Pondok Laguna — Restaurant in Jakarta

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Pondok Laguna, a renowned seafood restaurant located in Jakarta. Being a Gurame fan, I had heard great things about their Fried Fish, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. The Gurame Fan Fried Fish is an absolute must-try for seafood lovers. The fish was impeccably cooked, with a crispy exterior and tender, succulent meat that simply melted in my mouth. The flavors were well-balanced, and the dish was served piping hot, showcasing the freshness of the fish. It's no wonder that this dish has become a signature item at Pondok Laguna.

Another standout dish at this restaurant is the Cumi Bakar, or barbecue squids. The squids were perfectly grilled, retaining their natural tenderness and juiciness. Each bite was a burst of smoky flavors, complemented by a delightful marinade. The squid was cooked to perfection, striking a balance between being tender and having a slight charred texture. It was an absolute pleasure to savor this dish, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the restaurant.

One dish that truly amazed me was the Tahu Kipas, which is bean curd stuffed with prawns. The combination of the creamy bean curd and the flavorful prawn filling was simply outstanding. The dish was expertly prepared, with the bean curd retaining its silky smooth texture and the prawns adding a delightful burst of seafood flavors. The Tahu Kipas is a true testament to the culinary expertise of Pondok Laguna's chefs, and I couldn't get enough of it.

Pondok Laguna has been my go-to dining spot since 2011, and it has never disappointed me. Before the pandemic, the restaurant used to be bustling with customers, and it was necessary to book a table in advance. However, the current situation has led to a decrease in the crowd. While this may be a silver lining for those seeking a quieter dining experience, it's a bit sad to see the restaurant not as lively as it used to be.

One aspect that I particularly appreciate about Pondok Laguna is its reasonable pricing. Despite offering high-quality seafood dishes, the prices remain affordable, making it accessible to both locals and foreigners. This combination of excellent food and reasonable prices makes it a gem in Jakarta's culinary scene.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Pondok Laguna to anyone visiting Jakarta, whether you're a local or a foreigner. The Gurame Fan Fried Fish is a must-try, and the Cumi Bakar and Tahu Kipas are equally impressive. While the restaurant may not be as crowded as it used to be, the food quality remains exceptional. So, if you're looking for an authentic Sundanese Indonesian seafood dining experience, Pondok Laguna is the...

Have been to this restaurant for decades. More than 30 yrs. I'm wondering why this restaurant is not popular to foreign tourists or local tourists visiting Jakarta. Maybe because of its location (central jakarta) and non-aircond. Well! Sundanese food is best served in non-aircond place (find out yourselves the reasons).

This restaurant has no franchise nor other outlet, making it unique. The food quality has been consistently preserved from generations. This place is one of the timeless popular restaurant in Jakarta.

I often bring foreign tourists to eat seasfood here. They love all the food n drink.

Popular dishes: TAHU KIPAS, most popular dish. This one is incomparable. No other restaurants can make this dish like theirs. Not even close to it!

KANGKUNG TERASI. The sauce of this kangkung is amazing. I can be just happy w/ this dish and rice only.

GURAME GORENG. I like the gurame goreng (commonly served like fish is flying) as it hs no mud smell. The crisp of the fish is perfectly fried with tenderness and juiciness of the flesh inside. This dish is best eaten with Sambal terasi.

SAMBAL TERASI. Very fragrant and mouth watering by just smelling it.

SATE AYAM. The peanut sauce of this sate is different frm others. There's hint of gelangal yet belimbing fruit (for cooking).

CUMI BAKAR, CUMI GORENG. Both are recommended.

Try their kopyor if available.

I dont put any photo as to keep you curious. Of course, i dont wish for this restaurant to be popular so i dont have to queue like in the past. Painful queueing in a place where there's no aircond. Surprisingly it's not stuffy and hot either bcoz the place hs corners of water fountains and...

This restaurant is a quintessential example of local Indonesian seafood dining. You absolutely must sample their fried Gurame dish, and when paired with their specially prepared sambal, it's an absolute flavor explosion! The meat is flawlessly cooked, remaining tender while the bones can be enjoyed to the fullest. Their grilled jumbo squid is another standout dish that showcases the authentic Indonesian preparation style. Don't overlook the stir-fried sambal fern or pakis tumis – it's a vegetable you won't easily find elsewhere. I truly enjoyed it, especially when paired with a steaming bowl of white rice. For those who relish bold flavors, the sambal petai and prawn dish is a must-try and happens to be my all-time favorite. On the other hand, the fried seafood tofu was somewhat ordinary, as the tofu skin turned out a bit too dry and challenging to eat. The grilled king prawn was immensely satisfying, and I was thoroughly impressed with the culinary expertise on display here. Unfortunately, our enthusiasm to order more was curbed when we learned that the kitchen closes at 9pm, even though we tried to place an order just 10 minutes prior! While the restaurant lacks air conditioning, relying solely on fans, it can get rather warm during hot...