Founded in 2012, Niko Niko Onigiri is built around a modern Japanese café concept combining traditional onigiri, casual Japanese cuisine and Instagram-friendly design elements. Their latest outlet in Johor Bahru is situated in Johor Jaya, about 20-30 mins ride away from Singapore customs.
Typically packed on the weekends, with long queues forming outside during peak hours, I took the chance to visit on a weekday before noon, when the café was still relatively empty and peaceful.
The modern, cutesy aesthetics has undoubtedly attracted lots of Gen Z and millennials to the café – from the aquariums, tiled tables, skylight to the logos and illustrations on the menu. Even I found their branding and concept appealing. I grabbed one of the coveted tables with the vibrant backdrop of the goldfish tank.
Take note that while the café opens early from 9am everyday, only the Breakfast Sets (RM6.9, SGD2.2 for 1 onigiri, miso soup and potato salad, RM11.9, SGD3.8 for 2 onigiris, soup and salad) are served before 11am. Mains and desserts are available from 11am.
I started with the Hot Matcha Latte (RM14.9, SGD4.8, + RM2, SGD0.6 for oat milk), which was just alright, passable compared to better ones I’ve had in JB. For the colourful aesthetics, you could also consider their Strawberry Matcha (RM16.9, SGD5.5), Hojinut (RM13.9, SGD4.5) – coconut water with hojicha foam, or the Ghibli’s (RM17.9, SGD5.8) with blue butterfly pea, coconut milk, yogurt, and shine muscat grape.
I could not skip the Onigiri Set (RM14.9, SGD4.8) given that the café is the namesake of the dish. The set cane with a choice of 2 Onigiris and is served with Miso Soup, Potato Salad and Kaarage. From the variety of onigiri fillings, I picked natto and teriyaki salmon. While the onigiris were decent, I did not think they were especially umami and worth queueing for.
For my main dish, I had the Una Don (RM33.9, SGD10.9) which came with flame torched Japanese eel, homemade tamagoyaki and spring onion topped on okaka rice. It was also accompanied with potato salad and miso soup. Flavour and texture wise, the unagi was sweet and smoky with a crisp torched surface and tender flesh, and the tamagoyaki was subtly sweet and substantial. However, the rice was not well-seasoned (despite its colour), and the entire dish was barely lukewarm, which made me feel unsettled.
I did not have space for their dessert which was their Signature Tiramisu (RM20, SGD6.5) made with espresso-based sponge cake, fresh mascarpone, dark chocolate, sea salt and pure cocoa.
28, Jalan Dedap 7, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
9am – 8.30pm daily
Foodography: A Singapore Food Blog 