Eat 'til you drop for 18k! This fried tempeh has taken over Lampung Uni students' youth
qponx
2026-03-06
Discover RM. UDA, a legendary Lampung eatery that's a rite of passage for local students. Tucked away in a narrow alley, this no-frills spot serves massive "worker's portions" for as low as 11k. The star of the show is the "Tempe Bohay"—a face-sized fried tempeh smothered in a rich, unforgettable Gulai sauce. Forget the ambiance; it's all about incredible value and flavor that has fueled generations of students.
Honestly, if my Lokal friend hadn't led the way, winding through a narrow alley in Bandar Lampung that's tight even for a motorcycle[1], I swear I would have never found this place. There isn't even a proper sign at the entrance, but it wasn't even mealtime yet, and the queue of people was already blocking the alley's entrance. That kind of scene, this place is something else!
This is the legendary eatery that has fed generations of university students in Lampung—RM. UDA. An old shop that lecturers have been talking about since 2007[2], they say they were already eating here back in their school days. A total blast from the past.
Forget the Ambiance, It's All About the Flavor
Don't have any expectations for the ambiance. This is the most authentic Warung style, the space is small, it gets incredibly hot when it's crowded, and... the uncle serving has a super grumpy face and even smokes while he works[3]. Germaphobes, enter at your own risk! Anjay!
But as soon as the food arrives, all those complaints just vanish. I ordered the beef rendang rice, and the rice was piled up like a small mountain, drizzled with an impossibly rich Gulai sauce. The aroma just hits you right in the soul! That sauce is truly Mantap, savory and rich, and goes incredibly well with the rice[4]. It's the soul of this place.
Of course, the MVP of the whole meal has to be this signature fried tempeh, which is bigger than my face—Tempe Bohay[5]! A thin slice of tempeh is coated in a thick, soft batter, fried to a golden brown, and then rolled in the Gulai sauce before being served. One bite, and it's soft on the outside and chewy on the inside, with the sauce completely soaking the batter. So delicious I'm at a loss for words! The best part is, a huge piece like this is only 3k Indonesian Rupiah!
Wallet-Friendly, a Blessing for Students
The prices are seriously incredible. A meal with rendang or fried chicken is only 18k[6], and a set with a fried egg is just 11k[7]. The portion size is the legendary "worker's portion" (porsi kuli)[8]; even a big guy can eat until he's stuffed. No wonder this is the designated cafeteria for nearby university students. With this kind of value for money, who could resist!
Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls & Quick Tips
Finally, for all the girls who want to check this place out, here are the key points. Remember to save this!
- Takeaway! Takeaway! Takeaway! I'll say it three times because it's important. The dine-in environment really leaves a lot to be desired[9]. 90% of Lokal people choose to get it takeaway (Bungkus), and the experience will be much better.
- Go by motorcycle! Driving a car through the small alley will be a real headache, and there are basically no parking spots[10].
- Don't use delivery apps! This place has a real attitude; it's not on any delivery platforms, so you have to come and queue in person[11].
- Time it right! They open at 8 AM, but if you want to try all the dishes, it's best to come after 9 AM[12].
- A legendary canteen for Lampung students since '07, a true blast from the past [1].
- Face-sized Tempe Bohay: soft outside, chewy inside. Dip in Gulai sauce—delicious beyond words for only 3k [2]!
- Beef Rendang Rice: rich Gulai sauce over a mountain of rice [3]. Just 18k [4] for a huge portion that'll leave anyone stuffed [5]
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