjoy up to a whopping 50% off on selected health and beauty essentials. AEON Members (App Store | Google Play) can also snag savings of up to 65% off, on top of extra freebies.
Unit number: L3-03
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: AEON Wellness Instagram
We’ve also got to give BBT mainstays Chagee and Beutea a shout; they both can be found on Level 2 of SKS City Mall. No introduction is really necessary for these establishments; the former prides itself on fresh tea drinks that are both aromatic and refreshing, while the latter whips up unique fruit-infused drinks to quench your thirst when it’s hot out.
Both joints also have special promotions to entice you to swing by. You’ll be able to cop an adorable Bes-Tea Brew Crew plushie blind box when you purchase a Large Milk Tea + blind box set for RM37.90 (~S$11.86). Meanwhile, Beutea has a line of cute Animal Day Off Plush Pendants to collect. You can bring one home for RM18.90 (~S$5.90) when you buy any one of their Hojicha Series drinks.
Beutea SKS City Mall
Unit number: L2-19
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Beutea Instagram
Image credit: Canton Boy
Should you be in the mood for Cantonese cuisine, head right to Canton Boy. It’s one of the mall’s most popular eateries, so don’t be surprised if it’s especially packed. The restaurant specialises in dim sum, and the best part is, they’re halal-certified, making it an inclusive addition to your day trip itinerary.
Prices range from RM8 to RM25 (~S$2.50-$7.80), and you’ve got a wide array of classic dim sum dishes to choose from, such as Siu Mai, Har Gow, Xiao Long Bao, Egg Tarts, and Chicken Porridge. They’re also known for their chicken rice and Penang fried kuey teow, if you fancy something more filling.
Canton Boy review: “Canton Boy Dim Sum at SKS Mall is definitely worth trying if you’re in JB. I can see why they are award-winning — the dim sum was fresh, tasty, and served hot. There’s a good variety to choose from, and the flavours were really satisfying without being too heavy.” – ar_kamji via Google Maps
With the ongoing renovation works happening at Johor Bahru City Square, we wouldn’t be surprised if folks would rather flock to SKS City Mall during their day trips to JB for the time being. There’s even a hotel, the Sheraton Johor Bahru, right next to the mall, which makes spending the night extra convenient if all the shopping has taken a toll.
For more things to do in JB during your day trips across the border:
Photography by Wani Khan.
Originally published on 8th May 2026. Last updated by Khoo Yong Hao on 6th August 2026.
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