4.8 stars on Google, but I almost demanded a refund? This Jakarta Thai restaurant is wild.

Honestly, when I saw that this place, Kindee Thai, had nearly 500 reviews and a high score of 4.8 on Google, I grabbed my friend and rushed over. After all, in the Puri area, it's not easy to find a Thai restaurant where both the ambiance and the food are on point.

The moment I walked in, the vibe was definitely on point. It's a two-story space, spacious and comfortable, the decor is quite aesthetic, with soothing music playing, not at all like those noisy, chaotic restaurants. It feels like a great place to come Nongkrong and chat with friends, or bring a laptop to work, and the whole afternoon would just fly by. [1] At that moment, I thought: We're in for a treat, this meal is definitely going to be Mantap!

The dishes are like opening a blind box, it's a thrill!

But then... Anjay, as soon as the food arrived, I knew things weren't as simple as they seemed.

The dishes we ordered were a rollercoaster experience. My bowl of Tom Yum Goong[2] was perfectly sour and spicy, the broth was rich, and it was truly satisfying to drink, I felt it was one of the best I've had recently. But my friend's Pad Thai[3] was a bit of a letdown; it wasn't hot enough when it was served, and the taste was on the sweeter side. And the green curry[4], the flavor was quite authentic, for a moment, I thought I was in Thailand, but the amount of chicken inside was pitifully small, it felt like I was playing a game of 'find the chicken'.

Later, while scrolling through the reviews, I realized I wasn't alone. The quality control at this restaurant is really inconsistent. Some people praise it to the heavens, while others complain endlessly, saying the food was burnt, the ingredients weren't fresh... It feels like every meal here is a gamble. [5]

To be fair…

Okay, here comes the"but." Besides the lottery-like food quality, the biggest complaint is the portion size. Porsinya mini banget! For that price, the portion size is genuinely frustrating. [6] The service is also a matter of luck. If you go during peak hours, you might have to wait for an hour, and it's not impossible for them to serve the wrong dish. [7] I've seen reviews mentioning that the staff might argue with you, but thankfully, I didn't experience that this time.

Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls & Money-Saving Tips

So, is it worth going or not? My advice is:

Who is it for?

If you're someone who prioritizes ambiance, and you're looking for a quiet, comfortable place for a date, a meal with friends, or to work, then this place definitely fits the bill. The second floor is great for small gatherings, and there are plenty of power outlets[8], making it extremely friendly for the WFC (Work From Cafe) crowd!

How to order to get your money's worth?

Don't just foolishly order à la carte! Be sure to check their IG for set menus. I saw they have lunch sets starting from 75k and a dinner for two for 175k, which are much more worth it. [9] If you order à la carte, the value for money really isn't great.

When to go?

Definitely don't go during peak meal times to join the crowd, unless you want to experience a long wait. Going in the afternoon for tea time to Chill for a bit, ordering a drink, might be a better experience.

Is parking convenient?

This gets a thumbs up, parking is very plentiful, so those who drive have nothing to worry about. [10]

Overall, this is a restaurant I have a love-hate relationship with. The ambiance is genuinely great, but the uncertainty with the food and service is too high. Before you go, you should probably ask yourself if you're feeling lucky