To be honest, I haven’t tried a lot of Indonesian food but I can vouch my love for Ayam Penyet, this wonderful traditional dish that originates from Subaraya. Smashed fried chicken served with rice and spicy hot sambal, so simple yet so additively delicious.
Not too far away from Tampines at Changi Village is Sri Bistari Famous Nasi Ayam Penyet. Conveniently there was a direct bus to the food court where this stall was located at, so I decided to try it one weekend after surveying for good food around my area. Traveling too far for food does take its toll on you in the long run, especially when you are taking the public transport.
For $4.50 the serving is pretty standard consisting of a piece of smashed fried chicken, a generous dollop of sambal and the usual Indonesian salad of lettuce, cabbage, cucumber and cherry tomato. Tempe (deep fried fermented bean paste) was not to be found though.
I liked that a whole chicken leg was given because the typical portion of Ayam Penyet usually comes with very small piece of chicken, leaving you with plenty of rice in the end.
Even though Ayam Penyet’s specialty should be with its crispy outside yet juicy inside, I find most of them to be quite dry – even the authentic one I had in Batam not long ago. This has got to be my only lament about Ayam Penyet. But still it had a nice fragrance which it got from the marination process with various herbs and spices. Scattered on the meat are some crunchy fried fritter bits, which are very flavorful but I still don’t know how they are made.
I don’t know about you but having Ayam Penyet without the blazing hot sambal is just.. weird and wrong. For me the sambal is great for providing the spicy kick into an otherwise boring dish. It is also good to provide some moisture, since I mentioned about the dryness earlier. Here, the sambal’s recipe has been slightly tweaked from the traditional Indonesian version with the addition of sugar to suit the local’s taste.
Kopi-Cino (a mixture of coffee and Milo) is widely sold here so I figured that I should give it a try. Drinks mixed with Milo like these are pretty common in Singapore compared to Malaysia.
Blk 3 Changi Village Road
#01-40/41 Singapore 500003
Business hours: 10am to 2am
I’ve only ever eaten this in Java.. very cool dish;)
.-= ciki´s last blog ..About Cow Brains and Bull Testicles =-.
theres a technique to cook ayam penyet crispy outside and juicy inside. That why the ayam should be penyet
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Are you still in Singapore? If you are, you also can find a famous ayam penget restaurant at level 4 Lucky Plaza, Orchard Road. It’s super delicious, even my Indonesian friend also like it. And must complete this meal with a Indonesian dessert – avocado juice, shiok!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Singapore Food Festival 2010 – Clarke Quay Food Street =-.
Hello there, I enjoy reading your blog. I love the ayam penyet. You’re right, you need a good sambal to enjoy the dish.
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heelo enjoy your trip.. i like much