Spending almost 1 million on the Ritz-Carlton buffet? You'll want to read this about Asia Restaurant Jakarta first.
qponx
2026-01-24
Thinking of splurging on the buffet at The Ritz-Carlton's Asia Restaurant in Jakarta? This honest review weighs in on whether it's worth the million-rupiah price tag. It explores the elegant but crowded ambiance and dives deep into the food, from the highly-anticipated seafood station with its elusive lobsters to the underwhelming Japanese section. Get the full scoop on the hits and misses before you decide to book a table for this much-hyped dining experience.
In Jakarta, The Ritz-Carlton's Asia Restaurant has a big reputation, but the online reviews are so divided it made me super curious. Some praise it to the heavens, while others trash it completely. With a"nothing ventured, nothing gained" mindset, I decided to take my wallet and check it out for myself, to see if this meal is truly Mantap or just Anjay!
An Immersive"Disaster" Scene
Walking in, the ambiance is undeniably great—spacious and elegant, it feels perfect for a family dinner or a company outing to Nongkrong. But the devil is in the details. Not to mention it gets super crowded during peak hours, and the air conditioning feels like it's about to give up, making it a bit stuffy and hot. If you want to have a quiet meal, remember to request a table away from the live band when you book, otherwise, it's honestly a bit noisy[1].
Straight to the main event—the food!
- Seafood Section: I came specifically for the chilled seafood[2]! The Instagram photos showed mountains of lobsters and oysters, but the reality was… the restocking speed couldn't keep up with how fast people were grabbing them. After a long wait for a new platter, the lobster was already cold and the texture was just average. Anjay, it felt like I was playing some kind of limited-edition drop game.
- Japanese Section: Sashimi and sushi[3] were my second stop. The salmon was reasonably fresh, but the chef's knife skills were a bit *too* good—the slices were thinner than my patience 😅. The variety wasn't great either, a bit of a letdown for a five-star hotel's reputation.
- Hot Dishes & Others: Honestly, most of the hot dishes felt"unremarkable," the kind of standard buffet fare you forget right after eating, some were even bland and tasteless[4]. Seriously, nothing stood out.
- Dessert Section (The Only Redemption!): Just when I was about to lose all hope, the dessert section saved my night! The cakes, puddings, and especially the Gelato here were surprisingly good[5]. Lots of variety, great flavors—it was the best part of the whole buffet.
Some Heart-to-Heart Talk
Honestly, at nearly one million Indonesian Rupiah[6] per person, the value for money is pretty terrible. You're paying for The Ritz-Carlton's brand premium and location, but the food itself, especially the seafood and hot dishes, just doesn't live up to that standard. I'm not saying it's completely worthless—after all, the desserts were pretty good, and some friends have mentioned that the restaurant has improved a lot after listening to feedback[7], so maybe I just got unlucky. But based on my experience this time, paying full price would really make my wallet hurt.
【Editor's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls】
If you still want to give it a try, take my advice to save some unnecessary spending:
- 1. Don't be a sucker and pay full price! This place has year-round credit card promotions, especially with BCA, which often has buy-one-get-one-free deals[8]. Before you go, make sure to check for promotions from major banks or on Grab. This is more important than anything!
- 2. Booking in advance is a must! Especially on holidays and weekends, don't just show up, or you'll likely have made the trip for nothing. It's even more crucial to book ahead if you're using a voucher[9]!
- 3. Manage your expectations! If you're going for the heavy hitters like lobster and crab, it's best to call the restaurant when booking to confirm if they're available that day[10]. Don't be fooled by the ads; they aren't served every day.
- 4. If you're there for dessert, just go for it. If you're not that fussed about the seafood and hot dishes, just think of it as going for a fancy dessert buffet. Your mindset will be much better that way. 😂
- Seafood might disappoint, but their Gelato and desserts are salvation—delicious, endless choices![1]
- Don't pay full! Bank Buy One Get One[2] deals (BCA, etc.) make million-rupiah[3] 5-star buffet an insane steal!
- Ritz-Carlton Jakarta Asia Restaurant: 'polarizing reputation'[4][5]. Lobster/oyster feast or overrated 5-star buffet?
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