Google 5 stars, but only 4 reviews? I went to Depok to see if this "god-tier" shop is a bust…
Lured by a perfect 5.0 Google rating, a trip to Depok uncovers a mysterious "god-tier" shop. But instead of a chic bakery, it's a humble spot with a roll-up door that smells like bread *and* instant noodles. This quirky establishment is a surprising hybrid: part bakery, part noodle shop, and part wholesale supplier. Is this unconventional hidden gem
I get DMs every day in my inbox, asking me to dig up some hidden gems around Jakarta. Alright, as a fan-pleaser, this time I floored it all the way to Depok for a "perfect score god-tier shop" with a 5.0 rating on Google!
The result... Anjay! When I saw the plain, unadorned roll-up door at the entrance, I was a bit stunned. This vibe is completely different from the usual Chill spots we go to. What happened to the "Bakery" I was promised? It just looks like an unremarkable neighborhood convenience store. 😅
Don't be fooled by the word "Bakery"
Walking in, there was indeed the aroma of bread in the air, but it was mixed with the smell of... instant noodles?! I'm not kidding. 😂
I turned my head, and oh man, on the left were a few trays of basic chocolate bread and white loaf bread, while the shelves on the right were conspicuously lined with rows of instant noodles and large wholesale bags of flour. So this is a bakery, but also a Noodle shop, and it moonlights as a Wholesale bakery. Its identity is a bit complicated; the owner must be very busy!
Don't expect any delicate French croissants or trendy "dirty" buns here. This is a place that provides daily staples for the neighborhood. The main theme is simplicity and practicality. Mantap! 🤌
The truth behind the 5.0 stars
Honestly, does this shop deserve 5.0 stars?
If you drove all the way from the south specifically to find a place to Nongkrong, take pictures, and have afternoon tea, then I'd advise you to turn back immediately. The gas money will cost more than the bread! This place will definitely disappoint you.
But if you live nearby and want to buy breakfast for your kids for the next day, or you suddenly run out of a bag of flour, then I completely understand the 5.0 stars. For the local community, it might just be that convenient, reliable, always-there kind of place. This high score is more for the neighborhood camaraderie than for the tourist experience.
TL;DR Guide
So, girls, here's the guide:
Stop blindly trusting Google ratings! Sometimes it's just a certification for being a "great neighborhood spot," not a signal that it's "worth crossing half the city for." Got it?
- For friends living in Depok: Congratulations, you have a convenient staple shop right at your doorstep. It's fine for buying bread on a daily basis.
- For my girls in downtown Jakarta: Listen to me, save your gas money and go to any bakery downstairs from your place; the experience will be better than this. Don't come! Seriously, don't come!
- For the photo-op crowd: Unless you want to challenge yourself with a "gritty urban-fringe documentary" style, you won't find a single photo spot here.
