Don't bring your card! Can you believe Lampung's #1 Padang restaurant is cash-only?
qponx
2026-03-06
Discover Lampung's legendary Padang restaurant, Restoran Begadang 2! This highly-rated spot is famous for its must-try Ayam Goreng Telur (Fried Chicken with Egg) and god-tier Rendang. With a lively atmosphere, live music, and incredibly affordable prices, it's a local landmark you can't miss. But here's a crucial tip before you go: it's cash-only! So come prepared to enjoy some of the best Padang food around without any payment surprises.
Before coming to Lampung, a local friend gave me a strict order: You HAVE to eat at Restoran Begadang 2! They said it's a legendary Padang restaurant in Lampung, with 4700+ reviews on Google and a 4.6 rating[1], a landmark spot that you can't miss, or it's like you never even visited.
I thought to myself, it's just Padang food, how amazing can it be? Turns out... wow, it was amazing! But I almost died of social embarrassment on the spot because of the payment situation...🤦♀️
Ayam Goreng Telur is the GOAT, and the Rendang is god-tier too
The moment you walk in, you're hit with a very lokal food stall vibe, spacious and clean[2], and although there's no air conditioning, it's bustling with people, lively and full of life. In the evening, there's even a live band performing, making it perfect for coming to nongkrong with friends.
As soon as the food arrived, my eyes were glued to it!
Ayam Goreng Telur (Fried Chicken with Egg): This was definitely the MVP of the whole meal![3] The chicken is coated in a golden, crispy shell made from fried egg batter, and the aroma is just overpowering! It's incredibly crispy when you bite into it, yet the chicken inside is still tender. Paired with its special yellow sauce, the layers of texture are explosive. Mantap!
Rendang (Beef Rendang): As the soul of Padang cuisine, their Rendang didn't disappoint at all[4]. The beef is stewed until it's super tender, falling apart with just a touch of a fork. The spice flavor is rich without being overly hot, perfect for mixing with rice!
Gulai Ayam (Chicken Curry): This one was also a pleasant surprise, the sauce had the perfect thickness[5], with a great balance of creamy and spicy flavors, another perfect companion for rice.
Some honest thoughts (here come the complaints)
While the flavor was undeniable, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, while the portion sizes for the dishes are decent, the rice portions are a bit small[6], so friends with big appetites should remember to ask for more. Second, the overall taste is really good, but some friends found the soup a bit too salty. And while the signature fried chicken is delicious, don't go in with super high, "must-eat-before-I-die" expectations, just go with an open mind[7].
Finally, the price is really affordable. The five of us ate until we were stuffed, and it only cost about 245k Indonesian Rupiah[8], which is less than 50k per person. The value for money is off the charts!
A veteran's guide to avoiding pitfalls 📝
Alright, here comes the most important part of the whole article, get ready to take notes!
- Key point: CASH! ONLY! They don't accept bank cards, QRIS, or transfers[9]. Please make sure to bring enough cash! Don't ask how I know, let's just say I became good friends with the ATM outside... Anjay!
- Go early! The signature dishes, especially the Ayam Goreng Telur, might be sold out if you go too late in the evening[10].
- Takeaway is awesome! If you're on a tight schedule, getting it to-go (Bungkus) is also a fantastic option, the flavor holds up just as well.
- Egg Fried Chicken: Crispy skin, juicy meat. The special yellow sauce is a flavor bomb. So good you'll scream! [1]
- Beef Rendang: The heart of Padang food, stewed till fall-apart tender. Packed with rich spices and amazing with rice. [2]
- 5 of us got stuffed for just 245k IDR[3]. That's under 50k per person! An incredible value you can't miss.
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