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Best Ayam Penyet in Lucky Plaza, Resto Surabaya

Probably the best Ayam Penyet in town

Built in the 1970’s, Lucky Plaza has been a popular hangout place for Indonesians and Fillippinos domestic helpers during weekends. However, it is also a popular spot for locals to seek out value for money eats in town.

Do you know that a handful of restaurants located here are owned by Indonesian businessmen? Undoubtedly, their local dish, ayam penyet (also known as smashed fried chicken), got our local taste buds hooked to it.

When someone mentions ayam penyet at Lucky Plaza, immediately many would come to think of Ayam Penyet Ria (thanks to its name). My Indonesian friends in Singapore told me that the standard there have dropped over the years. I tasted the ayam penyet over at Ayam Penyet Ria a few years back and compare to what I taste recently and indeed, the chicken is a tad too dry and the meat was tough.

Last year, a friend mentioned to me that Resto Surabaya serves very good ayam penyet and told me to try it. Without hesitating, I brought along a few of my Indonesian friends for dinner at Resto Surabaya to let them have a taste of the ayam penyet for them to compare with others that they have tried at Lucky Plaza.

It is known as Ayam Penyet Surabaya ($6) as it is prepared the authentic way as it is over at Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city. The price here is cheaper too compared to $6.50 at Ayam Penyet Ria, the size of the chicken is a little smaller too. However, it made up in terms of the taste, texture and juiciness of the chicken.

The smashed fried chicken is served on a banana leaf with lots of crispy crumbs, a slice of fried soyabean and a piece of fried beancurd. It is accompanied by their potent homemade chili sauce and a slice of cucumber to cool your palate. Surprisingly, my Indonesian friends really love it as they find the overall taste better than Ayam Penyet Ria.

If the ayam penyet gets too spicy, it is great to have a glass of ice-cold chendol (a sweet coconut milk dessert with jelly) to wash down the delicious meal. It is great o end off the meal with a glass of ice lemon tea too.

For ayam penyet fans out there, do try out the food at Resto Surabaya and do comment on what other favourite Indonesian dishes you love from here. As for me, I often patronize this restaurant for their delicious gado-gado!

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