Nestled in the vibrant heart of Kampung Stulang Laut, Johor Bahru, 老渔夫海鲜汤 Old Fisherman Restaurant stands as a true haven for seafood lovers craving authentic Malaysian flavors. This seafood restaurant resonates with a rustic charm, welcoming diners into a casual yet lively atmosphere where the aroma of simmering fish head soups and fresh spices instantly enchants the senses.
The menu is a delightful showcase of Malaysia’s rich seafood heritage, featuring standout dishes such as the Fish Head Steamboat (MYR 38.00) – a generous pot brimming with tender fish head pieces and an aromatic, flavorful broth that many patrons rave about for its perfect balance of sweetness and savoriness. The Claypot Fish Head & Yam Mee Hoon Soup offers a comforting combination where silky yam and soft mee hoon swim in a fragrant, hearty soup.
Snacks like the Shrimp Paste Chicken Wings and the Signature Chicken Claws add a crispy, umami-packed start to the meal, perfectly complementing the seafood-centered mains. For those wanting to customize their dining experience, the add-on selection—including fresh prawns, fish balls, scallops, and abalone slices—invites guests to tailor their hotpots with premium ingredients that underscore Old Fisherman’s commitment to freshness and quality.
Many visitors are particularly enchanted by their variety of fish head soups, praised for their rich, fragrant broths and tender fish that “melt in the mouth.” One enthusiastic diner noted the Fish Head Pot as a highlight of their feast, emphasizing the broth’s depth and satisfying flavor. The Seafood Porridge is another crowd favorite—comforting, clean, and packed with fresh oceanic goodness, embodying the essence of home-cooked style seafood cuisine.
The restaurant's drink offerings, including refreshing Lemon Tea and soothing Pandan Lemongrass, provide a perfect palate cleanser alongside heavier soups. Traditional Malaysian desserts like Cendol and Ice Kacang round off the meal with delightful sweetness and cool textures.
Beyond the food, the attentive and friendly service enhances the overall dining experience. Customers often remark on the warm hospitality and prompt attentiveness — key ingredients that make every visit memorable. While some dishes, such as the yam in the claypot soup, received mixed feedback for texture, the overall response underscores a well-loved institution that continuously draws both locals and travelers seeking authentic seafood fare without breaking the bank.
Old Fisherman Restaurant’s location at Vantage Bay adds to its appeal, offering an accessible and welcoming venue for those looking to indulge in flavors that celebrate Malaysia’s rich culinary diversity. Whether you’re craving a hearty fish head soup, crispy snacks, or a flavorful seafood hotpot, this cherished spot promises a rich dining adventure that lingers in both taste and memory.
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L. PK
19/11/2025
Uncle was nice and friendly. Service was attentive. The hotpot fish was very nice, sweet was sweet. Assam fish was slightly on the sweeter side. Fish head was good, very fragrant.
Xaxxolonch
03/11/2025
Love their fish head soup! Big portion and their fish was fresh love their soy sauce sweet and refreshing. Their service was great too. Their new menu laksa got the si ham worth it. Their prawn roll was good and their price was cheap in my opinion their dry noodles was super good too.
Loh Jansen
27/10/2025
A casual spot with a solid selection of fresh seafood dishes on the menu. Overall, not bad—though a bit of a mixed bag. The seafood porridge was definitely a hit. Simple, clean, and packed with flavour. Comfort food done right. On the flip side, the fish head with yam hotpot missed the mark slightly. The yam was sliced too thin, which clouded up the soup more than expected. Also, I’m fairly certain what I got was fish collar instead of fish head. Flavour-wise, it was still decent, but the sweetness of the yam dominated the broth. A bit of acidity from salted veg or tomato would’ve really helped to balance things out. Still, the place shows promise. Will probably give it another go.
Woan Ying Ong
03/10/2025
If you’re in JB and craving seafood, Old Fisherman 老渔夫 is a gem that has truly stood the test of time. We had a feast and amazed by both the quality and variety. The highlight was definitely the Fish Head Pot the broth was rich, flavourful, and the fish so tender it melted in the mouth. The spread also included Tom Yum Seafood Soup, Signature Laksa, Fish Cakes, Prawn Rolls, Chicken Skewers, White Snapper Assam Steamed Fish, Handmade Fishball Soup, and even Shark Fin Soup. Every dish was cooked with care and tasted fresh. To top it off, dessert was refreshing Longan Ai-Yu Jelly and Chendol, the perfect sweet ending. Service was warm, portions were generous, and the price was incredibly wallet-friendly for the amount of food we got. Definitely worth the visit if you’re ever in Stulang, Johor Bahru. Highly recommend!
Liu Rita
02/10/2025
No park- It’s truly unforgettable — the flavors are simply amazing! The first time I tried it was at the main branch, and today I visited the Sentosa branch. The fish was incredibly fresh and surprisingly affordable. Each portion, meant for one person, comes with a generous amount of fish, and the special fish cake is wonderfully springy and smooth in the mouth. I’ll definitely come back again with my friends and family on many other occasions. This is truly one of the best restaurants in Johor Bahru to enjoy delicious seafood dishes with your loved ones. No
Hong GZ
02/09/2025
Nice eatery, recommended to me by a local PHV driver and while i was there, also saw a few locals coming in for lunch. Ordered the seafood soup, chicken wings, seafood porridge, coffee and a free fish cake (given to us on the house). The dishes were hits and misses. Of all these, seafood porridge is the one that i would recommend. Porridge taste fresh although some of the ingredients can be better (e.g. the prawns were abit too mushy and the fishballs slightly fishy). However, the fresh fish slices in it more than make up for it. Nonetheless, still an overall pleasant experience. And a place i might go back to if im in the area and want some comforting porridge.
Jason Soh
27/08/2025
Fish head soup is pretty nice, but you need to top it with ingredients, there is not much "meat" by default. Other than that, the noodles all tasted quite nice, there are various different sauces to try. I will most likely come back again to try the other dishes.