Who says vegetarian food is like eating grass? This Samarinda temple cafe's Sate is tastier than real meat
qponx
2026-03-05
Discover Fortunate Coffee, a hidden vegetarian cafe tucked inside a Samarinda temple. This hilltop gem offers a tranquil escape with panoramic city views, perfect for a chill afternoon. While everything is vegetarian, the signature satay is a game-changer, praised for tasting even better than real meat. Don't miss the addictive crispy mushrooms and fried tofu. It’s a unique dining spot for both vegetarians and curious carnivores looking for a delicious surprise with a stunning backdrop.
Girls, take my advice: next time you're in Samarinda and your GPS leads you to a temple gate, do not turn back! I almost missed out on a hidden gem this time. I thought I was going for a spiritual retreat, but who knew there was a café hidden inside with a panoramic view of the whole city? It's seriously Anjay! 🤯
This place, called Fortunate Coffee, is located inside the Maha Vihara Sejahtera temple[1]. You have to drive up a small hill. The air is super fresh, and the environment is quiet and clean, with a perfect mix of Chinese and Indonesian styles. Grab an outdoor seat, enjoy the breeze while looking at the city view below, and the whole afternoon just passed by so Chill. It's the perfect spot to Nongkrong with friends.
Now for the main event: it's a purely vegetarian place. As a carnivore, I wasn't expecting much, but... I was totally proven wrong! Their signature vegetarian satay (Sate)[2], if you ate it with your eyes closed, you'd swear it was chicken. The sauce is also Mantap, so delicious I wanted to steal the recipe from the owner! Don't miss out on the snacks either. You have to order the crispy mushrooms (Jamur Krispi) and fried tofu (Tahu Goreng)[3]—so crunchy you can't stop eating them. For my main, I ordered the Taoki rice[4]. The bean curd skin soaked up the sweet soy sauce, the portion was huge, enough to fill up a big guy.
To be honest though, since it's a Buddhist-style restaurant, they don't use garlic. For a strong-flavor lover like me, some of the main dishes felt a bit lacking in complexity[5]. Also, when it gets crowded during meal times, the service can be really slow[6]. You might go crazy if you go when you're starving, haha. For those who want coffee, be aware that they use soy milk, which has a unique taste that might not be for everyone[7].
A No-Nonsense Guide, You're Welcome 👇
Alright, enough talk. Vegetarians and carnivores looking for a change of pace, you all have to go try it
- What to Order: Just go for the Sate[8]! For snacks, get the Jamur Krispi and Tahu Goreng[9]. If you want a full meal, get the Taoki Rice[10]. The prices are very reasonable, around a few dozen RMB per person, so it's great value for money[11].
- What to Avoid: It's most crowded at lunchtime, so go during off-peak hours if you don't want to wait forever. They're closed on Mondays[12], so don't make a wasted trip! But they are open on public holidays.
- Bonus Points: The environment itself is an attraction. After your meal, you can walk around the temple, which is very photogenic. They accept card payments[13], which is very tourist-friendly.
- Tucked inside a Samarinda temple, Fortunate Coffee has epic city views that are totally Anjay! 🤯
- Who says veggie food can't taste like meat? Try their vegetarian satay—you'd swear it was chicken [1]. The sauce is Mantap!
- It's super affordable, so you can Nongkrong in a chill environment with city views [2]. The value is insane
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