A Midnight Diner in Semarang? This 24h pork dim sum, I truly love and hate it
qponx
2026-03-05
Craving late-night pork dim sum in Semarang? This 24-hour spot offers a true love-hate experience. While the crispy fried pork is an absolute must-try star, the rest of the visit is a rollercoaster. Expect mediocre dim sum, questionable service, and a chaotic atmosphere. This review breaks down the one amazing dish worth trying and the many pitfalls to avoid, making it the perfect guide for curious night owls who dare to venture out for a midnight snack.
Semarang actually has a 24-hour non-halal dim sum place[1]? And it's a chain brand? Sounds Mantap! When the midnight cravings hit, I didn't think twice and dragged my friend over. The result... well, how should I put it? The whole experience was a total rollercoaster, a five-star thrill ride.
A Bizarre Experience Full of Highs and Lows
Let's talk about the good stuff first. To be fair, their babi goreng crispy (crispy fried pork)[2] is seriously the best! The skin was fried to a perfect crunch, while the pork inside was still juicy. It was so fragrant it's unreal, truly the star of the show. For this alone, I feel like the trip wasn't a complete waste.
But! The good feelings ended right there…🙄
The hakau udang (shrimp dumplings)[3] I ordered were hard to describe. The shrimp was clearly not fresh; it was mushy and had a bit of a fishy taste. The other dim sum items were the same—either lukewarm or so salty it was overwhelming[4]. They completely lacked that steaming hot, comforting feeling you get from Hong Kong-style dim sum. The atmosphere was also pretty bizarre. The decor had a bit of a Chinese style, but the air conditioner was basically just for show. It was so hot you just wanted to finish your food and leave ASAP. It was surrounded by young people Nongkrong, making it super noisy. The menu on the table was dirty and tattered[5], and for that, I'm just speechless.
Service? Non-existent…
The most Anjay thing was the service! The waiters had a sour face the whole time, either playing on their phones or completely zoned out. You could call for them forever and get no response[6]. What's even more ridiculous is that some customers reported a 'genius' move where they were asked to pay before the food was served, and when the wrong dish came, they were still forced to pay for it. Although I didn't experience this myself, just hearing about it is enough to make you furious. Their level of professionalism is seriously worrying.
A Guide to Avoiding the Pitfalls, You're Welcome!
Honestly, this place has a super high rating on Google, but the reviews are extremely polarized. Don't be fooled by the high score. If you absolutely must go, keep these points in mind:
- For Night Owls Only: Its only advantage is being open 24 hours[7]. If you're a night owl starving like crazy at 3 AM, you can come here for some crispy pork. At any other time, Semarang has better options.
- Keep Your Phone Battery Glued to Full: Ordering is done entirely by scanning a QR code + online payment. They don't accept cash[8]! If your phone is dead, you're in for an awkward time. Make sure to bring a power bank.
- Parking is a Major Headache: The parking spots out front are pitifully few. Be prepared to park across the street and walk over[9]. Driving here will really test your patience.
- Fight for Your Own Condiments: The essential chili oil and vinegar for dim sum aren't provided automatically here! You have to shamelessly go and ask the staff for them[10], and their attitude might not even be good. I give up.
- Late-night Semarang dim sum, open 24/7. Get the crispy fried pork[1][2]—super crunchy skin & juicy, bursting meat!
- High Google score, but polarized reviews[3]. A hit or a miss? Dare to try this rollercoaster of an experience?
- Chinese decor, but it's hot, loud, with grumpy staff. This weird contrast feels like walking onto the wrong set[4][5]
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