Came for the fried rice, almost got choked out by secondhand smoke… This old Medan cafe is something else.
qponx
2026-03-06
Step back in time at City Ice Cream, a nostalgic Medan cafe legendary among locals. This spot serves up a fantastic, wok-flavored Nasi Goreng Spesial and a surprisingly delicious hot dog that offers amazing value. However, be warned: the air-conditioned space is filled with secondhand smoke. The review highlights which dishes are must-tries and which to avoid, like the disappointing Martabak Mesir. It's a classic spot with a very smoky atmosphere and some truly hit-or-miss food options.
Friends, who gets it? You're trying to Nongkrong in an air-conditioned room at the mall, but it feels like diving headfirst into a 90s internet cafe… I'm talking about you, City Ice Cream in Thamrin Plaza! 😮💨
This place holds a special spot in the hearts of Medan locals; many say it's a nostalgic spot they've been going to since they were kids[1]. On weekend afternoons, it's packed with families and students, and the scene is incredibly lively. But honestly, the moment I sat down, I was stunned. The AC was on, but the smell of smoke was everywhere. The smoking and non-smoking areas are like a joke; there's basically no partition[2]. For my friends who are sensitive to smoke, you can just stop reading here.
Putting the atmosphere aside, let's just talk about the food...
I was a bit annoyed at first, but when the Nasi Goreng Spesial[3], which had been recommended to me a million times, was served, I admit I started to come around. It was full of that smoky wok flavor, the rice grains were perfectly separated, and most importantly, they were super generous with the ingredients! Shrimp, squid, meat slices… every bite was so satisfying, totally worth the price, Mantap!
Another surprise was the Hot Dog[4]. For only 23k IDR, it was huge, the bun was soft and fluffy, and the smoked sausage inside was meaty and firm without being greasy, much better than what you'd get at many fast-food chains.
Of course, the signature Ice Cream[5] is also a must-order. From sundaes to parfaits, the choices are dazzling. It has that classic, childhood taste, perfect for cleansing your palate after a meal.
But! Don't just order anything blindly
After the praise, it's time for some complaints. Ordering at this place is like opening a blind box. Whatever you do, don't order the Martabak Mesir (Egyptian Pancake)[6]. It costs almost 40k, but the filling was just onions and more onions. The meat and egg were basically "ghoib" (invisible), Anjay! The value for money is just terrible.
And then there's the Spaghetti[7]. They're very generous with the cheese, but the meat sauce has a very strong, gamey flavor. Friends who don't like that kind of taste might just die on the spot. Order with caution.
A Guide from the Heart
Here, I've put together a 'good' and 'bad' list for you, so you don't make the same mistakes I did!
✅ Red List (Go for it):
❌ Black List (Run!):
⚠️ One last shout-out:
Friends with zero tolerance for secondhand smoke, don't come! Don't come! Don't come![8] Unless the restaurant figures it out and puts up proper partitions someday, otherwise, even the most delicious fried rice can't make up for this smoky Chill...
- Nasi Goreng Spesial[9]: The must-order main course, both portion size and flavor are on point.
- Hot Dog[10]: King of value for money, surprisingly delicious.
- All kinds of Ice Cream[11]: You can't go wrong with the signature, order any of them.
- Martabak Mesir[12]: Basically an onion pancake, whoever orders it will regret it.
- Nasi Goreng Spesial with amazing 'wok hei', fluffy rice, plus shrimp, squid, and meat. Deeply satisfying with every bite [1].
- Just 23k IDR for a massive Hot Dog on a soft bun with a firm, meaty sausage. Insane value! [2].
- Ice Cream in tons of classic, nostalgic flavors. A perfect post-meal palate cleanser [3].
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