The new JB mall that’s worth a Causeway detour.
There’s a brand-new mall in JB that’s caught the attention of every Singaporean weekend regular, and it’s a sub-five-minute drive from the CIQ. SKS City Mall JBCC sits in Bukit Senyum, right next to the new Sheraton, and it’s worth a look if you’re tired of the City Square loop.
It’s where you’ll find Johor’s first All About Chew, a KL-born bagel café, a proper Japan drugstore (yes, Matsumoto Kiyoshi), and an indoor playground big enough to tire the kids out before lunch. Here’s the no-fluff guide: what to eat, what to buy, and how to actually get there.
Quick clarification before you Google Map it: this is the JBCC one in Bukit Senyum, not SKS City Mall Desaru. Easy to mix up.
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⚡️ TL;DR: SKS City Mall JBCC At A Glance
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Where | Jalan Storey, Bukit Senyum, 80300 Johor Bahru |
| From CIQ | ~4-min drive (5–10 min in traffic) |
| Hours | 10 AM–10 PM daily |
| Size | 280,000 sqft (smaller than KSL, easy to do in an afternoon) |
| Best for | Café-hopping, kid-friendly day trips, Japan-brand beauty hauls |
| Don’t miss | All About Chew (Johor’s first), Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Jungle Gym |
| Stay overnight? | Sheraton Johor Bahru is connected to the mall |
📌 Table of Contents
- Is SKS City Mall Open?
- Where Is SKS City Mall JBCC?
- What to Expect Inside
- What to Eat at SKS City Mall JBCC
- Shopping and Lifestyle at SKS City Mall
- Things to Do Beyond Eating and Shopping
- SKS City Mall vs Other JB Malls
- How to Get to SKS City Mall From Singapore
- FAQ
Quick Answer: Is SKS City Mall Open?
Image Credits: SETHLUI.com
Yes. The mall opened on 1 May 2026 and operates from 10 AM to 10 PM daily. Most outlets are already up and running, with a handful of new openings still rolling out through May (Palates and Bagels and Sui Sui Fashion both have grand-opening promos worth timing your visit around).
Best time to go from Singapore: weekdays after 11 AM, once you’ve cleared the morning Causeway rush. Weekends are busier, but the food halls don’t usually queue out the door.
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Where Is SKS City Mall JBCC?
Full address: Jalan Storey, Bukit Senyum, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor.
It’s in central JB, sitting right next to the new Sheraton Johor Bahru. From the CIQ, it’s about 4 minutes by car (5–10 in heavier traffic).
Coming through Woodlands? Clear immigration, then it’s a quick Grab or taxi from CIQ. The mall is along the same stretch as Komtar JBCC and isn’t far from City Square either, so you can pair both into one afternoon if you’re keen.
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What to Expect Inside
A quick read on the vibe before you go:
- Bright, modern, properly air-conditioned — closer to Mid Valley Southkey than chaotic KSL
- Mostly food and lifestyle — 32+ F&B options, plus skincare, fashion, and a kids’ play zone
- Easy to walk around — open-plan layout under a glasshouse ceiling, not a maze
- Smaller than KSL — you can do the whole mall in a couple of hours
- Hotel attached — the new Sheraton Johor Bahru, if you’re turning the trip into an overnight
The shop count is shorter than the bigger JB malls, but the picks feel deliberate. No giant department stores, more cafés and lifestyle brands per square foot.
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What to Eat at SKS City Mall JBCC
The food list leans toward newer Malaysian café concepts (the kind you screenshot for the next Causeway brunch run) plus a couple of Japanese spots. The hits worth queueing for:
1. All About Chew (Johor’s First Outlet)
Image credits: @allabout.chew on Instagram
The cult KL soft-cookie brand finally crossed into Johor, and this is its first outlet south of Klang Valley. That alone explains half the queue.
Order the Chewibaccas (small chewy chocolate-chip cookies with sea salt, 25 MYR / ~S$7 for a bag of 12) or the Big Ass Chocolate Softy for a thick cookie with a gooey centre. The Tangy Raspberry and Matcha softies are the other crowd-pleasers.
Best treated as a hand-carry haul rather than a sit-down stop, since seating is limited and the cookies travel well.
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2. Palates and Bagels
Image credits: Jt带你看食界 on Facebook
A Johor-born bagel café (the original is at Taman Melodies in JB) known for big-format bagels and creative savoury fillings. The chef’s pick is the Spicy Buttermilk Chicken Bagel: fried chicken in mild-spicy buttermilk, tamagoyaki egg, cheddar, tomato, cucumber, and caramelised onion in a fresh bagel.
Free-bagel and discounted-set promos are running through May 2026 to mark the SKS opening.
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3. Tea Garden
Image credits: SKS City Mall JBCC
A 30-outlet Malaysian kopitiam chain (also in Australia) opened on the basement level. Two signatures to order: the Paper Baked Herbal Chicken (whole thigh baked in red dates and herbs, served with rice) and the Hainanese Milk Tea. Both hold Malaysia Book of Records titles.
The nasi lemak, curry laksa, and handmade dim sum are also reliable. Open daily until 10 PM, and the seating is family-friendly if you’ve got kids in tow.
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4. Pacific Kopi
Image credits: @bello.seri on Lemon8
A JB-born kopitiam (original outlet is in Tan Hiok Nee), bringing its hyped breakfast menu to SKS.
The headliner is the Pacific 3-in-1 Fried Rice Cake: chewy rice cake stacked between sweet potato and yam, deep-fried until crisp outside and gooey inside. It holds a Malaysia Book of Records title for over 170,000 sold in a single year. Pair it with butter-and-kaya toast, an egg tart, or a bowl of dry mala pan mee.
Note: at the original outlet, signature breakfast items sell out by 10 AM, so go early if the rice cake is your target.
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5. Oriental Kopi
Image credits: @stuffingmycheeks on Lemon8
A separate kopitiam from Pacific Kopi (yes, both are at SKS) and the one with the longest queue. The 128-layer egg tart is a must-order, holding two Malaysia Book of Records titles (thickest egg tart, most sold).
It’s Polo Bun has another. Beyond the bakery counter: nasi lemak, mee siam, Nanyang curry chicken rice, and chicken hor fun all hit the spot. The coffee is hand-brewed in-house with a blend of Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica beans.
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6. Arashi Shabu-Shabu
Image credits: @dnlwhsh on Lemon8
A Malaysian Japanese hot-pot chain (other JB outlets at KSL, Mid Valley Southkey, and City Square) doing personal pots, not a shared communal vat. Pick a soup base — the signature Arashi Hot & Spicy Milk is the most ordered — and a meat set.
Shabu sets run roughly 30–45 MYR (~S$9–13) depending on protein, with the Pork Belly Set at 39.80 MYR (~S$12) being the safest entry order. There’s also a hot-pot buffet at 55 MYR (~S$16) nett if you’re properly hungry.
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7. Village Grocer
Image credits: SKS City Mall
Premium Malaysian grocer for the Causeway hand-carry haul. Stock includes imported snacks, frozen meats, fresh fruit, baked goods, and a decent wine selection. Useful if you want to bring back things that don’t show up at Cold Storage or Fairprice Finest.
Other F&B worth a look:
- Beutea (bubble tea), Zus Coffee (the Malaysian-style flat white you’ll see all over TikTok), Souper Tang (Chinese soup specialist)
- Kay’s Steak and Lobster, Ming Ang Confectionery (good for biscuits to bring back)
- Outstand Coffee, The Lapiserie (patisserie)
You’re spoilt for choice with 32+ F&B options.
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Shopping and Lifestyle at SKS City Mall
No SOGO, no department stores. The shop list is shorter than KSL’s but pulls together a tight mix of beauty, fashion, and lifestyle picks:
Image Credits: TheSmartLocal
| Store | What It Is |
|---|---|
| KKV | Chinese lifestyle retailer (think a more aesthetic Miniso) |
| Miniso | Japanese-style lifestyle and accessories |
| MIX Store | Multi-brand fashion concept |
| Manzanita | Womenswear |
| New Era | Cap and headwear flagship |
| Big Pharmacy | Full-service Malaysian pharmacy |
| Matsumoto Kiyoshi | Japan’s biggest drugstore chain (skincare, beauty) |
| Sui Sui Fashion | Womenswear with grand opening rewards through May 2026 |
Matsumoto Kiyoshi is the standout for Singaporean beauty hauls. Same lineup you’d recognise from the Tokyo and Bangkok outlets, but at JB prices, which means it’s worth saving the skincare run for this trip rather than topping up at Watsons.
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Things to Do Beyond Eating and Shopping
Image Credits: Tripadvisor
If you’re looking to fill an afternoon (or you’ve brought the kids), there’s a bit more than just food and shops:
- Jungle Gym: indoor children’s playground with slides, trampolines, ball pits, and climbing structures. Easy 1–2 hours of kid entertainment whilst you queue for All About Chew
- Thai Odyssey: full-service Thai massage and spa, perfect after a couple of hours on your feet
- Anytime Fitness (Level 4): 24-hour gym, mostly useful if you’re staying at the Sheraton next door
- Sheraton Johor Bahru: the five-star hotel attached to the mall, in case the day trip turns into an overnight
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SKS City Mall vs Other JB Malls
Trying to decide whether to swap your usual JB mall for this one? Here’s the straight-up comparison:
| Mall | Distance from CIQ | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKS City Mall JBCC | ~4-min drive | Modern, curated, integrated with Sheraton | New brands, café-hopping, family day trips |
| City Square (Komtar JBCC) | Walking distance from CIQ | Convenient, dated, busy | Quick day trips, no transport needed |
| KSL City Mall | ~10-min drive | Sprawling, budget-friendly, chaotic | Cheap shopping, SOGO, BookXcess |
| Mid Valley Southkey | ~12-min drive | Upscale, modern, international brands | Big-brand shopping, full-day visits |
If you want convenience, City Square still wins. It’s the only one you can walk to from CIQ. If you want fresh openings and a curated mix, SKS City Mall JBCC is the new pick.
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How to Get to SKS City Mall From Singapore
Three ways to make the trip:
1. Bus or Train via Woodlands or Tuas
Take any cross-border bus to JB Sentral or City Square, then a quick Grab the rest of the way (~10 min). Easiest option if you don’t want to deal with parking.
2. Drive Over the Causeway
If you’re driving, the mall is signposted from Bukit Senyum once you’re in JB. Parking is on-site, which is a nice change from the usual scramble at City Square.
3. Coming via the RTS Link (from January 2027)
Once the RTS Link opens at Bukit Chagar terminus on 1 January 2027, you’ll be able to walk over from the station. Until then, a Grab or taxi from CIQ is your best bet.
Tip: Skip the money-changer queue. YouTrip is Singapore’s multi-currency wallet that holds MYR at the wholesale exchange rate with zero foreign transaction fees. Tap-to-pay at the mall’s outlets the same way you’d use a contactless card back home, and exchange MYR straight from the app the moment you spot a good rate.
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FAQs
Yes, it officially opened on 1 May 2026. Trading hours are 10 AM to 10 PM daily.
About a 4-minute drive (~1.5km), or 5–10 minutes depending on traffic. It isn’t a comfortable walk, so Grab or taxi from CIQ.
280,000 sqft of retail, F&B (32+ outlets), and lifestyle tenants including All About Chew, Pacific Kopi, KKV, Miniso, Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Anytime Fitness, and Jungle Gym (indoor playground).
Yes, direct access to the new Sheraton Johor Bahru. Useful if you’re planning an overnight rather than a day trip.
Both, ideally. City Square is unbeatable for convenience (walking distance from CIQ). SKS City Mall is the better pick for new openings, café concepts, and a calmer shopping experience.
Worth the Detour, Even on a Day Trip
SKS City Mall JBCC isn’t going to replace KSL or Mid Valley Southkey for serious shopping, but it’s the most interesting new opening in central JB in years. Slot in a Matsumoto Kiyoshi haul, an All About Chew run, and one of the cafés, and you’ve got an easy half-day sorted.
As always, don’t forget to make use of your YouTrip Card to lock in the best MYR rates in town!
Singapore’s go-to multi-currency wallet helps you save with great FX rates and zero fees. Skip the money changer and get a free YouTrip card + S$5 YouTrip credits with code <YTBLOG5>.
Then, head over to our YouTrip Perks page for exclusive offers and promotions — we promise you won’t regret it. Join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and Community Group (@YouTripSquad) for travel tips, event invites, and more!
Happy travels!
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