Padi Kopitiam 稻香咖啡 first caught my eye as we drove into Amari Johor Bahru after wrapping up our Desaru getaway. By the time we checked in, we were absolutely starving — and then I remembered the kopitiam we’d just spotted right before turning into the hotel driveway. Perfect timing, since it’s literally next door, barely a one‑minute walk away.
First Impressions: Modern Kopitiam Done Right
Walking into Padi Kopitiam, I was immediately struck by how spacious and spotless the place looked. The air-conditioned environment was a welcome escape from JB’s heat, and the modern setup immediately instantly set it apart from the usual kopitiam experience.
The ordering system is simple. Just scan the QR code on your table, select your dishes, and everything gets delivered right to you. When you’re done, simply pay at the counter.
Menu
Drinks: Customisation That Actually Works
What I absolutely love about Padi Kopitiam is how they let you customise sweetness levels, thickness, and ice amounts for drinks – and they actually follow through on your requests.
Homemade Barley Wintermelon (RM8.50 for Cold Large)
I requested less sweet, and it really did come not too sweet. This version uses wintermelon strips for sweetness, which keeps the colour whitish instead of the usual brown you’d expect from wintermelon drinks.
There’s a lot of barley settled at the bottom, and it definitely tasted homemade. Light, refreshing, and just the thing you’d want on a hot day.
Hor Ka Sai (RM10.50 for Cold Large)
I ordered mine gau (thick) and less sweet, and they nailed it. Rich, aromatic, and perfectly balanced — you could really taste the chocolate powder in every sip.
The only downside was that the ice melted a little too quickly, but when I asked for extra ice, the staff happily obliged.
Sides That Steal the Show
Keropok Lekor (RM7.90)
This is one of my favourite fried snacks – something I always grab when I see it at a pasar malam. Really liked this version at Padi Kopitiam.
Seven pieces in total, served with sweet chilli sauce that pairs wonderfully with the lekor. Crispy exterior, light and chewy inside, with ample fish flavour without being overly fishy.
Best of all, it’s fried fresh to order, arriving hot and perfectly crisp. No heavy oily taste, no greasy fingers — just pure comfort food done right.
Crispy Pisang Goreng (RM7.90)
I heard this is their signature item, so we obviously had to try it. The bananas are on the firmer side with a subtle sweet flavour.
Definitely have to dip it in that accompanying spicy black sauce. Such a shiok way to enjoy pisang goreng!
The minimum order comes with six sizeable pieces, which turned out to be a bit more than we could finish. We had to takeaway the leftovers, which they nicely packed up for us and even provided a new container of sauce. Great service!
Mains That Justify the Journey
Smokey Bojari Rice with Briyani Lamb (RM21.90)
When I saw the name of this dish, I was immediately reminded of Madam Kwan’s Nasi Bojari – the very first time I’d tried Bojari rice.
I loved the presentation of this rice dish. It just looked so hearty and inviting. To my surprise, the rice was indeed very smoky and fragrant, which made the whole dish stand out. Definitely not something you’d find just anywhere.
The rice was perfectly cooked – not too firm, not too stodgy. The lamb meat was very tender and not gamey at all. The sambal chilli had proper kick to it, while the achar and papadum added a satisfying crunch.
Overall, this was a very satisfying lamb briyani that exceeded my expectations.
Mee Siam with Bali Chicken (RM17.90)
I ordered this out of curiosity as I wanted to find out what “Bali Chicken” actually was. The chicken meat turned out very tender, coated in a sauce that’s like kecap manis – sweet, savoury, and spicy all at once. Very nice combination of flavours.
The mee siam itself surprised me. At first bite, I thought it tasted like tom yum rather than the usual mee siam taste I’m familiar with. Different? Absolutely. But in a refreshing way.
Five Locations Across JB
Padi Kopitiam has five outlets across JB in the following locations:
- Jalan Trus (the one we visited)
- Eco Botanic
- Impian Emas
- Mount Austin
- Bukit Indah
Final Verdict
This entire meal cost us RM89 (around SGD27), which I’d say is value for money considering the taste and generous portion sizes.
Padi Kopitiam truly delivers on all fronts – tasty dishes, fair prices, a comfortable setting, and attentive service. Whether you’re a Singaporean foodie looking for your next JB makan spot or a local wanting reliable quality, this place ticks all the boxes.
I’d definitely recommend checking it out. The Jalan Trus outlet is also super convenient — only about a five‑minute walk from JB City Square.