Is this "legendary" Jakarta ramen worth the "killer elevator" ride?
qponx
2026-01-23
This Jakarta ramen spot is legendary, but is it worth the "killer elevator" ride? Tucked away in an old building, its main event is the Goma Tonkotsu Ramen, featuring a shockingly thick, peanut-butter-like sesame broth that divides opinions. The article dives into this polarizing dish, the run-down "cyberpunk" atmosphere, and other menu hits and misses. It’s an honest look at whether this adventurous, intense flavor experience is worth the hype and the questionable journey to get there.
Honestly, if my friend hadn't dragged me here, I wouldn't have been caught dead walking into this old building in the South area. The elevator was small and shaky, felt like a scene from a horror movie was about to start... My head was full of questions at the time: Is it really worth all this for a bowl of ramen? 🤷♀️
The Hard-to-Describe"Peanut Butter" Ramen
The restaurant is on the fourth floor, and the ambiance, how should I put it, it's that"vintage feel" that's a fine line between intentionally aged and just plain run-down[1]. It's dim, stuffy, the paint is peeling off the walls, and there's a sticky feeling in the air. The main vibe is a kind of cyberpunk-dystopian Chill.
We were feeling brave, so we went straight for the signature Goma Tonkotsu Ramen[2]. I was shocked when it arrived; the broth was as thick as a bowl of melted peanut butter! The first sip, an incredibly intense sesame and nut flavor coated my entire mouth, while the pork bone flavor was surprisingly faint. Anjay… the flavor is truly bewitching; people who love it would probably find it Mantap, but an average person like me just couldn't appreciate it. My friend's regular Tonkotsu Ramen[3] was even worse; not only was the broth bland, it even had a mysterious sour taste.
The side dishes were a mixed bag too; the Gyoza[4] had thick skin and salty filling, and a few pieces of the Karaage[5] were fried to a crisp. The only thing worth raving about was the portion size; a medium was big enough to feed two people[6], which was the only consolation prize, I guess.
The Honest Truth, Before You Decide to Go
Objectively speaking, this place has plenty of flaws. It's on the pricey side; a bowl of ramen easily costs over a hundred thousand, and there's a 10% service charge on top of that. The waiter had a poker face the whole time, barely said a word, so don't expect any Japanese-style service[7]. I heard this used to be a late-night spot for Japanese expats, but now it feels like its glory days are over, kind of like a famous spot that's past its prime[8].
A Guide to Avoiding the Pitfalls, You're Welcome
Finally, for the friends who are feeling adventurous, let me highlight the key points:
📍 Location: On the 4th floor of Gedung Jasmin in Mahakam, the sign downstairs is tiny, the fastest way is to just ask the security guard[9].
🚗 Parking: There's basically no parking space, so be prepared for"mandatory" valet parking, and have 20k cash ready.
🍜 Ordering: If you're not an expert in super strong flavors, be very cautious about ordering the signature sesame ramen on your first visit[10]! Otherwise, you might end up questioning your life choices like I did.
⏰ Time: Expect a queue during peak meal times, and you might be limited to a one-hour dining time, so if you're looking to slowly Nongkrong with friends, you can forget about it.
So, who is this place actually for? If you love this kind of run-down vibe, have a palate for intense flavors, and enjoy adventurous exploration, then you can give it a try. But if you just want to quietly enjoy a good, traditional bowl of ramen, there are so many better options in Jakarta. Over.
- Signature Goma Tonkotsu Ramen [1]: broth like melted peanut butter, super sesame-nutty. M size [2] for two, it's magic.
- Cyberpunk wasteland style [3] in a shaky old building [4]. Extreme Chill dilapidated aesthetic, poker-faced staff [5] – the vibe is a must.
- Once a Japanese late-night diner [6], its old legend mysterious vibe and tight-lipped staff [7] make it a story.
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