Gelato Secrets' Secret: 5-Star Taste, Service by Fate?
qponx
2026-01-24
Gelato Secrets at Setiabudi One is an "urban oasis" with a major secret: the gelato is phenomenal, but the service is a roll of the dice. This review dives into the hit-or-miss experience, from frustrating staff to the bliss of tasting their signature Bamboo Charcoal and rich Matcha flavors. Find out why, despite the gamble, the perfectly balanced sweetness and modern, quiet ambiance make this a Jakarta dessert spot you might just want to risk it for.
Girls in Jakarta, take it from me, sometimes exploring new shops is really like opening a blind box.
Today I rushed over to this Gelato Secrets at Setiabudi One, originally super excited to try all the legendary flavors, but as soon as I opened my mouth, the staff told me with a straight face:"Sorry, must pay first." Anjay! My mood instantly dropped by half, and I almost turned around and left on the spot.[1]
For this gelato, I put up with it!
But based on the"since I'm already here" principle, I still bit the bullet and ordered. Turns out, after sitting down, I found that, hey? The ambiance is actually really nice. The design is very modern, clean, and it wasn't crowded on a weekend afternoon. Unlike other cafes that are so noisy it gives you a headache, this place is a total"urban oasis" where you can quietly Nongkrong or open your laptop to reply to a few emails.[2]
Getting back to the gelato itself, one bite, and all my previous bad mood instantly vanished! The flavor is truly Mantap!
Here are the flavors I ordered, for your reference:
Overall, their gelato's sweetness level is very well-controlled. You won't feel sick of it even after finishing a whole cup, and the ingredients are very solid.[3]
- Bamboo Charcoal flavor (Bamboo Charcoal): Their signature, a must-order![4] The black color is very cool, the texture has a unique grainy feel, and the flavor is very unique, not one of those overly sweet, flashy types.
- Matcha flavor (Matcha): Matcha lovers, go for it! The tea flavor is so rich it's moving, striking the perfect balance between slight bitterness and sweetness. It's one of the most authentic Matcha gelatos I've had in Jakarta.[5]
- Salted Butter Caramel (Salted Butter Caramel): A classic sweet and salty flavor, a choice you can never go wrong with. The texture is silky smooth, and the flavor profile is super rich.[6]
Let's get real (Tips & Tricks to Avoid Pitfalls)
Although the flavor is worth hyping up, let's be honest. First, regarding the free samples, I later scrolled through reviews and found that some people said they could try several flavors, while others were rejected like me. It seems like it really depends on the staff's mood, it's pure luck. When you go, you can proactively ask, just to try your luck.
Second, the portions aren't exactly huge[7]. If you're just coming over to cleanse your palate after a big meal, the small cup (2 flavors) for around 30-40k rupiah is enough. But if you're making a special trip just for this, I strongly recommend you go straight for the medium cup (3 flavors), which is about 53k rupiah. It's much better value for money![8]
Oh, by the way, their takeaway packaging is super professional![9] They use special cooling and sealing methods, so even if you live far away, you don't have to worry about it melting on the way. I have to give them a thumbs up for that👍.
📍 Address & Transportation
So, for this Mantap gelato, are you willing to gamble on the staff being in a good mood today? 😂 Leave a comment and tell me which flavor you want to try the most
- Shop Name: Gelato Secrets Mall Setiabudi One
- Transportation: Take the Transjakarta to Kuningan Madya or Karet Kuningan station, and it's just a short walk from there, very convenient.[10]
- Signature Bamboo Charcoal Gelato: cool black, unique grainy texture, uniquely not-too-sweet. Mind-blowing! [1]
- Matcha lovers, rush! Jakarta's top Matcha Gelato: intense tea, perfectly balanced sweet & bitter. [2]
- Hidden in the mall, a "city oasis"! Modern, quiet, your peaceful gelato spot, even on busy weekend afternoons. [3]
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