Going to Potteria for the aesthetics? Read this rant first
qponx
2026-01-24
Thinking of visiting the super-trendy Potteria in West Jakarta for its retro diner looks? This popular spot is an Instagrammer's dream, but the dining experience may not match the visuals. This review dives into the inconsistent food—from delicious salted egg green beans to literal rotten eggs—plus long waits and a crowded space. It’s a must-read for anyone wondering if the food is as good as the photos before joining the massive queue.
This Potteria place in West Jakarta has been super trendy lately; I see it eight out of ten times I scroll through IG. The retro American diner design at the entrance really makes you feel like you've been transported to a 50s American road trip movie[1], every shot is a good shot. I was totally drawn in by its looks. When I got there during mealtime, oh man, the line was already stretching out to the street[2]. I thought, if it's this popular, the food must be Mantap, right? Well...
The Flavor is Like Opening a Blind Box
Sat down and ordered right away. The signature Signature Claypot Rice[3] came out first. It looked pretty good, and the portion of chicken and beef char siu was decent. I quickly mixed it up. The crispy rice at the bottom was genuinely crunchy, and the aroma of the rice was on point. My friend's Sour Fire Kway Teow (Tom Yum Noodles)[4] was a bit hard to describe. He said the soup was too watery and the noodles were too mushy, but the girls at the next table were loving it, saying this was exactly the flavor they liked. I guess it's one man's meat is another man's poison.
We also added a side dish, the Salted Egg Green Bean[5], which I highly recommend! The green beans were coated in salted egg yolk—savory, fragrant, and crispy. Anjay! So good I couldn't stop eating.
I'm Speechless, Some Landmines Must Be Mentioned
BUT! The highlights ended there. What followed was a long wait... We waited for almost an hour before the rest of our food slowly arrived, and several dishes were just lukewarm when they were served[6]. The most ridiculous part was the soft-boiled egg in my claypot rice. The moment I poked it, a sour smell came out... That's right, it was a rotten egg! 🥲 After telling the waiter, they replaced it, but the new one was also bad! I'm just... speechless... Also, the portions are generally on the small side. Just look at the menu pictures for reference, don't take them too seriously[7].
A Heartfelt"TL;DR" Guide
So, is this place worth visiting? My advice is: Go for the photos, but think twice if you're going for the food. If you still want to check it out, here's some heartfelt advice for you:
- Go early if you're going! The wait during meal times can be eternal. If you don't want to wait, go during off-peak hours.
- Don't bring cash! The place only accepts electronic payments. The phone signal is terrible, so remember to connect to their Wi-Fi. The password is `claypot123`[8].
- Parking is scarce! There are only a few spots out front. Taking a ride-hailing service is the most hassle-free option.
- Money-saving hack! Check their IG before paying; they often have buy-one-get-one deals or weekly specials. If you pay with BRImo's QRIS and spend over 75k, you can get 25k cashback[9]!
- For the photo-takers! The ambiance is genuinely nice, but it gets incredibly crowded. It's almost impossible to get a clean shot without people in it, so just think of it as a place to Nongkrong and soak in the lively atmosphere.
- West Jakarta's IG-viral[1] spot! Retro American diner design instantly transports you to a 50s road movie[2], perfect for photos.
- Must-try: Salted Egg Green Bean[3]! A savory, crispy surprise that's addictively delicious!
- Heads up: Signature Claypot Rice[4]'s soft-boiled egg? I got rotten, smelly eggs[5] twice! A real 'blind box' experience[6] – dare to try?
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