4.9 on Google? For this Korean BBQ in Makassar? That's it?! Girls, run
qponx
2026-03-06
A 4.9-star Korean BBQ in Makassar sounds amazing, right? Think again! This review dives into a dining experience that was far from perfect. While the restaurant boasts a cozy ambiance and surprisingly delicious side dishes, it fails where it matters most. Expect long waits for low-quality, tough meat and a premium package that isn't worth the upgrade. Find out if this highly-rated spot is actually a trap before you go and what to look out for.
Drawn in by the glaring 4.9 stars and 1000+ reviews on Google, I thought I'd found the pinnacle of Korean BBQ buffets in Makassar. But... Anjay, this meal left me with such mixed feelings, I just have to get it off my chest!
I was full before the food even arrived... full of anger 🙄
Let's start with the good points: the ambiance is truly impeccable. Located in TSM mall, the AC is blasting, the space is spacious and bright, and the decor is quite cozy. It's actually really comfortable to come here with friends to Nongkrong and chat[1].
However, when the best part of a Korean BBQ buffet is actually the side dishes, you know something's not right. The Sweet Honey Chicken and the Dimsum[2] on the buffet counter were surprisingly amazing, the flavors were on point. But when I excitedly went to get the main event—the grilled meat—I was completely dumbfounded. Where was the meat? Several trays in the freezer were completely empty. I waited for almost half an hour on an empty stomach, and they only slowly refilled a little bit after I urged the staff several times[3].
The meat I finally managed to get, its appearance... was hard to describe. Many of the meat slices looked dry and dark in color, as if they had been forgotten in a corner of the fridge for days[4]. Grilling it was even more of a disaster; it was tough and hard, and the texture was terrible. Friends, we came here to eat BBQ, not to train our jaw muscles, okay!
Don't upgrade! That Premium package is a trap!
With a "since we're already here" mentality, I paid extra to upgrade to the Premium package[5], just to try the legendary Wagyu and Saikoro. And the result? Anjay! Even more of a rip-off! The Saikoro beef cubes were as hard as rubber blocks, having absolutely nothing to do with the phrase "melts in your mouth." Plus, getting refills was a real hassle; they only give you 4 small plates at a time, which wasn't satisfying at all[6].
To be fair, the price, around 126k for the regular package and 150k for the premium one[7], isn't outrageous for a mall. But the problem is, the quality of the food doesn't match the price at all! It feels like all the money went into the decor and the AC bill.
A guide to avoiding this trap, you're welcome!
To sum it up, here's some heartfelt advice for the girls who want to go (or rather, want to avoid a disaster):
All in all, if you're looking for a place with a nice ambiance in Makassar to just Chill, this place is fine. But if you genuinely want to have a Mantap Korean BBQ meal, I'd advise you, really, to think twice.
- Keep your expectations in check: Don't go with the mindset of "eating your money's worth" in meat; you'll be disappointed. It's probably better to think of it as a "place to chat" that happens to have side dishes.
- Don't go starving: The refilling speed is a mystery, especially for the meat. Be prepared for a long wait, or be proactive and flag down a server when you see one[8]!
- Whatever you do, don't upgrade: That so-called Premium package has extremely low value for money. Whoever upgrades will regret it[9].
- Be aware during special periods: I heard that during Ramadan, the dining time is shortened to 60 minutes[10], and some friends have complained that the bathroom floor is very slippery, so walk carefully.
- Cozy vibe & strong AC at this TSM mall K-BBQ. Great for a post-shopping Nongkrong session [1].
- The BBQ is skippable. The real stars are the Sweet Honey Chicken & all-you-can-eat Dimsum. Worth the trip for these alone [2].
- Affordable sets at 126k/150k [3]. A great intro to Makassar's take on Korean BBQ.
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