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Whether from a roadside stall or a fine dining restaurant, ayam goreng (fried chicken) has always been a staple comfort food for Indonesians.
But we’re not the only ones. Fried chicken, from its first mention in an Ancient Roman cookbook to its long history as an after-church Sunday go-to in the United States, is a universal comfort food.
With new spots opening in Jakarta every weekend, knowing which places offer the very best may feel like a challenge, but we’ve got you covered. Whether you're craving a traditional recipe, a high-end twist, quick takeaway or international flavors, here is a short and sweet list of our favorite places to get your fix.
A legend among Indonesian foodies, Ayam Goreng Suharti first began with the eponymous Suharti selling fried chicken on a bicycle around Yogyakarta until opening a restaurant in 1972.
Read also: Dining at ESA: Dégustation, Jakarta styleThe long story behind the brand’s rise, split, rebirth and enduring legacy testifies that the chicken remains just as delicious as it ever was, with the very same recipe that made it famous still in use today.
Flavorful and inexplicably tender, this traditional Indonesian dish is prepared using ayam kampung (village chicken), which is fried whole and buried under a mountain of kremes (fried crumbles) made from deep-fried tapioca flour, eggs and chicken stock. The dish is, of course, served with a side of sambal.
The buttermilk Pantja Fried Chicken (PFC) is considered a lifestyle change. Scented with rosemary, its crispy coating is a perfect match to the tangy, tender chicken underneath. You even get your choice of sauce to go with it: habanero, ranch or barbeque.
In line with the South Jakarta restaurant’s farm-to-table values, the use of fresh and quality ingredients is key to this famous dish. And let’s not forget about the steak-cut fries, which add just enough crunch to balance out the tender chicken.
Hot Side Story is a spicy chicken joint created by Hangry, a local delivery company that’s leveled up into restaurants and food courts. It’s got the perfect fix for anyone who loves fried chicken with a spicy kick, with both Eastern and Western influences embellishing their sauces.
Whether you’re into Eastern fire or Western flair, you’ve got options.
You can choose between the hot Sichuan-spiced Fire Mala sauce or the smokey, Cayenne-pepper-based Hot Nashville sauce.
You can choose from five spice levels: Comedy (mild), Adventure (getting hotter), Horror (spicy), Drama (really spicy) and Tragedy (tongue-numbing). If you’re feeling brave, go for Tragedy—just have some milk ready for backup.
American-style fried chicken has become a go-to comfort food for many Jakartans, especially when it comes to crispy wings and fries. But beyond the double arches and the Colonel, sometimes you just need that spicy zing to hit the spot.
Read also: Experience a fiery culinary journey at CharkoalEnter The Buffalo. This spot serves up all-American classics like Nashville-style chicken tenders, burgers and mac and cheese.
Sure, the chicken is the star, but the real MVP here is the tangy, spicy buffalo sauce. And if you're a true Indonesian, don’t worry—there’s always a side of rice to pair with your wings.
Our sweet affinity for all things Korean has extended to the kitchen, and fried chicken is no exception. The Korean secret? Double-fried chicken for maximum crispiness.
KyoChon’s addictive fried chicken contains potato starch in its coating mix and takes a second dip in canola oil to remove the excess moisture, giving us unmatched crunchiness beneath delectable sauces.
From the classic original to the sweet honey crunch, or the spicy hits of KyoChon’s Red Series, one drumstick just doesn’t cut it. With over 1,000 outlets worldwide, its appeal is undeniable.
