4.7 Stars on Google, but it gave me the runs? Beware this viral Jakarta BBQ.
qponx
2026-01-25
Tempted by a viral Jakarta BBQ spot with a 4.7-star rating and a buzzing atmosphere? This review dives into a mixed experience. While the authentic, strong-flavored skewers are addictive, the article reveals some serious red flags. Beware of inconsistent food quality, questionable hygiene that may lead to an upset stomach, and a surprisingly high price tag. Read this before you decide to join the crowd and risk both your wallet and your digestion.
Every time I pass by this Shao Kao place in PIK, it's always packed with people, and its Google rating is a shockingly high 4.7. I was thinking, how mantap can it be? Finally, last weekend I arranged to nongkrong there with some friends, and the result... well, how should I put it? My mood was like a roller coaster 🎢, exciting, but it kinda made me want to throw up.
Lively Vibes and Nasty Surprises
The moment you step inside, that lively energy just swallows you whole. It's buzzing with chatter, full of that smoky BBQ vibe, and the air is filled with the aroma of cumin and grilled meat. The atmosphere is maxed out, truly a great place to chill with friends[1].
The refrigerators are packed full of skewers you can choose yourself[2], from pork, beef, and lamb to all kinds of vegetables and meatballs. They've pretty much mastered the style of street BBQ stalls back in China. The first bite hits you with that familiar one-two punch of intense additives—a rich, salty flavor and a strong MSG taste that's honestly quite addictive! Lovers of strong flavors would be ecstatic. Their Mala Chao Cai[3] is also worth mentioning; the spicy and numbing flavor is potent and goes great with drinks.
But! Here comes the climax. As we ate more, I realized something was off. Some skewers were so salty I had to keep chugging water, and some of the meat was clearly overcooked, dry and without a hint of juice[4].
Painful for the Wallet, Even More Painful for the Stomach
To be honest, I could tolerate the flaws in the taste, but what happened next left me a bit anjay. The three of us, plus a kid, just grabbed a few skewers, and the bill came to almost 650k Indonesian Rupiah[5], which really isn't cheap in the BBQ world.
The killer was the hygiene, which was really nothing to praise. The tables were greasy, and a friend said they saw a cockroach in the corner of the refrigerator... My appetite was instantly halved. What's even crazier is that after getting home, both another friend and I started having stomach problems, playing out a midnight drama of rushing to the toilet. I'm so done with this... Later, not wanting to give up, I went to check the reviews. And well, what do you know, we weren't the only victims. There were plenty of people complaining about getting diarrhea and the dirty environment[6].
My Honest-to-Goodness Guide (You Decide if You Want to Go)
In short, just take that 4.7 Google rating with a grain of salt; don't take it too seriously. For the sake of your stomach, think twice, my friends
- Who should go? If you have a stomach of steel, are just there for the vibe, and are extremely obsessed with that heavy-oil, heavy-salt Chinese-style BBQ flavor, then you can come at night to soak in the atmosphere. But definitely take it easy and don't order too much.
- Who should run for the hills? If you have even the slightest standard for hygiene, or if you have a sensitive stomach, I'd advise you to just give it a pass. There's more than just this one good BBQ spot in Jakarta.
- Tips to avoid the pitfalls: It gets super crowded during peak hours (after 9 PM), and parking is a hassle[7]. The service is hit or miss, purely depends on your luck, so don't have high expectations[8].
- PIK's BBQ legend, **Google 4.7 rated** and always **packed**. Is it a must-try or a bust? [1]
- Step in, and the **lively, bustling atmosphere** and **cumin & grilled meat aromas** instantly hit you, like a Chinese BBQ stall. Heavy flavor fans, rejoice! [2]
- Fridge **packed with skewers** to pick! One bite delivers that familiar, addictive, salty-fragrant punch. Plus, **spicy, potent stir-fries** are perfect with drinks! [3][4]
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