4.9 stars on Google, but the waiters were sour-faced the whole time? Thanks for nothing, Tangerang sushi spot…
qponx
2026-02-25
Is Kintaro Sushi in Tangerang worth its 4.9-star Google rating? This popular spot wins big on ambiance with its stunning Zen-style decor and a picture-perfect cherry blossom tree. But this honest review looks past the aesthetics to reveal the downsides: unenthusiastic service, surprisingly small portions, and a price tag that doesn't match the value. Before you go, find out if the beautiful setting is enough to make up for a less-than-heavenly dining experience.
I know the Japanese food scene in Tangerang is competitive, but this place, Kintaro Sushi, which boasts over 3000+ reviews and a high score of 4.9 on Google[1], really gave me an experience of heaven and hell.
I was truly amazed the moment I walked in. The place is filled with Japanese Zen-style decor, with wooden structures paired with soft lighting, the ambiance was maxed out. Especially the giant artificial cherry blossom tree on the second floor[2], what girl could resist taking photos here? Every casual shot looks like a masterpiece. At the time, I even told my friend that this trip was worth it. Anjay, I spoke too soon...
After flipping through the menu for a while, I had to try their signature dishes. That Tornado Roll[3] was quite interesting. Instead of dipping it in soy sauce, you dip it in a soft-boiled egg yolk mixed with truffle oil. The texture was silky smooth, a nice creative touch. But that's about it. Another signature, the Gyu Katsu[4], the meat quality was okay, but the outer crust wasn't crispy enough, which kind of affected the texture. And, to be honest, aren't the portions a bit too 'delicate'[5]? It's gone in a few bites. It felt like it was over before it even began, not even enough to fill the gaps between my teeth.
OK, now for the main point. The ambiance is genuinely nice, but I really can't compliment the service[6]. From start to finish, the waiters all had a "you-owe-me-money" look on their faces. When asked about the dishes, they knew nothing, and the efficiency was incredibly slow. Then look at the price, a regular salmon sushi roll costs 40,000 IDR[7], and paired with this portion size and service… Mantap, the value for money is really terrible, my wallet is crying, okay!
So, is it worth going? My honest advice:
- 1. Go if you're purely in it for the photos: If you just want to find a pretty place to take pictures, the environment here definitely passes the test, especially under the cherry blossom tree.
- 2. Avoid peak hours: It gets super crowded during weekend lunch and after 6 PM[8], the seating is tight, and the service can't keep up. If you want to chill quietly, go during off-peak hours.
- 3. If you want sashimi, go early: Don't say I didn't warn you, popular items like salmon and tuna are very likely to be sold out[9] if you go at night! It happened to me last time, I was speechless in capital letters.
- 4. If you want to try it out, start with the lunch sets: Starting from 80,000 IDR[10], you get a main course, salad, soup, and ice cream, which is way more worth it than ordering à la carte.
- Instantly wowed by the Japanese Zen decor. Warm wood and soft lighting set a perfect, moody vibe [1].
- The 2nd floor's giant artificial cherry blossom tree is an irresistible photo op. Every snap is a masterpiece [2].
- The signature Tornado Roll skips soy sauce for a creative, silky dip of onsen egg and truffle oil [3].
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