Medan's Legendary Spot: A Generational Memory or a New-Gen Trap?
qponx
2026-03-06
Is Medan's legendary Nelayan restaurant a cherished memory or a modern-day trap? This honest review dives into a chaotic dining experience, from aggressive dim sum carts and a stuffy atmosphere to disappointing food that doesn't justify the high price. Before you go for the nostalgia, discover the potential pitfalls—like bill errors and frozen desserts—and learn about the one "safe bet" dish that might just save your meal from being a complete disaster.
Just finished shopping at Sun Plaza in Medan and was originally looking for a nice place to have a meal, but ended up stepping into Nelayan… Anjay, how should I put it, the experience is hard to put into words.
I had barely sat down when several dim sum carts surrounded me as if they had planned it[1]. The aunties were enthusiastically pushing all kinds of dim sum, giving you no chance to even look at the menu. The whole restaurant was bustling with noise, tables were packed together, the space was incredibly tight, and plus the ventilation wasn't great, so it felt stuffy and hot[2]. This lively atmosphere might be bustling for some, but for an introvert like me, it was basically public torture... 🤣
The Taste, A Real Letdown for Its Reputation
I came here because of its "Legend of Medan" reputation; after all, it's a place many local friends have been eating at since they were kids[3].
Under the relentless bombardment from the aunties, I dazedly picked a few baskets of dim sum[4]. How should I put it, it was a bit of a disappointment. Some were too greasy, and others had fillings that didn't seem very fresh, not at all as Mantap as the legends say. The signature Leng Hong Kien[5], which I ordered for old times' sake, also tasted much worse than before, lacking a bit of soul.
The best dish of the whole meal turned out to be the unassuming plate of seafood fried rice[6]. It had great 'wok hei' and the flavor was on point, which pretty much saved me from a completely disastrous meal. Oh, and be careful with the desserts. My friend ordered a durian pancake[7], and it came out still a frozen block, as hard as a brick. 🤦♀️
Hard on the Wallet, Hit-or-Miss Service
Honestly, this place isn't cheap. For two adults and one child, a light meal cost us almost 500,000 IDR[8]. For this quality, the price is just not worth it. The service is also completely a matter of luck. The waiters were running around like crazy, getting orders wrong was a common occurrence, and what's more outrageous is that someone selling credit cards came right up to our table and disturbed our meal[9]. That just dropped the experience to rock bottom.
A Guide to Avoiding the Pitfalls, You're Welcome!
If you absolutely must experience this "nostalgia," take a piece of advice from me:
- Go during off-peak hours! The wait during meal times is at least 15-25 minutes[10]. If you don't want to be stuck standing in a stuffy mall, go earlier or later.
- You MUST check the bill! I encountered an error on my bill this time; they overcharged us for items we didn't order. Make sure to check every single item carefully[11].
- Stick to your guns! When faced with the enthusiastic cart aunties, stay calm, decide what you want to eat, and don't get talked into taking a bunch of stuff, or you'll be in for a shock when the bill comes.
- The safe bet: If you don't know what to order, just get the seafood fried rice. At least you can't go wrong with that.
- Get swarmed by dim sum carts the moment you sit! Aunties eagerly push their delicious plates right to your table. [1]
- The seafood fried rice is a standout. Packed with smoky wok hei, it's an instant rescue for your tastebuds. [2]
- Eat like a local at this legendary Medan institution, a childhood favorite for generations, and soak in the nostalgic vibes. [3]
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