Spent 200k & waited 1 hour for this "OG" pancake? I tried it for you
qponx
2026-03-04
Is Jakarta's legendary Martabak Pecenongan 65A worth the hour-long wait and hefty price tag? This review dives into the "OG" pancake spot, famous for its insanely generous toppings and sinfully rich flavors. Find out if the classic sweet martabak lives up to the hype or if it's just an over-the-top carb bomb. Get the verdict on whether you should join the queue for this iconic, calorie-packed treat, along with essential tips for your visit.
Friends, who gets it? Every time I pass by this street, Pecenongan, in Jakarta, it's always packed solid at night. And when you look, wow, more than half the people are there for this one place, Martabak Pecenongan 65A. Seeing the line at the entrance that stretches around the corner, my inner monologue was: Anjay, isn't it just a pancake? Is it really necessary to make it seem like a new iPhone drop?
Today, I steeled myself and decided to wait in line! I had to see what all the fuss was about.
The Making of a Carb Bomb
Squeezing to the front to watch the masters at work, the scene was truly a bit shocking. They slather on butter like it's free, and pile on shredded cheese and chocolate sprinkles like a small mountain. The ingredients are seriously generous. I ordered the most classic chocolate, peanut, and cheese combo (Classic Sweet Martabak)[1], and fresh off the pan, it was piping hot and heavy, the aroma just hits you right in the soul!
Taking a bite while it's hot, the batter is indeed soft and fluffy, the buttery aroma is explosive, and with the melted chocolate and semi-melted cheese, the texture is incredibly rich... But! It's also really, really heavy. Just two slices feel like you've exceeded your entire day's calorie limit. I also spotted the table next to me ordering the Red Velvet Oreo one (Modern Martabak)[2], and its thickness was on another level, a real heavyweight. It felt like it was made for competitive eaters. I heard their savory Martabak Telur gets very mixed reviews[3], so I didn't dare to risk it this time.
So, is it worth it?
To be honest, this thing isn't cheap. My classic one cost almost 200,000 IDR, so the value for money isn't great. Plus, I've heard from some long-time Jakarta residents that the taste isn't as good as it used to be[4], and it's kind of just riding on its fame now. So, would you say it's the best Martabak in all of Jakarta? Personally, I don't think so, but its OG status and super luxurious ingredients are truly unmatched by others.
Editor's Real Talk & Pro-Tips 📝
Overall, it's quite an interesting experience to check it out once and feel this "sinful sweetness". Have you tried it? Do you think it's worth it? Let's chat in the comments! 👇
- Definitely don't come alone! The portion is party-sized; one serving is enough for 3-4 people to get stuffed[5]. Bring your bestie to nongkrong together, sharing the calories is where the fun is at.
- Go during off-peak hours if you don't want to wait. Weekends and evenings are the disaster zones. If you don't want to wait forever, come on a weekday afternoon, or just order delivery on your phone.
- Order this if you're afraid of it being too sweet. If you're not a huge fan of sweets, you can try their thin and crispy version (Tipis Kering)[6]. It's said to be very crispy and not as cloying. I want to try this one next time.
- Payment is convenient. They accept cards, so no need to worry about not having enough cash[7].
- They slather on butter like it's free, with mountains of cheese and chocolate chips. So generous, it's irresistible [1]!
- The classic Chocolate Peanut Cheese is piping hot and hefty. Buttery aroma, melted chocolate, and gooey cheese—pure bliss in one bite!
- A Party size Martabak stuffs 3-4 people [2]. The perfect afternoon tea for you and the squad
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