Best Apam Balik in Johor Bahru (JB)

This hidden alley is truly a gastronomy pilgrimage for locals, a depiction of the bustling street food scene in Johor Bahru. Walking through the alley sandwiched between tables occupied by voracious eaters and stretch of mouthwatering stalls, definitely hits you with unrelenting hunger pang. For a quick nibble to cherry-pick your main meal, stack up some classic Apam Balik. The fluffy batter with a tinge of crispy edges is liberally smeared with peanut particles and creamy corn, you might change your mind to skip other meals and binge this poofy pillows till the end. 

Taste buds yearning to look beyond nuts and corn, then make your way to this stretched blue hut, which is constantly spotted with patrons making a beeline. How about adding pulut hitam and chocolate onto the bed of peanuts and corns? It’s an ambrosial marriage of texture and taste, perching atop the spongy pancake hedged with crispy notes. A little greasy and best-devoured piping hot, it’s impossible to stop with one or two, armload dozens to accompany you on the couch. 

Tucked at the heart of Taman Pelangi, this inevitable stall is habitually swapped with patrons, in a quest to chomp down their homespun versions of Apam Balik. Despite the raining orders, the owner works at lickety-split yet ensures consistency is taste and texture of the pancake which snuggly wraps the handful of peanut spread and creamy corn. 

Nestled amidst a crowd-bustling food court, this stall is go-to for those craving for Apam Balik which is thick, spongy and sandwiched with rich flavours. They are never skimp on the grounded peanuts and sugar, as each bite just seeps the luscious filling out. Before served, the desirably bouncy pancake is smeared with margarine to enhance a little greasy touch. 

Houses in a quaint coffee shop, this little stall has never seen a dip in quality and fame since it started in the year 2005. Mr. Yaw, an amiable mid-aged man who has more than 40 years of experience up his sleeves has been churning out Apam Baliks that are second to none. What grabs your attention is the way the batter is whipped back and forth between two mugs before taking a dive into the sizzling griddles, this is dough tarik before your eyes. The regular versions are worthy yet the ultra-thin version takes the cake, plus it’s only made upon request. The crispy pancake scatters and crackles with a bountiful punch of peanuts, creamy corn and glaze of margarine.