From crispy ‘sotong’ balls to crystal ice vege salad, this nearly 50-year-old Johor Bahru institution proves old-school classics never go out of style

Johor Bahru, August 29 — In the embrace of nostalgia, few things can transport one back to their childhood like an unexpected treat. Perhaps it would be a candy soaked in tangy sherbet powder, or a fizzy drink with an enigmatic name such as “ice-cream soda.” As a child, my palate was inclined towards savory delights, rather than sweets.

Nestled in Taman Sri Tebrau, Johor Bahru, New Lucky Seafood Restaurant offers a taste of yesteryears. As these hedgehog-like orbs arrive at the table, their surface is scored into tiny cubes, akin to scoring the flesh of a mango. With a satisfying bounce and a slight crispness upon biting, one discovers fresh squid, chewy and briny.

This dish, New Lucky’s Traditional Crispy Sotong Balls, is one of their signature offerings. Founded in 1978, the nearly 50-year-old establishment is a local institution, known to many of its regulars from their childhood visits. This authenticity, coupled with the crispy texture of the squid balls, is sure to evoke fond memories for locals.