Many people don’t realize that every neighborhood in Johor Bahru has its own breakfast culture. In areas like Permas Jaya, the streets slowly become lively around seven or eight in the morning. Some people stop by to buy buns to bring home, some drink a cup of Nanyang coffee before heading to work, while others take their family out for a slow weekend breakfast.So when people talk about Top 5 Permas breakfast, everyone actually has a slightly different list in mind. Some think of an old-school bun shop. Others think about wonton noodles. Some immediately picture a bowl of lei cha. Walking through Permas in the morning, the air often carries the smell of coffee, toasted bread, and freshly steamed buns.Many of these places are not new, but people have been eating there for years.
Top 1 (Lai Kee Bun Shop) | The kind of bun shop people visit on weekends to bring breakfast home
In Permas, some breakfasts are not eaten in the shop. Many people simply buy food and bring it home. On weekends, it’s common to see people drive by, stop for a few minutes, buy a bag of buns, and head back home. Lai Kee Bun Shop is one of those places locals know well.Early in the morning there are usually already a few people waiting at the counter. Rows of steaming bamboo baskets sit behind the glass, and the smell of freshly steamed dough slowly fills the air.
One bun that people often mention is the golden lava bun. The outer bun looks soft and white, warm in your hands. When you bite into it, the salted egg lava filling slowly flows out. The filling is smooth with a slightly sweet and salty taste, while the bun itself has a light chewy texture.Another item people often pick up is the fried five-spice roll. The outside is lightly golden and crispy. When you bite into it, you can hear a small crunch, while the meat filling inside stays moist and fragrant.For many families living around Permas, buying buns here on weekend mornings has become a routine.
Address: Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Top 2 (The Toast) | Sometimes a breakfast place turns into a small gathering spot
In Permas, some people prefer traditional kopitiam breakfasts, while others like places with a bit more space. The Toast feels more like a place where people can sit and relax for a while.The interior is quite spacious, with large glass windows letting morning sunlight in. Tables are placed with some distance between them, so families or groups of friends often sit together and chat. On weekends, it sometimes feels like a small brunch gathering.
One dish people often order here is Mee Siam. The thin rice noodles absorb the sauce without becoming soggy. The gravy has a slightly tangy and spicy flavor, mixed with crushed peanuts and dried shrimp, giving the dish a rich texture.Another common order is Nasi Lemak with fried chicken. The coconut rice looks slightly glossy and carries a mild coconut aroma. The fried chicken has a crispy outer layer while the meat inside remains juicy.Mee Rebus is also popular. The thick gravy has a mild sweetness and peanut flavor that coats the noodles.The crowd here varies in the morning. Families, office workers, and friends chatting over breakfast all share the space.
Address: Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Top 3 (Si Hu Restaurant) | The wonton noodle place that gets busy every morning
If you ask people in Permas which breakfast spot gets crowded early, many will mention Si Hu Restaurant. By around seven in the morning, the tables are already filling up.Many customers come here for the same dish: wonton noodles. The noodles are cooked just right, not too soft, with a slightly springy texture. Once mixed with soy sauce and lard oil, the noodles take on a glossy look.The char siu is something people often talk about. The edges are slightly caramelized, giving a mild smoky aroma. When you bite into it, the meat inside remains moist with a firm texture.
It’s said that the shop can sell around four hundred bowls of wonton noodles a day, which explains why there is sometimes a queue.Besides noodles, Si Hu also serves traditional flour cake soup and economy noodles. Some regular customers rotate between these options depending on the day.Many people also order a cup of Nanyang coffee. The coffee tastes slightly bitter at first, followed by a gentle sweetness.Inside, the tables are close together, and the place stays busy with customers coming and going.
Address: Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 6:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Top 4 (Dafeng Lei Cha) | Some people actually prefer a lighter breakfast
Not everyone wants something oily in the morning. Some people prefer a lighter and fresher breakfast option, such as lei cha.In Permas, Dafeng Lei Cha is one place people often mention. When the bowl arrives, the soup has a deep green color. The herbal broth carries a mild earthy aroma and is served with rice, vegetables, tofu, peanuts, and other toppings.When eating it, the flavor feels balanced rather than heavy. The rice is warm, the peanuts add a light crunch, and the vegetables bring a fresh texture.
Another breakfast option many people order is the mayonnaise egg croissant. The croissant is lightly toasted until the outside turns golden and flaky. Inside, the egg and mayonnaise filling feels soft and slightly creamy.Some customers also order laksa. The broth has a rich aroma with a hint of coconut milk, creating a warm and comforting flavor.In the morning, the shop is often filled with nearby residents and office workers stopping by for a quick meal.
Address: Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Top 5 (Fang Yuan Kopitiam) | For many people, the day begins with coffee
At some breakfast places, coffee is actually the main attraction. Fang Yuan Kopitiam feels like one of those places.When you walk in during the morning, the air often carries the smell of toasted bread and butter. The toast has a lightly golden surface with a thick layer of butter spread on top.When you bite into it, the outer layer feels slightly crisp, while the inside remains soft and warm as the butter slowly melts.
Many customers pair it with a cup of Long Yin white coffee. The coffee looks lighter in color, with a creamy aroma first and a mild bitterness appearing later.Some customers also order Nasi Lemak. The coconut rice has a gentle fragrance and is usually served with sambal that tastes slightly sweet and spicy.The kopitiam atmosphere is simple and familiar. Many regulars sit with their coffee while scrolling through their phones or chatting quietly.
Address: Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
