Grumpy Goat Cafe, Johor Bahru
Don’t let its name deter you. Grumpy Goat Cafe is neither grouchy nor negativistic. On the contrary, Grumpy Goat Cafe serves world-class cuisine in a world-class cafe environment.
Think beautiful wood-panelled walls, lots of lovely green plants, pots of baby breath, candles. One thing that immediately propels this world class cafe heads and shoulders above its Johor Bahru competition is the beautiful art on its walls. There is also a balcony with sofa seating for customers who wish to enjoy a semi-alfresco dining experience. The aircon works and cool cafe beats are piped through the speakers.
The kitchen is helmed by talented young executive Chef Ryan who received extensive training around Japan. He brings his training to please demanding Japanese palettes to create a relatively short menu of Japanese, Western and Fusion cuisine.
Being a specialty coffee house, Grumpy Goat Cafe has an extensive coffee menu expertly prepared by energetic young baristas professionally dressed in uniforms.
Fruit Tea Infusion
Ice cold, refreshing and pleasing to the eye. There is a copious amount of strawberries.
Mocha Ice Blended (RM$18)
Much better than Coffee Bxxn.
For those are craving an alcoholic fix but unable to because they need to drive, they can take solace in the very creative Martini Shakerato (RM$21 — available only cold). Non-alcoholic, hand-shaken and served in a martini glass, this is perhaps the classiest coffee I have ever seen.
Vienna Coffee (RM$28)
Authentic Vienna Coffee served in the loveliest china I have ever seen in Johor Bahru. I thought I was having afternoon tea in The Peninsula in Hong Kong.
Mapo Tofu Teishoku (RM$28)
Prawns, Tofu, House Special Spicy Mapo Sauce, Japanese Rice, Soup. Pickled Vegetables
This is a simple dish. I am not usually impressed with local Chinese food but I feel like I can eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The spiciness and the slight hint of umami in the mapo sauce went well together. The tofu added lightness and interesting soft texture. The miso soup is of course salty with just a slight hint of umami. The pickles are sour with a hint of sweetness. So basically all the flavours are all this plate. This little plate takes you on a complete taste journey. What a clever plate.
Signature Chicken Chop (RM$30)
Chicken, Mashed Potato, Selected Vegetables, Cream Sauce, Black Pepper Sauce, Parmesan Cheese
White Tuna Steak (RM$35)
Japanese White Tuna, Mashed Potato, Cream Sauce, Pineapple Salsa, Mushroom Sauce, Selected Vegetables
The proteins are fresh. Since the chicken and fish are both lean, the cream sauce was a welcomed balance. Chef Ryan didn’t neglect the details—- the mashed potato was creamy. The tangy pineapple salsa on the tuna gave the main a refreshing lift into a whole other level. Both the Chicken Chop and the Tuna Steak were well-conceived and well executed.
Torched Carbonara (RM$24)
Fettucine, Japanese Sesame Sauce, Mixed Mushrooms
Creamy, oh-so-satisfying and with arresting colours, what’s not to like?
Grumpy Goat Cafe
6C, C, 02, Jalan Suria 7, Bandar Seri Alam
Masai, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +6017-891 1366
