First meal in Pekanbaru: I was conquered by this flying fish
qponx
2026-03-06
Looking for the perfect first meal in Pekanbaru? Head to Koki Sunda, a stylishly renovated Sundanese restaurant near the airport. The must-try signature dish is the 'Flying' Fried Gurami—a visually stunning whole fish, crispy on the outside and tender inside. While waiting for the generous portions, enjoy the free self-service salad bar with unlimited Lalapan and Rujak. This spot offers an authentic taste of Indonesia, though it's best to visit outside peak hours to avoid a long wait.
Right after getting off the plane, dragging my suitcase, my friend guaranteed that we had to visit this Koki Sunda, saying it's the top dog of Sundanese cuisine in Pekanbaru. I was thinking, it's just an Indonesian homestyle restaurant, how amazing could it be? But when the car pulled up to the entrance, whoa, so impressive! It looked nothing like the old-school restaurant I had imagined. It was recently renovated, the whole design is super stylish, and it looks bright and clean. My first impression was a perfect 10.
The space inside is huge, with both regular tables and a Lesehan area where you can sit cross-legged. It can handle family gatherings or business dinners. The biggest surprise was that there's a free salad bar while you wait for your food! [1] You can help yourself to Lalapan (raw vegetables) and Rujak (fruit salad), mix it with the sauce, and it's an instant appetizer!
I was shocked when the food arrived; the portions were much bigger than they looked in the menu photos. The owner is so honest! [2] You have to order the signature 'Flying' Fried Gurami! [3] A whole fish is fried until it's crispy and golden, shaped like it's about to take flight, Anjay! The fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Dip it in the sweet and spicy sauce, it's so good you can't stop eating. Pair it with a steaming pot of Nasi Liwet flavored rice [4], the joy of a carb lover, who gets it! We also ordered satay skewers [5]. The meat was very tender, and the sauce was rich, a completely authentic Indonesian flavor, Mantap!
But to be fair, when it's crowded, the serving speed really tests your patience [6]. It's real torture when you're starving. Also, the skewers we ordered didn't feel like they were fresh off the grill; they were lukewarm. It would have been perfect if they were hotter [7]. I've heard that the taste can be inconsistent sometimes, so I hope the restaurant can maintain its standards.
Editor's Highlights! Money-Saving / Pitfall-Avoiding Guide ✍️
- Birthday Perk: For friends celebrating their birthday on the day, bring your ID to get a super cute Tumpeng cone rice for free! [8] The sense of ceremony is maxed out!
- Free Appetizers: Don't forget to grab the free Lalapan and Rujak from the self-service counter. You can get refills, which basically saves you the cost of one dish!
- Ordering Recommendations: If it's your first time, go straight for the 'Flying' Fried Gurami [9] and Nasi Liwet [10]. You definitely can't go wrong.
- Travel Tips: It's very close to the airport [11], making it perfect for your first meal after landing or your last meal before leaving. There are also tons of parking spots, and they're free!
- Avoid Peak Hours: If you don't want to wait forever, try to go outside of peak meal times. Otherwise, you'll just have to be patient and have a good Nongkrong session with your friends.
- Walk in to a free salad bar with unlimited Lalapan (veggies) & Rujak (fruit salad). A perfect, free starter with sauce [1]!
- The 'Flying' Fried Gurami [2] is a must-try! A whole fish, fried golden-crisp with tender meat and an addictive sweet chili dip.
- Birthday on your ID? Get a free, cute Tumpeng rice cone [3]! Instantly makes the celebration feel special.
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