Stop blindly rushing! I have to be honest about the Mie Gacoan at Malang Station.
qponx
2026-03-05
Is the popular Mie Gacoan at Malang Station worth the hype? This honest review gives you the real deal. While the fried snacks and dimsum are praised as delicious must-tries, the signature noodles can be a letdown. The article also points out the self-service system, slow service for dine-in customers, and some cleanliness issues. It’s a convenient, budget-friendly stop for travelers, but you might want to manage your expectations before heading in for a meal.
Just got off the train in Malang, tired and hungry, and saw this famous Mie Gacoan right next to the train station, my eyes totally lit up! 🤩 I thought, isn't this the legendary "national canteen" for young Indonesians, cheap and delicious, let's go for it! But after sitting down, I realized things weren't that simple…
The higher the expectation, the more there is to complain about?
To be fair, the place is really spacious, two floors plus an outdoor area[1]. I chose a semi-open spot on the second floor, and the breeze was quite nice and cool. But dude, what's the deal with blasting deafening EDM in broad daylight? I just want to Nongkrong quietly, hello!
I came for their signature dish, so I ordered a Mie Hompimpa[2], which is their savory and spicy noodles, and also added their super-hyped fried snacks, Udang Keju (Cheese Shrimp) and Udang Rambutan (Rambutan Shrimp)[3]. The fried snacks came first, and wow, they were truly Mantap! The outside was crispy, and the shrimp and cheese inside were hot and gooey, delicious!
I was in a great mood, but then my noodles arrived… Anjay, what's going on? The noodles were a bit sticky and mushy, I even felt like some strands weren't cooked through[4], and the flavor was also a bit blander than what I've had at other branches. Was it just my bad luck, or was the chef not having a good day? 🤔
Some of the service really makes you say thanks, but no thanks
What confused me the most was the service. They've actually switched to self-service for food pickup now[5], so after ordering, you have to carry a bunch of hot soup and noodles up to the second floor yourself, which is a real test of arm strength… Also, when it's crowded, you can clearly tell they prioritize delivery orders, while dine-in customers wait forever.
I also have to mention the hygiene, the tables were visibly greasy, and the floor wasn't very clean either[6]. My friend wanted to use the restroom, but found it had no water and the door was locked, which was a bit awkward.
Editor's Highlights: How to Avoid Pitfalls & A Quick Guide
So, is it worth visiting? Girls, take this guide and decide for yourselves!
- Ordering Strategy: The quality control for the main dishes (noodles) is a bit hit-or-miss, so I'd suggest lowering your expectations. You can try more of their fried snacks and Dimsum[7], those are usually a safe bet, yummy!
- Service Info: Be prepared to fend for yourself, it's self-service for food pickup now. It's super slow during peak hours, so if you're not in a hurry, you can come here to Chill.
- Check Your Order: It's best to double-check your order with the cashier, some friends have mentioned that their orders were entered incorrectly[8].
- Parking Situation: Friends coming by motorcycle don't need to worry, there's plenty of parking space. But if you're driving a car... Good luck, you'll most likely have to park on the street[9].
- Who Should Come: If you're a student or backpacker who just got off the train and is on a tight budget, looking for something cheap and quick, then you can give it a try[10]. But if you're making a pilgrimage specifically for the food, then for this particular branch, I'd advise you to keep your expectations in check
- Crispy Udang Keju & Udang Rambutan with warm, cheesy shrimp inside. A total mood-booster! [1]
- Roomy 2-story spot with outdoor seating [2]. Grab a breezy upstairs seat & feel the "national canteen" vibe of local youth.
- Right by Malang station, a godsend for backpackers & students. Cheap and fast, it's the perfect quick fix [3]
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