Stop saying Balikpapan has no good food! This 'King of Lamb's' giant meat platter is god-tier
qponx
2026-03-05
Think Balikpapan is a food desert? Think again! Discover a hidden gem serving incredible Middle Eastern cuisine that dares to call itself the "King of Lamb." The star is the Kambing Goreng (Fried Lamb), praised for its crispy skin and tender meat. For the ultimate experience, gather your friends and conquer their epic, mountain-like meat platter. With a chill vibe and chicken options available, it's the perfect spot for a memorable group feast.
Every time I come to Balikpapan, my friends always complain that it's a food desert here. Until a Lokal brought me to this place that dares to call itself the "King of Lamb Dishes"[1]... Honestly, the entrance just looked like an unremarkable shophouse, and I had my doubts—how good could this possibly be?
But the moment I stepped inside, the aroma of spices in the air instantly transported me to the Middle East. The environment was clean and comfortable, with Middle Eastern tunes playing, making the whole vibe very Chill. We got straight to the point and ordered the signature Kambing Goreng (Fried Lamb)[2], Anjay! The skin was fried to a fragrant, crispy perfection, while the meat inside was so tender you could easily pull it apart with a fork. There was absolutely no gamey lamb smell—it was prepared so Mantap! The accompanying Nasi Kebuli (Spiced Rice)[3] was also incredible. The rice grains were perfectly separated, and the spice flavor was rich yet gentle, not overpowering the lamb at all. It was perfectly seasoned for the Indonesian palate—a perfect match!
But to be fair, if you come alone, the à la carte portions might feel a bit small[4]. For example, a plate of lamb fried rice costs 60,000 rupiah, so the value for money isn't super high. Also, some who prefer stronger flavors might find the spices a bit too mild[5], but for me, it was just right.
Take My Advice! Pro Tips for Veterans
- The more, the merrier: Don't be silly and order à la carte! You have to go for their large platter set menu[6] that can feed 5-6 people. The meat and rice are piled up like a mountain, it totally sets the mood, and it's super photogenic!
- Seating Secrets: If you want to Nongkrong for a while or have a private chat with friends, head straight to the second floor[7]! The seating is more comfortable, and it feels like you're visiting a friend's house, Cozy~
- Good news for non-lamb eaters: Don't worry if you have friends in your group who don't eat lamb. They have tons of chicken options[8], from grilled chicken to fried rice, they have it all, perfectly solving the group dining dilemma.
- Perks for the lazy: They support QRIS scan-to-pay[9], and parking is free too. If you're really too lazy to go out, you can also order via GoFood/GrabFood
- Fried lamb with dry, crispy skin, fork-tender meat, and zero gaminess [1]. The prep is just Anjay!
- Fluffy, aromatic Spice rice (Nasi Kebuli), seasoned for local tastes, is a perfect match for the lamb [2]. A must-try combo!
- For 5-6, the large platter set is a mountain of meat & rice for an epic vibe. Super photogenic and a must for group feasts [3]
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