This has always been my favourite Bugis restaurant for Ikan Baulu, so it was quite disappointing to see how much things had changed during my latest visit. The prices had gone up, yet the portions served seemed to have shrunk while the owners were away.

Mr. Hubby ordered the Coto Makassar with steamed white rice, while I went with my usual Ikan Baulu and added a side of Perkedel Jagung. The fish I received was noticeably smaller than before, and the entire plating looked rather not filling.

It felt more like a downsized serving, making the price increase even harder to justify. The Coto Makassar was an even bigger letdown. Mr. Hubby finished everything and still wasn’t full. As for the soup, it was probably the lightest and blandest Coto Makassar we’ve ever had.

Instead of the rich, thick, spice-infused broth that’s meant to be the heart of the dish, this one tasted diluted and lacked the depth and aroma we are highly expecting. Ironically, we’ve had more flavourful Coto Makassar from Ramadhan Bazaar stalls.

The only redeeming item was the Perkedel Jagung. Freshly fried until golden and crispy, it was packed with crunchy sweet corn kernels that delivered little bursts of natural sweetness in every bite. It easily stole the spotlight and ended up being the best thing we ordered.

Kthxbye.