Google 4.9 Stars? I Tried the President's Go-To Restaurant in Balikpapan to See If It's a Trap
qponx
2026-03-05
Curious about the 4.9-star Kampung Kecil in Balikpapan, a spot even visited by the president? This review dives into whether it lives up to the hype. While the stunning Sundanese village atmosphere with private gazebos is a major draw, the experience has its pitfalls. Find out about the slow service, confusing ordering system, and whether the beautiful setting makes it all worthwhile. This guide reveals the truth behind the stellar ratings and how to avoid the potential traps.
Being in Balikpapan, I've heard so much about this place my ears are about to fall off. Everyone says Kampung Kecil is the top-tier spot for family gatherings. I heard even President Jokowi has visited[1], and it has a 4.9 rating from 7700+ reviews on Google. With hype like that, how could I not check it out? So I grabbed my friends and we rushed right over!
The vibes were immaculate, it's a real village!
The moment I stepped inside, I was genuinely surprised. Anjay! This isn't just a restaurant; they basically moved an entire Sundanese-style village in here[2]! There are small bridges over flowing water, ponds full of plump koi fish, and the seating is in individual gazebos (lesehan), offering great privacy. It's perfect for a group of people to Nongkrong. The sound of Angklung bamboo music tinkles in the background. They really nailed the atmosphere.
Since there were a lot of us, we went straight for the hyped-up four-person set menu, Paket Nasi Liwet[3]. It came out on a huge platter with rice, a whole fried chicken, shrimp satay, tofu, tempeh, and more. The visual presentation was top-notch. As for the taste, it was pretty standard Indonesian home-style cooking. What actually surprised me was the bowl of Sayur Asem[4]. The sweet and sour soup was super appetizing, and it only costs around 20k IDR. Mantap!
Okay, let me be real for a sec…
The environment and the gimmick are a perfect 10, but the downsides are just as obvious. First off, the service is incredibly slow, and several dishes arrived lukewarm, not hot, which really compromised the texture[5]. Also, the items in the set menu are okay, but if you order à la carte, the portion sizes for some dishes are a bit pitiful. For example, the fried chicken felt like it was gone in two bites[6].
The most confusing part is the ordering process[7]. You have to write down your own order with a pen and paper, then go queue up at the cashier to pay first! If it's your first time, you'll be totally confused. There's no one to guide you, which makes for a pretty poor experience.
Tips to avoid pitfalls / TL;DR guide, you're welcome!
- Ordering Process: Don't just wait for a server! Go to the entrance to grab a menu, pen, and paper, write down your order, and go directly to the cashier to pay.
- Peak Hour Alert: It gets super crowded on weekends and during meal times. If you want to Chill, go on a weekday, otherwise be prepared to queue[8].
- Item Availability: Before ordering, it's best to ask if the dish you want is still available. We waited a long time only to be told our choice was sold out[9].
- Payment Methods: They accept cards and cash, but it seems they don't support QRIS QR code payments[10], so be prepared.
- Parking: There's a huge parking lot out front which is very convenient, but it's not free, FYI[11].
- Step into Kampung Kecil, a Sundanese-style village! Small bridges, fat koi, and private gazebos set a perfect vibe [1].
- President Jokowi-approved! A 4.9 rating from 7700+ Google reviews means this spot is a definite must-try [2].
- Order the Sayur Asem: a refreshing sweet & sour soup for ~20k IDR. Delicious and an incredible deal [3].
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