Samarinda's Japanese Food 'Ceiling'? Hold the Hype—I Found the Flaws for You.
qponx
2026-03-05
Is Samarinda's hyped Japanese spot, SOKYO, truly worth it? This honest review cuts through the noise to reveal the restaurant's highs and lows. While the ambiance is a win and the Salmon Mentai is a must-try, not every dish is a star. Find out which menu items to order for a fantastic meal and which ones to skip—like the ramen and fried rice—to avoid disappointment. This is your essential guide to navigating SOKYO's hit-or-miss menu.
There's a lot of hype recently, with everyone saying SOKYO is the star of Japanese cuisine in Samarinda, especially their Salmon Mentai, which is said to be the best in town. Whenever a place gets a bit of fame, I can't help but go check it out for myself to see if it's truly Mantap or a total Anjay situation.
The Good and The Bad, A 50/50 Split
As soon as you walk in, the ambiance is undeniably great. It was recently renovated, and they've absolutely nailed the Japanese aesthetic vibe[1]. The lighting and atmosphere are perfect for a small get-together with friends or a date night. But the space is a major drawback. The tables are close together, and it gets a bit crowded during peak hours, so girls looking to have a private conversation should think twice.
Now for the food, let's get straight to the point:
👍 The Good List (Go for it!):
👎 The Bad List (Run!):
- Salmon Mentai[2]: This one definitely gets high marks! The signature dish lives up to its name. The spicy salmon and mentaiko sauce are blended just right, the fish is fresh, and one bite is pure bliss. Calling it "the best in Samarinda" might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it's definitely top-tier.
- Unagi Sushi[3]: The Unagi Sushi is also good; the eel is very tender, and the sauce is on point.
- Guidon (Beef Rice Bowl)[4]: Friends who don't eat raw food can order this. The portion of beef is generous, the sauce is perfect with the rice, and it's a safe bet.
- Ramen: The bowl of Miso Ramen[5] I ordered had a strange sour taste in the broth. Anyway, I couldn't finish it, so I don't recommend it.
- Japanese Garlic Fried Rice[6]: Anjay… definitely do not order this one! It honestly tastes worse than street-side Nasi Goreng. Whoever orders it will regret it.
Some Heartfelt, Honest Truths
My feeling about this place is that its highs are very high, but its lows are also very low. If you order the right dishes, you'll feel the trip was worth it; but if you order the wrong ones, you'll want to flip the table in a second. The average cost per person is around 30,000 to 100,000 Indonesian Rupiah. The price isn't outrageous, but the portion size for some dishes, like the sushi, feels a bit smaller than its competitors'[7], so the value for money really depends on your perspective.
A Guide to Avoid the Pitfalls, You're Welcome
Finally, here's a straightforward guide for the girls who plan to check out the place:
- 1. Order from the good list, especially the various sushi rolls, you can't go wrong with those. Just give up on things like ramen and fried rice.
- 2. Service slows down during peak hours on weekends. The waiters and waitresses are all swamped, and they might not respond even if you press the service bell, so you'll need to proactively call for them[8].
- 3. There seem to be special requirements for the upstairs seating. If you want to sit upstairs, it's best to confirm with the restaurant in advance when you book.
- 4. Friends who are driving don't need to worry; there are paid parking spots right in front of the restaurant[9], which is very convenient.
- Salmon Mentai gets top marks! A perfect fusion of spicy salmon and mentaiko sauce on fresh fish. Pure bliss in one bite [1].
- The newly renovated space nails the Japanese aesthetic [2]. Great lighting & atmosphere for hangouts or date nights.
- Unagi Sushi is also great: super tender eel with a sauce that's perfectly on point [3].
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