Bandar DJakarta @ Ancol is a huge seafood restaurant by the water with scenic view. If you are able to get seats next to the water, it is perfect. On weekends, it is extremely crowded and there is a need to wait for the table when no reservation made.
The ambience at Bandar DJakarta @ Ancol is similar to communal dinning in vast hall. And it is with a live band. Somehow, I can’t help but feel it is like attending a Malay Wedding in Singapore.
It is quite confusing for first time diners at Bandar DJakarta @ Ancol as there isn’t clear signage and instruction on how to go about ordering at the restaurant.
When arrived, proceed to the reception counter for securing a table. Leave your name and number of pax with them and they will pass you a slip with a queue number. Next, wait for your name to be called.
Once they called, they will show you to your table. Next, they will pass the order slip to you. Proceed to the Seafood Market for ordering.
This is the worst part. It is extremely perplexing. First, there is not instruction. Neither is there signage. We tried figuring the process by observation and trial & error. Lastly, when we figured out, it was to proceed to the counter to seek assistance for ordering the seafood, there isn’t clear queue or separate line for getting assistance in picking the seafood and to finalize the order. The counter is both the weighing station and grabbing service crew for help, as such you need to stand around since no proper queue was form. If you are in group, meanwhile, go around to view the offerings.
How You Order?
So what you need to do is, at the seafood market, go to the counter and queue for assistance. The service crew in uniform is your target. Next the service crew will bring along a basket while you inform them of what you want. Finally, they will bring you back to the same counter to weigh the seafood and inform the cooking method.
On The Table
Our fish, Ikan Kuwe is done via grilled paired with Saos Salsa sauce (IDR 47,150). This cooking method though is a little boring, it brought out the natural sweetness from the fresh fish. By the side is a Salsa Sauce. I prefer dipping it with the sambal sauce provided instead.
Done using the Teppanyaki way for the Squid, Cumi Biasa, (IDR 24,840). Don’t mistaken it for Japanese flavour. Even though it uses a Japanese cooking flavour, the squid are flavoured with a sweet and spicy chilli sauce. Personally, I find the squid slightly overcooked, as such I experienced a little chewiness. Nonetheless, it is still acceptable.
Next is our hot favourite. I highly recommend it as a must order when you are at Bandar DJakarta @ Ancol. You won’t regret having it. It is the Jumbo Prawn, Udang Galah Jumbo (IDR 95,850) cooked via BBQ method with Cheese.
Next is the Bambo Clam, Kerang Salju (IDR 44,940) done in Singapore style. I don’t know why it is named this way. The sauce tasted like the Chilli Crab Sauce though. Maybe, it is due to this reason, I suppose. The sauce was extremely appetising and it was perfect with the rice.
There are 3 additional chilli sauce provided with one of them a sambal sauce.
Rice is refillable. But for us, it was more than enough. It is charge by per person (IDR 7 / pax).
Drinks are ordered at the table, after we have ordered our seafood. We ordered 2 Coconuts, Kelapa Batok (IDR 18,000 each).
NAHMJ Verdict
We thought well of the food at Bandar DJakarta @ Ancol though there is a small missed in the squid. But all the food we ordered were generally delicious.
Bandar DJakarta @ Ancol
Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, Pintu Masuk Timur, Jl. Kw. Wisata Ancol, Jakarta Utara, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
Tel: +62 21 6455472
Website: http://bandar-djakarta.com/ancol/
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday 1100 to 2330; Saturday – Sunday 1000 to 0000
Getting There
By Taxi or Car
Rating: 7/10