4.7 Stars on Google? Think Twice About This Viral Seafood Spot in Palembang
qponx
2026-03-06
Thinking of visiting the viral Seafood Demang in Palembang? This review urges you to reconsider. While the restaurant boasts a beautiful, photo-worthy ambiance, the experience falls short. Prepare for extremely long waits and a culinary lottery, with dishes ranging from decent to dangerously undercooked. With questionable kitchen hygiene and unprofessional service also reported, this spot's high Google rating may not reflect the true, pricey, and frustrating reality. Is the aesthetic worth the risk?
Girls, I just got back from Palembang and I have to write this up immediately to warn you guys! This new place, Seafood Demang, looks so glamorous on social media, but the real experience… let's just say it's hard to put into words.
The moment I stepped inside, honestly, I was almost fooled by the ambiance. The place is really spacious, the decor is clean and comfortable, and the AC is strong. It felt perfect for a family gathering or just to chill with friends. [1] At that moment, I was thinking, "Nice, looks like I made the right choice."
However, things went downhill fast right after we ordered. We waited for almost an hour before the food was slowly brought out, and the efficiency was just anjay...[2] I eagerly picked up a piece of their signature Vietnamese-Style Grilled Fish[3], but while the outside looked perfectly charred, one poke with my chopsticks revealed the inside was still raw and bloody![4] I was stunned on the spot... The Black Pepper Crab[5] at our table had a decent, rich flavor, but my friend's squid was grilled to the point it was basically charcoal. The consistency of the taste and quality is really like opening a blind box.
What turned me off the most was accidentally glancing at their so-called "open kitchen" and seeing an employee smoking in the food prep area[6]. I was just... speechless about the hygiene situation. We reported the undercooked fish to the waiter, but they just gave us a look that said, "There's nothing wrong with the fish," and handled it very unprofessionally.[7] Looking at the 700,000 Rupiah bill, I just have to say, this meal was so frustrating it was almost funny. The value for money is really low.[8]
Editor's Honest Guide (You're Welcome!)
So, is this place still worth a visit? Take my advice:
In short, don't trust the high ratings on Google too much. For those of you who've been, let's chat in the comments, and don't let me be the only one who "suffered"! 😂
- If you're all about aesthetics: and just want a nice-looking place to take photos and nongkrong, then it's fine. After all, the lighting and sense of space are genuinely good.
- If you're a foodie: please, please, please be mentally prepared. Be prepared to wait for an hour, and check if your food is fully cooked when it arrives.
- Money-saving tip: If you absolutely must give it a try, you can aim for their weekday lunch set (11:00-15:00). I heard it starts from 35,000 Rupiah and includes a free iced tea[9]. At that price, it won't hurt too much even if it's a disaster.
- Super clean & spacious with powerful AC. Perfect for family meals or chilling with friends. Great first impression [1].
- Rich, flavorful black pepper crab. If the grilled squid is also good, it's the perfect side to order with it [2].
- Weekday lunch sets from 35k with free iced tea are a steal. So cheap, it's no big deal if you pick a dud [3].
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