You Kee XO Wins Asia Top Tourism Gourmet Award (2026)
We have some happy news to share! You Kee XO, a much-loved heritage Chinese restaurant in Johor Bahru, attended the 21st Asian King of Catering Awards Ceremony and Asia Top Tourism Gourmet Award 2026 in Penang, and we even made it onto the business news segment of 8TV Morning Express!
This honour belongs to every customer who has supported us along the way. It is also the perfect chance to reintroduce the Chinese restaurant that has been part of so many Johor Bahru family dinners since 1996, and the pot of heritage soup our chairman proudly talked about on camera.
What Award Did You Kee XO Win?
In short: at the 21st Asian King of Catering Awards Ceremony held in Penang in 2026, You Kee XO received the Asia Top Tourism Gourmet Award 2026. Often called "the Oscar of the culinary world", the event celebrated Malaysia's diverse food scene alongside Visit Malaysia Year, and 50 food and beverage brands were recognised on the night.
In the 8TV news report, You Kee XO chairman Lim Chin You also shared the story behind our proudest dish, the heritage soup. For a Chinese restaurant in Johor Bahru that started right here in JB, standing on the same stage as so many great brands from across the region is a really happy moment for us!
Why Is You Kee XO's Heritage Soup Called the First of Its Kind in Malaysia?
"Our heritage soup is the first of its kind in Malaysia, double-boiled for 15 to 18 hours. People today care about their health, so our soups are nourishing and good for the skin." That is what chairman Lim Chin You shared in the news interview.
A great soup takes time and patience. At You Kee XO, our Soup of the Day is served in a clay pot and slow-cooked for 15 to 18 hours, so every bit of goodness from the ingredients goes into the broth. The soup looks clear but tastes rich and deep. The daily soup changes with the freshest ingredients of the day, so you might enjoy a different soup every time you visit.
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Soup of the Day: one pot per serving, lovely to sip on your own or share with the whole family.
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White Pepper Pork Tripe & Pork Trotter Soup: warming and peppery, and you can add 10-head abalone to make it even more special.
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Superior Soup with Hua Diao: choose red snapper or tilapia, with or without seafood, for a sweet and fragrant broth with a touch of Hua Diao wine.
On busy days, sitting down to a hot bowl of slow-cooked soup is the best way to take care of yourself.
A Heritage Name for Roast Meats in Johor Bahru: What Makes You Kee XO Special?
Besides soup, You Kee XO is the roast meat shop many Johor Bahru locals grew up with. Our founder, Chef Lim Chin You, has been perfecting Cantonese roast meats for more than 30 years. Everything is roasted over an open flame in a hanging oven, so the skin turns crispy, the meat stays tender, and the flavour is just right. This is the Hong Kong style roast meat taste that JB knows and loves.
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XO Signature Roasted Duck: our signature dish, and the perfect place to start if you are looking for the best roast duck JB has to offer.
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Crystal BBQ Pork Belly Char Siu: made with pork belly and glazed until it shines, sweet with a little savoury.
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Traditional Roasted Pork Belly Siu Yuk: so crispy you can hear the crunch, salty and perfect with rice.
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Guangzhou Roast Goose and Shatin Roast Pigeon: must-tries when you want a more generous spread.
Eating lunch on your own? Order a portion of roast meat with rice and you have a simple, satisfying plate of char siew rice, roast pork rice or roast duck rice. Locals around Taman Ungku Tun Aminah know our Skudai main branch well, and friends in Kulai can enjoy the same roast meats at our Kulai branch. If you are looking for tasty roast meats you can trust in Johor Bahru, come and give us a try!
Planning a Full Moon, Grand Opening or Prayer Offering? What to Know About Ordering a Roast Pig in JB
At any celebration, a golden, crispy roast pig on the table instantly lifts the mood! You Kee XO offers Suckling Pig (half or whole) as well as the YOU KEE Suckling Pig Platter, perfect for full moon parties, grand openings, prayer offerings, birthday banquets and company dinners.
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Order 3 days ahead: Golden Roast Pigs and Suckling Pigs need to be ordered 3 days in advance. During busy seasons like Chinese New Year and the Hungry Ghost Festival, we suggest booking even earlier.
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Decide on the size first: for a smaller group, the Suckling Pig Platter or a half Suckling Pig is plenty. For a big occasion, go for a whole one.
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WhatsApp your nearest branch: the fastest way to place a roast pig order is to message your nearest branch directly and confirm the pickup time and place in one go.
Come for Morning Tea: Hong Kong Style Dim Sum at You Kee XO
Not everyone knows this, but some You Kee XO branches open as early as 8am, so coming in the morning feels just like walking into a busy dim sum house! Freshly steamed Hong Kong style dim sum with a pot of hot tea makes for the most relaxing family morning.
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XO Prawns Dumpling and Siew Mai King: the classic must-order pair for any dim sum meal.
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Dried Scallop Dumpling Soup and Shanghai Xiao Long Bao: full of soup inside, so careful, they are hot!
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Golden Custard Bao and Crispy Cha Siew Bao: one sweet, one savoury, and one basket is never enough.
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XO Paste Fried Rice Roll and Mini Egg Tart: something savoury and something sweet for the perfect finish.
Looking for great dim sum in Johor Bahru or a good spot for dim sum JB locals love? Our Mount Austin Nanyang Street, Taman Sentosa, Kulai and Eko Botani branches are all easy to get to.
Family Dinner for Everyone: What to Order at You Kee XO?
As a Chinese restaurant Johor Bahru families know well, You Kee XO has a menu that covers everything from roast meats and soups to seafood and stir-fries. When the whole family comes to share a meal together, both the elders and the kids will find something they love. Want to try more Chinese food Johor Bahru style? Here is an easy way to order:
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One pot of soup: our Soup of the Day, warming and nourishing.
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One platter: the XO Five Blessings Platter or Classic Four Platter, the easiest choice for a bigger group.
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One fish: H.K Dragon Tiger Grouper or Green Ginger Red Snapper Fish, with six cooking styles to choose from.
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One prawn or sotong dish: Creamy Lemon Jumbo Prawn or Nyonya Sotong, tangy and appetising.
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One stir-fry: Golden Yam Ring with Char Siu or Claypot Vinegar Pig Trotter, fragrant and great with rice.
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One bean curd and one vegetable dish: Handmade Signature Bean Curd plus a plate of vegetables balances the whole table.
Once you are full, finish with a drink or dessert and the meal is complete!
Where Are You Kee XO's Branches?
You Kee XO has 8 branches in Johor and 1 in Singapore. Whether you are looking for a Chinese restaurant in Skudai, a Chinese restaurant in Johor Jaya, or a KSL restaurant to drop by after shopping, there is one near you.
📌 Address: 91–93, Jalan Pendekar 2, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Skudai, Johor
📞 Phone: +60197028801
📅 Opening hours:
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Monday to Friday: 10:30am–3:00pm, 5:00pm–9:30pm
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Public holidays, Saturday and Sunday: 10:30am–9:30pm
📌 Address: 81–83, Jalan Dedap 7, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim
📞 Phone: +60197348802
📅 Opening hours:
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Monday to Friday: 10:00am–3:00pm, 5:00pm–9:00pm
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Public holidays, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am–9:00pm
📌 Address: 15, Jalan Impian Emas 5/6, Taman Impian Emas, 81300 Skudai, Johor Bahru
📞 Phone: +60197098801
📅 Opening hours:
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Monday to Friday: 11:00am–3:00pm, 5:00pm–10:00pm
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Public holidays, Saturday and Sunday: 11:00am–10:00pm
📌 Address: Lot LG-33, KSL CITY Mall, 33, Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor
📞 Phone: +60197298801
📅 Opening hours: 10:30am–9:00pm
📌 Address: 1, Jalan Austin Heights 7/2, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, JB
📞 Phone: +60146878801
📅 Opening hours: 8:00am–9:30pm
📌 Address: 195, Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim
📞 Phone: +60197008801
📅 Opening hours: 8:00am–9:30pm
📌 Address: 294C & 294D, Jalan Kiambang 11, Pusat Komersial Indah, Bandar Indahpura, 81000 Kulai, Johor
📞 Phone: +60198918801
📅 Opening hours: 8:00am–9:30pm
📌 Address: No.26, Shop Office, Jalan Eko Botani 2B, Taman Eko Botani 2, 79100 Iskandar Puteri, Johor
📞 Phone: +60197718803
📅 Opening hours: 8:00am–9:30pm
📌 Address: 43, Joo Chiat Place, 427767 Singapore
📞 Phone: +65 9116 8868
📅 Opening hours: 10:30am–3:00pm, 5:30pm–9:30pm
You can find more details on every branch on our Branches page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What award did You Kee XO win?
At the 21st Asian King of Catering Awards Ceremony in Penang, You Kee XO received the Asia Top Tourism Gourmet Award 2026 and was featured on 8TV Morning Express. Read more about our story on our About Us page.
How long is You Kee XO's heritage soup slow-cooked?
Our heritage soup is double-boiled in a clay pot for 15 to 18 hours. It is the first soup of its kind in Malaysia, and the Soup of the Day changes with the freshest ingredients of the day.
How far in advance should I order a roast pig from You Kee XO?
Golden Roast Pigs and Suckling Pigs need to be ordered 3 days ahead. Simply WhatsApp your nearest branch to arrange it.
Does the KSL City Mall branch serve dim sum?
If you are craving dim sum KSL style, we suggest you WhatsApp our KSL City Mall branch before you go to check which dim sum is available that day. Our Nanyang Street, Taman Sentosa, Kulai and Eko Botani branches open at 8am and serve Hong Kong style dim sum from the morning.
Do I need to book a table for a family dinner?
Weekday lunches are usually fine without a booking, but weekends, public holidays and festive dinners get busy, so we recommend booking by WhatsApp. You can find every branch's number on our Contact Us page.
Thank you to everyone who has supported You Kee XO along the way! This award is both an encouragement and a motivation, and we will keep putting our heart into every roast and every pot of soup. Next time you are planning a family meal, visit our Branches page to find the You Kee XO nearest you, take a look at our menu, and bring your family and friends along!
