[JOHOR BAHRU] Johor Bahru (JB) is the ideal weekend getaway for Singaporeans just across the causeway, sans the long queue and traffic jam at the immigration checkpoints.
The neighbouring area near to the JB checkpoint encompassing John Bahru City Square Mall, KOMTAR JBCC and Jalan Wong Ah Fook are known for their local delights and hipster cafes.
CHAMPS x RUEYS has just opened within Y Space, a bungalow was built more than 100 years ago as a gift by Sultan Abu Bakar for his wife.
A utilitarian tropical bungalow design with plastered masonry columns and brick wall, open verandahs and roof overhangs, timber floorboards on timber bearers on the first floor.
Traditional materials such as clay, lime, stone and timber are used to construct the building.
On the first floor, there are both a retail space and a cafe named CHAMPS x RUEYS.
With both indoor dining and outdoors sheltered seats on a campsite, CHAMPS x RUEYS offers a comprehensive dine-in menu ranging from Mains (RM 18 – 29, SGD 6 – 9.50), Desserts (RM 12.90 – 14.90, SGD 4.30 – 8.30), Mille Crepe (RM 17.90, SGD 6), Bubble Tea (RM 11, SGD 3.50), Fruit Tea (RM 11 – 13, SGD 3.50 – 4.30) and Coffee (RM 7 – 14, SGD 2.30 – 4.50).
Their mains have a more local twist, including Lontong Curry Rendang Daging (RM 29, SGD 9.50), Lontong Curry Rendang Ayam (RM 25, SGD 8.30), Curry Rendang Daging with French Bread (RM 22, SGD 7.30) and Curry Rendang Ayam with French Bread (RM 18, SGD 6).
Desserts-wise, their focus is on their Mille Crepe (RM 17.90, SGD 6) with interesting flavours such as Sea Salt, Caramel Cheese, Chocolate, Hojicha, Earl Grey Lemon, Osmanthus Genmaicha and Charcoal Genmai.
My favourite was the Osmanthus Genmaicha Mille Crepe (RM 17.90, SGD 6), with 2 distinctive layers (flavours) of cream spread in between thin layers of crepe.
The Osmanthus was aromatic and fragrant, adding a herbaceous taste to it whereas the genmaicha was earthly with tea notes.
The overall texture was soft and moist, whereas the cream was light and not cloyingly “jelak”.
The Sea Salt Mille Crepe (RM 17.90, SGD 6) is interesting and worth a mention, and comes with a light salty taste instead of the usual sweetness we expected.
The level of saltiness was just right, well balanced by the sweetness of the cream used.
Diners can also expect a selection of pastries ranging from Danish Blueberry/ Strawberry Danish (RM 14.90, SGD 5), Chocolate Bread Tart (RM 12.90, SGD 4.30), Maritozzo (RM 12.90, SGD 4.30), Almond Croissant (RM 9, SGD 3), Kouign Amann (RM 6.50, SGD 3) and Melon Pan (RM 5, SGD 1.50).
CHAMPS x RUEYS
2, Jalan Yahya Awal, Gertak Merah, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun), Closed Thurs
Google Maps – CHAMPS x RUEYS
Click HERE for other JB Food Entries
* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
