Best Yong Tau Foo in Johor Bahru (JB)

The brainchild of husband and wife from Kuala Lumpur who missed their hometown delicacy so much, they rolled up their sleeves and teamed up with Homeland Yong Tau Foo from Ampang, then started churning out YTF that is nothing short of spectacular. The assorted goodness is generously stuffed with Mackerel paste with a tinge of starch then boiled to perfection. The stuffed bitter gourd, brinjal, ladies finger and tofu are delicious and if you need a deep-fried party too –fried tofu crisps filled with fish paste and fried wanton stuffed with carrot, fish and “wood ear” fungus are spot on. 

Among the leading contenders in the Yong Tau Foo scene and it’s habitually filled with hordes of clienteles. Upon walking in, be astounded by a parade of palatable morsels that are filled the traditional Hakka way - fresh minced mackerel fish, salted fish and pork. Once you’re done cherry-picking, it’s loaded into a sumptuous soup that is made from stock bones and soybeans. The broth lends a savoury kick and a little salty too, in a good way. To further evoke your appetite; be sure of pairing these poofy pearls with a bowl of yellow noodles – tossed with soy and lard sauce, which work wonders with the YTF. To know how fresh your meal is, you can actually witness it being done before your eyes. 

Boasting a 20-year legacy, Mr. Ah Choon has been stacking up a decent name for his pork ball noodles and Yong Tao Foo. Be prepared for an awkward silence while choosing your ingredients to fill up your bowl as everything looks appealing. It’s then boiled and dunked into a clear broth which takes your palate on a savoury ride. What sets them apart is the homemade sauce, other contenders may look at sauce as a regular condiment but Ah Choon has put in additional effort. The bright-red sauce is absolutely addictive, tear-jerking and you just can’t get enough of it. 

This humble eatery deviates from the norm by taking Yong Tao Foo to a whole new level. Grab yourself a spot in the open-air dining space by the street and nab a bowl of YTF dunked in a curry broth. Chunks of fresh vegetables which are filled with a melange of pork and fish paste are drenched with a scarlet-red broth that is packed with savoury and spiced to suit the taste buds of all ages. Your belly certainly deserves another bowl, if you’re sticking to curry or heading back to the clear broth, it’s up to you.

Reaping up reputations as one of the best spots to savour fish ball noodles, this renowned restaurant is commonly filled to the brim and it’s worth ogling for an empty table. The real deal here is coupling their signature noodles with a hearty bowl of Yong Tau Foo to elevate your meal to a further degree. They are never skimp on the filling and the flavour from the broth is slurp-worthy too. For a dose of spiciness, dabble in their chilli sauce or chopped chillies. 

Don’t be deterred by the unassuming outlook of the eatery as you’ll find one of the finest Yong Tao Foo which is easy on the wallet too. During weekends, the YTF stall always has a long queue that stretches across the length of the stall itself. Expect no fillings but the bevy of ingredients is sure to charm your taste buds, especially the crabsticks and sausages. Notch up the bowl with assorted vegetables and dip in their pleasantly spicy sauce. 

This commodious restaurant has been earning endless boasting from the locals for an authentic Hakka meal. You sure knew Yong Tao Foo is the mainstay on the menu as the kitchen puts in lots of effort to ensure it satisfies your expectations. Moreish morsels are stacked in claypot and showered with a clear broth and finished with chopped spring onions. For optimal satisfaction, their rice wine chicken, fried five-spiced pork, and steamed fish head got to be part of your order too. 

Not the first place that comes to mind for a Yong Tau Foo but it’s a must-visit. Nestled within a lively food court, you can easily spot tables graced with platters of YTF. With a fabulous fare to choose from, there are both deep-fried and boiled versions filled with their delectable paste and sprinkled with chopped spring onions. It looks so enticing when it’s placed before you, you might opt for another plate instead of looking at other options in the food court.