On our last day in JB, we woke up early and made our way to JB Old Town. Wanted to grab some banana cakes from Hiap Joo and tarts from Tapu Tarts before heading back to Singapore. After stocking up on our treats, we decided to swing by Ah Ma TeoChew Kuih for brunch since I’d heard great things about their nasi lemak.

I was naturally drawn to the name Ah Ma TeoChew Kuih because “Ah Ma” is how many of us refer to our grandmothers. It made me think of my late grandmother and how much I miss her cooking. I also miss those moments of watching her in the kitchen, whipping up Teochew and Nyonya dishes. Stepping into this restaurant really took me down memory lane.

The place had a VERY retro vibe. We used to have the same TV, telephone, fan, and sofa at home back in the ’80s! It really added to the nostalgia.

When we walked into the restaurant, there weren’t many seats on the ground floor, so we just headed to the back where you’ll find both a spiral and a regular staircase. We went up to the second floor, which had more seating. It was supposed to be air-conditioned, but whether it was just too hot outside or the AC wasn’t doing its job, it still felt really warm, and we were sweating.

A Taste of Teochew Tradition

As the name suggests, Ah Ma TeoChew Kuih is all about authentic Teochew flavours, with recipes that have been passed down to the current 4th generation running the place. The menu features familiar Teochew snacks and dishes like Ku Chai Kuih, Teochew Rice Kuih, Yam Kuih, Teochew Porridge, and braised rice dishes, along with other local favourites.

How to Order

To order, just scan the QR code on your table, place your order, pay, and your food will be brought to you.

I appreciated the extra touch of having hot water available to sterilise the cutlery, just like how many eateries in Hong Kong do it. It’s those little details that make the experience even better.

Here’s What We Ordered

Ah Ma Signature Coffee & Ah Ma Signature Milk Tea (RM6.90 each)

Both were really good—thick, aromatic, and just the right level of sweetness.

Teochew Rice Kuih RM3.50/pc

This reminded me of the ‘png kueh’ my late grandma used to make, except hers was pink from added colouring. The glutinous rice filling was super flavourful and really tasty on its own, even without any sauce. Just one bite brought back a wave of nostalgia.

4th Generation Fried Mang Kuang Kuih RM5/2pcs

Even though I’m Teochew, I had never heard of this mang kuang kuih before. They looked a bit like samosas, with an outer skin similar to thick wonton wrappers. Surprisingly tasty! The filling was packed with flavour, and when you dip it in the chilli sauce provided, it’s seriously shiok. A must-try!

Ah Ma Kampung Curry Mee RM12.90

I’m not usually a big fan of Malaysian curry mee, but my husband wanted to try it, so we went ahead and ordered it. You definitely need to mix in the sambal chilli to give it a proper kick. Like most curry mees we’ve had in Malaysia, the broth was a bit watery and not as flavourful. It actually reminded me of the laksa noodles I used to eat at my primary school’s canteen back in the ’80s—haha!

For the curry mee, you can choose your type of noodles, so we went with a mix of noodles and beehoon. As for the ingredients, it came with cockles, fish cake, long beans, and tau pok.

Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken RM16.90

They mentioned we’d have to wait 15-20 minutes, but it didn’t take that long to arrive. I guess it’s super popular since we saw nasi lemak on almost every table, so the kitchen probably preps a whole batch at once. Even if we had to wait, it would’ve been worth it.

The chicken leg had crispy skin without being too oily, and the meat was really well-marinated. The rice was fragrant, and the chilli was spot on—not too sweet, not too spicy, just perfectly balanced. The crunchy peanuts, crispy anchovies, and sunny side up egg added great textures to the dish. This was a seriously satisfying plate of nasi lemak, and I’d definitely come back for it!

Packing Up Some Kuih for the Road

The kuih was so good that on my way out, I ended up buying a box of rice kuih and yam kuih from the kuih cart outside the restaurant—RM7 per packet.

Just a heads up, the prices mentioned don’t include the 10% service charge. Our total bill came to RM57.30 (about S$17), which I’d say was pretty reasonable.

Final Thoughts

All in all, we had a satisfying meal here. Although I wasn’t a fan of the curry mee (my husband loved it, though) because the flavour was a bit too weak for my taste, I really enjoyed the nasi lemak and mang kuang kuih. The prices were reasonable, and the environment was clean, though they should definitely improve the aircon for a more comfortable dining experience. If you love traditional flavours and a good nasi lemak, make sure to check this place out next time you’re in JB! 😉