Stop Rushing In! The Real Pros & Cons of Shaburi & Kintan Jakarta Revealed
qponx
2026-01-24
Is the long line at Shaburi & Kintan worth the wait? This honest review dives into the popular all-you-can-eat BBQ and hot pot buffet. Discover must-try items like high-quality meats, the legendary Spicy Miso Sauce, and a surprisingly delicious Udon Carbonara. But get a heads-up on the real cons: frustratingly slow service and massive crowds. Learn the best times to go and how to make the most of your dining experience before you decide to join the queue.
Friends, you guys won't believe this, every time I pass by this Shaburi & Kintan in Senayan City, there's always a long line out the door. It has over 5000+ reviews on Google pushing it to a 4.8 rating, and I felt like I'd be letting down my reputation as a Jakarta foodie if I didn't try it at least once. Today, I finally made up my mind, starved myself for a day, and went to check it out!
The moment I walked in, the ambiance was actually pretty good. The space is quite spacious, and it looks clean and upscale[1], very suitable for gatherings with friends or for families to Nongkrong. We chose the Kintan barbecue buffet, which is about 330,000 IDR per person[2]. The quality of the meat was truly Mantap, worthy of the price. But the meat itself isn't seasoned much; the soul is all in the dipping sauces.
Highlight, that Spicy Miso Sauce[3] is an absolute stroke of genius! It's sweet with a kick of spice, and when you wrap it around the freshly grilled, sizzling fatty beef, one bite sent me straight to heaven! Anjay! I feel like it was all worth it just for that sauce! The quality of the Gyu Tongue[4] was also on point, grilled to perfection, with a great texture. I thought the cooked food in the buffet area would be pretty mediocre[5], but I was totally blown away by the Udon Carbonara[6]! Who would've thought? Eating Carbonara at a Japanese BBQ place, and it's such a perfect match!
Alright, enough with the praise, time for some real talk. While the food is on point, the service... is really hard to put into words. During peak hours, it felt like the staff had collectively gone missing. You have to ask for your orders several times, and the food comes out super slow[7]. It felt like half of the 90-minute dining time[8] was spent just waiting for meat... This really brings down the overall experience. Plus, the self-service buffet area is extremely crowded[9]; getting food feels like going into battle.
Time to copy my notes! Take these tips to avoid the pitfalls, you're welcome 👇
Overall, if you're a meat lover and curious about that divine dipping sauce, it's worth going to chill during an off-peak time. But if you're looking for a perfect service experience, you might want to think twice. 🤔
- What to choose?: The restaurant is divided into Shaburi (hot pot) and Kintan (BBQ). You can choose one or get both (prices are different)[10]. If you just want to eat meat, go for Kintan.
- When to go?: Definitely don't go during peak meal times! Especially on weekends! The queue will seriously make you question your life choices[11]. I recommend going on a weekday afternoon for the best experience.
- How to eat?: As soon as you sit down, order several rounds of meat right away, don't be shy! Because the service can be really slow[12].
- Money-saving hack: Bring your elders for a senior discount (around 30% off)[13], and it seems there's a freebie for birthday celebrants[14]! It's best to call and confirm beforehand. Every little bit saved counts!
- Spicy Miso Sauce [1]: sweet-spicy, it elevates sizzling fatty beef to pure bliss.
- Udon Carbonara [2] at a Japanese BBQ? It steals the show, redefining Japanese cuisine!
- Long lines are standard. 5000+ Google reviews at 4.8 stars [3] confirm its fame. You *have* to go!
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