Best Palembang Fishcake? Signature's Mantap, but NEVER order this one dish
qponx
2026-03-06
Craving authentic Palembang fishcake? This review dives into the highly-rated PEMPEK NONY 168. Its signature Pempek, especially the Kapal Selam, is a must-try, celebrated for rich fish flavor and an addictive, perfectly balanced sauce. While the fishcakes are heavenly, consider this a warning to skip the disappointing Tekwan soup. It's also a top spot for grabbing vacuum-packed Pempek as the perfect souvenir to bring home for friends and family.
Coming to Palembang and not having an authentic Pempek is like not coming at all! But with fishcake shops all over the streets, which one is truly authentic? This time, drawn by its super high 4.8 rating on Google, I headed straight to this old chain restaurant, PEMPEK NONY 168, to check it out for you guys!
Fishcake Heaven, Half Heaven Half Hell
Let's start with the conclusion: The signature Pempek is undeniably amazing, Mantap! 👍 The moment my Kapal Selam (submarine fishcake) arrived, the rich, savory aroma of mackerel (Ikan Tenggiri) hit me[1]. The fishcake was springy and chewy, not at all like those doughy lumps. The soul is in its sauce (cuko), which is thick enough to cling to the fishcake. The balance of sour, sweet, and spicy is just right—one bite and you're hooked! 🤤
The atmosphere is that of a typical local spot where people eat daily—clean and quite comfortable. But to be honest, the air conditioning wasn't very strong, so it was still a bit hot at noon. I had to fight fire with fire using the spiciness of the Cuko. 😂[2]
Real Talk, Some Things to Avoid!
While the Pempek saved the day, don't get your hopes up for all the other dishes. The fish ball soup (Tekwan) I ordered on a whim was a bit Anjay... How should I put it... the MSG flavor was a bit strong, and the fish balls were on the hard side. It wasn't a pleasant surprise, but rather a disappointment[3].
There was also a little episode: the young male waiters were super enthusiastic and quick on their feet (gesit), which made the experience great. But the lady at the cashier had a sour face (jutek) the whole time, didn't say an extra word, and the atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point. The service experience was truly a world of ice and fire.[4]
✍️ Editor's Notes: What to Avoid & Takeaway Guide
Alright, here's a summary of practical tips for all you girls planning to visit:
- Order with confidence: All kinds of Pempek, especially the Kapal Selam. Order it without a second thought—the rich fish flavor is absolutely worth the price[5]!
- Order with caution: Just skip the Tekwan. Unless you're extremely curious, you can save that money for a couple more pieces of fishcake.
- Top choice for souvenirs: The biggest highlight here is that you can buy souvenirs (Oleh-oleh)! They have vacuum-packed and frozen Pempek sets, packaged very professionally. They can last for about two days, making it super convenient to bring back to Jakarta or Bali for friends![6]
- Driver-friendly: Friends who are driving don't need to worry, there's parking available right out front, which is very convenient.[7]
- Rich mackerel in a chewy Pempek Kapal Selam. The thick cuko sauce[1] is a perfect sweet, sour, spicy balance. Addictive! 🤤
- Get them as souvenirs! Vacuum-packed & frozen, stays fresh 2 days. Great gift for friends in Jakarta or Bali[2].
- 4.8 Google score is real. Clean, comfy spot where locals get their daily Pempek fix. The place for authentic flavor[3].
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