Food Blog | Good Times Cafe 好时光 | Eco Botanic

As usual, sticking with the general Eco Botanic theme of this blog, today I’m sharing Good Times (好时光) Cafe at Eco Botanic. I would say that this is one of those restaurants with the “atas kopitiam” kind of feel. Classic dishes with a clean, air conditioned space.

Good Times Cafe Weekend Menu

Context: Important thing to note is that the two main dishes that I’m sharing are only available on weekends (so I guess this review is more specific to eating here on the weekends), but there are variations of these in their normal menu.

Is it Halal?

No, this is a non-halal eatery - serves pork, etc. so do be mindful of this if you plan to eat here with any Muslim colleagues.

Where it Is

It is located in Eco Botanic, on the same row as Starbucks, Piringmu, Saam and Banana Leaf Kitchen. (It’s somewhere in between Piringmu and Banana Leaf Kitchen, but I would say it is pretty easy to find just going down the row. Parking is free and easy, with lots of parking spaces available.

 

Address: 24, Jalan Eko Botani 3/2, 79100 Gelang Patah, Johor

Operating Hours:

Daily: 8am - 4pm (Closed on Mondays)

What it Costs

Lunch for two came up to RM34.10. I had more of the Loh Bak (braised pork) with egg rice (RM13.90) and my girlfriend had more of the Dulang Porridge Set - which I would say is probably what they are renowned for - (RM15.90). We also had a Nyonya Kuih (RM1.80 per piece) and a Pandan Barley drink (RM2.50) to finish off the meal.

Overall, I would say that looking at food value alone, you can definitely get better elsewhere, but I guess it makes up for it in terms of it being pretty authentic, coupled with the ambience of a clean but rustic kopitiam.

How it Tastes

First of all, the braised pork with egg rice. What I’ll say is that it tastes decent, but I expected it to have that more “melt in mouth” kind of feel that you usually get with braised pork. But as a small, wake-me-up kind of brunch, I would say that it’s a good choice if you like braised pork.

I’m not exactly the origins of a “Dulang Porridge” but directly translated, it means porridge tray, and that is basically what it is. You have a porridge with sweet potato bits inside and 4 side dishes (which vary from week to week - just ask the staff and they’ll enlighten you on what’s available).

I will be honest and say that I’m not the biggest porridge fan, but as a whole set it is pretty good. The porridge on itself is on the blander side, but when you couple it with the saltiness you get from the multitude of side dishes (including the egg, ikan bilis and meat ball side dishes), you get a pretty complete meal.

You can find the Kuih on the left side, past the payment counter - they have a number of different kuihs for you to choose from. I would say that for RM1.80 it makes for a good dessert to finish off the meal!

Star Rating

6.5/10. As always, a reminder that this reflects my rating for the WEEKEND. A decent ambience with authentic food. A simple food that most people will find homely.