The moment you step into Century Street Food Court at No. 221, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, the fans hit you first — rows of industrial ceiling fans pushing warm night air across more than 50 stalls, each one lit up with its own illuminated order tag, the smoke from satay grills drifting past tables of families cracking tiger claws and shouting orders across the compound. It is 7pm on a Friday and every table is taken. This, lah, is why people come to JB.
Century Street Food Court — also known as Medan Selera Century or simply Century Foodcourt among locals — is rated 4.1 out of 5 from over 1,600 Google reviews and sits at number 3 in the top-rated food courts in Johor Bahru. Big screen projector, fans big enough to cool a warehouse, and stalls selling everything from claypot chicken rice to grilled otak-otak. Not bad for a place most tourists walk right past on the way to the mall.
What exactly is Century Street Food Court?
It is a large open-air hawker complex at Lot 15350, No. 221 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Century Garden, 80250 Johor Bahru — directly opposite KSL City Mall, right in the Taman Abad neighbourhood. Over 50 individual stalls operate under the same sprawling roof, each independent, each specialising in something different. The compound is big enough that you genuinely need a few visits to work through all of it. A large projector screen at the back makes it a popular gathering spot on sports nights; the atmosphere goes from noisy-and-lively during dinner to supper-crowd-mellow after 10pm. Contact number on file: +60 16-707 7700.
What time does Century Street Food Court open?
This is one you need to get right: Century Street Food Court opens at 4:00 PM and closes at 2:00 AM, daily. It is closed during the daytime. No breakfast, no lunch — this is a dinner and supper operation, full stop. If you turn up at noon expecting hawker food, you will find a quiet, shuttered compound. Plan accordingly.
Best time to visit: 6PM to 9PM for the widest stall selection and the liveliest atmosphere. Most stalls are fully open, the crowd is at its peak, and the place has that proper pasar malam energy. After 9PM, queues shorten considerably and the mood gets more relaxed — better for a slower supper. Weekends get very crowded, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when the Singapore crowd is in town.
What food can you find here? Is the variety really that good?
Honestly, yes. Fifty-plus stalls is not a marketing number — you will find:
- Char kway teow — wok-hei flat rice noodles, the classic version
- Laksa — rich coconut-milk curry noodle soup
- Satay — both chicken and pork versions are present (see halal note below)
- Otak-otak — spiced fish paste in banana leaf, grilled over charcoal
- Lok lok — skewered ingredients dipped in boiling broth at the table
- Claypot chicken rice — smoky, slow-cooked, sedap gila
- Grilled seafood — stingray, prawns, squid
- Salted egg crab — rich and a bit indulgent, confirm worth it
- Mookata — Thai-style steamboat-and-BBQ combo
- Dumplings, wonton soup — for when you want something lighter
The illuminated order tags at each stall make it genuinely easy to navigate even on your first visit. Grab a seat, scan the compound, and let the signs guide you to whatever your stomach decides first.
Is Century Street Food Court halal?
This one you need to know before you go. Century Street Food Court is not halal-certified as a whole venue. It is a mixed food court: the majority of stalls serve halal-friendly Malaysian dishes — char kway teow, laksa, seafood, otak-otak — but pork stalls are present (pork satay, pork porridge, pig intestine) and alcohol (Carlsberg beer) is sold at the compound. Food review site Chiefeater.com explicitly categorises it as Non-Halal.
Muslim visitors: individual stalls serving halal-friendly dishes do operate here, but the court as a whole is not certified. Ask stall operators directly about pork-free cooking oils and shared utensils before ordering. When in doubt, choose stalls with clear halal signage or opt for sealed, packaged items.
How far is Century Street Food Court from KSL D'Esplanade?
From KSL D'Esplanade on Jalan Seladang, Century Street Food Court is approximately 700 to 800 metres — under 10 minutes on foot. The walking route follows Jalan Dato Sulaiman past a stretch of car workshops. It is a straightforward walk but there is no proper footpath on this section of road, so pedestrians keep to the roadside. Fine at night if you are comfortable with it; if you would rather skip the walk, a Grab from KSL D'Esplanade costs under RM5 and takes under 2 minutes by car. Most of our guests just Grab it.
What about parking at Century Foodcourt?
If you are driving, two options: a paid Touch-and-Go gantry car park directly behind the food court (bring your Touch and Go card — the gantry is cashless), and limited free roadside parking along Jalan Dato Sulaiman. Parking fills up fast on weekend evenings. If you arrive after 7PM on a Saturday, the roadside spots will likely be gone. Use the paid gantry, or better yet, Grab it and skip the hunt entirely.
Quick facts
- Address: No. 221 / Lot 15350, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Century Garden, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
- Operating hours: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM daily (closed during daytime)
- Halal status: Not halal-certified. Mixed venue — pork stalls and alcohol present. Muslim visitors verify individual stalls.
- Distance from KSL D'Esplanade: Approximately 700–800 m (under 10 min walk, or under 2 min by Grab/car)
- Parking: Paid Touch-and-Go gantry behind the court; limited free roadside on Jalan Dato Sulaiman
- Google Maps: Open in Google Maps
- Google rating: 4.1 / 5 from over 1,600 reviews — #3 Top Rated Food Court in Johor Bahru
One insider tip
The big projector screen at the back is not just decoration — on nights with a football match or major sports event, the compound fills up earlier than usual and the atmosphere is genuinely electric. If you are planning a visit around a match night, arrive by 5:30PM to secure a good table. And if you are undecided on supper vs dinner: go for dinner, stay for supper. The second round always hits better.
Planning a trip to Johor Bahru? Book your stay at Southern Homestay — our studio and 2-bedroom units at KSL D'Esplanade are approximately 700–800 metres from Century Street Food Court, Jalan Dato Sulaiman. WhatsApp us at +60 12-708 8789 to check availability.