Sporting an open rooftop garden, multiple rest areas and a large selection of stores that were previously unavailable in the state, Toppen shopping centre, which is a 617 thousand square-feet mall integrated with Ikea Tebrau, is perhaps the only shopping mall in Johor that has everything you may ever need. Of course, everything you may ever need also includes good places to eat, so give this feature a read to find the best places to have a bite in Toppen.
Seoul Garden
Photo by Seoul Garden
For Halal Korean BBQ
Let’s start of this list with something Halal and great for groups. Seoul Garden is a popular Korean BBQ restaurant that provides a buffet spread that has something for everybody. They serve a selection of seafood(clams, crabs, prawn), poultry, and halal meats, as well as vegetables, eggs and tofu. Priced at RM38 per adult on weekdays and RM39.90 on weekends, Seoul Garden is reasonably priced, joining as a member you can expect to see lower prices at RM34.20 on weekdays per adult. Try their Tomyum Kimchi soup based which is a fusion of their Kimchi Jjigae (Korean Kimchi and seafood and meat stew), fused together with their Tom Yam, dipping anything into this will surely warm up your mall adventuring engines.Â
Simply Enak
Photo by Simply Enak
For Simply Delectable Local Delicacies
What you see there is something they call the Dancing Fish (RM27.50), a deep fried tilapia flared open and posed into what can only be described as edible art. This is Simply Enak’s trademark dish, which most visitors will upload to social media. Being a local-centric restaurant, Simply Enak serves a selection of local dishes, try out their set dishes which come with Sayur Lodeh (vegetables stewed in coconut milk), papaya salad, 1 drink, and the main dish. Main dishes to try from this set are the beef rendang, Portuguese Chumi-Chumi (squid), and Ayam Panggang.
Black Canyon
Photo by Black Canyon
For Thai Western Fusion
Looking for a mixture of western and Thai dishes? Try Black Canyon, you can go full western with Beef steak (RM43), or full Thai with Pad Thai (RM14.90), or in between with their Fusilli Prawn Tom Yum (RM14.80). In essence Black Canyon is a fusion restaurant, so do expect the dishes to have a combination of western and south east Asian flavors, which honestly sounds very appetizing.
Kafe Kiri Kanan
Photo by Kafe Kiri Kanan
For Nyonya Dishes
To go left or to go right? How about going to Kafe Kiri Kanan (literally means left right cafe in Malay). Praised by customers for having exceptional customer service and great food, this local Nyonya style restaurant is surely the place to be if you can’t decide on what to have. Try their KK Kari Ayam + Roti Bakar (Toast and chicken curry, RM14.80) together with their KK Teh Ice (RM6.60). The only gripe is that since Kafe Kiri Kanan is in a Mall, they can only open at 11 and not sooner, otherwise, you’d be having breakfast at Toppen.
Crepe N San Churros
Photo by Burppler John Barry
For Crispy Cinnamon Churros
What shopping mall adventure would be complete without desserts? That’s where Crepe N San Churros comes in, with their menu of sweet and savory snacks. Get some cinnamon churros at RM12.90, and enjoy them right next to the stall as Toppen has a sitting instalment directly to the left. They also have a selection of crepes, and if you’re a little too adventurous, try out their sweet and savory crepes. The Mix Seafood crepe (RM13.90), is stuffed with crab sticks, cheese, bonito flakes, and topped off with a healthy serving of Okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise. So if you’re one of those eccentric few who enjoy the abomination that is savory crepes you can definitely get them here.
And that there are a few recommendations to try out at Toppen, but if you’re not liking that list don’t worry, there’s a lot more to eat here. For starters, the only Ikea in Johor and their meatballs (RM11.90 for a set of 8 pieces, with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam). Don’t forget Food Empire which is the food court located at the top floor, it has Teppanyaki (estimated to be about RM22 per pax) as well as other local treats.
