A new location for an old, familiar taste

 

Mee Ho Seng Kee was one of the earliest Food features I published in the Travel Times, a section of The New Straits Times, and in 2018, the story of Mee Ho Seng Kee was documented among the Johor heritage trades in, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People.

 

The dining hall at Mee Ho Seng Kee
at Jalan Harimau Tarum, Taman Abad

Ho Seng Kee noodles are made with duck’s eggs, an acquired taste for noodle fans who have enjoyed this family recipe of noodles for generations.

 

While Grandfather Ho first served these noodles from his pushcart, parked along Jalan Siu Nam, he later moved the business into a permanent stall in Chuan Seng Restaurant, at Jalan Meldrum.

 

With grandson, Elton Ho at the helm, he transformed their family business which from a humble pushcart into a café in a mall that operated with a modern business concept.

 

In 2015, when the business opened as a modern café at Level Six of Johor Bahru City Square, Mee Ho Seng Kee gained a new generation of diners who grew to appreciate the taste of their family recipe noodles.

 

The signature wantan noodles
served with a side of soup

As Johor Bahru City Square is linked to JB Sentral, visitors from across the Causeway who arrived at the mall, soon discovered the flavour of Mee Ho Seng Kee while Johoreans who have moved to reside there, were able to enjoy its familiar taste and buy takeaways more conveniently.

 

These bowls of noodles were traditionally made by a one-man noodle-preparing process and served bowl-by-bowl, but diners at this modern café enjoyed the unique taste of Mee Ho Seng Kee that were served efficiently by a team of cooks.

 

During the pandemic years and subsequent lockdown periods, the business successfully pivoted to providing a regular supply of their noodles in an efficient frozen packaged delivery service.

 

When it was safe for the economy and the borders to be reopened, fans of Mee Ho Seng Kee gradually returned to the mall café to savour the taste of freshly-served noodles.

 

Mee Ho Seng Kee was once served from 
Chuan Seng Restaurant at Jalan Meldrum

Over the past 10 years, Mee Ho Seng Kee established itself with a proud reputation for traditional wantan noodles served in a modern mall café where diners often ate the dry-tossed or soup noodles and bought takeaways of items from their wide menu.

 

As the Johor Bahru city-center is being redeveloped with the construction of the terminal and related structures of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) to meet the start of operations scheduled for end 2026, other construction projects for commercial and residential properties nearby, are also progressing in tandem.

 

Among these projects is the next phase of construction in Johor Bahru City Square that would involve building work that will start from Level Six of the mall. In view of this, all the businesses on Level Six of Johor Bahru City Square were notified and compelled to relocate elsewhere.

 

The familiar brand name, Ho Seng Kee,
emblazoned on the facade of the shop

Having moved their business from Jalan Meldrum to Taman Century in 2003 and again to another nearby location in 2009, Mee Ho Seng Kee is familiar with the whole exercise of relocating their business from time to time.

 

Tapping on this experience, Elton soon identified a new location and went on to prepare to relocate into new premises, ready to open for business by June 2025.

 

Recently as I was driving along the Tebrau Highway and slowed to a stop at the traffic lights in front of Plaza Pelangi, I turned to look at the opposite row of shops and was pleasantly surprised to spot that familiar brand name, Ho Seng Kee, emblazoned on the façade of a shop opened along Jalan Harimau Tarum. 

 

Ho Seng Kee noodles with a side of 
prawn dumplings in soup

I did not hesitate to congratulate Elton on their new opening and arranged to drop by for my own dining experience at this new location.

 

It was midweek when I headed over and just as I anticipated, vehicle parking was rather challenging along Jalan Harimau Tarum. Not willing to waste time in waiting for a parking space, I decided to go into the basement carpark of Plaza Pelangi.

 

As usual, vehicular traffic along the Tebrau Highway was heavy so I stayed alert and obeyed the traffic lights to cross the road safely.

 

It was easy to spot the shop for Mee Ho Seng Kee as the pavement outside their shop was lined with wooden stools, provided for diners and delivery riders to wait more comfortably.

 

The affable Elton Ho at
the new location noodle cafe

Through the glass-paneled walls, I saw rows of tables neatly arranged within the dining hall where diners were enjoying their bowls of noodles. Uniformed staff were busy with their tasks while one staff was at the entrance to direct diners to the vacant tables.

 

As I was shown to my table, I thought about the table-sharing concept practiced in traditional kopitiams, one that could probably be applied in this noodle café among diners who shared a common appreciation of the noodles here.

 

Everything about this café appeared the same as it was in the mall café even though it was in a much smaller space. The menu and ordering process remained unchanged and I observed that the kitchen team was serving up orders in a well-oiled system.

 

When I congratulated Elton on this new opening, he smiled widely and said that while the team was still adjusting to the changes, business was going on as usual.

Refreshing drink and peach gum dessert

And when my order of noodles was served, I found that the familiar taste of the Ho Seng Kee wantan noodles was just as tasty and satisfying, even when served in a new location.

 

I could not help but groused about the car parking in this area and Elton was quick to advise that roadside parking here was usually available before 10am and after 6pm. This was before business hours and when businesses closed in the nearby shops. Alternatively, parking was also available a short walking distance away at nearby Cedar Point and Plaza Pelangi.

 

In the short time while I was in the noodle shop, diners were leaving after their meal while others were arriving for their noodle fix, in a constant flow of regulars who seemed to know what they wanted to order to eat and takeaway.

 

When I left with my takeaways, a small crowd was gathered outside, waiting to be seated.

 

I guessed their wait will not be long as there was an unwritten understanding among diners who will enjoy their meal and leave promptly so as to free up the space for the next diners who mutually shared a fondness for the familiar flavour of these noodles.

 

Mee Ho Seng Kee is located at No. 36 Jalan Harimau Tarum, Taman Abad, also known as Century Gardens, 80250 Johor Bahru. Open from 8am to 8pm.

 

In addition to MBJB roadside parking along Jalan Harimau Tarum, nearby parking options include the Cedar Point Food Center open-air carpark and the sheltered carpark inside Plaza Pelangi.

 

For enquiries and takeaways/collections, please call or send WhatsApp messages to Tel: +6012 7107140 or +6012 6557140.

Chill with Hyatt Place Johor Bahru

 

Johor Bahru has long been a preferred destination for day-trips, weekends and short holidays, and with the mid-year school holidays upon us, the city is teeming with holiday-makers, both on the streets and within the malls.

 

Sunset view of Hyatt Place Johor Bahru 
linked to Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru

I say, within the malls, because the recent weather has been so increasingly hot and humid with sudden downpours that it had driven people indoors to enjoy hours of fun activities in air-conditioned comfort.

 

While I do enjoy the sun and have been taking guests on my heritage walks through downtown Johor Bahru, these outdoor excursions have been kept to a minimum and were arranged with much time spent indoors in the museum and galleries.

 

Recently, my sister Pearly visited from the UK (again!) and it was an opportunity for us to take time-out to go for a sisters’ staycation.

 

Pearly at the entrance to the lift lobby
to Hyatt Place on Level Seven

After flying some 14 hours and travelling by road to Johor Bahru, she requested that we limited our travel time and even hinted that she would like to go to Desaru or Pulai Springs Resort, destinations she and her family enjoyed during their epic Asian adventure when they visited us last year.

 

I was pleased to accommodate her request to go to Pulai Springs Resort again and to dine at Qing Palace Chinese Restaurant – one of our family’s favourite restaurants – where we would have a mandatory photo-session at its front lobby.

 

A smooth and pleasant check-in
at the Reception

Yes, I made sure my sister had a photo memento at the restaurant’s front lobby as well as in and by the swimming pool. These photos were for sharing with her grandchildren who had a similar fun experience when they were at the resort.

 

Keeping to my sister’s request to limit our travel time, I surprised her with a short drive from Pulai Springs Resort into the Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru. While only a while ago, we enjoyed the sun by the pool that morning, our drive was in a light drizzle that quickly turned into a tropical thunderstorm.

 

I drove into the higher levels of the mall’s carpark, following directional signs to the carpark on Level Seven, reserved for guests of the Hyatt Place Johor Bahru.

 

Wooden key cards

Johor Bahru folks may recall that the city once had a Hyatt Regency hotel in a location that overlooked the Johor Straits but they probably may not be aware that the Hyatt has returned in the city suburbs as the Hyatt Place, opened within the sprawling Paradigm Mall.

 

With a department store as anchor tenant, Paradigm Mall, has a good shop mix with many affordable fashion brands that matches with my taste and pocket – and for this reason alone – this mall has been my regular shopping destination.

 

Since the mall opened in 2017, it has set itself apart from others, not only with its state-of-the-art 16-screen cinema and rock-climbing activities but also its ice-skating rink – the first and only one in the city.

 

Comfortable super-single twin beds

The opening of a well-stocked grocer on the ground level has given me more reason to be a regular shopper in one of the city’s popular retail, leisure and entertainment destinations.

 

In 2019, I had the privilege to witness the signing of the management agreement between key representatives of the Hyatt Group and WCT Holdings Berhad, the mall owners, for the Hyatt Place Johor Bahru that was scheduled to be opened in Paradigm Mall in 2022. 

 

In 2024, the mall added the ESCAPE indoor adventure park to its attractions for visitors to enjoy adrenalin-pumping fun in a safe and comfortable environment.

 

Dispensers for shampoo, conditioner
and shower gel in the shower cubicle

So it was timely for me (and my sister!) to have a stay experience at the Hyatt Place Johor Bahru – an ‘upscale select service hotel’ – that aims to offer casual hospitality and purposeful service in a smartly designed, high-tech and contemporary setting.

 

I wanted to share a special time in a relaxed, quality hotel experience with my sister, who is well aware that I preferred city hotels that are linked to a prime leisure, retail and dining hub.

 

We can browse around the shops to pick and choose, try and decide on whether to buy or not, drop off the shopping in our room and hit the mall again to find the best-buys, not only for ourselves but also for her grandchildren.

 

Pearly with Reception staff at
the Ground level lobby

At the reception desk, I was pleased that the staff was anticipating my arrival and greeted me by name, something I noted throughout our stay – an effort to add a personal touch – which made us feel very welcome.

 

We arrived ahead of the check-in time – with the aim to maximise our time in the mall – and when I enquired, I was delighted that our room was ready for check-in.

 

I received our room key cards and was admiring the sleek wooden cards when hotel General Manager, Sunny Tan, came over to bid us a warm welcome to the hotel.

 

I was quite sure that he did not wish to detain us a moment longer because he was well aware that my sister and I were more than ready to hit the mall. He was also a busy man so we fixed a breakfast appointment with him before we checked into our room on Level 17.

 

Pearly at the Ground floor
entrance/exit into the mall

First, it was their wooden key cards. Then inside the room, we were pleased that the hotel’s sustainability policy continued in the bathroom where disposable amenities were kept at only the essentials with liquid shampoo, conditioner and shower gel provided in refillable dispensers within the shower cubicle.

 

The sight of the comfortable super-single twin beds assured us of a good night’s rest – especially after some serious shopping – and we did not waste another moment with looking out the window at the busy thoroughfare along Jalan Skudai.

 

A smooth elevator ride took us to the hotel lobby on the Ground floor which had a porch entrance at road level and another entrance/exit that opened into the mall.

 

We read the Notice which reminded guests that this entrance will be closed when the mall ended its business hours at 10pm, and told ourselves that we must find our way back before that time.

 

Wooden plaque 
displayed at the Reception

And thus started our hours upon hours of browsing around the shops with brief stops for refreshments and pausing to watch adventurous young people taking on the challenge at several stations of the ESCAPE adventure park.

 

No, we did not have a specific shopping list but it was fun to spot something suitable for my sister’s grandson or grand-daughter and then discover that there was a special (good!) deal on particular clothes items.

 

I liked that it was mid-week and there were not many shoppers in the department store so we took our time to look for the best-buys. Even the sales assistant was happy to show us and recommend a wider range of merchandise. There were no queues at the fitting rooms or payment points, so it was a comfortable, stress-free time of trying out clothes and picking the most suitable pieces.

 

Morning view of Jalan Skudai from our room

We so enjoyed ourselves that Time seemed to fly but because we were staying “in-house” with the Hyatt Place which is linked the mall, there was no rush as we could visit the shops again after breakfast the next morning.

 

Back in our room, the view from the window by night was a sea of sparkling lights. And yes, the beds were comfortable, so very comfortable that I almost forgot that we had a breakfast appointment with the GM.

 

When we arrived at On Seven Bistro, the breakfast buffet was in full swing as guests were helping themselves to the spread. While I was ordering my choice of eggs from the Egg Station, GM Sunny joined us. And we had a good chat over cups of hot coffee.

 

Pearly at the breakfast buffet, On Seven Bistro

As we got to know him, it was a pleasure to welcome him to Johor Bahru as this was his first job appointment in Johor. When I told him about a recent Heritage Walk and Food Trail that I had arranged for a resort GM and Chef, he expressed his interest in joining my next heritage walk.

 

“What are you doing after breakfast?” he politely enquired. My sister and I smiled at each other. No prizes for the right guess as to what we were going to do. As long as there was still space in her suitcases, we were going to the shops again.

 

Hyatt Place Johor Bahru is located in Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru, Jalan Mewah Ria 2, Taman Bukit Mewah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor. Tel: +607 – 291 1234. For more info, visit official pages for Hyatt Place Johor Bahru on Facebook and Instagram.