Dapur Sumba Waikabubak — Restaurant in East Nusa Tenggara

My Sumban adventure took a sour nosedive at Dapur Sumba. Lured in by the hotel's recommendation, I envisioned a rather upbeat dining experience. Instead, I received questionable vinyl stickers adorned on the walls, and a chocolate milkshake splat awaited me on one seat. The other seat sported the concerning remnants "X" marked by leftover duck tape (social distancing measure from 4 years ago??).

The bakery's "fresh" offerings were a sight to behold. Individually wrapped in plastic packets, these spongy pastries, more akin to used sponges than baked delights, displayed wide variety of baked marvels, despite the vibrant colours and exotic shapes on a closer glance all were the same, merely disguised as different with food colouring and shapes.

The menu overwhelmed with choices (freshness concern?), and a peek into the kitchen for the toilet (greeted by the questionable greasy-aroma) revealed a scene more suited to a mechanic's workshop or sweatshop. The restroom left an equally unforgettable impression. Tight room, and no ventilation! After leaving I noticed that there was a huge box wide open with margarine inside stacked on top of a gas tank (probably not a good combo). Then when I walked further I saw an obscure tub (or what looked like a paint can) filled with a thick and chunky brown paste. The pate/paste looked stale and solid, as if it were poured from a soft-serve ice cream machine.

Hoping to salvage the meal, I opted for the familiar—mie goreng (safest option!). What arrived was an oily, over-sauced catastrophe with questionable eggy bits and suspiciously stiff chicken. My family's ventures into blandness were equally disastrous. My wife’s rice and vegetables, Nasi Capcay arrived as a watery stew of mushy rice porridge, with vegetables haphazardly thrown in as an afterthought. And for some inexplicable reason I still cannot comprehend they chucked in squid and prawns too!

The only positive aspect? The friendly waitstaff (a stark contrast to the kitchen crew's sullen demeanor and glaring at us). We left feeling extremely glutinous, traumatized and bloated. Even our local driver couldn't stomach the experience.

I will update you in future if I get food poisoning! As a family we have agreed NEVER to even drive past again. I am currently in a tight predicament as I cannot tell my wife Susan I am writing this review because even the thought of Dapur Sumba makes her stomach churn! I encourage anyone who wishes to visit this place to pray deeply before eating (you...

Local food yes - but unfortunately cannot recommend Dapur Sumba unless you enjoy oily watery food. Ordered a local staple, the Nasi Goreng Jawa, familiar - yes. Ended up cleaning my the dirty cutlery with my tissue and sanitizer. Chair had spill stains on it that couldn’t be removed after I asked for a kind wipe of the mess. Table was in a similar state.

The situation with the bakery is a whole other review once you are invited to use the toilet smothered in grease around back. Open margerine boxes ontop of gas cans with a brown scrub piled into a bucket. Can’t figure out if this is the work of the kitchen staff, bakery or busboy cleaners. Unservable. Disastrous attempt for bright food colors. Puzzled - yet couldn’t find it in me to step any closer to even smell what it was. A/C rusak too. (brocken)

I understand we may have different hygiene standards but it is not a place to be proud of handling their food that is presented to the customer. Apologies 👎

Will not be coming back. Just a tourists perspective, this may be a bombay stay for others who thoroughly enjoy the banquet. 🦔 Awaiting the backlash from the wife and the family situation. Still consoling and unfortunate to now need to comfort my cousin who was the most excited for this extravaganza. 🥶

Baiklah cekup....

I didn’t check reviews or peel my eyes into the kitchen before trying Dapur Sumba.

The Ayam Bakar I ordered was drowned in a disappointing brown, slightly bubbly sauce. The dining area was sticky and neglected, despite requests for cleanliness. Trying to reach the restroom, I found greasy surfaces and open trays with interesting lineups of colored pastries, which made me question hygiene practices. :( The carrot juice I ordered ended up looking like neon too. wooh

The battered menu card promised more than the experience we’d have. This visit was a letdown, reminding me of the importance of reliable recommendations you receive and give for dining out. Lesson learned. 🤦‍♂️

Update: The other reviews shocked me regarding the open margarine boxes in the bakery. I wonder if they influence not just bakery items but also daily lunch and dinner meals. Could that brown sauce have come from...