10 best shopping malls in Johor Bahru worth braving the jams for!

With every working week comes the little wandering thought – what should I do this weekend? Watch a movie? Head to a coffee cafe? Watch another movie? While there are tonnes of things to do in Singapore, sometimes it gets a little mundane. And how could you possibly shake it up? By taking a short trip – with hopefully short jams – across the causeway and into Johor Bahru.

Sure, a visit to JB is great for a mini getaway over the holidays, but heading to malls in JB means getting your essentials at a much cheaper price. We Singaporeans do love our discounts, don’t we? Whether you’re looking to catch the latest blockbuster at jaw-dropping prices, or just looking to give your wardrobe or mind a refresh, here are 10 of the best malls in JB to head to. So good, it’s worth the jam.

1. R&F Mall

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The mall, which opened just this year in March, has many great offerings. One exciting feature? It’s JB’s first-ever premier cinema, Hong Kong’s Emperor Cinemas. From the interior to the service and the food menu, the cinema is nothing short of luxe – and given the ticket rates which range from RM10 to RM19, we’d say this is an absolute steal.

Aside from the cinema, there are tonnes of Instagrammable spots, 50 retail stores to check out and 46 F&B establishments. You can even find popular F&B spots such as Oregin bubble tea as well as Korea’s Kynchon fried chicken. Need to top up your pantry? Head to R&F’s Jaya Grocer, which offers fresh produce and more.

What makes R&F Mall even better is its accessibility – through a sheltered bridge, it is a mere eight minutes walk from the CIQ checkpoint! Bonus!

Address: L2-086-A5, Mercu 1, Jalan Tanjung Puteri, 80300 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm

2. Paradigm Mall JB


If luxury cinemas aren’t your thing, but you’re looking to experience a 4D cinema, head to Paradigm Mall! The mall was actually JB’s largest before The Mall, Mid Valley Southekey opened its doors. It is spread over 2 million square feet – a whole lot bigger than Vivocity if you’re trying to imagine the size.

Just how much is within Paradigm Mall? 1.3 million square feet of the mall is taken up by retail space; Parkson, a luxury department store, is one of them.

Paradigm is also home to the largest movie theatre in JB, which is operated by Golden Screen Cinemas, and offers a 4D cinematic experience! That means you could be encountering snow, wind and rain during your movie. If you want an even chillier experience, check out the indoor – yes, indoor – ice skating rink!

It’s seven floors of fun and games for all ages, all under an hour’s ride away from the Causeway.

Address: Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru, Jalan Skudai, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm

3. Komtar JBCC

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You can’t have a listicle of JB’s best shopping malls without mentioning Komtar JBCC! The mall is accessible via First Link, and is a great place to buy anything and everything you might need. Whether its clothes, accessories, or souvenirs, there’ll be something for you. Some of the retail stores include Victoria’s Secret, Pedro, Marks & Spencer, and luxury beauty brands such as Chanel and Dior.

For the little ones, there’s even an Angry Birds Activity Park!

Address: Johor Bahru City Centre, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm

4. JB City Square

Likewise, you can’t include Komtar JBCC without its neighbour, JB City Square. Whilst Komtar is a great place for shopping, frequent mall-goers recommend heading to the area to fill up your tummy. So after a day shopping, take the covered bridge over to City Square and check out their massive list of food places. There’s even a DC Superhero Cafe!

The mall also features special activities during the festive season – if you’re planning to pop in during the Deepavali weekend, expect some fun. Aside from food, there are massage, wellness shops and retail shops too.

Address: 106, 108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm

5. Aeon Mall Bukit Indah

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Mums and dads would be pleased to know – this mall is near to Legoland Malaysia! That means you’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone. Because this mall is quite hidden and tucked away, it’s not as popular as some of the others we’ve mentioned, making it perfect if you’re like some of us and just can’t stand the crowds.

Some things you can look forward to? Salons, spas, retail outlets like FILA, The Body Shop, and Universal Traveller. By the way, there’s also an A&W where you don’t have to wait over an hour. That’s a big win in our books.

Address: LOT S51, Aeon Bukit Indah Shopping Centre, 8, Jalan Indah 15/2, Taman Bukit Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm

6. Johor Premium Outlets

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This one is perfect for those of us who are looking for the best deals. Think of it as USA’s fashion outlets, but in JB! Johor’s Premium Outlets is the one-stop-shop for your luxurious needs. This mall offers a wide range of products from global brands – think Adidas, Akemi Uchi, Swatch, Michael Kors, Tory Burch and a lot more. 

While you might get lucky and snatch the newest goods, take note that the discounted items may also be from the brands’ past seasons’ collections.

Address: Jalan Premium Outlets Indahpura, 81000 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm

7. Aeon Mall Bandar Dato’ Onn

The first thing you’ll notice about this two-year-old mall is its abundance of bears. Not real bears, but the cute, stuffed ones we held so dearly to our hearts. Unlike other Aeon malls, this one isn’t as crowded and is a little smaller. It is, however, really convenient for families. Aeon Mall Bandar Dato’ Onn houses a huge supermarket that features a live kitchen studio, an organic section, a donburi section and even a takoyaki section! Work off those calories – or tire the little ones out – at the little fitness corner after strolling around the mall shopping for some new clothes.

If you just want the latter, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a bunch of activities for kids like a bouncy castle, ball pool, and even a playground inside the cinema to keep the little energy balls busy. Speaking of the cinema, each ticket costs only RM9! And if you’re getting a bed which fits two adults and one child, it costs only RM18. No wonder it’s got a 4.3-star rating with over 5,000 reviews on Google.

Address: No.3, Jalan Dato’ Onn 3, Bandar Dato’ Onn, 81100, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Saturday – Wednesday, 10am – 10pm | Thursday – Friday, 10am – 10.30pm

8. Sutera Mall

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This one is a great option if you’d rather hop on a straight bus to JB. For only SGD4.50, you’ll be brought from Jurong East MRT to Sutera Mall. A tip from an online reviewer if you’re cabbing to the mall, “Pronounce it as ‘Sutra’ Mall instead of Sutera Mall, or else you’ll get a puzzled look from the driver.”

Sure, this isn’t as glamorous as some of its competitors here, but Sutera Mall sells really affordable clothes. There are also affordable food options, wellness outlets, and even a library housing over 50,000 books in English, Malay, Tamil, and Mandarin. Because of how accessible and affordable it is, there might be quite a crowd.

Address: Sutera Mall, 1, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/4, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10.30am – 10.30pm

9. The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey


Located five minutes from Woodlands, this mall is said to be the paradise on earth for shopaholics. The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey takes on the concept of Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur. However, this mall stands at a massive space of 1.5 million square feet. It features an array of Japanese and Korean food selection, plus a matching sitting area! Expect other food retailers like Din Tai Fung, Kenny Rogers, HoMinSan, and more.

Just like its sister mall, this one is home to luxury brands like Michael Kors, Onitsuka Tiger, Coach – just to name a few. At the same time, you’ll find familiar stores like SOGO – the Japanese department store that used to be in Raffles City ’till 2000. To keep you entertained, there’s a cinema. Of course, that’s only if the over 200 retail shops don’t entice you.

Address: No. 1, Persiaran Southkey 1, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm

10. KSL City Mall

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KSL City is home, not just to over 500 retail outlets, but is also a literal home for residents and guests, with condominiums and hotel rooms. It has a cinema to keep you entertained, as well as a myriad of F&B options to keep you well-fed. From recognisable shops such as Levis or Converse, to gift shops, electronic shops and a TESCO supermarket, there’s something for everyone. You’ll even find Tiger Sugar there! When you’re ready for a little pamper session, head to one of the many salons and massage spots in the mall.

P.S. You’ll be able to find a pasar malam just beside the mall every Monday – drop by for a truly local experience!

Address: 33, Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm


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