Smokers rejoice, non-smokers beware! This pork knuckle rice is Mantap, but I'm so done with the secondhand smoke.
qponx
2026-01-24
Ninety Nine in West Jakarta offers a true love-hate experience. The star is the "Mantap" crispy pork knuckle butter rice—an absolute must-try dish. It's also a great spot for drinkers, with live music and generous happy hour promos. The major catch? The entire restaurant is extremely smoky, a dealbreaker for non-smokers. With other dishes and the service being hit-or-miss, you'll have to decide if the incredible pork knuckle is worth braving the haze.
Girls, some places just give you that love-hate relationship.
Take Ninety Nine, for example, located on the second floor of Ranch Market in West Jakarta. Every time I pass by, it's always bustling with people, making me think it's some kind of hidden gem. But once I went in... oh man, I almost thought I'd stumbled into a massive smoking lounge! 🚬 The space is spacious, sure, but it's filled with the smell of smoke. For people like us who get a headache from the smell, it's a major turn-off.
The food is on point, otherwise I would've left long ago
Since I was already seated, I had to eat, right? Thankfully, the quality of the food pulled me back from the brink of flipping the table.
I came for their signature dish, and when the Pork Knuckle butter rice[1] was served, my eyes lit up. The pork knuckle was roasted to a crispy skin, but the meat inside was super juicy. Paired with the butter rice, one bite was simply Mantap!
The lapchiong fried rice[2] my friend ordered was also full of that smoky wok flavor, just the way I like it. Even the Fish 'n' Chips[3], which I'm not usually a fan of, was done to a high standard—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. It made a vegetarian friend of mine break their rule and give it a five-star review, Anjay!
They also have Live Music[4] at night, which really sets the mood. It's perfect for having a few drinks and just chill with friends. Plus, they have a lot of drink promotions, like buy-one-get-one-free beer, free-flow wine, and so on[5], which is very friendly to us drinkers.
But, let me be blunt...
Honestly, aside from the major flaw of secondhand smoke[6], the quality of the food here is a bit like opening a blind box. The pork knuckle and fried rice are really solid, but the pasta I tried last time was super mediocre[7], bland as hell, and the cake was incredibly dry. A plate of pasta costs around 120,000 Rupiah[8], and for that price and taste, the value for money isn't great.
The service is also hit-or-miss. It's okay during dinner, but during lunch, you might have to shout to get a waiter's attention[9]. If you're impatient, you've been warned.
Editor's Key Takeaways (Must-read before you go!)
Finally, here are some honest tips for you. If you're thinking of going, decide for yourself:
📍Ninety Nine Pesanggrahan, Jakarta Barat
- Don't go if you hate smoke: I'll say it a million times, if you're sensitive to smoke or have kids with you, just don't come! Don't say I didn't warn you.
- Live Music is unpredictable: They say there's a live band on Wednesdays and Fridays, but the start time is very flexible, so don't take it too seriously.
- Great for drinkers: If you love to drink, you can come here to Nongkrong. The various Happy Hour promotions are a great deal.
- The Wi-Fi is just for show: Don't expect to connect to their Wi-Fi to get work done. Even if you connect, you can't get online[10].
- Bring cash for tips: If you want to leave a tip, remember to bring cash, as you can't add it to your card payment[11].
- Signature German Pork Knuckle Rice [1]: crispy skin, juicy meat, with butter rice – pure Mantap!
- Even vegetarians break their diet for the Fish & Chips [2] – crispy outside, tender inside, so good you'll shout Anjay!
- Evenings: Live Music [3], vibe maxed, with promos like Beer Buy One Get One Free [4] – a Chill paradise for drinkers!
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