The Causeway jam is a nightmare for Singaporeans looking forward to enjoying ourselves in JB. However, most people find it worth the hassle due to such extensive grocery options there. Exchange rates also remain favourable (to our advantage, thankfully). So, before heading out to brave the jam, only one question remains: which supermarket’s the best?
We’ve compiled a list of supermarkets for different types of grocery shopping, from family outings to premium picks. Be sure to save this article and shop to your heart’s content!
01 • Best for low prices and bulk buying — NSK Trade City
If your family treats every JB getaway as a restock mission, NSK Trade City is a great place to start. You’ll find bulk groceries, household essentials, fresh produce at warehouse-style prices, and plenty of fresh seafood—so you’ll want to leave room in the car boot.
If you don’t own your own ride, renting a GetGo for the day is a lifesaver (yes, you can drive a GetGo into Malaysia, more on that below). Go ahead and max out the boot with all your groceries without dragging heavy bags up the cross-border bus.
But for those of you crossing via Tuas, the Nusajaya NSK Trade City outlet is a quick 30-minute (14.8km) drive via Second Link, right within Sunway Big Box Retail Park.
📍Address: Lot G-01, Pusat Komersial Sunway Marketplace Persiaran Medini 6, Sunway Iskandar Bandar, 79250 Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia
⏰ Opening hours: 9am – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: nsktrade.com/nsk5
For Woodlands commuters, the NSK Trade City Pandan Johor Bahru is the outlet you want to visit, since it's 40mins (14km) via AH2 away from the Woodlands Checkpoint.
📍Address: Jalan Waja 9, Kawasan Perindustrian Pandan, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
⏰ Opening hours: 7am – 11pm daily
🌐 Website: nsktrade.com/nsk5
02 • Best all-round supermarket for families — AEON Hypermarket (Tebrau City)
Let's be real: grocery runs are draining, especially with the young and old. Kids get bored (except when they’re at the toy aisle) while seniors might appreciate a coffee break between shops.
AEON is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, and might just save you some trouble with its wide range of shopping outlets. The hypermarket features fresh produce, an extensive selection of authentic Japanese food items such as ramen and snacks, as well as a ready-to-eat section. International imports also include standard Western, Korean, and wellness products.
The facility features various dining options and even a cinema (great for the old folks to take a rest). For parents, y'all will be pleased to know that there is an indoor gym for kids, a theme park/playground, and an arcade centre to help keep them entertained.
Also, AEON is connected directly to IKEA Tebrau and Toppen Shopping Centre via a sheltered linkway! Perfect for those IKEA furniture runs or more shopping at Toppen 😉.
📍Address: 1, Jalan Desa Tebrau, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 10am – 10pm | Fri & Sat, 10am – 10:30pm | Sunday, 10am - 10:30 pm
🌐 Website: aeonmallmy.com/page/mall/aeon-mall-tebrau-city
03 • Best for a one-stop day trip — Lotus’s KSL City
Formerly known as Tesco, Lotus’s has undergone a refreshing makeover for a more pleasant shopping experience. It’s a popular weekend grocery spot for us Singaporeans, which is no surprise thanks to its location in KSL City.
KSL City is a popular spot for haircuts, manicures, and even massages. If you already have an appointment to glam up or relax, you might as well grab some pantry necessities (are there ever enough Oreos in the snack drawer?) or household supplies before heading home. No need for a separate detour; just wrap up all your errands in a single location and head home. True Singaporean-style efficiency.
📍Address: LG-26, KSL City, 33, Jalan Seladang, Taman Century, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
⏰ Opening hours: 10am – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: corp.lotuss.com.my/stores/store-locator/lotuss-ksl-city
04 • Best for premium goods — Village Grocer (Mid Valley Southkey)
For those of you who are all about premium, high-quality produce like organic food or Western/ Australian products, Village Grocer might just be heaven for you!
A clean and aesthetic layout alongside an impressive lineup of imports has made this supermarket a favourite amongst Singaporeans. There’s even a vegetarian/vegan café, offering clean-eating variations of popular Asian and Malaysian dishes (I can finally eat them guilt-free 😋).
📍Address: Lot AT-02 LG, The Mall, Mid Valley, Persiaran Southkey 1, Southkey, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
⏰ Opening hours: 10am – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: villagegrocer.com.my
Pro-tips for Singaporean shoppers
After painstakingly crossing the border, hunting down groceries, and having a good time, a checkpoint delay is an exhausting way to end your JB trip.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) allows us to bring food products back, as long as you stay within the limits.
We’ve compiled a summary of the regulations below; do take a look!
Drive to Malaysia with GetGo
We now let you drive our vehicles straight into Malaysia, using the same exact app. The best part? NO mileage charge.
Drive to Malaysia (DTM) cars come with a VEP RFID tag installed, so all you need is the physical Touch ‘n Go card (loaded with at least RM20) for the toll gantry at the checkpoint.
Important: Cross-border bookings have to be at least 12 hours long (so you have enough time to travel back home safely), and the fuel tank has to be at least ¾ full before leaving Singapore.
Curious about how GetGo can make your weekend grocery run easier? Click here to find out more!
(Featured photo from: Pixabay)
Related articles
- Ipoh food guide: 12 places for bean sprout chicken, white coffee, and more
- Malaysia roadtrip from Singapore: 5 itineraries, plus trip reports!
- Your guide to the tastiest food spots in JB
- Your guide to Singapore petrol prices right now: SPC, ESSO, RON, and more
- Top JB cinemas to catch a movie and chillax in
