Malaysian comedian Nigel Ng brings his popular fried rice chain to Johor Bahru’s Mid Valley Southkey mall.
In a significant culinary development, Malaysian comedian Nigel Ng, famously known as Uncle Roger, is set to launch his renowned fried rice restaurant, “Fuiyoh! It’s Uncle Roger,” in Johor Bahru’s Mid Valley Southkey mall. This marks the fifth outlet of his rapidly expanding chain, bringing his signature fried rice closer to fans in the southern region.
Nigel Ng, better known by his online persona Uncle Roger, gained international fame through his comedic critiques of cooking videos, particularly those involving fried rice. His humorous take on BBC Food’s egg fried rice recipe catapulted him into the spotlight, leading to a substantial online following. Capitalizing on this popularity, Ng ventured into the culinary world by establishing his own restaurant chain, “Fuiyoh! It’s Uncle Roger,” specializing in fried rice dishes.
Expansion into Johor Bahru
Following the successful launch of four outlets in Kuala Lumpur, including a 24-hour branch at KLIA2, Ng is now extending his culinary footprint to Johor Bahru. The upcoming restaurant is strategically located in the basement of Mid Valley Southkey mall, adjacent to the popular Oriental Kopi eatery. This location is expected to attract both local patrons and Singaporean visitors, given the mall’s popularity among cross-border shoppers.
Public Anticipation and Social Media Teasers
The announcement of the new outlet has generated significant buzz on social media. On February 7, 2025, the restaurant’s official Instagram page teased the upcoming launch with a post featuring Uncle Roger seated in a three-wheeled vehicle, holding a plate of fried rice. Clues within the image, such as a vehicle registration plate starting with “J” and a football bearing the Johor Darul Ta’zim logo, hinted at the Johor Bahru location.
The restaurant’s menu centers around various fried rice dishes, reflecting Uncle Roger’s culinary preferences. In Kuala Lumpur, the signature Special Fry Rice was initially priced at RM18 but was later adjusted to RM16 following customer feedback regarding pricing. It remains to be seen how the pricing will be structured in the Johor Bahru outlet, especially considering the potential influx of Singaporean customers.
Despite the brand’s popularity, “Fuiyoh! It’s Uncle Roger” has faced critiques concerning food quality and pricing. Some patrons have expressed dissatisfaction with the value proposition, citing high prices relative to portion sizes and taste. Ng has acknowledged these concerns and made adjustments, such as revising menu prices, to address customer feedback.
Strategic Considerations
The choice of Mid Valley Southkey mall for the new outlet is strategic, given its status as a major shopping destination in Johor Bahru. The mall’s proximity to Singapore makes it a convenient spot for Singaporean visitors, who frequently visit Johor Bahru for shopping and dining experiences. The presence of Uncle Roger’s restaurant is anticipated to draw significant crowds, potentially leading to long queues, similar to those observed at other popular eateries in the mall.
Nigel Ng’s expansion of his fried rice restaurant chain into Johor Bahru signifies a notable development in the regional culinary scene. For Singaporeans and international visitors, this presents an opportunity to experience Uncle Roger’s famed fried rice without venturing into Kuala Lumpur. However, potential patrons should be prepared for possible long waiting times, given the anticipated popularity of the new outlet. As the brand continues to grow, it will be crucial for Ng to maintain food quality and value to meet customer expectations and sustain the restaurant’s success.
Sources: CNA (2025), Mothership SG (2025)
Keywords: Uncle Roger, Fried Rice, Johor Bahru, Mid Valley Southkey, Restaurant Opening
