Bali-inspired Otto Cafe in Johor Bahru serves Western cuisine with Asian fusion flavours

There are plenty of cafes to check out in Johor Bahru, but if you’re looking for a fresh spot to try, here’s one.

Opened in September last year, Otto Cafe is the latest venture by 28-year-old chef Joaline Wong. 

She entered the culinary scene in 2018 with an interest in European-Asian cuisine while working across a variety of F&B establishments, ranging from casual brunch cafes to fine-dining kitchens such as the now-defunct Tippling Club. Along the way, she’d spent time at well-known Singapore cafes such as Frankie & Ferns and East Coast Commune, too. 

After several years working in Singapore, Joaline decided to return to her hometown of Johor Bahru to start something of her own. This led to the opening of Otto Cafe, where she brings together familiar flavours with a creative twist, shaped by the experience she gained across different concepts.

A Bali-like escape

Even before stepping into Otto Cafe, its Bali-inspired charm is hard to miss. The space, which was once someone’s home, has since been redeveloped into the tropical cafe you see today — with warm earthy tones, textured walls, and lush greenery creating a relaxed, getaway-like atmosphere.

Inside, the laid-back vibe carries through with a variety of seating options — cosy tables ideal for working or lingering over brunch, larger tables that can seat groups of up to eight, and a brighter corner softly accented with sculpted paper lamps.

A satisfying spread

Joaline’s interest in European-Asian cuisine also shapes the menu at Otto Cafe. Here, Western dishes are paired with Asian influences, with options ranging from hearty brunch plates and proteins, to pastas, pastries, and aesthetic-looking drinks.

To start, we had the crispy cauliflower with sour plum dust and almond flakes (RM23 or S$7.46). 

Its name may seem pretty nondescript, but it quickly surpassed our expectations. Perfect as a shareable dish, the crispy cauliflower is coated in tangy sour-plum dust and topped with crisp almond flakes for an added crunch. The balance of sweet, tangy, and savoury flavours makes it surprisingly addictive.

There was also the soft shell crab toast (RM35) — a sourdough toast topped with curry egg mayonnaise and crispy soft shell crab. It’s a hearty, high-protein option that makes for a satisfying brunch, especially if you’re looking to switch things up from the usual avocado on toast.

For mains, we tried the kam heong spaghetti (RM37) — a name that might be unfamiliar to some Singaporeans. Kam heong is a Malaysian stir-fry flavour often found in Chinese seafood restaurants, known for its fragrant, savoury-spicy sauce. Here, it’s reimagined as a pasta dish with flavours reminiscent of laksa.

The golden salmon fillet (RM38) was another highlight. The fish is perfectly pan-seared, staying soft, flaky and moist. It comes served with a coconut-tom kha sauce, alongside green peas and papaya, with mashed potatoes on the side for a comforting, well-rounded plate.

Another dish that you can’t go wrong with was the steak and eggs (RM95). Served medium-done, the steak was juicy and flavourful, paired with creamy mashed potatoes and two sunny-side-up eggs.

Drinks-wise, there’s quite a variety — from coffee to non-caffeinated options, as well as refreshing picks such as the acai banana nut smoothie (RM22), which is both refreshing and great for the ‘gram.

Other interesting drink options include the roasted brown rice (RM18) — a nutty, aromatic drink — and the matcha affogato with crushed peanuts (RM16).

With its laid-back atmosphere and cosy interiors, Otto Cafe brings a slice of Bali to JB.

Whether you’re stopping by for brunch, catching up with friends, or settling in to get some work done, it’s an easy spot to spend a few hours — especially if you’re heading across the border and looking for a relaxed cafe that can accommodate bigger groups!

For more on what to eat, check out other JB cafes to visit, and the new Orchard Plaza spot Steak Gatz, which serves Japanese hotplate steak.