This Jakarta Cyberpunk Izakaya: 10/10 vibe, but half the menu is a minefield…
qponx
2026-01-23
Step into a Jakarta izakaya with a stunning cyberpunk vibe, transporting you to an 80s Tokyo street with neon lights and City Pop music. While the atmosphere is perfect for photos and chilling out, the food is a hit-or-miss adventure. This article is your guide to navigating the menu, highlighting the must-order skewers like the crispy chicken skin and warning you about the dishes to avoid. Enjoy the incredible ambiance without the culinary disappointment.
Anjay! Just turned into Blok M in Jakarta and climbed up to the second floor of this place[1], I thought I had walked onto the wrong movie set and fallen straight into a 1980s Tokyo street. The neon lights were hazy and mesmerizing, City Pop music was playing, making it super Chill, and the cyberpunk vibe was totally maxed out[2], perfect for coming to Nongkrong after work!
The atmosphere alone is worth the price of admission, but after all, we're here to eat. Once we sat down, forget everything else, we had to get some skewers!
Seriously, their skewers are really something else. Especially the Kawa Yakitori (Grilled Chicken Skin)[3], you have to order it! It makes a"crunch" sound the moment you bite into it, it's the crispiest chicken skin I've had in Jakarta this year. The fatty aroma just explodes in your mouth, absolutely god-tier! And then there's the Tsukune (Chicken Meatball)[4], dipped in raw egg yolk, the texture is unbelievably smooth and tender, Mantap!
But let's be honest for a second
But! This place is like opening a blind box, half pleasant surprise, half nasty shock. First off, the prices are not cheap at all. We just ordered a few things and two drinks, and it cost the two of us almost 270,000 Indonesian Rupiah[5]. My wallet is hurting a bit. Secondly, there are some dishes you should definitely steer clear of.
For example, the much-hyped Creamy Gyoza (Creamy Dumplings)[6], I totally hit a landmine with this one... The creamy flavor was there, but the gyoza skin felt undercooked, and the texture was... hard to describe. Also, the Gyu Karubi beef skewers my friend ordered, not only was the portion pathetically small[7], but the meat was also super tough and dry[8], It really wasn't worth the price.
Oh, right, and another important point: The indoor area is a smoking zone[9], so it's constantly smoky. For all the girls out there who are sensitive to smoke, be prepared!
A Lazy Person's Guide to Ordering (You're Welcome)
So, if you want to go just to check in, take photos, and soak up the atmosphere, it's totally OK! But to avoid any disappointments, please take this list of hits and misses👇
✅ The Good List (Order Without Hesitation)
❌ The Avoid List (Order with Caution)
✨ A Few Last Words
- Kawa Yakitori[10]: The best of the night. If you don't order it, you might as well have not come!
- Tsukune[11]: Chicken meatballs dipped in egg yolk, yummy!
- Tori Karaage[12]: The fried chicken is also on point, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
- Creamy Gyoza[13]: It gets polarizing reviews. You can try it if you're curious, but don't get your hopes up.
- Gyu Karubi[14]: Not great value for money. You might end up with tough, old meat.
- Salmon Matah Udon[15]: It's a rather creative fusion dish, but if you're looking for authentic Japanese udon, you can skip this one.
- 1. The restaurant is on the second floor, and the sign is downstairs, so don't walk past it[16].
- 2. The signal for card or QR code payments is not great[17], so it's a good idea to have some cash on hand.
- 3. There's a gap between the menu pictures and the actual food, so please lower your expectations accordingly[18]
- Head upstairs in Blok M and you're transported to 80s Tokyo streets! Neon-lit, City Pop beats, the cyberpunk vibe is epic. Perfect for after-work Nongkrong and Chill! [1][2]
- Must-order: Kawa Yakitori (grilled chicken skin). That "crunch" releases an explosion of crispy, fatty flavor. Legendary, don't miss it! [3]
- Also, the Tsukune (chicken meatballs) with raw egg yolk are incredibly tender. This unique way of eating is truly Mantap! [4]
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