The East Aceh region in Aceh Province, Indonesia, is known for its rich seafood. The Idi Fish Landing Center is one of the centers of seafood production. It's no surprise that the surrounding area offers a plethora of seafood restaurants.
One such restaurant is the Dek Mona restaurant, located on the Medan-Banda Aceh road, which connects Sumatra and Aceh. Its location is strategic, as it's located on the main road and across from the Royal Idi Hotel, the largest hotel in East Aceh Regency.
Travelers from both the east and west can stop by the Dek Mona restaurant during mealtimes. Guests of the Royal Idi Hotel can also enjoy fresh, high-quality seafood.
However, it's important to remember that Dek Mona Restaurant only serves seafood. They offer a variety of fresh fish, including grouper, pompano, snapper, squid, jenaha, and many more. Visitors who can distinguish between fresh fish and frozen fish will surely be able to tell the difference.
We ordered a portion of grouper and a portion of pomfret to be grilled. At Dek Mona, the fish is grilled on a large grilling platform in front of the restaurant. This causes the heat to radiate to the dining area. While fans are placed in various locations, they are unable to dispel the intense heat.
This is what makes visitors uncomfortable, and it's what we felt too. The enjoyment of seafood and fresh fish is interrupted by the stifling heat, especially in the sweltering heat of East Aceh.
Aside from the hot weather, nothing detracts from the comfort of Dek Mona. Visitors can choose fresh fish to their liking. Prices are based on the size of the fish; the larger the fish, the more expensive.
Visitors can order a soy sauce marinade with a dash of chili for flavor. I prefer the lime marinade mixed with chopped onions and a dash of chili. The combination of spices adds even more freshness to the grilled fish.
For all of these orders, we paid IDR 200,000, equivalent to 67 #hives at the time of writing this article on September 28, 2025. Relatively affordable, even for backpackers.
So, if you're passing through the Idi area in East Aceh, don't forget to stop by Dek Mona.
Address: Seuneubok Bacee, Idi Rayeuk District, East Aceh Regency, Aceh, Indonesia Phone: 0822-2514-7419
Opens at 10:00 a.m. WIB Closes at 10:00 p.m. WIB
