4.9 Stars on Google? I Fell for This 'Trap' Restaurant in Bogor So You Don't Have To
qponx
2026-03-04
Don't be fooled by the 4.9-star Google rating for Saung Abah Ayam Bakar Bambu in Bogor! This review uncovers the truth behind the hype. While the traditional atmosphere is a plus, the food is a major letdown, featuring bland, overpriced chicken and other disappointing dishes. Learn the secret to their high score and get essential tips on how to avoid this dining trap, saving your money and appetite for better food in Bogor.
Took the family to Bogor to chill over the weekend, and I was looking for an authentic Sundanese restaurant. A quick search brought up Saung Abah Ayam Bakar Bambu Bogor right away. Whoa! Over 6500+ reviews on Google with an insanely high score of 4.9[1]. The pictures showed a huge place with traditional thatched huts (Saung). Isn't this the perfect spot for a family meal? At that moment, I thought I had struck gold... Heh.
The atmosphere is genuinely nice, but I was stunned when the food arrived
To be fair, you can't complain about the environment. The parking lot is massive[2], extremely friendly for those who drive. The whole restaurant has a Sundanese vibe, and it's great for taking pictures. We chose a thatched hut to sit in, got the vibe, and were ready for a feast!
And the result? Anjay! The signature dish we ordered with great anticipation, the Bamboo Roasted Chicken (Ayam Bakar Bambu)[3], arrived, and the whole family went silent. It was supposed to be a "whole chicken," but it was just a few scattered pieces[4]. Is this portion size a joke?
Not giving up, I took a bite. The chicken was tender, but the flavor hadn't penetrated at all! It was as bland as boiled chicken. The waiter said we should eat it with the sambal, OK fine, but that sauce was so spicy it made me question my life choices. I couldn't taste anything but the spiciness[5]. This meal left me stuck between a rock and a hard place.
The other dishes are hard to describe. The Tamarind Soup (Sayur Asem) was actually sweet[6]; my Indonesian friend next to me looked like he wanted to call the police. The only thing that was somewhat decent was probably the Hotplate Water Spinach (Kangkung Hotplate)[7], which had a nice, crisp texture.
When it was time to pay, I finally understood the secret to their high score
The wildest part came when we paid the bill. I discovered that the signature chicken was priced at 135k, but I clearly remember seeing it online for 89k[8]?! The price difference is just too ridiculous; the value for money was rock bottom.
Just as I was trying to figure it out, a waiter came over with a smile and asked, "Dear, if you give us a five-star review, we can give you a free glass of lemon tea."
OK, case closed. I finally understood how they got that 4.9 high score[9]. Well played on the marketing front!
A guide to avoid this trap, you're welcome!
Honestly, if you're just looking for a big place with good parking, or a venue for an event (I saw they even promote wedding packages starting from 5.9 million[10]), and you're purely there for the atmosphere, then it's fine.
But if you're going there for the "good food," girls, take my advice:
In short, the taste and the price are a serious mismatch. For this place, I'm so done! There are so many other good places to eat in Bogor, let's just go somewhere else
- 1. Price Trap: Before ordering, you must! you must! double-check the prices on the physical menu[11]. Don't trust what you see online!
- 2. Dish Blacklist: You can skip the signature bamboo chicken. Don't waste your money on it. If you really want to eat something, maybe try the hotplate water spinach.
- 3. Be Mentally Prepared: Don't go during peak meal times. The service is so slow you could finish a round of a game. Some locals said they waited for over an hour[12], and we don't have that kind of patience.
- Sundanese thatched huts with a huge parking lot [1]. Great for family meals; the atmosphere alone is worth the price.
- The secret to their 4.9 rating [2]? Get free lemon tea for a 5-star review. A sneaky but curious marketing trick.
- The tamarind soup is sweet [3]?! A move so wild my Indonesian friends wanted to call the cops. A bizarre flavor you just have to taste.
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