4.8 stars on Google, but the signature meat is still an ice block? Think twice about this West Jakarta AYCE.
qponx
2026-01-24
Don't let the 4.8-star rating fool you! This review of a West Jakarta AYCE Korean BBQ reveals a different story. While it boasts a spacious, smoke-free ambiance perfect for hanging out, the food is a major letdown. The article highlights key issues like the signature Saikoro steak being served as a frozen block, bland side dishes, and inconsistent service. Read this to find out if the affordable price is worth the gamble or if you should skip it.
Honestly, the algorithm recently pushed this Korean BBQ place in West Jakarta to me. It has 1000+ reviews on Google with a high score of 4.8, and the photos looked super legit. Thinking about the price of less than 100k per person, I dragged my friend to go Nongkrong. I was pleasantly surprised when we walked in. The place is spacious, the AC is super strong, and the ventilation system is Mantap! There was no smoky smell on my clothes after eating, so I thought, we hit the jackpot. 🥳
But who would've thought... the surprises ended there.
After Sitting Down, the Illusion Was Shattered
The ambiance is definitely its biggest plus, great for gathering and chatting with friends, not too loud or chaotic[1]. But the main character—the meat—was a bit Anjay…
The variety of meat, compared to other places in the same price range, really isn't that much[2]. We excitedly asked the waiter for their signature Saikoro Steak[3], but I was dumbfounded when it arrived—a hard, frozen block with visible ice crystals. How are you supposed to grill this? Unsurprisingly, after grilling, the outside was burnt while the inside was still raw. The texture was tough and chewy; my jaw was sore from chewing.
The other side dishes were also hard to describe. The fried noodles and spring rolls were very bland and even a bit cold[4]. The milk tea from the drink station tasted like watered-down sugar water. Finally, I wanted some ice cream to cleanse my palate and found out it was AICE... Girls, you know what I mean, right? Seeing this at a weekend price of 119k, the feeling was a bit complicated. 😅
No Hype, No Hate, Just Keeping It Real
The biggest impression this place left on me was its"Schrödinger's service"[5]. When you go, you might get an enthusiastic waiter, or you might get staff who are completely spaced out, chatting loudly, or even eating in front of customers. During peak hours, they're understaffed, so it's common to call for them for ages with no response.
In terms of price, while 99k on weekdays sounds tempting, you're forced to upgrade to the 119k package on weekends and public holidays[6]. At this price in Jakarta, honestly, there are options with much better quality meat. And want to add a Tom Yum soup base? Sure, that'll be an extra 30k.
A Guide to Avoid the Pitfalls, You're Welcome!
If you're really curious, or you're just in it for the good ambiance and not smelling like smoke afterward, then here's some sincere advice:
All in all, if you want a satisfying BBQ meal, you might want to keep looking. If it's for a small get-together with friends and you just want a clean, smoke-free place to hang out, then... I guess it's fine. 🤷♀️
- 1. Only go on weekdays! For the 99k price, lower your expectations and just think of it as paying for a place with AC to chat.
- 2. The signature Saikoro Steak is only given when you order it specifically, so check if it's thawed when you get it. If it's still a block of ice, be extra patient when grilling[7].
- 3. Don't drive! Don't drive! The parking space is so limited it's negligible. Getting a ride-hailing service is the only way[8].
- 4. Each person only gets one free ice cream stick, so don't expect it to be all-you-can-eat[9].
- The signature Saikoro Steak [1] was a hard ice block, grilling up tough and chewy [2]. What dark cuisine is this?!
- Service at this Jakarta BBQ spot is Schrödinger's [3] – you never know if you'll get enthusiastic staff [4] or someone totally zoned out [5]. What a bizarre experience!
- If you're just after a spacious, quiet [6] and comfy spot for friends to chat [7], this place *might* work.
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