Making day trips to Johor Bahru’s Aeon Bukit Indah (previously known as JUSCO) for shopping is one of Singaporean’s favorite pastime.
Getting there: You can take CW3/CW4 buses (Berth B1) from Jurong East Temp Interchange direct to Bukit Indah Aeon. Or you can take CW6 bus from Boon Lay Interchange to Bukit Indah Aeon. Cost is S$4 per pax. Pay exact fare as change is subject to availability. The bus is quite frequent, about 20 mins approx. You can take any CW bus from Jurong East Temp Interchange to Tuas Checkpoint, any CW bus to CIQ 2nd Link. Once you clear the Malaysian immigration, to take the CW bus to Bukit Indah, walk to to the extreme end of the walk way, where you will see Berth 1, CW3 to go to Bukit Indah. (Take note, CW bus here will also go to Sutera Mall. Always check the destination displayed on the CW bus or ask the bus driver before boarding. The CW bus will alight you at the bus stop outside Bukit Indah Aeon Mall.
Coming back from Bukit Indah Aeon to Singapore, the cost is RM 5 per pax. Only pay exact fare as they do not give change. To take the CW Bus back to Singapore, they have changed the pick-up point early this year 2018 to the same bus stop outside Bukit Indah Aeon Mall (where they alight you earlier), not opposite the bus-stop. But you need to ask the bus driver before boarding (as not all CW buses go back to Singapore). This new arrangement is better especially when it rains, as there are shelter all the way from Aeon Mall to the bus stop.
Around the Vicinity of AEON Bukit Indah Mall:
Once you alight at the Bukit Indah Aeon’s Bus Stop, there is a zebra crossing to cross to the other side. Once you cross the road, you will see Restoran Osman. There is a small lane besides Restoran Osman, just walk straight down this lane, you will see “Face To Face Noodle House 面对面”. This noodle house is famous for their Sarawak Noodle (or Kolok Mee). Their noodle is QQ and fresh, it is even more delicious once you add their crispy prawn chilli. You can choose their traditional Sarawak noodle (dry), with or without dark sauce, with or without chilli. They also have the Pan noodle, which is fatter version of the noodle. But comparatively, I still prefer their Sarawak noodle, thinner. We also tried their Chef’s specialty fried dumplings, which is very crispy and yummy.
Once you step outside this “Face to Face Noodle House“, in front is a car park. Just turn to your left and walked towards the direction of Hotel Granada and Restoran Loon Sing. At the end of the road, you will see “Ming Ang 明安特產專賣店“. Every day they will freshly bake the Heong Piah (or Heong Heah), which is a must for us to buy home on every trip. We also like their Siew Bao, which has 2 versions. The chicken is the sweet version while the mushroom is the savory version. We like their savory version which is always sold out.
If you wish to stay overnight in JB to shop at Bukit Indah, you can stay at Hotel Granada (which we have tried before). There is a MacDonald next to Hotel Granada.
Inside AEON Bukit Indah Mall
Once you go through the main entrance, there is a kiddie ride. Kids can ride the electronic kids cars or scooters, RM 4 for 5 mins/ RM 6 for 10 mins. Parents or kids can use remote control to control the cars/scooters.
On eateries, on Ground floor, there is our nostalgic A&W Restoran for our ice-cream waffle, curly fries and root beer float. If you need free internet, go to Starbucks or J.Co. There’s Secret Recipe for affordable cheesecakes or cakes. Lavender for bakery selections. Other eateries include Manhattan Fish Market, KFC, Kenny Rogers, Auntie Anne, llaollao, Baskin Robbins, etc. We usually will buy durian ice-cream at Taste Better (but their durian puffs are way too sweet). There is also Watson, Hock Hua Tonic, etc.
On Level 1, there is a shop that sells affordable teenager’s clothes, Two Nine fashion, but they do not allow you to try on the clothes. Other food eateries on Level 1 Food Street are S.D.S Restoran, Tea Garden, Soul Thai Restaurant, Sedap Corner,
On Level 2, there is Popular Bookstore, Daiso, Yubiso, ToysRus, etc.
Not forgetting AEON has 3 storeys there, including a hypermart at Ground Floor for your grocery shopping. It is always very crowded at the hypermart with long queues to the cashier, usually filled with Singaporeans buying our daily necessities. On Level 1 and Level 2, you can usually see quite a few Cashier counters, but no one is mending them. A few days ago, we went to Level 2 to buy some clothes, the entire floor only has 1 cashier that is opened, so naturally there is a long queue of people waiting to pay.
TESCO and GIANT Shopping Malls
If you still have energy after a fun filled day at AEON Bukit Indah, you can grab a taxi or check with the CW bus if they will alight you outside TESCO. From the bus-stop outside AEON Bukit Indah, taking the CW bus that travels straight down, at the end of the road is Tesco, another Hypermart. Opposite TESCO is GIANT shopping mall.
Trust me, you will not go home empty handed…..