This 4.9-Star Manado 'God-Tier' Spot: Worth the Queue?
qponx
2026-01-24
Ever wonder if the perpetually long queue at RICARAJA is worth it? This 4.9-star Manadonese spot in Kelapa Gading is famous for its "god-tier" food. The main attractions are the massive, smoky Rahang Tuna (Grilled Tuna Jaw) and what might be Jakarta's best corn fritters. This review weighs the incredible flavors and huge portions against the chaotic service and prices, giving you the ultimate guide to tackling this wildly popular restaurant.
Every time I pass by this RICARAJA in Kelapa Gading, it's always packed with people. It has over 3500+ reviews on Google with a high score of 4.9[1], so today, I finally decided to check it out. Seriously, with this kind of crowd, they must have something special up their sleeve!
No Exaggeration, The Best of the Best
As soon as I sat down, I got it. It seems like everyone for miles around is craving this Rahang Tuna (Grilled Tuna Jaw)[2]. It's a must-order at almost every table. The massive tuna jaw is grilled to a sizzle, and the smoky, grilled aroma goes straight to your head! We ordered the Rica chili sauce version. The skin was charred and crispy, but the fish meat inside was so tender it was bursting with juice. It was so spicy you couldn't help but gasp for air, but you just couldn't stop eating. It's so addictive! Mantap! 🌶️
Also, I have to rave about their Perkedel Jagung (Corn Fritters)[3]! This is absolutely the best corn fritter I've ever had in Jakarta, bar none. There's very little floury taste; your mouth is just filled with the fresh sweetness and crispiness of the corn kernels. It's not greasy at all, so delicious I wanted to take ten portions to go!
Even the side dishes are incredibly competitive. The Kangkung Bunga Papaya[4] is stir-fried with a ton of 'wok hei'. The papaya flowers are prepared perfectly, not bitter at all. It's savory, fragrant, and flavorful—a total rice killer.
Some Honest Thoughts (Complaints Included)
The food is genuinely delicious, but let's be real, the experience isn't perfect. 🤷♀️
First off, the service is... a bit hit-or-miss. During peak hours, when it gets crowded, the scene becomes a bit chaotic[5], and the speed at which the food is served is... something else[6]. Trying to get a water refill is a matter of luck. Although the staff are all friendly, they're clearly overwhelmed.
Secondly, the prices are mid-to-high range. The three of us spent almost 500k IDR[7]. However, considering their ridiculously huge portions[8]—one dish is enough for three or four people—it's actually not too bad when you do the math. But I heard you have to pay a 500k deposit for reservations, which is a bit Anjay.
One last reminder: Although Manadonese cuisine is known for being spicy, some of their dishes (even the sambal) are surprisingly on the sweeter side[9]. So, friends who don't like sweet flavors should keep this in mind when ordering.
Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls & Ordering Strategy
Here are a few tips from the heart for my girls:
- 1. Definitely go during off-peak hours! If you don't want to wait until you question your existence, don't show up during meal times, or just be good and make a reservation in advance.
- 2. Don't get greedy if you're in a small group! The portions are huge and they don't offer half-portions[10]. For two people, ordering one tuna jaw + one vegetable dish + rice is more than enough to leave you stuffed.
- 3. Can't handle spice but want to try it? You can choose the honey-grilled version (Bakar Madu) for the tuna jaw, or just eat the meat from inside the Rica chili sauce version; the spiciness will be much milder[11].
- 4. Big group and in a hurry? They seem to have a 280k set menu for four people[12]. If you're in a rush or can't be bothered to choose, you can go straight for this. The value for money looks pretty good.
- Must-try Grilled Tuna Jaw [1] 🌶️: crispy skin, tender, juicy meat. Spicy, addictive!
- Jakarta's best Corn Fritters [2]! Barely any flour, bursting with sweet, crispy corn. You'll want 10 to go!
- 3500+ Google reviews, 4.9 high rating [3], always packed! No wonder it's legit!
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