From Jakarta's Darling to a Flying Cockroach, Bakerzin's Filter Is Shattered
qponx
2026-01-25
A nostalgic visit to Bakerzin Plaza Senayan turns into a mixed bag of an experience. This honest review details the shocking decline of a once-favorite spot, from poor hygiene—including a flying cockroach—and slow service to disappointing main courses. But there's a saving grace! The desserts, like the legendary macaroons and signature chocolate cake, are still fantastic, and the oxtail fried rice holds up. Get the scoop on what's safe to order and what to skip entirely.
To be honest, if it weren't for the desserts I've been eating since I was a kid, I probably wouldn't have set foot in Bakerzin Plaza Senayan again. After all, it has a high score of 4.8 on Google, holding so many youthful memories for its long-time fans! But this time, I was truly in for a"surprise"—the kind that shocks and scares you.
The Experience: Half Heaven, Half Hell
Walking in, the ambiance was still the same familiar one, and the sofas were still quite cozy[1], perfect for nongkrong with friends or bringing a laptop to slack off. BUT! Not long after I sat down, I caught a faint, weird smell[2], and my friend's drink even had a few small ants floating in it… The most anjay part was, halfway through the meal, I caught a glimpse of a flying... cockroach... At that moment, I just couldn't.
Now, let's talk about the food. The main courses were a total minefield. That legendary mushroom soup[3], how should I put it, a friend complained it tasted like dishwater… I took a sip, and it was truly hard to describe, not at all what a creamy mushroom soup should be. The pasta was also incredibly bland, it felt like the chef forgot to add salt[4].
Luckily, a few items managed to save its reputation a bit. The Oxtail Fried Rice[5] is said to be back to its former standard. The rice grains were perfectly separate, it had a great wok-fried aroma, and it was still that familiar taste, Mantap! The desserts, however, are still solid, especially the Macaroons[6]—it's no exaggeration to call them the best in the city. The Bakerzin’s Signature Chocolate Cake[7] was also still rich and silky smooth, which gave me a sliver of comfort.
My Wallet is Crying
To be fair, with such inconsistent food and service, the prices seem very unfriendly. Just ordering a few things for two people easily costs over 300k+[8], and the portions aren't even that big. The serving speed is also very 'zen'—we waited almost half an hour for a cake, and it only came after we asked for it three times[9]… This kind of value for money is really hard to love.
How to Avoid the Duds & Ordering Guide 📝
So, is it still worth going? My advice is:
✅ The Safe Bets: Head straight for the dessert counter! Order the Macaroons[10] and the Signature Chocolate Cake[11]. If you want a main course, take a gamble on the Oxtail Fried Rice[12], and you most likely won't be disappointed.
❌ Minefield - Enter at Your Own Risk: Really, don't try the Mushroom Soup[13] lightly! Unless you're up for a culinary adventure on your taste buds.
⚠️ Practical Tips:
- The hygiene situation is genuinely worrying[14], so keep an eye out when you're dining.
- Don't sit by the window in the afternoon, the glare from the sun is super harsh[15].
- For pregnant friends or those who don't drink alcohol, if you're ordering desserts like soufflé, remember to ask if it contains alcohol first[16]!
- Lastly, be mentally prepared for the service speed, just treat it as an exercise in patience… Chill～
- This veteran dessert spot offers an extreme half heaven, half hell contrast. Is it a surprise or a fright? [1][2]
- Skip the mains, but don't miss the city's best macarons[3] and the incredible, wok-hei-packed oxtail fried rice[4] – a true game-changer!
- Brace yourself: you might catch a faint strange odor[5] and even spot flying cockroaches while you eat!
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