I’m lucky in durian. I’ve had more delicious durian than I honestly feel I deserve. But I still haven’t tasted even close to all of them. Compared to Penang, I haven’t spent as much time or digestive energy in southern Malaysia and I was excited to taste some new varieties there.
So I was doubly lucky that Glenn and his fiance (now wife!) met me in Johor Bahru last August for a lighthearted lunch at their favorite durian stall where they made sure I tasted the famed Golden Phoenix and D13.
From Singapore to Johor Bahru
I was on my way north from Singapore, and since I had to pass through Johor Bahru (JB) anyway, I had time to stop and revisit a city that I definitely had mixed feelings about the last time we came through.
From Singapore it’s easy to get local public transit to Johor Bahru. Several public buses make the journey, and apparently there’s now a train that goes too.
Public transit is cheap — it cost me $4.30 SGD for two buses to JB Sentral. The downside is that you have to get off the bus, get your passport stamped, and wait for a new bus at BOTH the Singapore and Malaysia checkpoints. This can be quite time consuming. If you have money but not time, you might want to consider a taxi. Years ago, when Rob and I took a taxi, we didn’t even have to get out of the car.
From JB Sentral I took a taxi to the KSL City Mall that cost me 9 RM, or about $2 USD.
Glenn and Candy met me at the mall. I threw my bags in their tiny car, not knowing where we were headed. We motored about a hundred meters from the mall and then pulled into a parking lot.
We were at Ah Tong’s Durian Stall.
Sunday At Ah Tong’s Durian Stall
It was in the middle of the day, and despite the haze of clouds it was really broiling. It was almost too hot to eat durian, even for me. That barely ever happens. Yet the stall was crowded with other Sunday durian brunchers.
I followed Candy through the tent in front, towards a small shop in the rear. As we passed a table, someone said “Year of the Durian.”
Happy Sunday Durian Brunchers
I turned around, totally surprised. Writing this odd little niche blog does not normally make me a recognizable public figure, even at durian stalls. I felt a momentary thrill–Oh yeah, I do do that cool thing– followed almost simultaneously by a crushing self-consciousness
I took their picture, both to remember the moment and also so they could see themselves on this website. Assuming they’re still reading.
JB Red Prawn
There’s some debate among the durian serious about whether a Red Prawn eaten anywhere but Penang is any good. Some say outside of Penang, the weather isn’t quite right. There isn’t a sea breeze, or the trees aren’t old enough, or maybe the soil is wrong.
Glenn proclaimed a JB Red Prawn as his favorite durian. He ordered two, right off the bat, to get us going.
“We’ll get more,” he winked.
Old tree Red Prawn
One of Ah Tong’s helpers set down two Red Prawns; one from an old tree, and one from a younger tree. I could immediately tell the difference.
The young tree Red Prawn had a brighter orange-pink hue and smooth, firmer looking flesh. As I expected, it had a strong fruity and sweet flavor.
The old tree Red Prawn was wrinkled, with the pearly-grey blush that seems to come with age. The wrinkles weren’t as fine as those you’ll find in Penang, but the trees in JB can’t be more than 20 or 30 years old whereas in Penang they top 60 years.
Ah Tong served us the next round, jokingly doing a double-take when he saw me.
“From behind I thought you were a Chinese girl!” he teased. We all laughed, knowing that with hair like mine that was impossible.
Ah Tong said he would be happy to send his durians to the U.S.A. I said I’d be happy to buy his durians in the U.S.A. If anyone has an interest in facilitating this, Ah Tong’s contact info is at the end of this post.
D13
Next was a D13, which I hadn’t tasted in many years. It looked beautiful, with a bright orange gleam shadowed by dark blue black bruises.
A bit of the pale inner cream had spilled over the skin, making it look irresistibly delicious.
It was a little watery and sloppy soft, with a one-dimensional sweet taste. It seemed a little overripe to me.
Glenn said it was a fairly lackluster D13, both because it was overripe and because the fruit was from a younger tree. The older D13’s, he said, would have a grey colored shell.
Golden Phoenix
This was the durian I was most excited to taste. I could hardly believe that I’ve been eating durian in Malaysia for four years now and had yet to try one of the newest clones, D198, or Golden Phoenix.
Golden Phoenix was originally discovered in Johor, and is now one of the most popular durians in Singapore.
After the D13, it didn’t look nearly as pretty. It’s a pale, waxy-colored durian with fat, viscous skin and sticky, slightly fibrous texture. Those of you into chicken-skins would be into this.
The seeds were just as tiny as everyone online promised, but that’s never been a desirable durian feature to me. I’m all about flavor.
What caught my nose was it’s aroma, which was exceedingly herby and flowery. I took a bite, and instantly thought of the German chamomile I grew once in my yard as an early teenager, when my heart was set on becoming an herbalist. It was a unique tasting durian that left me eager to try another. Do all Golden Phoenix’s taste like that?
I didn’t get to find out. Since it was so late in the season (August 2), pickings were slim and there were no more to be tasted.
Musang King
Last, but not at all least, we finished with a Musang King. This turned out to be my favorite for the afternoon.
I’ve felt before that Musang King is over-hyped. I don’t often buy it (this blog doesn’t make that much money), but this year I had some rare opportunities to taste it repeatedly and almost every time I was impressed.
When somebody else is buying, man, Musang King is just a solidly good durian.
Conclusion
All my best durian experiences so far have been with knowledgeable, fun and durian-loving locals who know which places to frequent and what kinds of durian to ask for. My visit to Ah Tong’s was no exception.
Ah Tong’s is easy to get to in downtown Johor Bahru, very close to the Singapore border. If you’re in Singapore and want to find some cheaper durians, Ah Tong’s is a good choice. I recommend that you try the Golden Phoenix and tell me, do you taste chamomile?
Getting to Ah Tong’s Stall
Ah Tong’s is located so close to the KSL City Mall someone who proficient at throwing things could hit the side of the building with a durian seed. Not that I recommend trying.
Ah Tong’s Stall
28 Jalan Serigala,
Tel: 017-646-8859
Ah Tong’s Facebook Page
gkteong says
Adong Durian is super expensive. Their price sometimes can be more expensive than Durian in Singapore.
Rod Black says
Hello, thank you for your post. I’m just curious about one thing and hope you could clarify. Why is it that you’ve made the effort to indicate bus and taxi fares(S$4.30, RM9 respectively) but did not indicate the pricing for any of the durians mentioned?
Almos Tee says
Hi Lindsay,
This stall very expensive as most customers are Singaporeans. I was there and they quoted prices higher than Ah Seng Durian in Ghim Moh which also have a facebook page and updates his prices weekly.
Almos Tee says
Hi,
Google “buying durian in JB” and your blog came out on the first line. Decided to drive to Ah Tong durian to give it a try but it was out of MSW at 3pm but still quite a numbers of customers eating other varieties of durians!!! I’m guessing the customers(mostly Singaporeans) must have read your blog like me.
Was very disappointed with the prices quoted by Ah Tong-MSW at RM60/S$21 per kg -other varieties at RM45/S$15 per kg.
I had checked Ah Seng Durian at Ghim Moh prices(he has a facebook page which updates MSW and others prices)-MSW at S$20/kg and others at S$12/kg.
So Singaporeans going to Ah Tong for good value durians will be disappointed. You will save some money and time buying from Ah Seng which has a good reputation. Go check his facebook page with good comments from his customers.
[email protected] says
Hi Almos,
That’s cool that my blog came up in the google search, but too bad that you didn’t have a good experience at Ah Tong. Maybe he has a different supplier than Ah Seng? When did you go? Now is not really the durian season in Malaysia anyway. I’ve been to Ah Sengs, really great guy and he gives good durians! Have been saving a post about it to share for this season 🙂
Almos Tee says
Was there on 11 May. Should have call him to check his price. If I had known his price was that high, I would not have wasted my time driving to JB when I could get the same quality durian in Singapore for a lower price.
Glen Chee says
Lindsay,
Next year come earlier to JB we can explore eating durians at Pontain (60 km away from JB).
Glen Chee
Glen Chee says
Ah Tong has been selling durians for the two weeks in limited quantities.
Kevin Tan says
In Johor Bahru, durian stall by road side doesn't open all year round. They pretty much depend on the availability of the product itself and some of them might shift location. However since the mobile number is provided in this blog , you might give Ah Tong a call prior to your visit
Amanda Stone says
Awesome thanks for sharing! Do you know if this stall is open all year round? I will be heading to Malaysia next month and would love to experience the durians there if there are any available! Thanks! 🙂
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Amanda! The stall is not open year round, but since there is a small durian season now, I think you'll get lucky 🙂 I would call Ah Tong and check, like Kevin suggests.
Amanda Stone says
Thanks Lindsay and Kevin! I appreciate it! All the best! 🙂