Jakarta: Cahaya Kota
Jakarta: Ayam Goreng Berkah
Bali: Babi Guling Candra
by Good Indonesian Food
Category, Heritage
"The combination of the Ayam Goreng, the sambal terasi, and warm white rice felt like a satisfying home-made meal."
Jakartans have it lucky when it comes to Ayam Goreng (fried chicken). The city offers variants of the dish by the truckload, from the crispy to the traditional Ayam Goreng Kampung. The Ayam Goreng business can also be a profitable one too. Just ask the proprietors behind Ayam Goreng Berkah Pak Rachmat. Established way back in 1963, Ayam Goreng Berkah Pak Rachmat is renowned for its finger-licking good Ayam Goreng Kampung; just the ticket after a long day at the office, then.
Arriving at around 10pm, we were quite surprised to find the establishment still packed with punters. However, there was to be a hint of disappointment as most of the menu entries were already sold out by the time we got there. With the lack of choices, we settled upon a serving of their tried-and-tested Ayam Goreng. It came to our table still hot and looking delicious, and true to its appearance, our first bite revealed a tender and juicy interior. The size of the chicken was a bit on the wee side – they use ayam kampung (free range chicken) – but it was well marinated, while the sambal terasi (shrimp paste chilli) that came with it was not too spicy, yet left a lingering sweet flavour at the end, justifying its Javanese roots. Overall, the combination of the Ayam Goreng, the sambal terasi, and warm white rice felt like a satisfying home-made meal enjoyed in the comforts of one's abode.
Ayam Goreng Berkah's late founder and namesake, Pak Rachmat, must be smiling from the heavens, as the eatery still manages to deliver a sustained level of quality even to this day. Credit must go to Febri Setiawan – the grandson of Pak Rachmat – who has kept his grandfather's venture alive and well, ensuring that his legacy lives on. Ayam Goreng Berkah opens daily from 11am to 11pm, and you can find Febri supervising the goings-on at the premises from 12pm to 6pm. For those who have yet to sample Ayam Goreng Berkah's delightful Ayam Goreng, we'd recommend you do so sharpish.
Jl. Melawai XIII,
Near RSB Asih, Kebayoran Baru,
Open daily from 11am-11pm
Rp.56,000/US$4.20 for a whole chicken
JAKARTA, SOUTH JAKARTA
Good Indonesian Food
Good Indonesian Food is a team of foodies working to preserve and promote Indonesian culinary.