The Lokal are obsessed with this legendary "sweet" steak in Surabaya, but I'm telling you to think twice
qponx
2026-03-05
Discover Boncafe, a legendary Surabaya eatery with a devoted local following. The main attraction? A signature steak served sizzling with a uniquely sweet Indonesian-style sauce that truly divides opinions. With its nostalgic, family-friendly atmosphere and a kids' play area, it's a go-to for family meals and lively birthday celebrations. This spot offers a truly local taste, but purists of savory steak should take note of its distinctive sweetness before diving in.
Every time I come to Surabaya, friends always tell me, "You have to try Boncafe!" They say it's a legendary local eatery, a place they've been eating at since they were kids. Alright, so this time I went, and with the first bite of the steak, I was stunned… Huh? Why is it sweet? 🤔
The moment you walk in, you get that old-school family restaurant vibe. The lighting is dim, giving it a bit of a retro feel[1], perfect for the whole family, young and old, to come and Nongkrong. The coolest part is, the restaurant actually has a kids' play area[2]. For families with kids, it's a total lifesaver, right?! They serve bread and butter before the meal[3], which is a pretty classic touch.
I ordered the signature Chicken Steak[4]. The portion of meat was quite thick[5], sizzling on a scorching hot plate, and the aroma just hits you right in the face. But the soul of the dish is definitely the sauce! It's very rich and creamy, but it has that signature sweet Indonesian flavor, a bit like the taste of Selat Solo[6]. Local friends would find it absolutely Mantap, but if you're a die-hard fan of the purist, sea-salt-and-black-pepper kind of Western steak, you might just go Anjay on the spot…🤣
To be honest, both the nostalgic vibe and the flavor are very unique, but I have to point out the downsides too. It's about 200,000 IDR per person, so the price isn't exactly budget-friendly. Also, the air conditioning isn't very strong; we were starting to sweat a bit by the end of our meal the day we went[7]. Since there are no private rooms, if you happen to be next to a company outing or a birthday party, it can get a bit noisy, so if you're hoping for a quiet date, you might have to rely on luck.
Tips to Avoid Hassles / Make Life Easier
Alright, as usual, here are the key takeaways for you!
- Reservations! Reservations!: It gets super crowded on weekends, so if you don't want to wait in a long line, download their official app in advance to book a table[8]. It's very convenient.
- Let the attendant handle parking: Their parking lot is very tight, and it's almost impossible to find a spot during peak hours. Don't bother driving around in circles yourself; just use the valet service. It's not expensive and saves you time and trouble.[9]
- Top choice for birthdays: If you're celebrating a birthday in Surabaya, I highly recommend coming here! They'll give you a free ice cream or a small cake, the staff will also sing to help you celebrate, and give you a free printed Polaroid photo. The sense of occasion is maxed out! 🎂[10]
- Eat the steak quickly: The steak is served on a hot plate, which means it keeps cooking. For those of you who don't like your steak well-done, girls, dig in as soon as it arrives, otherwise, it'll get overcooked if you let it sit![11]
- Surabaya's old-school Boncafe is a legendary canteen for locals, a childhood favorite [1].
- Get the thick Chicken Steak, served sizzling on a hot plate. The star is the sweet Indonesian sauce that tastes like Selat Solo [2][3][4].
- Great for Nongkrong, with a kids' play area for families [5]. For birthdays, staff sing and give you a Polaroid photo [6]🎂.
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