This viral Bakmi in Jakarta: 1-hour queue, but the taste is... seriously polarizing?
qponx
2026-01-24
Curious about the viral Jakarta misoa spot with the hour-long queue? This review spills the tea on The Misoa Story. Find out why its taste is so polarizing, from a bland original broth to a mala that misses the mark. While the noodles might not live up to the TikTok hype, the hekeng (shrimp rolls) are a standout. Get the honest verdict on whether it's worth the wait and tips for navigating the chaos if you still decide to go.
Friends, who gets it? My TikTok has been flooded recently, it's all about this place in Blok M, The Misoa Story. Seeing that steaming bowl of misua in the videos, I admit, I'm that sucker who got influenced and just had to go try it. 😅
I made a special trip on the weekend, and damn, the line... it snaked around a few corners. It felt like all the young people in Jakarta were here to nongkrong. I bit the bullet and waited for almost an hour, thinking to myself, the flavor must be super mantap to be worth this wait! [1]
So, is the food any good?
Squeezing into the shop, the ambiance is quite modern, but it was just too crowded, noisy, and hot. The AC was basically non-existent [2]. The ordering process was also a bit confusing: you first queue for a table, and after you're seated, you have to queue again at the cashier to order.
I ordered the most popular Original Misoa[3] and Mala Misoa[4].
First, the original flavor. It looked decent when it arrived. But after a sip of the soup... hmm... how should I put it? For me, it was a bit too"light," you could even say bland[5]. The texture of the misua was also on the mushy side, not the firm type that I like. It only came to life after I went to the self-service station to add chili oil and fried garlic.
As for the mala flavor, Anjay! I was so looking forward to a Sichuan-style mala, but it ended up tasting more like a black pepper broth, and it was a bit too salty. If you're coming for heavy flavors, you might be disappointed.
On the other hand, the snack I ordered on a whim, Hekeng (shrimp rolls)[6], was surprisingly good. The texture was nice and springy and chewy, which was a small, pleasant surprise for the meal.
Let's be real
Honestly, following the hype this time was a bit of a fail. A bowl of mala misua costs 58k IDR (before tax), and adding an egg is another 8k, but the taste didn't give me that"wow" feeling. The biggest turn-off for me was the service. Maybe they were too busy, but the staff had a sour face the whole time, and everything felt chaotic. It was a major minus for the experience [7].
A Guide to Avoid the Pitfalls, You're Welcome!
If you still want to go check it out, take some advice from me to save yourself some trouble:
All in all, it's one of those"visit once and you're done" kind of places. If you ask me whether it's worth waiting in line for an hour, my advice is: you're better off spending that time somewhere more chill. 🤷♀️
- Don't go during peak meal times! If you want to avoid a long queue, pick an awkward time like 3 or 4 in the afternoon.
- Lower your expectations! Don't go on a pilgrimage expecting some legendary delicacy. Just treat it as experiencing the vibe of a viral spot, and you'll have a much better mindset.
- Chili oil is the savior! If the flavor is lacking, the condiments will make up for it. The chili oil and fried garlic at their self-service station are the soul of the dish, but they're often empty. Whether you can get some is all up to fate [8].
- Parking is a huge headache! If you're driving, be prepared to circle the small streets nearby looking for a parking spot [9].
- TikTok-viral, Jakarta's youth Nongkrong here. Expect a 1-hour queue for this phenomenal hotspot [1]
- Forget everything else, the bouncy, chewy Hekeng (shrimp dates) is an unexpected delight, totally worth the trip [2]
- Even if the main dish falls short, the self-serve soul chili oil and fried garlic instantly revive your Mian Xian [3]
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