Ade
Google
I was disappointed with my recent experience at Sodeng, especially because my first visit back in July/August last year was excellent. At that time, the meat was cooked perfectly, the staff carefully explained the dipping sauces and sides, and even guided us on how to enjoy the dishes. The freshness of the pepper and the burst of flavour it gave left such a strong impression that I felt the higher price tag was justified and worth returning for.
This time, however, the standards fell short:
1. Pepper quality – The pepper no longer had the same fragrance and flavour, which makes me wonder if the supplier has changed.
2. Cooking of the meat – The service crew seemed inexperienced. The meat was overcooked (photo attached for comparison, first photo is the overcooked meat; second one was a while back), and when I asked if the heat was too much, I was reassured it was “normal.” Unfortunately, the result was tough, chewy meat that was far from what I enjoyed previously.
3. Service & communication – The crew serving us struggled with English, so we had to repeat ourselves several times. There was also no explanation of the sauces, and after she finished grilling, we were unsure if we should continue cooking on our own. Our drinks were also left empty — even after we asked for a refill, only 4 out of 5 cups were topped up, leaving my father’s cup unfilled despite reminders.
It’s a pity because I had such a good first impression, but consistency is important, especially at this price point. At the very least, I would expect the same level of quality and properly cooked meat each time. I hope the restaurant can look into this and bring the standards back up to what made my first visit so memorable.
