Why Locals Love Padang Express
Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Pluit, Jakarta Utara, Padang Express offers an authentic and enticing journey into the heart of Padang cuisine. Renowned for its expertly prepared nasi Padang dishes, this restaurant is a must-visit for both locals and visitors craving rich, bold Indonesian flavors.
Padang Express truly shines with its signature fried chicken, described by enthusiastic diners as irresistibly crispy on the outside yet juicy and tender within. Each order is cooked fresh, ensuring that perfect crunch that melts delightfully with every bite. Another standout is the deep-fried paru (beef lung), served in a thin, crispy style that adds a unique texture and a subtly spiced savoriness that lingers pleasantly on the palate.
Complementing these meaty delights, the restaurant serves classic vegetable sides and rich curries — a nod to traditional Padang fare. While the vegetable dishes follow a familiar recipe, their flavor profile marks a distinct difference, with elements like the vegetable curry noted for a bold, slightly salty character that some customers find absolutely addictive. The rendang here is tender and fragrant, embedding the complex spices that make this dish a cultural icon, while their ayam bakar (grilled chicken) delivers a buttery softness that contrasts beautifully with the ayam goreng (fried chicken).
The portions at Padang Express are generous, particularly the rice servings, making it a satisfying meal for anyone with a hearty appetite. The décor and ambiance keep things casual and welcoming, embodying the spirit of a traditional yet approachable eating spot where great food takes center stage. Though parking is somewhat limited, the authentic cuisine more than compensates, attracting repeat customers who appreciate the balance of quality, flavor, and value.
Adding to the authentic experience, takeaway orders are thoughtfully packaged using banana leaves, a charming detail that echoes traditional presentation methods and sustainability. The service is praised for its speed and friendliness, ensuring a pleasant dining experience that returns you to the warmth of Indonesian culinary culture.
Whether you’re new to Padang food or a seasoned fan, Padang Express invites you to savor the harmony of deep spices, fresh ingredients, and expertly crafted dishes. It’s a dining destination where every bite tells a story of Indonesia’s rich culinary heritage.
Contact: +62 21 6620588
Location: Jl. Pluit Utara Raya No.83, RT.7/RW.5, Pluit, Kecamatan Penjaringan, Jkt Utara, Jakarta 14450, Indonesia
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Coffee
- Halal food
- Quick bite
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Table service
- Toilet
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Groups
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Real Reviews from the Community
- Feb 24, 2026
Great nasi padang experience. Freshly fried chicken that scrumptious. Full of subtle spice flavours. The deep fried “paru” (beef lung) was very good too. It’s the “crispy” thin cut style rather than the soft and chewy thick cut version. Vegetable sides we standard fare but then I’m not a big vegetable person so not an issue for me. Overall, definitely a place to return to.
- Feb 22, 2026
This place is famous for its fried chicken. They cook it only when we order so it's very crispy. Tried the rendang and terong and it's good too. The portion for rice is big. 1 portion of rice and rendang for 28k. Overall I like this place and will come back again
- Feb 7, 2026
A repeat customer here. The place located near Stella maris church. Fried chicken is a must eat here, it is crunchy but the meat taste juicy inside. Their vegetables curry also taste different compare to other place, but at times the dish is too salty. Bbq chicken also nice, soft n buttery. For take aways packaging, banana leaves are still in use as base. Appreciate the effort. Snacks n korean ice cream also available here.
- Jan 13, 2026
Good and fast service, portion is big enough for me, tried their ayam bakar and ayam goreng, both are good, but my recommendation is ayam goreng. I also have some orange juice, tasted sweet and sour, not too sweet and not bitter, totally my style, but the drinks came way more longer than the food.
- Jan 12, 2026
For good, tasty and clean Padang food, you will not regret. Parking is a bit limited (may be 10 cars)
- Jan 1, 2026
The fried chicken here are real good as they are fried freshly upon order. It goes so well with the chili provided. The rest of the dish are all yummy.
- Dec 14, 2025
Love the fried chicken here! Can be very crowded during lunch time. Parking is relatively easy here.
- Dec 11, 2025
Have been frequenting this place since its opening years. Honestly, back then, we were skeptical if it would survive long, but alas a decade-plus later, they’re still here. They have the typical fare of Padang dishes but what sticks out to me are the less conventional things: ayam goreng and sate padang. Their ayam goreng is crispy and perfectly golden brown on the outside. The kremes of their ayam goreng is really fragrant and crispy. Really really good stuff. Their sate padang might be the best in Jakarta. I tried famous sate padang stalls in South Jakarta and Menteng, but none of them could top Padang Express’ sate padang. Padang Express uses cubes/thicker cuts of beef tongue and meat, and fire-grilled them to perfection (charred and slightly crispy outside while the inside is still so tender). Their sauce is leaning towards a salty-savory flavor profile, not too sweet and not having any particular spice’s flavor that kicks out too much. The sauce is salty, smoky, velvety, a bit spicy from chillies. Complements their beef cubes really well.
