This friendly, family-run restaurant brings a bit of Johor to KL, relying on recipes that catering veteran Khaty Ahmad inherited from her mother.

1. Katie's Stove8. Katie's Stove

Johor specialties

The star attraction is the Johor Laksa (RM15.90), made with ikan parang (wolf herring) in adherence to authenticity, aromatic with mild spices, creamy with a coconut milk gravy, balanced with shredded cucumbers, sliced onions and bean sprouts. The portion’s small, but the laksa has a nice home-made feel to it.

2. Katie's Stove - Johor Laksa

The nasi lemak with fried chicken (RM14.90) makes for a heavier meal – the rice is flavoured Johor-style, featuring fenugreek, lemongrass and ginger for added nuances.

3. Katie's Stove - nasi lemak

The best time to visit Katie’s Stove is on tranquil weekends, when several Saturday-Sunday specials surface. The lontong (RM12.90) – rice cakes in a coconut vegetable stew – with sambal tumis sotong is delicious; it tastes like a fully formed, lovingly prepared recipe perfected through the generations.

4. Katie's Stove - rice cakes in coconut vegetable stew with sambal tumis sotong

Kacang phool (RM9.90), another Johor Baru brekkie favourite, boasts a blend of ful medames fava beans with the softness of baby food, paired with egg and toast – total comfort cooking.

5. Katie's Stove - Kacang phool

Complete your meal with crispy-flaky roti bom and mixed vegetable dalca (RM6.90), washed down with Johor’s medium-roast Kopi Muar (RM7.90 per pot) and Kopi Pak Belalang (RM3.50; made sweetish with cocoa powder, black cumin, acai berry and maqui berry).

6. Katie's Stove - roti bom 7. Katie's Stove - kpi muar and kopi pak belalang9. Katie's Stove 10. Katie's Stove

Location & Details

Katie’s Stove

Terrace At Hock Choon, Lorong Nibong, Off Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Open Tues-Fri, 11am-6pm; Sat-Sun, 830am-6pm.

Tel: 03-4265-6520

Find: View Katie’s Stove’s directory here