This viral Bakerman at PIK: I'm warning you, prepare yourself before you come
qponx
2026-01-24
Bakerman at PIK is a viral spot known for its creative highs and frustrating lows. While it wows with unique dishes like the savory Mie Ayam Croissant and a tender Lamb Shank, the experience is a gamble. This review dives into the hit-or-miss food quality and notoriously slow service that have diners talking. Find out which dishes are worth trying and whether the culinary creativity is enough to overcome the major service flaws before you decide to join the long queue.
Every time I come to Central Market in PIK, it feels like half the crowd is here for Bakerman. There's always a line at the door; the place is incredibly popular. 🤷♀️
To be honest, the ambiance inside is really nice—modern and spacious, and there's live music, making it perfect for a large group of friends to Nongkrong. Even their takeaway pastry packaging has this cool holographic design; they've really paid attention to the details.
The Food: Half Heaven, Half... a Mystery Box?
Let's start with the dishes that made the trip worthwhile!
Their dishes are seriously creative. I came specifically for the legendary Mie Ayam Croissant[1]. The outside is coated with a layer of crispy instant noodles, and the inside is filled with a signature Indonesian chicken noodle filling. Savory, fragrant, and crispy—this combo caught me off guard, but it was surprisingly delicious!
For the main course, we ordered two dishes that are usually a safe bet. The Lamb Shank[2] truly amazed me. It was stewed until it was fall-off-the-bone tender, with a rich, meaty flavor. Definitely the star of the show, Mantap! The Nasi Goreng Gila[3] is also worth a try. Can you believe it's fried rice with bone marrow? The fatty aroma is explosive; it's the kind of happiness that hits you with the first spoonful.
BUT! The chances of hitting a dud aren't small either. My friend's pasta was apparently undercooked and a bit raw in the middle[4]. And that much-hyped Crozza (Croissant Pizza)[5], I thought it was... pretty average, not as amazing as I'd imagined. It feels like their quality control is like opening a mystery box; ordering is all about luck.
Rant Time: Service and Hygiene Are Major Flaws
Alright, enough with the praise, now I'm going to get real.
The biggest problem with this place is the service![6] The waiters and waitresses are often gathered together chatting, you can wave for ages and no one responds, and the food comes out at a snail's pace. Come on, it's like this even during off-peak hours, it's seriously infuriating. 🔥
What shocked me even more was hearing a customer complain that they had a severe allergy to spicy food, repeatedly reminded the staff, but still got the wrong dish. Someone even saw a piece of bread that a customer had taken a bite of being taken back to the kitchen, reheated, and served again?![7] Anjay! I really can't comprehend this move. Food safety is no joke!
Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls & What to Try
So, is it worth going or not? Here's a summary for you, girls:
✅ When to go?
❌ When to avoid:
Overall, this is a place with extremely prominent pros and cons. The food has its amazing moments, but the uncertainty of the service and quality control is too high. If you're coming with an adventurous mindset and are mentally prepared to"endure the service and rely on pure luck," then you can give it a try. Otherwise, there are so many other great places to eat in Jakarta, why come here just to get frustrated?
- If you want to try creative pastries: It's worth a visit just to try those wacky croissant flavors for the novelty.
- For the early birds: They open at 8 AM[8], so you can come here for brunch after a morning workout. It's less crowded, quiet, and very Chill.
- For group gatherings: The main course portions are huge[9], one dish is enough for one to two people, so it's more cost-effective to come with a group and share. That way you can try more dishes.
- Don't come if you're in a hurry or starving: The service will make you wait until you question your existence.
- Don't come if you want a quiet chat: During peak hours, it's incredibly noisy, and with the live music, it's as loud as a nightclub[10].
- Be cautious if you prefer light flavors: Some dishes have been reported as being too salty[11]. If you're not a fan of heavy flavors, be sure to ask for less salt when you order.
- Mind-blowing Chicken Noodle Croissant [1]! Crispy instant noodles outside, Indonesian chicken noodles inside. Savory, crunchy, addictive.
- The Crazy Fried Rice with bone marrow [2]? Exploding oily aroma, pure joy in every bite. Seriously!
- PIK Central Market flocks here! Always a line out front, super popular, live music – perfect for friends to Nongkrong.
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