150k for a 5-Star Japanese Buffet... Turns into the Hunger Games?
qponx
2026-01-25
This Jakarta Japanese buffet boasts a stunning Kyoto-style garden, but the all-you-can-eat experience is a "Hunger Games" battle. For 150k, you get a beautiful photo op but face frustratingly slow service and a tiny window to place orders, making it nearly impossible to get your money's worth. With inconsistent food quality and hidden costs for drinks, this review weighs if the incredible ambiance is enough to justify the chaotic dining rules at this influencer-famous spot.
Girls, take my advice. If you want to know just how much of a trap these influencer-famous spots can be, one visit here and you'll understand everything.
If my bestie hadn't dragged me here, I would've never believed that a Kyoto-style courtyard was hidden inside Le Méridien hotel in Jakarta's CBD... The moment you walk in, you're greeted by a koi pond, bamboo groves, and paper sliding doors[1], setting the atmosphere to the max. At that moment, I naively thought this would be a perfect Japanese dining Nongkrong experience. Anjay, turns out I was too young and naive...
Don't just look at the face, look at the"substance"
The ambiance is truly impeccable. A lot of thought went into the restaurant's design; every step reveals a new view, giving it that serene and profound Kyoto feel[2]. Sitting in a tatami private room, looking at the koi outside the window, it's perfect for taking pictures to post on your feed, pretending you're on vacation in Japan. But, the essence of a restaurant is still the food!
How's the food, you ask? Well, it's a case of Schrödinger's deliciousness. The star of the show, the Salmon Sashimi[3], is very inconsistent in quality. The one I had this time was reasonably fresh, but the table next to us was complaining that theirs tasted like it had just been taken out of the freezer, and even had a bit of a fishy smell. So getting a good one is purely a matter of luck...
On the other hand, some of the hot dishes were a pleasant surprise, like the Agedashi Tofu[4], which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—not bad. The Chawanmushi[5] was also quite smooth. But don't get your hopes up for the sushi. The rice falls apart as soon as you pick it up, and when I asked, I found out it was pre-made. They couldn't even accommodate a basic request like"no wasabi"[6], which is a bit of a letdown.
Here's the Real Complaint!
Okay, now for the main point, why I called this a"Hunger Games" experience. The rules for this so-called All You Can Eat are insane... You get 90 minutes to dine, but you can only place orders for the first 50-60 minutes[7]! And the service is so slow it'll make you question your existence.
Waiting 20 minutes after the first round of orders, and another half an hour for the second round is a common occurrence. By the time all your food arrives, a waiter comes over to remind you that you only have 10 minutes left to eat... This kind of tactic really makes your blood pressure skyrocket. Want to get your money's worth? Basically impossible. It's purely a delay tactic to stop you from eating more. Mantap!
What's even more ridiculous is that the buffet price doesn't include any drinks; you even have to pay extra for basic tea[8]. After tax and service charge, the meal comes out to almost 300k per person. For this experience... well, whether it's worth the price is a matter of opinion.
Survival Guide (You're Welcome!)
Although I've complained a lot, if your main goal is to find a place with a great atmosphere for photos and to have a little something to eat, then it's still worth considering. But you must remember the following points:
- Book in advance: You must book in advance via WhatsApp![9] This place is super popular, so walking in is basically impossible.
- Don't be late: Your dining time starts from your booking time, not your arrival time[10]. If you're one minute late, you get one less minute to eat.
- Be aggressive with your ordering: Order as soon as you sit down! Order everything you want in the first round. Don't count on adding more later, because you'll be waiting until the end of time. The portions are small, so don't be shy.
- Manage your expectations: Just think of it as paying 150k to take photos in a Japanese garden and having a bite to eat on the side. Don't come with the mentality of"eating the buffet out of business," or you'll be too angry to Chill. 😂
- Kyoto Garden in Le Meridien Jakarta CBD. Enter: koi pond, bamboo, shoji doors[1] – Japan escape[2]!
- AYCE is a "Hunger Games": 90 min, but only 50-60 mins to order[3]! Even basic tea costs extra[4].
- Salmon sashimi quality's a gamble[5]. But crispy Japanese fried tofu[6] and silky chawanmushi[7] are unexpected delights!
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