Johor’s growing influence in Southeast Asia’s Halal gastronomy landscape was recognized at the HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards (HTGA) 2025 Johor, held at Rimbunan @ Mall of Medini. The event brought together culinary leaders, restaurateurs, and industry professionals in celebration of Malaysia’s rich and diverse Halal dining scene.
Marking Johor’s first appearance in the awards series, HTGA 2025 expanded its recognition across two key cities – Singapore and Johor – further strengthening regional collaboration within the Muslim-friendly culinary ecosystem. The Singapore edition honored 25 trailblazing winners for creativity and impact, while the Johor event continued the momentum by spotlighting the region’s most inspiring Halal establishments and culinary talents.
The HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards Johor recognized outstanding achievements across four key categories: Diamond Awards, Best-in-Class Awards, Gastronomy Showdown, and the Legacy Award. Together, these accolades showcase Johor’s dynamic contribution to Malaysia’s evolving Halal gastronomy sector; where tradition meets innovation and faith-inspired hospitality drives culinary excellence.
The Diamond Awards honored Johor’s most distinguished Halal establishments that exemplify consistency, creativity, and service excellence. These winners represent the gold standard in Halal gastronomy, crafting dining experiences that balance authenticity with modern culinary expression.
Winners: ABBU BAKAR | ALINA Cafe Bakery | Beriani Bonda House | Cookies & Ginger Restaurant | Halaman by Dapur Western | Hijrah Dim Sum JB | Ikhwan Coffee | Klasik Kopitiam | Laman Puteh by Coffee Texas | ME'NATE STEAK HUB | MEE NA MI | Nenek In Forest | Petals & Bakes | Rumiplace | Serambi Uda Café | The Burgers
The Best-in-Class Awards spotlighted establishments setting benchmarks of excellence within specific culinary categories, reflecting Johor’s diversity and innovation.
Winners:
Best Concept Restaurant/Café: Rumiplace
Best Ethnic Restaurant/Café: ABBU BAKAR
Best Specialty Café/Kiosk/Bakery: ALINA Cafe Bakery
Service Excellence Award: Cookies & Ginger Restaurant
Best Halal Restaurant Chain: Oriental Kopi
The Gastronomy Showdown recognized emerging culinary talent shaping the future of Halal dining through creativity and craftsmanship. This year’s cross-border chef cook-off, held aboard StarDream Cruises on 2 October 2025, brought together chefs from Johor and Singapore in a showcase of skill and innovation.
Winners:
Best Forward Chef: Jannahtul Akhma Binti Juraini, Chef de Partie, Pawana Restaurant Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort
Most Promising Chef: Muhammad Riezafi Bin Jamri, Demi Chef, Suasana Suites Café
The Legacy Award honored the pioneers whose vision and dedication have shaped Johor’s Halal gastronomy identity and inspired future generations.
Winner: Kluang RailCoffee
The HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards 2025 Johor was organized in collaboration with Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB), Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), Tourism Johor, Johor Chef Association, and Mall of Medini. These valued partners share a unified vision of advancing Halal culinary excellence, nurturing local talent, and strengthening Johor’s position as a leading destination for Muslim-friendly dining and travel.
Building on the momentum of the Singapore edition, the Johor event represents a pivotal milestone for HTGA 2025. It reaffirms the awards’ purpose — to recognize innovation, authenticity, and inclusivity within the global Halal gastronomy landscape, while fostering stronger collaboration between destinations, industry stakeholders, and the wider Muslim travel community.
Johor’s debut at HTGA 2025 signifies more than local achievement — it highlights the state’s role in Malaysia’s broader Halal tourism and F&B ecosystem. By recognizing culinary innovators who embrace Halal integrity alongside creative excellence, the awards reinforce Johor’s reputation as a regional hub for Muslim-friendly dining.
As the awards gain wider recognition, Raudha Zaini, Director of Operations at HalalTrip, noted that the event has successfully achieved its goal of celebrating the passion, creativity, and innovation driving Johor’s vibrant Halal dining scene. “Each winner represents the true essence of Johor’s culinary identity, where heritage meets modernity,” she shared.
Dato’ Idzham Mohd Hashim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Iskandar Investment Berhad, highlighted that the HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards 2025 Johor marks an important milestone in showcasing the state’s culinary excellence on a regional platform. “Through initiatives like this, we continue to strengthen collaboration among industry players, entrepreneurs, and creative communities, driving economic vitality while elevating Johor’s cultural identity in the global marketplace,” he added.
Beyond recognition, the HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards serve as a platform for collaboration across destinations, fostering stronger connections between Halal-certified establishments, tourism stakeholders, and consumers. Together with CrescentRating’s vision to advance global Halal travel standards, the initiative continues to celebrate the people and places shaping the next chapter of Halal gastronomy.
As Johor steps into the spotlight, its culinary landscape reflects a broader movement — one where authenticity, inclusivity, and innovation define the Halal dining experience. Through initiatives like HTGA, CrescentRating and HalalTrip remain committed to empowering destinations to showcase their Halal excellence and inspire meaningful growth within the global Muslim travel and hospitality sector.
