The start of my workday was a bit inconvenient due to the weather, which has been raining nonstop for more than three days now. The Monday blues hit hard this morning, so I decided to shake off the mood by treating myself to a nice place for a delicious lunch. For today’s meal, I chose Indonesian Ayam Bakar!
Ayam Bakar translates to "Grilled Chicken," which I haven’t had in a while, and suddenly, I found myself craving it.
One Indonesian restaurant I always go to is Ayam President. They have several branches across the city, but today, I opted for their outlet at Kallang Wave Mall. I like this branch because it’s less crowded compared to the larger malls in the city.
This particular branch is quite small, accommodating only about 30 diners at a time.
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While it’s smaller than the other outlets, it doesn’t bother me because, in my opinion, the quality of the food remains consistent. The quieter ambiance here is perfect if you’re looking to avoid big crowds. For me, it’s an ideal spot to take food photos for my posts without anyone minding—or even noticing—what I’m doing, lol.
For lunch, I ordered Ayam Bakar (Grilled Chicken), which came with grilled tofu, tempeh, and fresh vegetables like cucumber, tomato, and cabbage. I also indulged in a delightful dessert, Pudding Gula Jawa—an Indonesian-style pudding. This spread on my table was more than enough to brighten my day, even if just temporarily.
I paired my dish with steamed rice, knowing the rich, dark sauce would be incredibly flavorful. The rice provided a perfect balance to the bold, intense flavors of the sauce.
The chicken was grilled beautifully, including the skin.
I usually set aside chicken skin, but since this was the breast portion, I didn’t mind enjoying it this time. The chicken was flavorful, though I think it could have been a bit more tender and juicy. What truly elevated the dish was the dark sauce with chopped chili—it added just the right amount of heat and flavor.
I loved the side dishes! The grilled tofu had a wonderful smoky taste that complemented the chicken. Including tofu in the dish was a clever choice as it added an interesting texture.
I’m not very familiar with tempeh, so my first bite felt a little unusual. Its flavor was quite subtle, and I found myself tasting more of the sauce than the tempeh itself.
Now, onto the highlight of this meal—dessert!
The pudding was creamy with a delicate hint of coconut milk, and I could taste the subtle infusion of pandan leaves. The palm sugar sauce drizzled over the pudding added a touch of sweetness that wasn’t overpowering.
The simplicity of this dessert is something I’ll definitely crave again in the coming days. The portion size was just right, so I didn’t feel guilty indulging in it!
This meal was exactly what I needed to turn my day around, offering a comforting balance of bold flavors and satisfying textures. From the smoky grilled chicken to the creamy, subtly sweet pudding, every bite brought me a little joy despite the gloomy weather. I’ll definitely be back to Ayam President for more delicious meals and peaceful dining experiences!
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