Don't just listen to the President! Think twice about this Kampung Kecil branch...
qponx
2026-03-04
Lured by its presidential seal of approval and "royal taste, people's price" slogan? This review of Kampung Kecil's Bekasi branch suggests you think twice. While it serves authentic Sundanese dishes, with the sweet and sour fish being a highlight, the overall experience can be a letdown. Prepare for chaotic service, long waits, and a noisy, fast-food-like atmosphere. Get the honest scoop on whether this much-hyped eatery is truly worth the visit before you go.
"Royal taste, people's price"[1], drawn by this slogan and its reputation as Indonesia's "national canteen," plus the fact that even Jokowi has visited[2], I dragged my friend and rushed over to this Kampung Kecil in Bekasi.
But as soon as we walked in, I was dumbfounded. There were no waiters to show us to a table; everyone was in a long line at the cashier. My friend, looking completely confused, asked me, "Are we eating at a fast-food joint?" That's right, that's the process here: you order and pay directly at the counter, then find a seat and wait for your food to be served[3]. Anjay, this setup is a bit wild!
Flavor is on point, but the details are a letdown
We managed to snag a traditional little hut (Gubug), and sitting cross-legged really had a Nongkrong vibe. But to be fair, this branch is smaller than the others and doesn't have the signature large fish pond[4], which takes away half the fun.
Getting back to the food, the flavor is authentic Sundanese home-style cooking—the kind that can't go wrong. We ordered a few of their signature dishes:
What I want to complain about the most is that the fried food we ordered came out lukewarm and wasn't crispy at all. Also, the Karedok (Sundanese salad) sauce was sickeningly sweet[5]—not my cup of tea.
- Ikan Asam Manis (Sweet and Sour Fish): This one deserves high praise. The fish was fried to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the sweet and sour sauce was perfectly balanced. It went great with rice, Mantap![6]
- Paket Ayam Bakar Madu (Honey Grilled Chicken Set): The set meal was quite complete, with rice, vegetables, and a drink. But the chicken, if I'm being honest, was way too "kecil" (small) in size[7]... It felt like it was gone in one bite.
Service Relies on Shouting, and You'll Need Plenty of Patience
Maybe it was because of the lunch rush, but the whole restaurant was as noisy as a wet market. The waiters were running around like crazy, with basically no expression on their faces. We waited almost an hour for all our dishes to arrive[8], and had to ask about our order several times. The management seemed a bit chaotic. For friends who want a comfortable meal, you really need to be mentally prepared.
Editor-in-Chief's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls ✍️
- 1. Definitely avoid peak hours! Especially weekend lunches, it gets insanely crowded. For a better experience, I suggest going on a weekday afternoon.
- 2. Don't just wait for a menu. Go straight to the cashier to line up and order, or no one will attend to you.
- 3. Great for family gatherings. If you have a group of 6 or more, just order the set meals; the portions are generous and it's good value for money. But forget it for a couple's date; it's too noisy.
- 4. Money-saving tip: You can get free refills on iced water (air putih es)[9], which is a must-have when eating in Indonesia!
- 5. Adjust your expectations: You'll have a much better time if you think of it as an "upgraded Warteg" with seating. The food is OK and the prices are friendly, but don't have high expectations for the ambiance and service.
- Its "Royal taste, people's price" slogan, "national canteen" fame, and a visit from Jokowi make it a must-try. [1][2]
- The Ikan Asam Manis (Sweet and Sour Fish) is a win: crispy-tender fish in a perfect sauce, great over rice. Mantap! [3]
- Dine in a traditional Gubug (hut) and sit cross-legged for authentic Sundanese food. Perfect for Nongkrong.
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