The Truth About Batam's 10k Sushi: I took one for the team…
qponx
2026-03-06
Tempted by 10k sushi deals and Insta-worthy decor at a Batam restaurant? This review is a must-read warning. While the ambiance looks great for photos, the article exposes a disastrous dining experience. Expect spoiled-tasting sushi, sickeningly sweet ramen, and shockingly poor hygiene, including cockroach sightings. Learn why this spot is considered a complete rip-off and a tourist trap that you should definitely run from, not walk.
Girls, who gets it! While shopping at Nagoya Hill, I saw a Japanese restaurant with signs saying "Buy One Get One Free Sushi" and "Everything for 10k"[1]. The decor was pretty Insta-style with bright lighting[2], so I thought, "It'd be a crime not to take this deal," and dragged my friends right in... Well, Anjay! It turned out to be the biggest disaster I've encountered in Indonesia this year. 🤢
The Instagram Filter vs. The Real Food
The ambiance was admittedly impeccable, looking quite beautiful with a solid design aesthetic, seemingly great for photos and check-ins. But! The moment you shift your gaze to the conveyor belt, the nightmare begins.
The sushi coming around on the belt had fish slices that looked anything but fresh. I took two plates, hoping for the best, but they all tasted spoiled[3]. The rice was on another level of bad—it definitely wasn't Japanese rice and had the texture of dry, hard porridge that's been left out overnight[4]. The ramen and udon we ordered were sickeningly sweet; even I, a major sweet tooth, couldn't handle it. The portions were also pathetically small[5], like a kid's meal.
The only edible thing was probably the Chicken Curry Rice[6]; the chicken was reasonably crispy. But just as we were feeling relieved that there was at least one dish we could eat, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a cockroach taking a leisurely stroll on our table... and instantly lost my appetite. Later, while scrolling through reviews, I found out that someone saw a fly on their plate, and another person even found a piece of glass in their rice![7] And then thinking about how a customer saw a chef wipe their nose with a gloved hand and then continue to handle raw fish... I'm so done. 🤮
A Total Rip-off, Specifically Targeting Tourists
Honestly, this place's marketing is way too good. Their Instagram is bombarded with all sorts of discounts, making it easy to get lured in. But the food quality and hygiene are just terrible. The four of us had a few small bites and ended up spending nearly 400,000 IDR. The value for money is appallingly low. They are a top-tier player in the "pictures are for reference only" game.
A Guide to Avoiding This Trap, Save This Now!
In short, this restaurant uses its pretty decor and crazy discounts[8] to hide its terrible reality. If you want to Nongkrong in Batam, there are plenty of good places. For this one, let's just say, run! 🏃♀️💨
- Don't get your hopes up for fresh seafood: Forget salmon; they might not have any sashimi at all[9]. You won't get to eat their signature dishes even if you go.
- Be mentally prepared: The service is incredibly slow. Missing or wrong orders are a common occurrence, and the waiters have a sour face like you owe them money[10].
- Questionable hygiene: Cockroaches and flies are "regular customers"[11]. If you have a sensitive stomach, please don't gamble with your health.
- Who could resist a buy one get one free sushi deal at Nagoya Hill? Everything was just 10k IDR[1]!
- The reality? Visibly unfresh fish and rice as hard as stale, overnight congee[2]. What a letdown.
- Rumor has it people found cockroaches on plates and glass in their food[3]. Never again! A serious warning to all.
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