Johor Bahru JB, Malaysia, 1-Day Trip (PART-TWO)
- Rayki Goh, MSc
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Second Stop: Ke Ren Lai, Mid Valley Southkey
Dear food people,
If you’re looking for a full day out in JB, Mid Valley Southkey is a mega mall just 10 minutes from customs by Grab making it an easy go-to for Singaporeans and locals alike.
This sprawling complex truly delivers on the “something for everyone” promise: think shopping, dining, movies, games, and regular exclusive events, all under one massive roof.
KE REN LAI.
For lunch, we made our way to Ke Ren Lai, a restaurant on Level 4 (TM-030) that specialises in Hakka cuisine.
We arrived around noon to find the place already buzzing with diners, but thankfully, the wait for a table was surprisingly short despite the lunchtime crowd.
What Makes Hakka (客家) Cuisine Stand Out?
Hakka cooking is all about robust, earthy flavours and simple, honest ingredients. Think slow-braised meats, preserved veggies, and natural, savoury notes. Its food is rooted in history, reflecting the agricultural lifestyle and migratory traditions of the Hakka people.
Expect signature flavours like melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, umami-rich black bean sauce, and the distinctive tang of preserved mustard greens.
What is Lei Cha (擂茶)?
One staple you’ll almost always find is “Lei Cha (擂茶)”; which translates to "Thunder Tea Rice". This unique dish brings together rice, a colourful mix of finely chopped vegetables like cabbage, green beans, and choy sum, and savoury toppings such as chye poh (preserved radish), tofu, and peanuts.
Everything is united by an herbaceous tea-based soup, made by blending herbs like basil, mint, and coriander with tea leaves and nuts, then whisking the mixture with hot water to create a bright, aromatic broth.
When you stir it all together, you get a bowl that’s light, fragrant, and bursting with different textures. Lei Cha is definitely an acquired taste, but it’s one of those dishes you should try at least once for the experience.
Beyond its flavour, it’s also known for its health benefits—thanks to the variety of herbs, vegetables, and rice. It’s said to help with digestion, ease chronic bronchitis, and may even help lower cholesterol. Some also believe it aids detoxification, supports immune function, and could be beneficial for weight management.
Besides the Lei Cha, we also ordered Yam Abacus (算盘子), Fried Shimeji Mushroom, and the Spicy Pork Belly Don to share.
If you haven’t had Yam Abacus before, think of it as an Asian cousin to gnocchi made with yam instead of potato, and shaped into chewy, coin-like bites. These are first steamed, then stir-fried with various condiments. A hearty and satisfying delicacy, best enjoyed as a main or shared dish.
The Fried Shimeji Mushroom was a pleasant surprise; coated in soft batter, lightly fried, crispy, and not greasy at all, making it an excellent side for some added crunch.
The Spicy Pork Belly Don, however, was a serious test for our spice tolerance. If you’re someone who chases the chilli high, you’ll love it, but for the rest of us, it might be a bit much. One of our friends powered through, but the rest of us quickly surrendered!
We also tried their fruit tea, served in a pot, and honestly, it was the hero we didn’t know we needed. Packed with orange, passionfruit, and apple chunks, it did a brilliant job of cleansing the palate and balancing out all those bold flavours from the meal.
The Verdict
Ambience and service get a 3 out of 5—while the dining area was tidy, the wait for food was a little longer than expected, with dishes taking at least 20 minutes to arrive. Food quality scores a solid 4 out of 5.
My friends didn’t quite take to the Thunder Tea Rice the unique tea broth was too much of a clash for their tastebuds but I genuinely enjoyed its refreshing, almost grassy notes. (Yes, it’s a little like drinking fresh-cut grass, but in a good, “this-must-be-healthy” way)
Our bill for lunch was RM105 (or SGD 32, i.e., SGD 10.60 per pax), which fed 3 pax comfortably.
Would I come back? Definitely and especially for another go at the Thunder Tea Rice. If you’re in the mood for something different and don’t mind venturing out of your comfort zone, Ke Ren Lai is a solid bet for a taste of authentic Hakka flavours.
Location: Lot TM-030, Third Mezzanine Floor, The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey, Persiaran Southkey 1, Southkey, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
Opens from 10am
