“Gabon - African Chicken” Trying to be African Chicken
“Gabon - African Chicken” at Ruko Pisa Grande
Ah, the allure of social media buzz. I arrived at Gabon - African Chicken on a sunny Sunday at 1:00 PM, full of hope and an empty stomach, only to wait 75 minutes for a table. And where do we wait?—a parking lot setup, complete with car fumes and uneven ground. To their credit, they thoughtfully provided water and oranges for those of us who patiently endured the wait. Small wins, I suppose.
Once inside, I had a revelation: Indonesians really do love anything that looks fancy. The décor? Plush and borderline luxurious—perfect for anyone looking to snap a few photos and pretend they’re dining at some Michelin-starred establishment. Spoiler alert: it’s all smoke and mirrors. Looks pricey, but the food isn’t. And neither is the experience.
Speaking of the food, let’s talk about the star of the show: the much-hyped chicken. Apparently, the secret to their popularity is vert sauce—a crime against both flavor and authenticity. This is basically street food in a luxury disguise. Every dish was poorly executed, like they gave up halfway through. The fries were so dry and chewy, I thought I was gnawing on cardboard. The chicken? Meh—neither dry nor juicy, just unremarkable. Worse, some parts were pink, and we all know pink chicken is a hard no. The salad dressing? An assault of acidity that felt like a prank.
But credit where it’s due: the service was friendly and professional. It’s the only redeeming quality in this otherwise regrettable experience. Would I go back? Absolutely not. Waiting 75 minutes for this? Never again. Lesson learned—beware of those social media buzzwords. They got me good this time.
Menu yang dipesan: Potato Fries, Gabon Special Bread, Gabon African Chicken (Half), Gabon Mediterranean Salad
Kansha – Where the Logo Says ‘Chinese’ but the Vibe Says ‘Japanese’
Just tried Kansha in Gading Serpong, and let me say, I’m still a bit confused. The logo is a Chinese character for “Gan Xie” (thank you in Chinese), yet this place is all about Japanese food! But hey, maybe they’re going for that fusion confusion?
The seating is limited to just 16 people, so it’s a cozy spot. The decor is minimal yet on point, capturing a clean, Japanese vibe.
Service was alright—no real complaints, but there’s definitely room for improvement. A bit more kindness and attentiveness from the staff would go a long way.
Now, onto the food: • Chicken Nanban Taishoku Set & Chicken Katsu Taishoku Set: These dishes were simplicity at its finest. No frills, but well-executed and priced just right. The miso soup had a lovely depth, thanks to the red miso, and the Agedashi Tofu was a standout! The Onsen egg was a touch too sweet for my taste, and the rice could use an upgrade to Japanese short-grain for a more authentic feel. • Truffle Croquette: This was outstanding. The truffle aroma was subtle but there, with a perfect creamy texture inside.
Overall, I’d give Kansha a 4 out of 5. It’s a solid spot with some room for improvement, and I’ll be keeping an eye out to see how they evolve.
Menu yang dipesan: Truffle Croquette, Chicken Katsu Taishoku, Chicken Nanban Taishoku
