Ayam Penyet Ria represents the authentic heart of Indonesian cuisine in Singapore, bringing the traditional smashed fried chicken experience to discerning diners through their family-owned establishment that has perfected this beloved dish since 1998. Founded by the visionary Ibu Ruth from Batam, this MUIS-certified halal restaurant has transformed a humble family recipe into one of Singapore most celebrated Indonesian dining destinations.
The restaurant specializes in their signature Ayam Penyet, Indonesia most popular traditional chicken dish that features farm chicken (ayam kampong) that is fried to golden perfection before being dramatically smashed with a kitchen mallet. This unique preparation technique creates tender, juicy meat with enhanced flavor penetration while making the chicken easier to eat and more enjoyable to experience.
Ayam Penyet Ria commitment to authenticity extends to their exclusive use of farm chicken, a premium ingredient that distinguishes them from other ayam penyet establishments. This dedication to quality ingredients ensures that every plate delivers the superior taste and texture that defines authentic Indonesian ayam penyet experiences.
The signature dish is accompanied by aromatic fragrant rice, fresh vegetables, fried tofu, fried tempeh, and their legendary sambal that delivers the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and umami flavors. The sambal represents generations of Indonesian spice blending expertise, creating the fiery accompaniment that elevates the entire dining experience.
Multiple strategic locations across Singapore including Lucky Plaza, Bugis Village, NEX Mall, Jurong Point Shopping Mall, Woods Square, Rivervale Mall, and JTC Space @ Tampines North ensure accessibility for Indonesian cuisine enthusiasts throughout the island. Each outlet maintains the family traditions and quality standards that have made Ayam Penyet Ria synonymous with authentic ayam penyet.
What distinguishes Ayam Penyet Ria is their inspiring origin story, born from Ibu Ruth divine inspiration during challenging times when she dreamed of smashing fried chicken and serving it with special sambal and crispies. This innovation created instant demand from customers traveling from far distances, establishing the foundation for today internationally recognized brand.
The restaurant preparation philosophy emphasizes freshness and quality, with food prepared daily using imported high-quality ingredients that maintain authentic Indonesian flavors. Their commitment to daily preparation ensures that customers receive optimal taste and texture in every meal.
The menu pricing strategy reflects their commitment to accessibility, with classic and boneless versions available for .90-.90 including rice and traditional accompaniments. This affordable pricing makes authentic Indonesian cuisine accessible to students, families, and working professionals who appreciate quality without premium costs.
Customer recognition positions Ayam Penyet Ria as a presidential candidate for Singapore best ayam penyet, with their crispy bits and incredibly spicy sambal earning praise as some of the finest fried chicken available. This reputation attracts both Indonesian expatriates seeking authentic flavors and local food enthusiasts exploring Indonesian cuisine.
The restaurant enjoys particular popularity within Singapore Indonesian community, especially on Sundays when families gather to enjoy familiar comfort foods that remind them of home. This cultural significance demonstrates their role as more than just a restaurant, serving as a community gathering place.
Service standards emphasize the traditional Indonesian hospitality that makes every customer feel welcomed and valued. The staff understands the cultural importance of sharing meals and ensures that every dining experience honors the communal spirit that defines Indonesian food culture.
Ayam Penyet Ria continues to preserve and share authentic Indonesian culinary traditions while adapting to Singapore diverse dining landscape, establishing themselves as essential destinations for anyone seeking genuine Indonesian flavors and cultural experiences in welcoming, family-friendly environments.
Chicken is not fresh. Taste and texture very mushy. The satay is over priced and not nice at all!
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The chicken was not fresh, with a very mushy taste and texture. The satay was overpriced and not nice at all.
Oxtail soup was okay, but too salty.
The staff seemed quite lost and didn't understand English well. We stood there for a long time, and it felt like there was a lack of service staff – only two were working, and one of them was also the cashier.
The environment was clean, but I was very surprised that when a staff member cleaned a table, water dripped onto the chair seat. He just walked away, leaving the next customer to wipe himself.
Pang
Fairly decent Indonesian place at Nex. Walked in on a Sunday afternoon, and tables were easily avail
A fairly decent Indonesian place at Nex. We walked in on a Sunday afternoon and tables were easily available. I ordered a cherry-flavoured drink, which tasted more like rose but was quite refreshing for the warm weather. My friend ordered an iced tea. For meals, we ordered the ayam bakar and two portions of chicken satay. The ayam bakar was decent, though the chicken was well-cooked despite being small. You can help yourself to the black sauce and sambal to add more kick to your meal. The only letdown for the ayam bakar was that it wasn't served with a curry, which makes a big difference for me and helps me eat the rice too. The satay was okay; it was more fried than grilled but tasty with the peanut sauce. 31 SGD for two people is quite affordable.
Positive Reviews
M.F. Yeo
Not bad, got sink to wash hands, only the additional sabal mata is $1.20. Cannot change, but the ind
Not bad, there's a sink to wash hands. Only the additional sambal was $1.20. Cannot change that, but the Indonesian food is nice. Especially during lunch, it's quite packed during meal times.
Cheok Mei Ling Sandra
Friendly staff, excellent fast service and delicious food. Definitely worth coming back!
The service
Friendly staff, excellent fast service, and delicious food. Definitely worth coming back! The service is so excellent, and I would recommend it! My friends are coming back. :)
Azman Jaffar
Excellent place to get your fix of ayam penyet. Clean and cosy venue with nice service staff.
An excellent place to get your fix of ayam penyet. The venue is clean and cosy, with nice service staff.
Crystal Ong
Ayam Penyet Ria @ NEX: A Delicious and Affordable Indonesian Feast
Rating:
• Food: 4.5/5 (Delicio
Ayam Penyet Ria @ NEX: A Delicious and Affordable Indonesian Feast
Rating:
• Food: 4.5/5 (Delicious and flavorful Indonesian dishes, with a highlight on the sambal chili)
• Service: 4/5 (Friendly and helpful)
• Atmosphere: 4/5 (Cool, comfortable, and not overly crowded)
• Value: 5/5 (Very reasonable prices for the quality and portion sizes)
• Overall: 4.5/5 (A great choice for a tasty and affordable Indonesian meal)
Review:
Donkey and I recently decided to try Ayam Penyet Ria at NEX before catching a movie. We were both craving some Indonesian comfort food, and this place definitely delivered!
Donkey went for the classic Ayam Penyet plus Nasi, and I was a little hesitant about trying catfish for the first time, but he convinced me to give the Ikan Lele Bakar a shot. The server was very friendly and helpful, recommending the grilled catfish, and we also followed his suggestion to try the Soda Lucky drink, which tasted wonderfully like honeydew.
The catfish was perfectly grilled, sweet, and flavorful, and I absolutely loved it. Donkey's Ayam Penyet was also cooked perfectly, with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy meat. The highlight for us was the sambal chili. It was incredibly flavorful and packed a punch of heat, but in a good way. We couldn't get enough of it and ended up ordering two extra servings. It went so well with the chicken, fish, and rice.
The restaurant itself was cool and comfortable, and it wasn't overly crowded, which made for a relaxing dining experience. And the best part? The prices are very reasonable. We paid only $23 for our entire meal, which is great for the quality and portions.
If you're looking for a tasty and affordable Indonesian meal, Ayam Penyet Ria at NEX is a great choice. We highly recommend it.
Super Aroma
Ordered crispy smashed fried chicken while partner ordered ayam bakar.
Honestly the smashed fried c
Ordered the crispy smashed fried chicken while my partner ordered ayam bakar.
Honestly, the smashed fried chicken was pretty bad. It makes the Sahara Desert feel like an oasis. The rice was average. The tofu and other sides were better.
The only reason for 4 stars was because my partner gave me some of the grilled chicken. It was juicy and well-charred, much more delicious than the dry fried chicken.
