WaHaHa Seafood — Restaurant in Bandar Lampung

Lampung’s food scene may surprise first-timers, and WaHaHa Seafood is one of the names that tends to surface often—loved by locals, often buzzing with hungry groups.

I keep coming back for the grouper and the Kung Pao chicken—two dishes that never miss. The grouper was served in a refreshing, sour-tinged sauce that complemented the delicate softness of the fish. It was clean, bright, and made me want to keep scooping back for more. The Kung Pao chicken, while lacking the usual cashew crunch you’d expect in most Chinese kitchens, found its own identity with the addition of pineapple—a sweet and tangy twist that worked surprisingly well. Still, a few toasted cashews would elevate it further.

Prices are very reasonable for non-seafood dishes, staying within reach of the mid-market segment. Service is fairly quick, and even though I finished dining well past 20:45 —well after official closing—the staff handled the final hour gracefully.

But the experience isn't without rough edges.

When it rains, the entire parking entrance turns into a challenge. There’s no canopy, so grabbing a paper ticket means stepping out into the downpour. Worse still, the outdoor brick flooring quickly turns muddy and ankle-deep in water—far from ideal for any diner in decent shoes. The restaurant’s asbestos roof makes rain sound like a drumline, which adds an unintentional intensity to every conversation. While there is an indoor, air-conditioned seating area, it’s located two flights up—an obstacle for elderly guests or families with toddlers.

On facilities, the restroom is standard, but the upstairs wash basin had water pressure so low that washing hands became a slow and awkward process. Thankfully, payment is frictionless with support for all methods—cash, card, or digital.

One charming touch? Two turtles—Wawa and Haha—near the entrance that amuse visiting children and add a quirky welcome to the experience.

Verdict: WaHaHa Seafood delivers on flavor and familiarity, especially if you know what to order. But comfort and accessibility remain its biggest blind spots. Come for the grouper, stay for the pineapple twist, and bring patience if the clouds...

My family and I recently visited WaHaHa Seafood, expecting a pleasant dining experience. Unfortunately, it turned out to be quite the opposite.

Upon arrival, no one greeted us or assisted us in finding a table. We had to find our own, which, while unusual for a restaurant of this kind, wasn’t a major issue. However, the staff’s lack of friendliness was disappointing. None of the waitstaff smiled or made us feel welcome, and while I understand it might have been a busy day, hospitality should never be compromised.

We ordered a variety of dishes, but shortly after, we were informed that all the squid and the mixed crab set were unavailable. It’s baffling that a seafood restaurant would run out of such staples. We had to adjust our order by adding more fish and shrimp dishes, which was frustrating.

The waiting time for our food was around 30 minutes. While we understand that busy periods can cause delays, we were already very hungry by the time the food arrived. To add to our frustration, one of our orders (udang tahu something) was completely forgotten.

It was clear that the restaurant was understaffed, with only one waitress handling most of the tables. This affected service quality significantly.

The most unacceptable part of the experience was the prawns we received – many of them still had their veins, which speaks to a serious lack of cleanliness and preparation standards. I’ve attached photos to highlight this issue. For a seafood restaurant, this is completely unacceptable.

Additionally, the water provided for washing hands was extremely hot. My mother attempted to take wudhu and nearly burned her hands. Such negligence toward customer safety is deeply concerning.

Overall, this was a disappointing experience. The lack of cleanliness, understaffing, unavailability of key menu items, and poor service are all things that need urgent attention. I cannot recommend this restaurant to anyone unless significant...

I was really disappointed when I had dinner here on Friday, 3rd January 2025. My family and I made a reservation for 7 pm at 2 pm, and we already ordered and made a payment. However, when we arrived, the food wasn't prepared. Even after waiting for 30 minutes, they served the wrong dishes. We showed them our receipt and waited for another 15 minutes, but the dishes were still wrong. We asked them to just take a picture of our receipt and bring it to the kitchen. Our dinner finally started around 8:15 pm. It was really disappointing. We had to follow up several times and even waited at the kitchen counter just to get our food.

Additionally, we had to go to the kitchen counter ourselves to ask for iced tea and cutlery because no one brought it to us, despite us asking a couple of times and waiting for 30 minutes.

I had high expectations for this restaurant because of its marketing, and they claimed to be the best seafood restaurant in Lampung. Unfortunately, the food was just okay—nothing special about...