Martabak Pecenongan 78 & D'Bakmie — Restaurant in Melbourne

First time in our lives, we had a terrible experience ordering dessert here. We entered the shop at 6:35 PM, with only about 3-4 tables occupied and definitely less than 10 customers at that time. We directly ordered the martabak dessert via the shop's website, noting that it required 15-20 minutes to prepare. We placed our order at 6:45 PM, and even after 20 minutes, it still hadn't arrived. At that point, we thought they might be a bit busy and needed more time. We continued to wait for another 15 minutes, and by around 7:20 PM, we had waited over 35 minutes. My friend, who is Indonesian, then asked the staff about our order, mentioning we had been waiting for over 30 minutes without seeing our food. The response was shocking: 'It depends on the dish you ordered, OMG, what?' What does that even mean? Does it mean regardless of what you order, we have to wait 1 or 2 hours? We had to accept this, even though the menu clearly states the preparation time is 15-20 minutes.

After that, the woman at the counter, with an unpleasant expression, didn't apologise but simply said it was being made and was on the stove. My friend reluctantly returned to our table because we didn't want to cause a scene, despite being very frustrated. However, even after being told the dessert was ready and being prepared to be served, we had to wait almost another 20 minutes before it was finally brought out, still without a single apology. What's noteworthy is that a family of about 5-6 people arrived 15 minutes after us and ordered the same dessert, yet they were served before us???

We were incredibly upset and annoyed by this kind of service, so by the time the food arrived, we were too exhausted from waiting so long to enjoy it. Also, the food itself was disappointing, the crust was no longer crispy, and excessively sweet. We hurriedly ate within 5 minutes and left. Who could imagine waiting an hour for a dessert that this restaurant considers normal and offers no apology for? If you can't fulfill your commitment as stated in the menu, you should inform customers beforehand so they can decide whether to wait to order or not, or at the very least, apologise and not saying that customers have to wait as it depends on the dish. If that's the case, why note that the dish takes about 20 minutes to prepare??? I skimmed through reviews here and found that many others complained about excessively long wait times and the staff's attitude. I wish we had seen these reviews beforehand; then we wouldn't have had such a terrible experience. If anyone plans to come here and order dessert, don't forget to mentally prepare to wait over an hour and definitely not receive any apologies. As for us, we will...

Went there for a good chow, spent over $120, dpenyet next door was good. (They have pic but food didn’t come as like in pic my egg was hard instead sunny side up like picture)

bakmie was yeah so so, prolly “under” for indo standard. Martabak beef was ok, ordered extra acar for $2, which is for the amount was little, dipping sauce was filled to less then a quarter of container. To me it’s not reflecting Indonesian hospitality, seems like they are very stingy, even after you paid extra.

Then comes the martabak manis, most disappointing of all, Martabak was dried not much margarine/mentega applied to the skin crust, again stingy on the condensed milk, cheese not melted, nor the chocolate and peanut, all elements seems separated NOT melted/marriage wholesomely (1 hour wait for take away) like real martabak you got in Indo. Seemed like they rushed in making it!!

Worst is that indochinese lady with green uniform that served us, she was kinda nice but sounded very sarcastic toward me, when I was asking for plate to enjoy our take away martabak she was so not happy with it( we also had dined in with some mains, rice/noodle and other side dish before) she put that “are you serious” face to me?— because me asking plate. And said “anything else” with the most annoying facial output.,

So it is hit and miss! Lower your expectation! Make sure you mention “you want cheese, chocolate melted, extra spread etc” as they can be slacking if you don’t remind them.and make sure you watched them too while making yours!!!

I always love my Indo food I really don’t mind paying etc but the people/server and service always deter me to visit one! Indo restaurants are known for not paying attention to detail, always leave bitter taste at the end.

If you management read this review, let this be lesson learnt and hopefully you have the heart to serve fellow indos better with sincerely and...

Martabak Pecenongan on Lygon Street, Carlton, is a delightful spot for a taste of authentic Indonesian cuisine. This cozy eatery specializes in two Indonesian favorites: martabak and bakmi. If you're looking for a unique food experience in Melbourne, this place is worth a visit.

The star of the menu is the martabak, a crispy pastry filled with your choice of sweet or savory ingredients. The savory options are rich and flavorful, with a blend of minced meat and aromatic spices. Each bite offers a burst of Indonesian taste.

While the food is fantastic, be prepared for a bit of a wait during busy times. The kitchen takes its time to ensure every dish is just right, so patience is key. The lively atmosphere and mouthwatering aromas add to the experience.

Finding parking on Lygon Street can be a bit tricky, so it's best to plan for a short walk. But don't let that deter you! The culinary journey at Martabak Pecenongan is well worth it.

In a nutshell, Martabak Pecenongan is a hidden gem for Indonesian cuisine on Lygon Street, Carlton. With its dedication to authentic flavors and creative twists, it stands out in Melbourne's food scene. So, put on your walking shoes and head over for a taste of Indonesia right here in the heart of Melbourne. Your taste buds...