Malaysians think they know ayam gepuk... until they eat it in Batam.
Photo Source : @UiHua Cheah
If there’s one Indonesian dish that has taken Malaysia by storm recently, it’s ayam gepuk.
Between the towering mountains of sambal and cashew sauce, crispy fried cabbage, and mounds of piping hot rice covered in dark sauce, you might be wondering: How much better would this taste in Indonesia? And of course, Batam would be one of the easiest ways you can answer that question since it’s just a short ferry ride away.
But here’s the funny thing. Mention your excitement of ayam gepuk to Indonesians, and you’ll likely get a curious look. It’s like a look you’d give a French tourist who tells you that they came all the way to Penang for maggi goreng.
This is because the ayam gepuk we know in Malaysia isn’t the same as what you’ll get in Indonesia, Batam included. So if you’re planning to have ayam gepuk in Batam, don’t be surprised to find…
There is usually only one spice level - fiery hot!
Photo Source : @UiHua Cheah
In Malaysia, we usually get to determine the spice level, which usually involves the ratio of cashew paste to sambal. This option is rarely available in Indonesia because the sambal is usually already mixed in with the paste.
Because the sambal is made according to the stall’s own recipe, each vendor has their own balance of chillies, garlic and seasoning. That’s also why locals often swear by their favourite ayam gepuk stall. However, it means you need to have a high heat tolerance because there’s no cheat code from the spiciness.
You can adjust the spice level at stalls that grind the sambal fresh to order - just that you have to do it by telling them how many chillies to add in.
Chicken is smaller and there’s no fried cabbage
Photo source: Che Nom via YouTube
This may come as a shock, but ayam gepuk’s distinctive accompaniment… is actually only common in Malaysia. Most shops - especially independent stalls - in Indonesia will serve the dish with lalapan instead, which is a raw vegetable mix that includes cabbage and cucumber. Good news though - more shops in Batam are starting to offer fried cabbage due to its popularity with Malaysian tourists.
You also get a smaller piece of chicken, but this is only because Indonesian chicken is similar to our kampung chicken. There’s less meat, but it’s also firmer and more succulent.
You also may not find a “crispy” battered option… that’s actually closer to ayam geprek. “Ayam gepuk” in its original form is just fried marinated chicken. In fact, you may find that the ayam gepuk served in Indonesia looks completely different from the Malaysian version as it tends to overlap with ayam penyet and ayam geprek especially.
Ayam gepuk is a lot cheaper in Batam (and less glamorous)
Photo source: ResepKoki
The reason why many Indonesians don’t understand the Malaysian fascination with ayam gepuk is because it just isn’t very popular. In fact, it’s seen as a meal on a budget that’s popular with cash-strepped university students, like our nasi bujang.
While we’re used to enjoying ayam gepuk in an air-conditioned shop, most ayam gepuk vendors operate off stalls or push-carts, including familiar franchises like Ayam Gepuk Pak Gembus. This change is also reflected in the prices - you can get a basic dish with chicken, lalapan, and tempeh for RM3 - RM5 from stalls and carts, while franchise and mall outlets will cost you between RM7 - RM10, though you do get upgrades like fried chicken skin and fried gizzard.
You get a lot more options and side dishes in Batam
Photo Source : @UiHua Cheah
Once you’re at an ayam gepuk place in Batam, you’re going to see a lot more on the menu other than Combo A, B, C, and D.
Here, it’s common to get fish instead of chicken, indomie instead of rice, and more. You can also order side dishes such as gepuk omelettes, sambal kangkung, and bean sprouts with salted fish. Other popular sides include chicken skin, gizzard, and liver skewers.
Experience Indonesian ayam gepuk in just 90 minutes with Berjaya Waterfront
Photo Source : @UiHua Cheah
One thing becomes pretty clear: Batam’s ayam gepuk isn’t necessarily better or worse than Malaysia’s - it’s simply different.
The version Malaysians have grown to love has evolved to suit local tastes. But if you want to experience the dish much closer to its Indonesian roots, Batam is one of the easiest places to do it.
You can find popular chains like Ayam Gepuk Pak Gembus along with independent warungs and stalls in food hotspots like Nagoya, Penuin, and the bustling Greenland area of Batam Centre.
With regular ferry services departing almost hourly from Berjaya Waterfront, you can easily hop onboard, enjoy that fiery hot ayam gepuk, and cool of in the ferry ride back - all in the same day.