JB food guide: Hossan Leong’s picks at Taman Sentosa’s nostalgic open-air hawker street

TL;DR: Hossan Leong, proud JB resident and local comedy legend, takes Mediacorp Gold 905's Denise Tan on a makan tour of Sentosa Street Food in Taman Sentosa — and the picks are seriously worth the drive across the Causeway. Think heritage noodles, Penang laksa, and herbal roast duck that sells out before the sun goes down.

Why Sentosa Street Food in JB Should Be on Your Radar

If you've been sleeping on Johor Bahru's food scene, Hossan Leong is here to shake you awake. The beloved Singapore entertainer has made JB his home, and he knows the streets — and the stalls — better than most locals. In the latest episode of Makan Kakis on Mediacorp Gold 905, Hossan brings host Denise Tan to Sentosa Street Food at Taman Sentosa, an open-air hawker street that feels like stepping back into the Malaysia of decades past. It's the kind of place where plastic stools, fluorescent lights, and the smell of char and broth hit you all at once — and you immediately know you're in the right spot.

Taman Sentosa is one of JB's older residential neighbourhoods, and its hawker street has been feeding the community for generations. There's no Instagram-optimised décor here, no QR code menus, no fusion twists. What you get instead is honest, time-tested cooking from stallholders who have been perfecting their craft for decades. For Singaporeans used to air-conditioned food courts and $12 chicken rice, this is a welcome reset — and at a fraction of the price.

What Hossan Leong Is Ordering — And Why You Should Too

Hossan's top picks at Sentosa Street Food span a range of flavours and traditions, which is exactly what you want from a great hawker street. First up is Grandma Ong's heritage noodles, a stall that has become something of a local institution. The noodles carry the kind of depth that only comes from a recipe passed down through family hands — rich, savoury, and deeply comforting. It's the sort of bowl that makes you slow down and actually taste what you're eating.

Next on the list is Penang laksa, the tangy, fish-forward cousin of the coconut-based laksa most Singaporeans grow up with. Done well, Penang laksa is bracingly sour and intensely aromatic — and the version here reportedly hits all the right notes. Rounding out the must-orders is the herbal roast duck, which has developed a cult following so strong that it regularly sells out by sunset. If you're planning a late dinner run, adjust your schedule accordingly — or risk serious FOMO.

• Grandma Ong's Heritage Noodles: Multi-generational recipe, rich and savoury broth
• Penang Laksa: Tangy, fish-based, boldly aromatic — not your standard coconut laksa
• Herbal Roast Duck: Sells out by sunset; arrive early or miss out entirely
• Price range: Expect to spend roughly RM15–30 per person for a full meal

Sentosa Street Food, Taman Sentosa

📍 Taman Sentosa, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

⏰ Typically from late afternoon until sold out (arrive before 7pm for roast duck)

🗺 View on Google Maps

Is the JB Day Trip Still Worth It in 2025?

Short answer: absolutely yes. The exchange rate continues to make JB an extraordinary value proposition for Singaporeans — a full hawker spread for two people can cost less than a single plate at a mid-range Singapore restaurant. Beyond the savings, there's something genuinely refreshing about the pace and character of JB's older food streets. Sentosa Street Food sits in a neighbourhood that hasn't been polished for tourists, which means the food is cooked for regulars, not for reviews. That's always a good sign.

Hossan Leong's endorsement carries real weight here. He's not a tourist passing through — he lives in JB, eats at these stalls regularly, and has no incentive to oversell anything. When someone with that kind of local knowledge points you toward specific dishes at a specific street, you listen. The Makan Kakis episode with Denise Tan is worth watching before you go, both for the specific stall locations and for the sheer enthusiasm Hossan brings to every bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sentosa Street Food in Taman Sentosa?

Sentosa Street Food is an open-air hawker street located in Taman Sentosa, one of Johor Bahru's older residential neighbourhoods. It's a traditional outdoor eating area with multiple stalls serving heritage dishes, and it's been a community favourite for decades.

What does Hossan Leong recommend eating at Sentosa Street Food?

Hossan Leong recommends three standout dishes: Grandma Ong's heritage noodles, Penang laksa, and herbal roast duck. The roast duck is particularly popular and tends to sell out by sunset, so arriving early is strongly advised.

How do I get to Taman Sentosa from Singapore?

You can drive or take a bus across the Causeway to JB, then make your way to Taman Sentosa by Grab or taxi. The journey from the Woodlands checkpoint is typically 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Always check Causeway conditions before heading out, especially on weekends.

What is Makan Kakis on Mediacorp Gold 905?

Makan Kakis is a food segment on Mediacorp Gold 905, hosted by Denise Tan. Each episode features a local personality guiding Denise to their favourite eating spots, covering everything from hawker stalls to restaurants across Singapore and the region.

Is JB food significantly cheaper than Singapore hawker food?

Yes, significantly. Thanks to the currency exchange rate, a full meal at a JB hawker street typically costs a fraction of what you'd pay in Singapore. A generous spread for two people at Sentosa Street Food can come in well under SGD$15 total, making it one of the best-value food trips you can do from Singapore.