Ol’ Skool Makan #16: Salahuddin Bakery, Johor Bahru -- Leaving Jalan Dhoby, Keeping The Soul

There was a virtual riot when the announcement was made. Okay, I may be exaggerating a tad -- but when Salahuddin Bakery revealed in mid-2024 that it would be leaving its 87-year-old home at Jalan Dhoby due to rising costs, the reaction among generations of devoted fans was a potent mix of sadness and disbelief.

Salahuddin Bakery, Jalan Dhoby


After all, Salahuddin Bakery wasn’t just a place to grab pastries on the way home from work. It was an institution -- woven into the everyday rhythms of Johor Bahru life.


But nothing lasts forever, they say. And so, in October 2024, the bakery -- now run by its fourth-generation owner -- finally moved to Bandar Baru Uda, leaving behind Jalan Dhoby and a treasure trove of memories.

Founded in 1937 by Shariff Mohamed Mahku from New Delhi, the bakery grew alongside Jalan Dhoby itself, a street once lined with laundries (hence the name). Over the decades, Salahuddin became renowned for baking some 20 types of traditional breads and pastries, most famously its wood-fired bread made using an old Pakistani recipe that gave each loaf its soft, fluffy texture and unmistakable aroma.


Needless to say, I’ve been a fan since forever. And while the breads are legendary, I almost always buy the same two things: their big, flaky curry puffs (aka karipap bai) and biskut suji. No one makes them quite like they do. No one.

So in May 2025, during a trip back to JB, I had to stop by their new premises at Jalan Jagong 1, Bandar Baru Uda. It felt strange standing in a place that was so familiar yet looked completely brand new. But Alhamdulillah -- the curry puffs and biskut suji tasted exactly the same (and remain affordable!) The only real loss is the old wood-fired oven, which had to be retired due to modern fire safety regulations.

Salahuddin Bakery, Jalan Jagong 1, Bandar Baru Uda


As JB fast-tracks its incredible development, it’s worth remembering that progress shouldn’t come at the expense of heritage institutions like this -- places that quietly, stubbornly, and deliciously form part of the city’s soul.


About Ol' Skool Makan

Ol' Skool Makan is my little tribute to Malaysia’s timeless eateries -- the ones that fed us before hashtags, food apps, and fancy plating. It’s about real food, real people, and memories that still smell like sambal and kopi-O.


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Dapatkan buku 'Kisah Hidup & Budaya Pop Anak Gen-X' di SINI

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