They call Gacoan's quality a blind box. Is the Batu branch a delight or a disaster?
qponx
2026-03-05
Is the Batu branch of the famous Mie Gacoan a hit or a miss? This review dives into the rollercoaster experience at the popular Indonesian noodle spot. While it praises the mind-blowing spicy noodles and "best ever" fried wontons at unbelievably cheap prices, it also gives a heads-up. Be warned of the chaotic service, long waits, and inconsistent quality that make every visit a gamble. Find out if the delicious, affordable food is worth the potential frustration.
Friends, who gets it? Every time I pass by Mie Gacoan, it's always packed with people. It's known as Indonesia's spiciest noodle[1] and has been popular for almost ten years. This time in Batu, I saw its high score of 4.6 from 3500+ reviews on Google[2] and thought, "This can't be bad, right?" Well... Anjay, this experience was a real rollercoaster, a love-hate relationship! 😂
So Spicy It'll Blow Your Mind, So Cheap It'll Make You Cry
Let's start with the good stuff, or people will think I'm a hater. Seriously, this might be the best Gacoan branch I've ever eaten at!
I ordered their signature spicy noodle, Mie Gacoan[3]. The noodles were springy and chewy, and not as greasy as other places. The seasoning was truly Mantap[4]! I only dared to choose Level 1 for the spiciness, but the afterburn went straight to my head. Spice lovers will definitely be in heaven. For friends who can't handle spice, you can directly order the Mie Suit, which has a completely non-spicy, sweet and savory flavor.
But I have to give the "Best in Show" award to the Pangsit Goreng (fried wontons)! Trust me, this is absolutely the best fried wonton I've had in Indonesia, bar none[5]! The skin was so crispy it made a crunching sound, and the chicken filling inside was plump and juicy. It blows many specialty dim sum shops out of the water.
The place is quite spacious, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The atmosphere is very youthful, perfect for coming with friends to Nongkrong and just chat. For a huge table of food like this, it's only about 10,000 to 20,000 IDR per person. It's so cheap it's touching, and the portions are huge. You'll definitely leave stuffed.
Here Come the Downsides, Brace Yourselves
Okay, enough with the praise, time for some real talk. The biggest pitfall of this place is—the service and the waiting time! 🤦♀️
I was prepared to queue, but I didn't expect to wait over half an hour just to pick up my food. I watched as people who came after me got their food, while mine was still not ready. I ran to the front counter to ask, only to find out my order had been mixed up... I was so done. Many reviews mentioned similar situations, so no matter how much the staff rushes you, you have to stay Chill and be Zen about it[6].
Also, their quality control is really inconsistent. I was lucky this time, but a friend told me that when he came last time, the noodles were as bland as water, and the vanilla latte he ordered was roasted as tasting like "dishwater"[7]. So whether the food is good or not really depends on your luck
- Mie Gacoan’s springy noodles have Mantap[1] seasoning and insane heat for spice lovers. Not into spice? Get the sweet Mie Suit[2].
- Pangsit Goreng is ultra-crispy with a juicy chicken filling, easily beating many dedicated dim sum spots[3].
- Get stuffed for only 10-20k IDR. Huge portions and a young vibe make it a great spot to Nongkrong with friends.
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