Braving the sweaty crowds in Menteng for this viral boneless grilled fish. Was it worth the hype?
qponx
2026-01-25
Curious about the viral boneless grilled fish in Menteng? This spot is blowing up for its smoky, tender Bandeng Bakar and rich Sop Sodara. But is it worth the hype? While the food is a hit, be prepared for a tiny, crowded space, potential long waits, and Jakarta's heat. This review spills all the tea, offering tips on the best time to visit and what to expect, helping you decide if you should brave the crowds for this popular meal.
Friends, who gets it, that grilled fish from TikTok has been blowing up my feed lately, so I made a special trip to Menteng to check it out today. The result... Anjay! It was insanely crowded💥, hidden on the second floor of the Asatu co-working space, the place is pitifully small, I almost thought I'd walked onto the wrong set.
The food is actually really good, but the ambiance is... emmm
Without further ado, let's get straight to their signature Bandeng Bakar[1]. Honestly, my mouth was watering the moment the fish was served. It's full of smoky flavor, the fish is incredibly tender, and the most crucial part is—it's completely boneless! A blessing for lazy people, right! Dip it in that special Sambal, it's savory with a good spicy kick, paired with hot rice, it's simply Mantap!
Just eating fish wasn't enough, so I also ordered a bowl of Sop Sodara[2]. This soup broth is absolutely to die for, rich with spices, one sip warms you right to the soul. The amount of beef and offal inside is quite generous too, served with rice vermicelli, it's the kind of comfort food that can heal anything.
Don't rush over just yet, let me give you the real tea
OK, praise is over, time to complain. Although the food is on point, the experience itself is hard to put into words.
First, don't have high expectations for the environment. There are only a few air-conditioned tables indoors[3], and if you can't get one, you have to Nongkrong in the semi-outdoor public area, and with Jakarta's weather, you know how it is... 🥵
Second, the portions are definitely on the small side[4], especially the rice and soup. Guys might need to order two servings to be full. My fish was very fresh and delicious, but I overheard the next table whispering that their portion tasted a bit fishy[5]. Maybe the quality control is inconsistent sometimes? Just try your luck, I guess.
A Guide to Avoid Pitfalls (get your notebooks ready📝)
- Timing is key: Definitely don't go during peak meal times! It gets much less crowded after 2 PM[6], and the experience improves dramatically.
- Be mentally prepared: Be ready to eat outside in the heat, and don't get into a fight over an AC seat lol. Also, don't expect fast service during peak hours; you'll have to be patient when ordering and waiting for your food[7].
- Go early if you want to try everything: Many popular dishes like Sop Sodara or the dessert Pisang Ijo might be sold out by the afternoon[8], so friends who want the full menu should definitely go early!
- About parking: If you're driving, the parking fee is 10k[9], and you might need to use Valet during peak hours, so be prepared for that.
- TikTok-famous Signature Bandeng Bakar [1]: smoky, tender, boneless fish with special Sambal. Mantap!
- Beyond the fish, richly spiced Sop Sodara [2] is ultimate comfort food. Generous beef/offal.
- Ambiance aside: hot dishes sell out by afternoon [3] and meal times are packed [4]. People happily queue – it's *that* good!
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