I Tried Jakarta's Viral Namelaka Puffs: Half Heaven, Half Horror.
qponx
2026-01-25
Curious about the hype surrounding Jakarta's viral Namelaka? This review explores the "half heaven, half horror" experience. While its signature choux puffs and rich cakes are praised as heavenly, the article also uncovers the dark side: steep prices, a cramped space unsuitable for dining in, and unsettling food safety complaints. Discover if these famed desserts are worth the trouble and learn the best way to navigate a visit to this popular, yet problematic, dessert spot.
All the dessert lovers in Jakarta are hyping up Namelaka, saying their choux puffs are the best in town, and it's all the rage. Of course, I had to go check it out! The result… anjay, the experience was like a roller coaster, my mood went up and down, down, down…
😇 Heaven Mode: One bite and you're hooked, for real
To be fair, their dessert skills are seriously on point. The signature Choux[1] is truly Mantap! The shell is so crispy it flakes, the filling bursts out with one bite, and the variety of flavors is enough to overwhelm anyone with decision paralysis. The white chocolate raspberry one has a perfect balance of sweet and sour, it's amazing.
I also tried the Noisette Cake[2], which many people have raved about, a combination of hazelnut paste, dark chocolate ganache, and almond sponge cake, with layers so rich you just want to close your eyes and savor it. If you like rich flavors, you can go for their Intense Chocolate Cake[3]; dark chocolate lovers will get it.
Their takeaway service also deserves a thumbs up; they thoughtfully put an ice pack[4] in the box to ensure it's still perfectly chilled for the best taste when you get home.
👹 Horror Mode: The complaints and pitfalls are just as real
BUT! Girls, after all the praise, we have to get real. This shop isn't all rainbows and butterflies.
First off, the prices aren't cheap. A single choux is 22k, and a box of four is 90k. The cakes are tiny, so the value for money really isn't great[5].
Second, the ambiance is a turn-off. The Menteng branch is inside Shophaus, and the space is so small you can only stand. Want to sit down and Nongkrong with a friend? Forget about it. There's only one small table for two, and you constantly get whiffs of cooking fumes from the restaurant next door[6], which basically forces you to get it to-go.
The service is also a game of chance. Some say the online customer service is responsive[7], while others have had their pre-orders canceled by the shop for no reason, leaving them furious[8].
And here comes the most, most, most crucial point, and the main thing I want to warn everyone about this time: I came across a complaint from a lokal friend who said their whole family got diarrhea after eating a cake called “Safa”[9]. Apparently, the shop's subsequent response on social media was... emmm... quite hard to describe. Food safety is no small matter! Seeing this bit of drama really unsettled me.
✍️ Editor's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls (Save This!)
So, take my advice. If you want to try it, go ahead, but you have to do it the right way:
- 1. Don't dine in, get it to-go! I strongly recommend ordering via GrabFood / GoFood / Tokopedia, or picking it up yourself. Don't even think about being able to chill in the store.
- 2. Don't drive there! The parking spots in front of Shophaus are so scarce it'll make you question your life choices, and while there's valet parking, waiting in line is common[10].
- 3. Choose wisely! Classic items like the signature choux and chocolate cakes are relatively safe. But if you see any drama online about food safety, please trust your gut. Safety first!
- 4. Lower your expectations. It's a delicious dessert takeaway shop, but don't treat it as the perfect afternoon tea spot, otherwise, the higher your hopes, the bigger the disappointment.
- City's best cream puffs! Crispy shell, bursting filling. White chocolate raspberry: perfect sweet-sour balance. [1]
- Noisette Cake: hazelnut paste, dark chocolate, almond sponge for rich layers. Dark chocolate fans, try Intense Chocolate Cake. [2][3]
- Warning! Local friend's family got diarrhea from a cake. Shop's response? Hard to describe. Dare you eat this food safety scandal? [4]
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