Few smells pull a crowd in Johor Bahru quite like charcoal smoke curling off a satay grill after dark. Skewers of marinated chicken, beef and mutton fanned over glowing coals, basted with oil, then handed over with a thick peanut sauce, cubes of nasi impit and a plate of raw onion and cucumber. It is the sort of supper JB does exceptionally well, and every neighbourhood seems to guard its own favourite stall.
The trouble is knowing which grills are genuinely worth the drive. So we did the legwork. Every stall on this list holds a Google rating of 4.0 or higher from real diners, sits inside Johor Bahru, and is still open for business. We then ranked them by the total number of Google reviews, so the places JB locals actually turn up for sit at the top. From decades-old satay houses pulling thousands of reviews to smaller kampung stalls with a cult following, here are the ten best satay spots in Johor Bahru to plan your next supper run around.
What Makes Johor Bahru Satay Worth the Trip?
Satay in JB leans to the southern Malay style: skewers grilled small and fast over charcoal so the edges catch and caramelise, then served with a peanut sauce that is more robust and less sweet than what you might find up north. Chicken and beef are the staples, with mutton for those who like a stronger flavour, and the better stalls make their own kuah kacang rather than pouring it from a tub. Sides matter too, from freshly pressed nasi impit to a simple salad of onion and cucumber that cuts through the richness. Many of the best grills only fire up in the evening, which is why satay here is a supper ritual as much as a meal.
Where to Find the Best Satay in JB
The satay scene clusters in a few well-known pockets. Kampung Melayu Majidee is the heartland, with several long-running family stalls within walking distance of each other, ideal if you want to stall-hop. Taman Pelangi and Taman Dato Onn are strong for evening and supper grilling, while the Tebrau and Bandar Baru Uda outlets of the bigger satay houses suit bigger groups and families who want a proper sit-down spread. City-centre diners are covered too. Wherever you land, go hungry, order more skewers than you think you need, and remember that most stalls are cash-friendly and busiest on weekend nights.
Table of Contents
- 1. Almizan Satay House
- 2. Grand Almizan BBU
- 3. Restoran Warisan Wak Radol
- 4. Satay Ruby
- 5. Sesatay Sefamily
- 6. Warisan Pak Atan Sate
- 7. AKBR Satay Wak Radol @ SS9
- 8. Pak Din Satay
- 9. Satay Selatan @ Taman Pelangi
- 10. Satay Abang Razak
1. Almizan Satay House
Almizan is the heavyweight of the JB satay scene, and the reviews back it up. This Tebrau institution grills at scale, so the skewers come out fast and consistent even when the place is packed, which it usually is. The draw is the sheer spread: chicken, beef and mutton satay alongside a wider menu of grilled and Malay dishes, all anchored by a rich house peanut sauce. The dining room is roomy and family-friendly, making it a solid choice for bigger groups who want to sit down rather than perch on a stool. Come with an appetite and order the skewers by the dozen.
Operating Hours: Fri–Wed 7:30 am – 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm – 12:00 am (Sun from 10:00 am); Closed Thursday
Address: Ptd 64399, Jalan Tebrau, Kg Ubi, Taman Persiaran Ekoperniagaan, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 07-336 3315
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
2. Grand Almizan BBU
The Bandar Baru Uda outlet of the Almizan name brings the same charcoal-grilled satay to the western side of JB. It is an evening-only spot, opening in the late afternoon and running well into the night, which makes it a natural pick for a post-work dinner or a weekend supper with the family. Expect the familiar line-up of chicken, beef and mutton skewers with generous peanut sauce, plus a broader menu to round out the table. The setting is comfortable and geared to groups, so it fills quickly on weekends. If you are on the BBU or Skudai side of town, this saves you the drive across to Tebrau.
Operating Hours: Fri–Wed 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm; Closed Thursday
Address: 2, Jln Padi Emas 1/7, Bandar Baru Uda, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 019-790 0471
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
3. Restoran Warisan Wak Radol
Wak Radol is one of JB’s most recognised satay names, and the Taman Kemas branch keeps the reputation alive. This is a nighttime grill, firing up in the early evening and running to midnight, so it slots neatly into a late dinner or supper plan. The skewers are the reason to come: well-marinated, properly charred, and paired with a thick peanut sauce that regulars are fiercely loyal to. It is a relaxed, no-frills setting where the focus stays on the food and the turnover keeps the satay fresh off the coals. Get there before the weekend rush hits and the queue builds.
Operating Hours: Tue–Sun 5:00 pm – 12:00 am; Closed Monday
Address: 34, Jalan Siantan 1, Taman Kemas, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 018-789 3100
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
4. Satay Ruby
Right in the heart of Bandar Johor Bahru, Satay Ruby is the pick for anyone who wants their skewers without leaving the city centre. It is a compact evening stall on Jalan Yahya Awal that gets going after 6:30 pm and draws a steady line of regulars and office crowds winding down. The satay is grilled to order, so you get that fresh-off-the-charcoal smokiness, and the peanut sauce is balanced rather than cloyingly sweet. It suits a casual weeknight bite or a quick supper before heading home. Parking around the area can be tight on busy evenings, so plan for a short walk.
Operating Hours: Mon–Sat 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm (Sat from 6:00 pm); Closed Sunday
Address: 2, Jalan Yahya Awal, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 012-294 6894
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
5. Sesatay Sefamily
Tucked into Kampung Melayu Majidee, JB’s unofficial satay village, Sesatay Sefamily is a family-run stall that punches above its size. The name says it all: this is a homely, no-fuss operation where the grilling is done with care and the skewers come out juicy and well charred. Locals rate it for consistency and friendly service, and the peanut sauce holds its own against the bigger names down the road. Because it is a smaller stall, the vibe is casual and quick, ideal for a weeknight supper or a stop while you are exploring the Majidee stalls. Arrive early on weekends before the popular cuts sell out.
Operating Hours: Sun–Fri 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm; Closed Saturday
Address: 10A, Jalan Saudara, Kampung Melayu Majidee, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 017-758 5252
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
6. Warisan Pak Atan Sate
Also known as Sate Salleh, this Majidee stall carries a warisan, or heritage, tag for good reason. It is one of the old-guard grills on Jalan Merdeka, opening in the mid-afternoon so you can get your fix earlier than the supper-only spots. The satay follows the classic southern style, small skewers grilled hard over charcoal until the edges crisp, then dunked in a hearty peanut sauce. Regulars come for the reliability and the generous portions, and the afternoon start makes it handy for an early dinner. It is a proper neighbourhood stall, so keep your expectations casual and let the food do the talking.
Operating Hours: Tue–Sun 2:30 pm – 11:00 pm; Closed Monday
Address: Jalan Merdeka, Kampung Melayu Majidee, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 012-704 4760
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
7. AKBR Satay Wak Radol @ SS9
If your satay cravings hit late, this Taman Pelangi grill is built for you. It opens in the early evening and keeps the coals going into the small hours, well past midnight, making it one of the best supper satay stops in JB. Carrying the Wak Radol name, it delivers dependable charcoal-grilled skewers with the thick peanut sauce the brand is known for. The setting is a casual roadside affair that suits night owls, shift workers and anyone rolling in after a late night out. Pull up a stool, order a round of chicken and beef, and settle in. It is a firm favourite for after-hours grilling.
Operating Hours: Daily 5:30 pm – late (around 2:00 am, later on weekends)
Address: Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: Not listed
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
8. Pak Din Satay
Another Majidee stalwart, Pak Din Satay has quietly built a loyal local following on Jalan Kenangan. This is an evening stall that keeps things simple and does them well: fresh skewers grilled to order over charcoal, a proper peanut sauce, and the usual sides of nasi impit, onion and cucumber. There is nothing flashy about it, which is exactly why regulars keep coming back for a fuss-free satay fix. It is well placed for a stall-hop, sitting within easy reach of the other Kampung Melayu Majidee grills on this list. Go on a weekday evening for a quieter, more relaxed feed.
Operating Hours: Mon–Sat 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm; Closed Sunday
Address: 2C, Jalan Kenangan, Kampung Melayu Majidee, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 07-332 3659
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
9. Satay Selatan @ Taman Pelangi
Satay Selatan flies a little under the radar, but the diners who find it rate it highly. Based in Taman Pelangi, this evening stall leans into the southern satay style its name suggests, with skewers grilled fresh and a peanut sauce that gets singled out in reviews. It opens in the afternoon and runs to midnight on its trading days, so it works for both an early dinner and a later supper. The smaller scale means the grilling stays hands-on and the quality stays high. Check the days before you go, as it takes a couple of days off midweek, and turn up hungry.
Operating Hours: Tue, Thu–Sun 3:00 pm – 12:00 am; Closed Monday & Wednesday
Address: 15, Jalan Biru 3, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 016-715 7487
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
10. Satay Abang Razak
Rounding out the list is Satay Abang Razak, another Kampung Melayu Majidee stall and the one with the most unusual hours here. It trades from midday into the early evening rather than late into the night, so it is a rare daytime satay option, handy for a lunch craving or an early dinner. The skewers earn strong marks from the diners who stop by, with the trademark charcoal char and a solid peanut sauce. It is a compact, no-frills setup near Jalan Masjid, so keep it casual. Note the shorter week, as it stays closed at the start of the week, and get there before the afternoon crowd.
Operating Hours: Wed–Sun 12:00 pm – 8:30 pm; Closed Monday & Tuesday
Address: 21A, Jln Masjid, Kampung Melayu Majidee, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 013-772 4781
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
Johor Bahru rewards a bit of satay hunting. For a sit-down feast with the family, the Almizan outlets in Tebrau and Bandar Baru Uda give you scale and a wide spread. For that proper neighbourhood-stall experience, the cluster in Kampung Melayu Majidee lets you hop between Sesatay Sefamily, Pak Din, Warisan Pak Atan and Abang Razak in one evening. And when the craving strikes late, the Wak Radol grills and Satay Selatan keep the coals hot well past midnight. Every stall here clears a 4.0 Google rating, so you can pick any of them with confidence.
Opening days and hours do shift, especially for the smaller stalls, so a quick check on Google before you set off never hurts. Now round up your crew, follow the smoke, and make a proper supper of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is satay in Johor Bahru halal?
Satay in JB is traditionally prepared by Malay vendors, and most of the stalls on this list are Malay-run kampung operations. Halal certification is not always displayed at smaller stalls, so if it matters to you, confirm the latest status directly with the vendor before ordering rather than assuming.
How much does satay cost in Johor Bahru?
Most JB stalls price satay per skewer, typically in the region of RM1 to RM1.50 each depending on the meat, with mutton usually costing a little more than chicken or beef. A filling supper for one lands around RM10 to RM20 with rice cakes and sauce. Prices change, so treat this as a rough guide.
What time do satay stalls open in JB?
Most satay grills in Johor Bahru are evening and supper affairs, firing up between mid-afternoon and early evening and running late, with a few like the Wak Radol stalls going past midnight. Satay Abang Razak is a rare daytime option, trading from noon. Always check the specific stall’s hours, as several take a weekday off.
Which area of Johor Bahru has the most satay stalls?
Kampung Melayu Majidee is the satay heartland of JB, with several well-regarded family stalls within walking distance of each other, making it perfect for a stall-hop. Taman Pelangi and Taman Dato Onn are also strong for evening and supper grilling, while the bigger satay houses sit in Tebrau and Bandar Baru Uda.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
