Best Lei Cha in Johor Bahru (JB)

Tai Hong Kopitiam has always been a household name among the locals, mainly for their yong tau foo and lei cha. The eatery is easily identified with a huge green signboard and spacious seating that is commonly filled to the brim during lunch hours. The lei cha is well-stocked in a bowl with julienned vegetables, fried tofu cubes, ground nuts and fried shallots, while the greenish broth that tags along is the main draw. Meticulously made with green tea, seeds and herbs, the refreshing concoction changes the face of this humble dish into a nourishing and delicious one.

It’s pretty common to see classic and traditional dishes bumped a notch adhering to hipsters’ demand out there. And why not lei cha? Ehhe Art Cafe has taken this Hakka dish into greater heights with offerings like Lei Cha Spaghetti and Lei Cha Fried Rice. The spaghetti may resemble like a pesto rendition yet it’s far healthier and herbier, while the handful of mushrooms and sprinkling of nuts contribute a nice layer of crunch and flavour. Interior-wise, the clever blend of wooden framework and furniture, as well as authentic Chinese ornaments, offer a field day for photography enthusiasts too. 

This humble-looking restaurant is reputed as the place to be when your belly begs for Hakka-influenced and Malaysian dishes. Also, no one steps out of the restaurant without a brimming bowl of lei cha. The generous serving of vegetables and nuts offer a genuine variation of colour and texture, while the thick herbal broth is full of fragrance and flavour. Some prefer to opt for a big bowl, without turning their attention to other contenders on the menu, while some reduce their guilt before digging deep into bak kuh teh and other Hakka dishes. 

Bestmart wears a number of hats - wet and dry market, household and clothing shopping space and a food court, which we are looking at now. For numerous years, locals head over to a humble stall to charm their taste buds with a good bowl of lei cha. Generously portioned, a mound of brown rice is completely shrouded with chopped long beans, spinach, fried peanuts, cabbage and preserved radish. Their greenish gruel does not pale in comparison too, certainly perks up your palate with a melee of herby and earthy flavours and a trace of nuttiness. Not in the mood to dine in? They also offer takeaways. 

Across a menu filled with delicious Chinese cuisine, you will find a serving of Lei Cha that will fill your mouth with wonderful flavours. This simple dish is made to satisfy even the strongest appetite here at Ke Ren Lai. The ingredients are prepared fresh to ensure you only get the tastiest bowl of this green delight, so to prove that even the simplest can taste the best.