14 places for cluckin’ good ayam penyet in Singapore
Who can resist mouthwatering fried chicken, especially one that’s marinated just right, with the right amount of crisp and juiciness. One of our faves is none other than ayam penyet, an east Javanese dish, which means “smashed chicken”. It’s a perfectly fried piece of chicken that’s been lightly pounded to tenderise the meat.
A great ayam penyet has three key elements: First, there is the aforementioned fried protein, which has to be well-marinated with an airy, crisp batter, topped with plenty of golden crumbs. Second, a punchy sambal — each eatery offers its own twist. Third, fluffy white rice, which complements it all, whether it’s plain or aromatics-infused.
Bonus points if the place also serves a side of crispy tofu and tempeh, fresh veg and a flavourful bowl of soup.
Salivating at the mention of all of these? We tracked down 14 favourite spots for ayam penyet in Singapore to satisfy our fried chicken cravings, and hopefully yours, too. Your hunt for top ayam penyet in Singapore starts here:
1. La Porpo
Opened just before the Covid-19 pandemic, La Porpo is run by third-generation hawker Haswandi Hashim and his wife Nur Hafizah Ahmad, where they draw on cherished family recipes passed down through generations.
Some regard La Porpo’s version as the best ayam penyet in Singapore, thanks to its succulent meat and delicious crisp. The couple keep things straightforward, using simple ingredients such as salt, pepper, turmeric, cornstarch, egg, and water to create a seemingly basic batter that tastes oh-so-yummy.
The nasi sambal penyet (S$6 for chicken) features a sambal made fresh daily with red chilli, while the nasi sambal geprek (S$6 for chicken) turns up the heat with both green and red chillies.
Beyond chicken, there are also prawn and fish options, and diners can choose between green pandan rice or blue pea rice to pair with the protein.
2. Impian Wahyu
Many flock to Impian Wahyu for their fix of Indonesian comfort food. Helmed by Indonesian couple Abang Batman and Wahyu Ning, the stall is decorated in a cheerful yellow with playful touches of the Batman logo — this sense of happiness carries through to the food, all homemade and served in satisfying portions.
There are several reasons why some rate this the best ayam penyet in Singapore: The smashed meat is juicy with the spices well absorbed, the homemade sambal strikes a perfect balance of tart, heat and sweetness, the crispy bits are freshly crunchy, and the side soup is savoury.
Nothing on this ayam penyet (S$7) plate is commercially made, which gives the meal its much sought-after homely taste, treasured in a nation of F&B franchises. The ox tail soup (S$10), served with rice, is another highlight — the meat falls right off the bone!
3. Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut
Founded by an Indonesian, Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut might not be the first place you think of for good ayam penyet in Singapore, given that its signature dish is the original crispy fried duck (S$11.90), marinated for 24 hours to bring out its rich flavours.
However, on nearly every table, you’ll also spot the original smash fried chicken (S$9.90), equally lauded for its crispy skin and tender meat. What makes the dishes here so moreish is the use of fresh, quality poultry and the secret blend of Indonesian spices that come through in every bite.
There are five levels of spice to choose from, with the original chilli and green chilli being firm favourites — they enhance the dishes without overpowering the intended flavours.
4. Z. Rayyan
This quiet gem of an ayam penyet spot may be a one-man show, but it doesn’t stop Z. Rayyan from diligently serving up nasi ayam penyet (S$6.50) to a steady stream of regulars.
Always freshly prepared and served piping hot, the chicken is well-marinated, with flavours that show care and effort. The batter is light, airy and noticeably less oily than most — making this version a standout despite the slightly smaller portion.
The opening hours may be a tad more difficult to make than other ayam penyet spots mentioned on this list, but we think Z. Rayyan is well worth supporting for its honest, well-executed take on this beloved dish.
5. Zoul’s Corner
Zoul’s Corner was created by Azhar Mohd Salleh, who has nearly four decades of experience in Singapore’s F&B scene. Known for its ayam penyet, Zoul’s Corner uses a sambal recipe handed down from Azhar’s mother, and a blend of candlenuts, garlic, turmeric, ginger, and coriander in its chicken marinade.
The nasi ayam penyet (S$8.50) features crispy smashed chicken with flavourful meat, a sambal that packs both heat and depth and a side of mee soto soup. The highlight is the nasi ayam boneless penyet (S$9), popular for its juicy, fuss-free bites.
6. Aunty Sham Ayam Penyet
Aunty Sham Ayam Penyet is personally run by Aunty Sham, a Javanese native with over 30 years of experience in the F&B industry. Her tasty, homestyle cooking has won her a devoted following, despite the stall’s limited operating hours.
For the ayam penyet (S$6.50), Aunty Sham smashes the fried chicken thigh with a metal mallet before topping it with crispy bits. Besides the usual fried tofu, tempeh, and vegetables, her version includes keropok — a delightful addition.
Don’t skip the spice: Her Javanese-style sambal is known for its balanced, slightly sweet flavour, and the accompanying soup whets the appetite.
The mee soto (S$4), a humble noodle dish, is also well-loved by regulars for its comforting, home-cooked taste.
7. Pondok Jawa Timur
Pondok Jawa Timur began in 2006 as a humble eatery at the Singapore Indonesian Embassy. Due to overwhelming support, Madame Indah expanded it into a full-fledged restaurant at Far East Plaza.
Specialising in East Javanese flavours — bold spices with a touch of sweetness — Pondok encourages communal-style dining with sharing plates. Hence, the ayam penyet (S$8) is served without rice, but it can be ordered separately. It arrives hot, crispy and juicy, accompanied by a solid, spicy sambal and fresh vegetables.
Another highlight here is the nasi kuning komplit (S$15.90), where the fragrant yellow rice has been infused with turmeric and coconut milk, and served with omelette, fried chicken, potato ball, beef rendang, sweet-spicy potato chips, and Pondok’s sambal belacan.
8. Nur Indah Kitchen
For years, Bedok Corner Food Centre has been quietly known for its ayam penyet dishes, especially Nur Indah Kitchen’s version. Here, the nasi ayam penyet (S$6.80 for breast, S$7 for drumstick) stands out for its crispy chicken, a fiery homemade sambal with a subtle sweetness and fragrant Hainanese-style rice. The rice isn’t overly garlicky, allowing the well-seasoned chicken to take centre-stage.
The stall also draws a steady crowd for its Hainan roasted chicken rice (S$4.60) and steamed chicken rice (S$4.60). Regulars recommend going early because that’s when the chicken is at its freshest and juiciest!
9. Rayyan’s Waroeng Upnormal
Located in the bustling Amoy Street Food Centre and serving primarily the office crowd in the area, Rayyan’s Waroeng Upnormal often draws a queue for its ayam penyet (S$5.50). It stars an exceptionally well-marinated piece of chicken thigh that’s as aromatic as it is crispy. The sambal starts mild but quickly turns addictive!
For those with a bigger appetite, the jumbo penyet “classic” (S$6.50) offers an upsized portion slightly larger than your palm. Unlike the usual ayam penyet, Rayyan’s version skips the tofu, tempeh and soup, instead drizzling the chicken with a sweet black sauce for a unique twist.
10. Waroeng Anak Indo
Come here not just for the food but the vibes too! Waroeng Anak Indo is a casual Indonesian street food cafe serving up classic dishes in a space filled with nostalgic charm, with all-time favourite Indonesian hits playing in the background.
The nasi ayam penyet (S$12) is a favourite, with crisp, succulent chicken and a memorable sambal that delivers a super fiery kick — be warned! It comes with the usual sides of vegetables, tofu and tempeh, while the soup deserves a mention for its superb homely taste.
Another popular item is the bakso komplit (S$15), where you’ll get clear homemade beef broth, rice vermicelli and beef balls, topped with fried wonton — a wonderful mix of textures!
11. Ayam Penyet President
Ayam Penyet President, established in 2009 at Lucky Plaza, has made the dish both accessible and reliable across its many locations in Singapore in the 16 years since it first came about. Committed to serving authentic Indonesian flavours, it sources spices directly from the country itself.
The smashed fried chicken (S$8.70) is crispy on the outside and tender inside, paired with crunchy bits, tofu, tempeh and a signature sambal that’s incredibly spicy yet satisfying. Free, self-service soup — with a distinctly peppery flavour — is also available.
The tahu telor (S$8.50) is a must-order, too, and comes with soft, smooth tofu and a fried egg batter that’s free from that overly “eggy” taste.
12. Ayam Penyet Ria
Since opening in Singapore in 2003, Ayam Penyet Ria has consistently maintained its standards and authentic Indonesian flavours — a key reason it remains popular with Indonesians seeking a quick taste of home.
The ayam penyet + nasi (S$9.50) comes with a seriously addictive sambal. Bold, spicy and freshly made with no preservatives, it’ll have you asking for another serving in no time. The rice here is pleasantly starchy, and the chicken tender and flavourful, with the turmeric and garlic marinade shining through. The ayam bakar + nasi (S$9.80) is also a must-try, combining smoky and sweet notes in a way that’s deeply aromatic and comforting.
13. D’Penyetz
D’Penyetz was founded in 2009 by Indonesian Edy Ongkowijaya, an F&B entrepreneur who earned his stripes working across various ayam penyet brands before creating his own. His hard-earned experience eventually saw the brand expand to more than a hundred outlets across six countries.
The D’Penyetz smashed chicken (S$8.90) is made exciting for diners with eight levels of sambal spice — from “mild chilli sauce” to “super kick spicy”.
For those with more discerning diets, there’s also the D’Penyetz smashed kampong chicken (S$10.50 for breast, S$10.90 for thigh), known and enjoyed for its leaner meat profile since these chickens are typically raised free-range. With more space to move and a varied diet, such chickens often have a higher protein-to-fat ratio and a richer flavour.
14. Dapur Penyet
Established in 2005, Dapur Penyet set out to bring the rich, authentic flavours of Indonesian cuisine to Singapore — with a focus on quality and value. The signature ayam penyet with rice (S$10.50) comes with a choice of four sambal types: Belacan (savoury with shrimp paste), balado (a slightly sweet tomato-based blend), Padang green (fresh and tangy), and mercon (fiery and bold).
Don’t forget the gado-gado (S$8.50) with a peanut sauce that has a homemade, savoury taste, served with crisp, fresh vegetables.
For more places to eat around Singapore, check out our compilation of new openings and new menu refreshes around the city.
