JOJA Bagels at Lebuh Bishop Penang Freshly Made Bagels Worth the Wait

The lightly crisp crust and dense, chewy interior of bagels have been gaining appreciation in Penang, yet they are still not commonly found on café menus, let alone a café that specialises exclusively in bagels. That’s why the arrival of JOJA Bagels in town is a welcoming addition for bagel lovers. The café offers more than a dozen bagel menu options, ranging from classic bagels to hearty bagelwiches and schmear-style spreads.

JOJA Bagels works with four types of bagels: original, poppy seed, parmesan & herbs, and white sesame. As every bagel is made fresh to order and demand is consistently high, some waiting time is expected. Many patrons opt for takeaway, especially if they are short on time.

While queueing outside the shop, the staff will provide a QR code for customers to scan, allowing orders and payment to be completed while waiting for a table. The café is Muslim-friendly, with no pork or lard used in the menu. The dining space is simple and fuss-free, making it a comfortable spot for breakfast or lunch to grab a satisfying bagel sandwich that truly fills you up.

JOJA Bagels at Lebuh Bishop Penang Freshly Made Bagels Worth the Wait

Super Maru RM 25

Richman's Hash RM 20

With limited stomach space, we settled for their signature Super Maru, which requires a waiting time of 25 minutes or more. This meatless bagelwich features JOJA’s signature house-made portobello mushroom katsu, cheese, pulled mushrooms, house sauce, and fresh arugula. Unwrapping the bagel reveals stretchy, melted cheese and layers of savoury goodness, its almost like biting into a bagel-style burger.

Another bagel we tried was the Richman’s Hash, also with a similar waiting time. Sandwiched between the bagels are hash browns, premium chicken meatloaf, a sunny-side-up egg, and hot smoked sauce. The flavours are well balanced, with a pleasant contrast of crunchy textures, and this hearty bagel easily kept us full through lunch.

For those who prefer something lighter or sweeter, JOJA Bagels also offers schmear options such as Pistachio Grandeur, Matcha Yuzu, Blueberry, and more.

To complement the food, the drinks menu is fairly extensive, featuring specialty coffee, dark cocoa, matcha, and refreshing beverages. These makes JOJA Bagels a complete spot for a leisurely bagel break in Penang.