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Pondok Indonesia
Categories: Nightlife Karaoke Restaurants Indonesian Karaoke, Indonesian [Edit]
950 W BroadwayFl 2, Ste 202
Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K7
Neighbourhood: Fairview Slopes
(604) 732-7608
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
5 reviews for Pondok Indonesia
5 reviews in English
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Review from Albert K.
7/23/2010
As a native Indonesian who hasn't eaten Indo food for a while, I was excited to stumble across this restaurant but left somewhat disappointed. We went on a Thursday night and there was only one other couple eating there despite coming in at 8.45pm - so it was a bit strange and rather uncomfortable to have no one else around eating.
We ordered the martabak sapi, ayam bumbu bali, beef rendang to eat and avocado smoothie and ice pelangi for drinks and dessert. the martabak sapi was very disappointing - it was dry and rather too crispy - nothing like the authentic one you would get from Indo at all. the ayam bumbu bali was quite good - spicy and tasty while the beef rendang was Ok - nice in flavor but somewaht dry. To be honest, the most exciting part of the dinner was the avocado smoothie and ice pelangi as you don't rally get those here in Vancouver - but even then i was still underwhelmed - i can definitely make a meaner avocado smoothie!
As the night wear on, the place got a bit more oopmh! more people started coming in and the karaoke started. This was quite fun to watc actually, and noticed that the late night customers were definitely regular customers who visit mainly more for the karaoke and less for the food.
We left at around 11 - after a bit of a shock at the cashier - paying $85 (including a 10% tip) for sinner for two - fine for finer dining experience but really do not think it was worth the price. The place lack atmosphere and charm- the staff did not even speak Indonesian (even though they were friendly) and the decor from the outside is not very appealing at all - standard white building with neon OPEN sign - rather uninviting and perhaps explained the lack of customers.
I went there with a friend and for him the food was good - but then again he has really nothing to compare it too - much like i don't know if what i'm eating at a sushi place here actually is good stuff if you compare it to authentic Japanese sushi (actually i've been to Japan and no it does not compare). For an indo person looking for real good authentic indo food - Pondok does not really satisfy.
And so my quest for real tasty indo food continues... -
Review from M S.
1/21/2012
Went there about 2 years ago since we were on the hunt for some good Indonesian (not Malaysian, not Singaporean, but Indonesian). Used to live in Holland where there's awesome Indonesian food on every corner like there are sushi joints around Vancouver. This place was a huge disappointment. Big empty restaurant, slow service, lame rijstafel (rice table) and not even good kroepoek - shrimp chips. The prices were high. Never went back. I'm amazed if they are still around.
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Review from Sheila W.
BC
12/2/2008 2 photos
Tucked away in this second floor location right beside the Rugby Club is a hidden treasure. It's a great place for big groups as there are many long tables and the place is quite spacious. There are windows overlooking West Broadway, so you can watch the action while you eat with quiet, ambient music (until 9:30pm).
If you're new to Indonesian food, there are great combo plates called Rice Tables. Even if you're not, they're a perfect way to try a few things. We enjoyed Rice Table 1 with crispy wontons, tender slow-cooked chicken, a cabbage dish, a prawn dish and steamed rice. The cabbage went really well with the rice and the prawns were cooked to perfection. Everything was really flavourful but not spicy. Beer and dinner for two ran us a reasonable $45ish.
The service was so fantastic. Especially one waiter who was so genuinely nice. He made us feel so welcome, brought our beer lightening fast and answered all our questions with confidence.
After 9:30 every night of the week you can get your song on with karaoke. There's even a dance floor for your loving fans to groove on while you serenade them. When I was in there during karaoke hours there was a middle-aged woman singing a ballad in a language I did not understand while another middle-aged couple waltzed around the dance floor. I didn't think it was the right crowd for "Livin' on a Prayer," so I refrained from belting out the Bon Jovi karaoke anthem.
During karaoke hours there's a consumable cover charge - you have to drink/eat $15- worth to earn your turn at the mic. -
Review from Christine K.
Vancouver, BC
6/26/2009
Pondok was what made me write my first restaurant review locally (before Yelp was here). It was the one on Commercial Drive and I found it such POOR value, I wrote my first review. Just last week my lunch partner & I went to the one on Broadway as I said I'd give it another chance. We ordered:
Rice Table 3
Lumpia Istimewa (4pcs)-Indonesian style spring rolls stuffed with minced chicken, shrimp, bamboo shoot & tofu served with a light peanut sauce
Udang Asam Pedas-Tiger prawns simmered in a tomato & chili base sauce
Kari Ayam-Chicken coconut milk curry
Orak Arik-A traditional dish of shredded cabbage & carrots stir fried with eggs & herbs
(This all sounds delicious, doesn't it? But, NO!)
It was $29 without tax/tip for two which is pricey for lunch. When we were served we looked at each other like we were waiting for another plate. It was basically what we are used to being served for ONE person! The chicken was hard & chewy, and we felt like the dish was very OLD! We couldn't eat more than one bite. The "prawns" were your typical frozen grocery store pre-cooked prawns that you get in a frozen shrimp ring...too bad, because the sauce was quite good. The spring rolls were good & the cabbage was not bad.
We were the ONLY table for the whole hour between 12- 1pm and we couldn't imagine how they remain open only to guess that night time is a different ball game??? Anyway, I will never set foot in the restaurant again! -
Review from Natasha L.
5/13/2009
If a huge,empty restaurant doesn't make you run, the food definitely will. The gado gado ( salad with peanut sauce) taste like sweet peanut butter with 3 day old vegetables, the spring roll is soaked in oil, and the shrimp tasted stale. This is definitely one of the worse dinner we had in 2009.
