This viral hotpot in Medan is expensive, but is the service and hygiene also Anjay?
qponx
2026-03-06
Medan's viral hotpot spot is famous for its delicious Collagen soup and generous portions, but is it worth the hefty price tag? This honest review dives into the chaotic service, questionable hygiene, and surprising extra charges that might ruin your meal. Get the full scoop on whether this popular restaurant lives up to the hype. The article provides essential tips on what to order (and avoid!), the need for reservations, and helps you decide if it's a must-try or a hard pass.
I'd long heard that this Hot Hot Pot place in Medan is the go-to spot for friend gatherings, and there's always a line during meal times. This time, I finally managed to meet up with my girls, but once I got inside… how should I put it, it felt a bit chaotic 😵💫. It was so crowded that the waiters seemed to be on fast-forward, and their voices were getting louder and louder[1]. The whole scene almost made me want to turn around and leave right then and there.
The Flavor is On Point, But There's More to Complain About
We sat down and ordered their signature Collagen Soup[2], which has been hyped up to no end. The milky white broth came to a boil, and we had a bowl first. Wow, it was actually quite refreshing, not that artificial kind of thickness. My friend's Mushroom Soup[3] was also very Mantap, full of umami flavor. The portion sizes for the ingredients were really generous[4]; the four of us ordered a whole table of food and almost couldn't finish it, so props for that. The sauce station also had a lot of options, so you could mix and match your own, which was pretty fun[5].
But! Now that the praise is out of the way, it's time for the real talk. This meal really hurt the wallet a bit. It was easily almost a million (Indonesian Rupiah) per person, and honestly, for this price and this flavor, I think it's a bit overpriced[6]. And some parts of the experience were really a letdown. For example, the bowls and chopsticks felt like they were covered in a layer of dust when they were brought out[7], and we had to wipe them again with a tissue before we dared to use them. My friend's beef order was also a miss; she said the texture was tough and dry, totally not worth the price.
The most baffling thing was, we wanted a half-and-half pot to have separate broths, and they actually charged extra for it[8]. I've never seen anything like it…
My Honest Opinion & Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls
So, is this place actually worth visiting? Here's my advice:
Overall, it's okay to try once for the novelty, but I probably won't be back for a second visit. What other good hot pot places are there in Medan? Waiting for your recommendations in the comments! 👇
- 1. Ambiance Over Flavor: If you're just looking for a lively atmosphere and need a VIP room with karaoke[9] for a team-building event or a birthday party, this place is okay. But if you're a foodie looking for top-notch flavor and value for money, then you should really think twice.
- 2. Reservations! Reservations! Reservations!: If you're going on a weekend, you must! absolutely must! call ahead to make a reservation[10], otherwise, you'll be waiting for at least half an hour, until you're exhausted from waiting.
- 3. Ordering Strategy: The signature broths are worth trying, but I'd really suggest you pass on the beef[11]; it's not good value for money. Order more vegetables and meatball/paste-type items. The portions are big, and they're hard to get wrong.
- 4. Getting There: Don't drive! Don't drive! There's very limited parking space downstairs, and during peak hours, it's easy to get stuck and not be able to get out[12]. Taking a taxi is the smartest choice.
- Collagen Soup has a light, creamy, non-greasy base; the mushroom soup is an umami bomb that dares your palate [1].
- Massive portions—a full table will stuff four people silly. Incredible value for money [2].
- Experience a true Medan local lively atmosphere with lightning-fast service amid the energetic buzz of the crowd [3].
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