Waited 1 hour for this? Bakerman, Jakarta's OG viral spot—be careful what you order
qponx
2026-01-24
Is Jakarta's viral sensation, Bakerman, worth the long lines? This spot is famous for pioneering the Croffle trend and serves up heavenly baked goods like their Triple Cheese Croissant and flaky Egg Tarts. But be warned! While the pastries are a must-try, the main courses and coffee might leave you disappointed. Discover the pro-tips on what to order (and what to skip) to make your visit worthwhile, and find out the best times to avoid the crazy crowds.
Every time I pass by Ashta, I've never seen Bakerman without a line at the door! The long line is like the game Snake; if you didn't know better, you'd think they were giving away something for free. 🤷♀️
Honestly, as the pioneer of the"Croffle" trend in Jakarta[1], they've definitely got some skills. But after being so popular for so long, is it really worth spending time in line? Today, I'm going to break it all down for you.
A World of Contrasts, Order Right and It's Heaven
The first impression upon sitting down is... it's loud. 😂 The ambiance has that trendy bistro vibe, but the place isn't big, and during peak hours, it's packed, so you basically have to shout to be heard[2]. For friends who want to Nongkrong quietly or have a serious conversation, you can basically forget about it.
Let's start with the good stuff, their baked goods are truly Mantap!
🥐 Triple Cheese Croissant[3]: It's huge and still warm when you get it. The outside is crispy, and the inside is filled with molten cheese that bursts out. It's a mix of savory and sweet—cheese lovers should go for it without hesitation!
🧇 Croffle[4]: Worthy of being their signature item, the texture is incredible. The outside is caramelized and crispy, while the inside retains the chewy texture of a croissant, with distinct layers. I'd vote for it as one of the best Croffles in all of Jakarta.
🍮 Egg Tart[5]: The Portuguese egg tart is also a pleasant surprise! The crust is so flaky it falls apart, the filling is super tender, the sweetness is just right, and you won't feel overwhelmed after eating one.
Alright, enough with the praise, now it's time to complain! ⚠️
Whatever you do, don't confidently order their main courses, or you'll end up petrified on the spot like I did... That Indonesian fried rice was both salty and sweet, and the flavor is hard to describe[6]; and there was some kind of meatball with an even weirder texture. The coffee is also pretty mediocre; they give you more ice than coffee, so it's gone in two sips[7]. Anjay!
Let's be real...
To put it bluntly, this is an excellent bakery that's being dragged down by its main courses. The baked goods are priced around 30k-60k, which is reasonable considering the size and ingredients. But for the main courses, with that price and that flavor, the value for money is really low[8].
Also, during peak hours, the service can struggle to keep up. It's possible your order might be missed or your food will take forever to arrive, so just keep your cool[9].
Pro-tips to Avoid Disappointment, You're Welcome!
- ✅【Queueing Tip】: The lines for takeaway and dine-in are separate! If you want to dine in, just go inside and ask a server if there's a table; don't just foolishly wait in the takeaway line[10].
- ✅【Ordering Guide】: Go for any of the croissants, Croffles, and egg tarts without a second thought. For the main courses and coffee, promise me, save your money. You're better off spending it on something else next door.
- ✅【Best Time to Go】: It's relatively less crowded during weekday afternoons for tea time. If you're going on a weekend, it's recommended to book in advance[11].
- ✅【An Easter Egg】: Their knives and forks are as heavy as gym equipment, making them super inconvenient to use. Eating feels like a wrist workout[12]… I guess you could call it a unique experience. 😂
- Jakarta's Croffle pioneer [1], queues snake out the door, making you wonder: is it *that* good?
- Their Croffle [2]: crispy, caramelized outside, chewy croissant layers inside. Hailed as Jakarta's best, one bite is pure bliss!
- It's a real hot and cold experience: baked goods are Mantap [3], but mains and coffee are a hard pass [4][5]. Such a wild contrast!
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