This Padang food in Gading Serpong, besides the rock-hard rice, is everything else Mantap?
qponx
2026-03-04
Curious about the long lines at the popular Payakumbuah in Gading Serpong? This review explores the modern Padang spot, highlighting its must-try dishes like the incredibly tender Rendang and the unique crispy Telur Barendo. While the food is praised as "Mantap," there's a significant catch: the rice is surprisingly hard. The article also provides essential tips on avoiding queues and snagging the best seats, helping you decide if the delicious food is worth the "al dente" rice.
Honestly, my feed has been flooded with this Payakumbuah place in Gading Serpong lately. The line at the door during mealtimes... Anjay! It's so long it'll make you question your existence[1]. It got me curious, what kind of heavenly Padang food could make people willingly stand in line for 40 minutes?
The food is amazing, but the rice is really hard
After finally getting in, the ambiance was a pleasant surprise. It's not like those traditional, old Padang eateries; the whole decor is very modern and clean, and the AC is strong (provided you manage to snag an indoor seat, of course)[2].
The moment the food arrived, the aroma just blew me away. Their Rendang[3] deserves all the hype! The meat is stewed until it's super tender, falling apart with just a touch of a fork. The spices have completely soaked into it, making it incredibly rich—definitely in the Top 3 rendangs I've ever had. Mantap! 👍
And then there's the Telur Barendo[4], a crispy fried egg! Oh my god, I've never seen this anywhere else. The edges are fried until they're crispy like the hem of a lace skirt, and that satisfying crunch with every bite, paired with rice and the free-refill gulai sauce, is just divine! The green chili beef jerky, Dendeng Batokok[5], is also good, but the piece I had was a bit sinewy, which slightly affected the texture. There's also the specialty Ikan Salai[6] (smoked fish); its flavor is very unique. Those who like it will love it, but it might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Alright, time for my complaints...
OK, I'm done with the praise, now it's time to complain. The biggest flaw of this place is, surprisingly... the rice! 🍚 I really don't get it; the dishes are so delicious, so why is the rice so hard? The texture is like pasta cooked “al dente”[7], so people with sensitive teeth would probably have a hard time eating it. A lot of people have mentioned this, and I really hope the restaurant can improve on this!
With an average cost of 100k+ per person, it's considered mid-to-high range for Padang food. Whether it's worth it or not really depends on your tolerance for the rice. 😂
My guide to avoiding the pitfalls
- 1. Go during off-peak hours! Off-peak! Off-peak! If you don't want to wait in line, don't go during lunch hour (12-1pm). Either go early or just go in the afternoon to nongkrong.
- 2. Parking is a game of chance. Parking spots are very limited, so be prepared. But they do have a valet service[8], so you can just give your keys to the attendant.
- 3. Snag an indoor seat! The outdoor area is okay, but you know how the weather is in Jakarta—it's hot and there might be mosquitoes[9]. Families with kids should be extra mindful of this, but it's quite thoughtful that they have a kids' menu[10].
- 4. Free sauce refills! Feel like you don't have enough gulai for your rice? Don't be shy to tell the staff, “Minta tambah kuah gulai,” and they'll give you more![11]
- The Rendang is fork-tender and falls apart instantly, deeply infused with spices. A Top 3 contender for Padang food lovers. [1]
- The Telur Barendo crispy egg has incredible lace-like edges. That crunch with rice and gulai sauce is perfection. [2]
- Modern and clean with strong A/C [3], a refreshing change from typical Padang spots. The 40-min queue is absolutely worth it
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