Queued for 1 hour, fed mosquitoes for 30 mins... I really have to thank this viral Surabaya shaved ice shop.
qponx
2026-01-25
Is Surabaya's viral Japanese shaved ice shop, Kakigōri Kōridō, worth the hype? This review spills the tea on the trendy spot. While its minimalist, photo-worthy design is a draw, the experience is plagued by long queues and a serious mosquito problem. The food, from the signature shaved ice to the main courses, is described as overpriced and underwhelming. Find out why this spot might be a hard pass unless you're just there for the perfect Instagram shot.
Girls, take my advice, sometimes you really shouldn't follow online trends too closely… Especially with this place in Surabaya, the Japanese shaved ice shop Kakigōri Kōridō, which is marketed under the name of a Melbourne celebrity chef[1].
I thought it was going to be a"let's have a nice chill day" kind of vibe, but it turned into an"Anjay! Run!" survival challenge. 🤦♀️
Ambiance: Full Marks for Design, Negative Score for Experience
Honestly, the shop's design is beautiful, with a minimalist Japanese style. Every shot is Instagram-worthy. But! I regretted it less than five minutes after sitting down. The AC was practically off, making the whole space stuffy and hot, with a constant buzzing and echoing sound.
The deadliest part was that there were more mosquitoes than customers![2] I'm not kidding, I was dodging mosquitoes while trying to eat. I felt like I wasn't a paying customer, but a buffet for a family of mosquitoes. The guy at the next table couldn't take it anymore and told the staff,"Tolong tempatnya difoging ya!" (Please fumigate the place!), and I seriously wanted to applaud him. 👏
Food: Shocking Prices, Mediocre Taste
OK, the ambiance was bad, but maybe the food could save the day? I was too naive.
- Kakigori (Japanese Shaved Ice)[3]: As their signature dish, the price was nearly 100,000 IDR for one bowl. I waited with high hopes for almost an hour[4] for it to arrive, and the result... was this? The ice wasn't shaved finely enough, the syrup tasted very ordinary, and it was completely not worth the price or the wait. Some of the best-sellers were even rated as"very bad," and I believe it.
- Main Courses: We also ordered the Chicken Katsu Curry[5] and a Sando sandwich[6]. The curry sauce was as thin as water, and the chicken katsu was dry and tough. The shrimp in the sandwich had no flavor; it felt like eating plain toast. The portions were pitifully small, a stark contrast to the huge plates. It might look good in photos, but my stomach was honest: I wasn't full!
Final Rant & Guide to Avoiding This Place
When the bill came, seeing an average cost of over 200,000 IDR per person[7], I was lost in thought. The taste was B aja (so-so), the service was chaotic, getting a table was based on luck, getting your food was based on fate, and on top of that, you have to battle mosquitoes the whole time... It was so not worth the money.
Although I've heard their matcha and coffee[8] are decent, it's really not necessary to endure all the other downsides just for that.
So, for friends who are planning to go or thinking about it, here are some real tips:
All in all, if you just want to take some Japanese-style photos for your social media, then it's ok. But if you genuinely want to find a good place to Nongkrong and eat something Mantap, run! Don't look back
- 1. Mosquito Warning: This is the highest level of warning! You must wear long pants or bring your own mosquito repellent, otherwise you'll be a walking human blood bag.
- 2. Patience Challenge: Be mentally prepared to wait. From waiting for a table to waiting for your food, expect a minimum of 1-2 hours. If you're in a hurry or very hungry, definitely don't come here.
- 3. Hygiene Concerns: Some customers saw the kitchen staff chatting without masks while making the shaved ice[9]. If you're concerned about hygiene, please think twice.
- 4. Parking Difficulties: Parking is extremely limited[10]. It's recommended to take a taxi, or else looking for a parking spot will drive you crazy.
- "Anjay! Run!" — that's the vibe at this Japanese shaved ice spot, despite its Melbourne celebrity chef[1] hype.
- Stylish interior, but mosquitoes outnumber guests[2], making it a "mosquito buffet" challenge. What a scene!
- Signature shaved ice, nearly 100,000 IDR[3] a bowl. After almost an hour's wait[4], ice is coarse, syrup bland. Total rip-off.
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