Confession: Growing up in JB, Kluang was just a name I’d heard — one of those small Johor towns that people said had good food and a relaxed vibe. (And lots of keluang [bats] flying everywhere!) I never made it there back then, but now, every time I drive back to JB, it’s almost an automatic stop.
And the first order of business usually? The original Kluang Station, of course. Started as a humble canteen in the railway station in 1938, it has moved with the times and evolved into the well-known “Kluang RailCoffee”, now boasting four modern outlets around town. But the original? That’s where the magic is. It’s kept its rustic charm so well that stepping inside feels like travelling back in time.
Unlike the newer outlets with their expanded menus, the original outlet keeps things simple: a glorious range of breads — roti bun bakar, roti bun gandum, roti keping bakar — plus steamed buns, Malaysian classics, and a long list of beverages.
The laksa warms the soul, the bun bakar is crispy outside and soft inside, and the coffee? Strong enough to fuel your road trip for hours. If you’re with friends and family, don’t bother choosing — just order everything and share.
From there, wander over to Laman Kreatif Kluang, a lane splashed with colourful murals that’s perfect for your next OOTD shot. It’s the kind of place where you can spend half an hour taking “just one more” photo.
But Kluang isn’t just about food and photo ops — it’s got stories in its streets. Founded in 1915 as a railway town, its name comes from keluang, the fruit bats that once filled the skies here. The railway turned it into a bustling hub for rubber and agriculture, and by the 1930s, coffee culture was firmly rooted in its kopitiams. Even wartime didn’t erase its charm; Kluang picked itself up and grew, blending old-world warmth with small-town buzz.
Today, it’s that mix — heritage, flavour, and laid-back charm — that makes Kluang the perfect stopover for anyone with good taste, whether in food, history, or just living well.
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