Nenek Johor Bahru: Modern Malaysian Fusion and Coconut Shake

I was born in Johor Bahru, so I like to think I know my hometown’s food scene well. Still, walking into Nenek in Taman Kebun Teh felt like discovering a brand new side of home. The red breeze-block signboard reads “by Storey Ria 1991”, and behind the arched doorway is a retro-chic restaurant serving familiar Malaysian comfort dishes with a creative fusion twist. We came for the Mee Siam and the Beriani, and left talking about the coconut shake. Here’s everything you need to know about dining at Nenek.

Overview:

• Location: 82, Jalan Kemunting, Taman Kebun Teh, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
• Price Range: $-$$ (Budget-friendly, about RM 31 per person)
• Our Bill: RM 62.60 for 2 people (approximately SGD 19.87)
• Best For: Malaysian comfort food, coconut shakes, kuih, relaxed lunches and cafe-style hangouts
• Reservations: Not required, walk-in is fine

Why Nenek Is a Johor Bahru Must-Visit

“Nenek” means grandmother in Malay, and the whole restaurant feels like a stylish tribute to her. According to Nenek’s own description, the menu blends Malaysian and Balinese flavours and builds on family recipes that have been passed down for over 40 years, which explains why the dishes feel so comforting and familiar. Classics like mee siam, beriani and nasi lemak all get modern plating. Next to the cashier, a pleated yellow pendant lamp reads “Nenek’s Kueh Parlour”, and a glass counter of colourful kuih sits just inside, which tells you how seriously they take heritage snacks.

The moment you step inside, the colours pull you in. Teal and jade-green walls, with even the old electrical conduits painted to match, sit against warm wood-slat panelling and end-grain timber tiles. The counters are built from white concrete breeze blocks, the same pattern that appears on the signboard outside, and the tables have cool marble tops. It looks like a Malaysian terrace house from the 1970s that has been lovingly redesigned.

The details are what make it special. A gold-framed illustration of a stylish grandmother in pink sunglasses and pearls, with the word “nenek.” above her, watches over a console table. Beside it sits a vintage green Sanyo toaster oven, a pair of carved maroon garden stools sit below, and a Peranakan-tile tiffin carrier and a rattan-framed print sit in another corner. A tiny ceiling fan whirrs on the wall. Every corner feels like a small curated scene, and it is a very easy place to spend an unhurried afternoon.

What We Ordered & Full Review

Mee Siam Signature 8 Spiced Chicken ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A generous plate that is as fun to look at as it is to eat. Thin rice vermicelli comes dry-fried in a tangy, sweet and spicy mee siam gravy, topped with crispy fried shallots and chives. The star is the 8 Spiced Chicken, coated in a dark, crumbly and fragrant spice topping with curry leaves. Around it you get a half boiled egg, a spoonful of sambal, crunchy spiced peanuts and a refreshing cucumber salad with pomegranate seeds. Every bite had a different mix of textures, from crispy to soft, and it is the kind of dish that keeps you picking at the plate.

Beriani Rice 1991 Rendang Mutton ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The most expensive dish we ordered, and it looks the part. Fragrant yellow beriani rice, flecked with carrot, raisins and fried shallots, is served on a banana leaf with a bowl of slow-cooked mutton rendang in a ceramic tureen on the side. Alongside are crispy keropok, spiced peanuts, a half boiled egg and the same fresh cucumber and pomegranate salad. The rendang is rich, deeply spiced and full of coconut flavour, and it goes perfectly with the lightly sweet rice and the crunch of the peanuts. The “1991” in the name matches the year on the Storey Ria signboard outside.

Coconut Breeze Shake (x2) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The absolute highlight, and the reason we would go back. Each shake arrives in a tall white glass on a blue floral saucer, crowned with a generous scoop of coconut ice cream and served with a gold leaf-shaped spoon. The shake underneath is thick, cold and creamy with a clean, natural coconut flavour that is sweet without being heavy. It is exactly what you want in Johor Bahru’s heat. We ordered two and honestly could have used a third. If you only order one drink, make it this one.

Menu & Prices

Our Total Bill: RM 62.60 (Approximately SGD 19.87)

For about SGD 20 in total, two generous plates and two shakes is very good value, especially if you compare it to a similar meal in Singapore. The shakes make up over a third of the bill, but we found them completely worth it. Nenek is a lovely place to treat yourself without spending much.

Practical Information

Pro Tip: Walk-in only means you can drop by whenever you are in the area, but check Instagram for opening hours before you head over. Save room for kuih at the counter on your way out.

What to Order: Our Recommendations

Recommended Items:

1. Coconut Breeze Shake: We tried this, our favourite item of the meal. Order one per person.
2. Mee Siam Signature 8 Spiced Chicken: We tried this, a flavour-packed plate with lots of texture.
3. Beriani Rice 1991 Rendang Mutton: We tried this, rich rendang and fragrant rice, perfect for meat lovers.
4. Masak Merah Chicken (Ageless Biriani Rice selection): On our list for next time. We didn’t order it, but Nenek highlights it as a standout, served generously sauced.
5. Nasi Lemak: Also on our list. We didn’t order it on this visit, but we’d love to see how they do Malaysia’s national dish.
6. Kuih from the display counter: Also on our list. The glass counter at the entrance, with pandan-green kuih, coconut-dusted treats and banana cake, was hard to walk past.

Pro Tip: Come hungry and order a main per person, then share the shakes’ flavour by trying each other’s. If you are with a bigger group, add a few kuih for the table.

Final Verdict

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Nenek delivered exactly what we hoped for: comforting Malaysian dishes with a creative edge, a beautifully styled space full of nostalgic details, and a coconut shake we are still thinking about. The Mee Siam and the Rendang Mutton Beriani were both generous and full of flavour, and at about SGD 20 for two it is excellent value.

Would we return? Absolutely! Next time for the nasi lemak and a few kuih, and of course another round of the Coconut Breeze Shake.

Frequently Asked Questions

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