If nasi lemak is Malaysia’s iconic breakfast dish, roti canai must be a close second. Here is where to get the best roti canai in Johor Bahru (JB) on your next trip across the causeway.
Roti canai is what roti prata is known as in Malaysia. The Indian flatbread is also made the same way. The dough is made with wheat flour, salt, and water, which is stretched thin and folded to create multiple layers. When ordered, the dough is cooked on a griddle until it becomes crispy and charred.
Where roti canai separates itself from roti prata is its variations. There is tampal, or Plaster in Singapore, where the egg is cooked on top of the flatbread instead of being folded inside. Sarang Burung, or bird’s nest, sees the roti fashioned into a ring and encircling eggs and braised meat. There is also the spiral-shaped Bom flavoured with sugar and margarine. Chinese-style roti canai has also appeared. The preparation favours vegetable oil for cooking over the traditional ghee.
For roti canai near the Johor Bahru causeway, visit Warung Roti Canai Bukit Chagar for its popular sarang burung. Dapo’ Khaleeda is also renowned for its edible bird’s nest, especially one topped with beef rendang.
Onn Kitchen has tampal made with double cheese, and the sardine option is a hit at Fendi Roti Canai. For Chinese roti canai in JB, Shyang Kopitiam’s version has a fluffy interior, while Furong makes it extra crispy. The crowd favourite at Selera Selatan is the roti bawang (onion), and the sarang burung daging (beef) at Zaidi. For dessert, the roti bom at Warung Tahir Roti Canai proves that the iconic dish can also be the perfect sweet treat. Check them out below.
(Hero and featured images credits: @posesnapupload / Instagram; @siamary88 / Instagram)
This story first appeared in Lifestyle Asia Singapore
9 places for the best roti canai in JB
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Dapo’ Khaleeda’s sarang burung has been blowing up on social media, and it is easy to see why. The kosong’s eggs glisten in the light, and the additional toppings of sardine or beef rendang make it sumptuous. The stall is also popular for the satay.
From RM6 (~S$1.80) per piece
Daily, 10am – 10pm
(Image credit: @posesnapupload / Instagram)
2 /9
Regulars come here for the crisp roti canai, which can be ordered in different variations like tampal and sardine, all accompanied by generous heapings of dhal and sambal. A live band plays at the restaurant on occasions.
From RM1.50 (~S$0.45) per piece
Daily, 6.30am – 11am
(Image credit: FENDI ROTI CANAI / Facebook)
3 /9
Onn Kitchen has a grill that does smoky meats like sausages and barbecued chicken, but the main draw is the roti canai. There are various roti tampal to choose from, including double cheese, together with roti bom. The restaurant often has performers playing music.
From RM1.50 (~S$0.45) per piece
Saturday – Thursday, 7am – midnight
Closed on Friday
(Image credit: @rohansuppiah / Instagram)
4 /9
The name of this stall literally translates as “Chinese Roti Canai,” which points to its Chinese owners. Their version is light and crispy and comes paired with three types of curry.
From RM1.50 (~S$0.45) per piece
Daily, 6.30am – 12.30pm
(Image credit: @banditsjoint / Instagram)
5 /9
The highlight of this eatery is the roti bawang (onion), which is folded into a rectangle and sliced. Other crowd favourites include the roti plaster, lontong, and nasi lemak.
From RM1.50 (~S$0.45) per piece
Monday – Saturday, 7am – 11am
Closed on Sunday
(Image credit: @jt6263 / Instagram)
6 /9
Kelvin Liau started learning how to make roti canai when he was 15 years old, and has been doing it ever since. His Chinese-style flatbread has a crispy skin and fluffy interior, and is paired with a light curry.
From RM2 (~S$0.60) per piece
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday, 6am – 2pm
Thursday & Sunday, 6am – 12pm
Closed on Tuesday
(Image credit: @jim_ng_33 / Instagram)
7 /9
Warung is located merely a few minutes by car from the checkpoint, easy for an immediate roti canai fix. The sarang burung is highly popular thanks to the heart-shaped flatbread cradling two eggs. Diners can help themselves to unlimited scoops of dhal and curry.
From RM1.50 (~S$0.45) per piece
Daily, 7am – 11am
(Image credit: @mr_jacky_chang / Instagram)
8 /9
Tahir has specialised in roti canai for about 30 years. Operating from a hut next to a playground, the stall offers a rustic atmosphere to enjoy its well-charred flatbread. The rich roti bom is an excellent sweet treat.
From RM1.30 (~S$0.40) per piece
Saturday – Thursday, 7am – 11.30am
(Image credit: Fairuz Hadan / Facebook)
9 /9
Zaidi is popular for its roti sarang burung daging featuring beef and two eggs nestled inside the flatbread. There is also a variety of rice and noodle dishes from ayam penyet to mee goreng.
From RM3 (~S$0.90) per piece
Monday, Thursday – Sunday, midnight – 6pm, 4pm – midnight
Tuesday, midnight – 6am
Wednesday, 4pm – midnight
(Image credit: Restoran Zaidi Canai / Facebook)
