Who still dares to hype Lamoist as a Batam must-buy? I stepped on this landmine for you
qponx
2026-03-06
Is Batam's famous Lamoist layer cake worth the hype? This honest review dives deep into the popular souvenir. While the signature original cake is praised for its delicious, buttery flavor, a shocking discovery of cockroaches and terrible service might make you think twice. Find out why the in-store experience is a gamble and learn the best tips for snagging this treat without the drama, like pre-ordering for a hassle-free pickup at the ferry terminal.
Whenever friends come to Batam, they always ask me what souvenirs to buy, and eight out of ten of them will mention Lamoist layer cake. The online reviews are also glowing, with things like "Singaporeans' favorite"[1] and "4.8 stars on Google," which made me super curious. So this time, I decided to visit their main store at BCS Mall to check it out for myself.
The result... well, how should I put it? This trip was an emotional rollercoaster, and my high expectations were completely shattered. 🤦♀️
Praise first, then criticize, to be objective
To be fair, putting aside the hygiene issues (more on that later), their cake itself is actually pretty good. I tried a few of the most popular ones:
They have a lot of flavors to choose from, as well as different sizes and mixed gift boxes. For example, the 8-flavor gift box costs 230,000 Indonesian Rupiah. The packaging is quite fancy, and it definitely looks impressive as a gift.
- 🥇 Signature Original (Premium Original)[2]: They use Australian Golden Churn butter, and it's truly Mantap! The buttery aroma is incredibly rich, the cake is moist and soft, and the sweetness is just right—not cloying at all. No wonder so many repeat customers swear by this flavor.
- 🍫 Chocolate[3]: Also not bad. The chocolate flavor is rich and you can taste the layers; it doesn't have that cheap cocoa butter substitute taste.
BUT! Brace yourselves!
Just as I was deciding which flavor to buy and about to place my order, I saw something that gave me goosebumps all over...
There were a few cockroaches casually “Nongkrong” on the cakes in the display case! Anjay! I froze on the spot and instantly lost my appetite.[4] I immediately reported it to the staff, and she, with a completely calm face, said she had to wait for the supervisor to handle it?! Oh my god, this is a food safety issue!
And the service attitude was terrible. She had a sour face the whole time, was dismissive when I asked about the differences between flavors, and there was no way they'd let you have a sample.[5] I'd heard friends complain before that their quality control is very inconsistent, and that the pandan flavor was awful[6]. It seems those weren't just baseless rumors.
Tips to Avoid a Disaster, You're Welcome
Alright, rant over. If you're brave enough and still want to give it a chance after reading all this, then I can only offer you some solid tips:
🔴 Red Flags Guide
🟢 Hassle-Free Guide
- 1. Hygiene first! Before you buy, you MUST! Open your 24K titanium alloy eyes wide and carefully inspect the cakes and the counter! If anything seems off, leave immediately![7]
- 2. Lower your expectations! Don't expect good service. Just think of it as a quick purchase, grab your stuff, and go. Don't let it ruin your Chill mood.
- 3. Don't experiment with flavors! I suggest going straight for the signature Premium Original[8]. At least you know the butter quality is guaranteed, so it's a safe bet.
- 1. Pre-order on WhatsApp: If you don't want to deal with sour faces at the store, you can order in advance via WhatsApp. I heard they offer free delivery to your hotel for large orders (like 5 boxes or more).[9]
- 2. Pick up at the ferry terminal: This is the most convenient option. Order in advance and you can arrange to pick it up directly at the Batam Centre ferry terminal. Just grab it before you board the ferry—it fits perfectly into your travel schedule.[10]
- The signature original Kue Lapis [1] with Australian Golden Churn Butter is moist, soft, and rich. Perfectly sweet, it’s the flavor regulars return for.
- The chocolate version boasts a deep, complex cocoa flavor from real ingredients—no cheap, waxy substitutes.
- The 8-flavor mixed box is beautifully packaged, making it an impressive gift. A steal at 230k IDR.
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