Eating out in Johor Baru is proving costly, prompting some to take home-cooked meals to work to save money.
While long-time residents may be accustomed to these rates, many who move to the city for work or marriage are often shocked by how expensive meals can be.
Many social media users have been expressing frustration, stating that cooked food in the city was surprisingly more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur.
“Food prices in Johor Baru will rise over time, and residents, including new arrivals, must accept this reality,” said Syazwani Faizulbahri, 31.
The project engineer who works in downtown Johor Baru said a lunch of nasi campur (mixed rice) with fried chicken, vegetable, an omelette slice and a glass of iced tea would cost RM15.
Different eateries had their own prices and it was up to consumers to choose an outlet that suited their budget, she said.
“My lunch of nasi campur with similar side dishes at a nearby eatery costs RM19,” she said, adding that she now takes home-cooked meals to the office or buys breakfast and lunch from roadside stalls on her way to work.
“I spend only RM10 for breakfast and lunch that way,” she added.
Costume jewellery and accessories shop co-proprietor Irene Wong said eating out in Johor Baru was also an expensive affair for her and her husband.
The couple spends RM30 daily for breakfast at a kopitiam in Taman Abad, consisting of two half-boiled eggs each, two bowls of soup noodles and two cups of black coffee.
Lunch of plain rice and vegetables from a food court at Larkin Sentral Terminal where their shop is located, costs them RM20.
“We tried having breakfast at different eateries, but there is not much difference in pricing,” said Wong, 65.
She said some of her relatives from Kuala Lumpur also commented that eating out in Johor Baru was too costly for average wage earners, unlike in the capital city.
Customer service employee S. Vinoshen, who started working at Singapore’s Changi Airport four months ago, claimed cooked food cost less in the republic than in Johor Baru, in terms of purchasing power.
“You can get a plate of chicken rice for S$4 to S$5 (RM12.64 to RM15.80), whereas in Johor Baru, it costs you RM8 to RM10.”
Vinoshen said rentals in Johor Baru, especially at condominiums, were also more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur.
The 21-year-old who hails from Puchong, Selangor, said the average monthly rental for a two-room apartment near the Causeway was RM2,400.
“Demand is good, especially from Malaysians working in the republic,” he said.
