42k for a bowl of Bakmi, pricier than Jakarta?! I'm putting this legendary Makassar spot to the test
qponx
2026-03-06
Is a bowl of bakmi in Makassar worth 42k? This legendary spot, famous for its long queues, might just convince you. Dive into a carb-lover's dream with massive portions of chewy noodles coated in fragrant pork lard. The dish is piled high with juicy red char siu and addictively crispy fried pork rind (Babi Tore). While it's on the pricier and oilier side, this is a must-try for any serious pork noodle enthusiast visiting the city.
As soon as I arrived in Makassar, my lokal friend mysteriously dragged me to this shop, pointed at the long queue at the entrance and said: “This is the absolute best pork bakmi in Makassar, if you don't eat it, you might as well have not come!” I took one look at the scene, and wow, it was a hole-in-the-wall kind of place, the line stretched to the corner of the street[1], and it was so hot I immediately wanted to find a place to Nongkrong and drink iced tea. What kind of magic does this bakmi have? 🤔
A Festival for Pork Lovers, Carb Bomb Alert!
The shop isn't spacious, it's packed to the brim, divided into an air-conditioned area and a fan area, but to be honest, both are just as stuffy during peak hours[2]. But the aunties working there are super efficient, taking orders and serving food with a smooth flow, they didn't get flustered by the crowd at all, that deserves a Mantap! 👍
When the bakmi arrived, I was shocked, the portion size... I only ordered a 'small' portion![3] The noodles themselves were coated in a fragrant pork lard, and each strand was perfectly chewy, they were flavorful enough on their own without needing any extra seasoning[4]. But the real soul of the dish is the mountain of toppings piled on top! The red char siu (Charsiu) had a perfect fat-to-meat ratio and was super juicy, and that deep-fried crispy pork rind (Babi Tore)[5], that 'crunch' sound with the first bite was so satisfying, Anjay! Paired with a bowl of their pork ball soup (Nyuk Nyang), it's a match made in heaven.[6]
Let's Be Real, It's Not All Rainbows and Butterflies
To be fair, this bakmi is genuinely delicious, but it's not without its flaws. First, the price is on the high side for Makassar, a small bowl costs 42,000 Indonesian Rupiah[7], which made even me, coming from Jakarta, feel the pinch. Second, the overall flavor is quite heavy and oily, and while the Babi Tore was crispy, it was a bit too salty for my taste[8]. Maybe it's because I'm used to the bakmi from Jakarta, which focuses more on 'umami' flavor, I feel the flavor profile here is more rustic and direct.
Editor's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls ✍️
- Don't be greedy when ordering: Trust me, for girls, the 'small' portion (porsi kecil) is definitely enough! Don't let your eyes be bigger than your stomach, the large portion can really be shared by two people.[9]
- Go during off-peak hours: During lunch rush and on weekends, queuing is the norm. If you don't want to wait, I suggest coming around 2 or 3 PM, it's more chill.
- Parking is a major headache: Parking spots at the entrance are practically non-existent, so friends who are driving should be prepared to circle the area a few times.[10]
- Dress lightly: The place is crowded and it gets really hot! A T-shirt and shorts are your best battle gear, don't wear anything too complicated.
- Locals call it the pork noodle GOAT. The crazy long lines prove it's a must-try![1]
- Small bowls are piled high with juicy char siu (fatty & lean) and golden, crispy fried pork crackling. The crunch is unreal![2][3]
- Pair with pork ball soup (Nyuk Nyang). The rich noodles and savory broth combo is the soul of Makassar in a bowl.[4][5]
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