If you've been following my food posts lately, you may have noticed that I've been eating Indonesian-style chicken barbecue quite often. And I must say, it has quickly become one of my favorite versions of chicken barbecue so far. I just really love the combination of flavors in this dish—I'm getting addicted to it!
The dominant taste of the barbecue is sweet, but there's a good balance with its savory side as well. I think this balance is what keeps me craving this dish from time to time. And I'm glad to see more Indonesian stalls popping up in food courts nowadays.
Indonesian food may not be as famous as Thai cuisine here in the city, but that could change in the future. With more and more food places serving Indonesian dishes, we might start seeing more patrons enjoying this cuisine. And I’m already one of those people, especially when it comes to this barbecue.
So, what makes me want it even more?
I think it’s the completeness of the meal that makes it so satisfying. It’s not just rice and chicken—the addition of side dishes that complement the meal makes it well worth the price.
The dish I ordered is the Ayam Panggang Set, which costs SGD 7.80—one of the higher-priced meals you’d find in a food court like this.
It includes a chicken leg, rice, a vegetable side dish, and a fried egg. It’s different from the versions I’ve tried before, and I still have yet to learn more about these variations. I remember having this dish at another restaurant, and although the chicken tasted the same, what made it different were the side dishes. I’ve also tried the Ayam Bakar version, which comes with deep-fried tofu and tempeh—my personal favorite. I think they add new layers of flavor and improve the overall texture of the meal.
The version I ordered from Riverside Indonesian Barbecue has a different set of side dishes. They serve it with sautéed vegetables and a sunny-side-up egg. This is similar to the side dishes served with the chicken curry set at Encik Tan. These sides also work well with the Ayam Panggang set meal.
The only issue is that the textures are all soft and smooth, which is why I would prefer to have deep-fried tofu and tempeh as side dishes instead. Maybe it just comes down to personal preference, but for me, that combination is perfect.
My journey to find the best Ayam Panggang doesn’t end here—I still have plenty of restaurants and versions to explore.
Hopefully, I’ll get to try an upscale version of this dish soon. I already have a restaurant in mind that I plan to check out, so stay tuned—I'll be sharing more about it soon!
Indonesian-style chicken barbecue has definitely earned a top spot on my list of favorite dishes, thanks to its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. While I have my preferences when it comes to side dishes, I’m excited to keep exploring different versions and discovering new favorites. My journey for the best Ayam Panggang isn’t over yet—so stay tuned for more delicious finds!
