Ayam Penyet has been a common Indonesian staple for decades now, but now it’s Ayam Geprek’s time to shine. @mrshen.sg hasn’t been around for that long, but their Ayam Geprek already feels like the product of years of research & development.⠀
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Presented in the familiar build-your-salad-bowl format, every dish at Mrs Hen starts by picking out a protein, a carb or salad base, and a topping of seven different chilies. I elected to feast upon Ayam Geprek ($8.70 nett), accompanied by a mound of Nasi Kuning (yellow rice) at an additional surcharge of two bucks, and smother my massive chicken fillet with Sambal Hijau (green chili). Each order comes with complimentary achar, and since Mrs Hen has bergedil/perkedel, I went ahead & added one of those piquant potato cakes to my plate for $1.20.
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The Ayam Geprek fully lived up to its menu description: juicy smashed chicken. This colossal chicken fillet was incredibly juicy and coated with a shatteringly crunchy batter. It was simply seasoned with salt & white pepper, instead relying on the sambal hijau for most of the flavour. The sambal hijau provided lots of flavour, with sourness, saltiness and a whole lotta spice. I thought that green chili would be milder than the red, but nope, the sambal hijau was hellishly spicy. Even the Teh Botol couldn’t put out the fire. Delicious Ayam Geprek, but damn it hurt so good.⠀
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As for the nasi kuning, it was nice & rich from the coconut milk it was cooked in and appetisingly aromatic from the added turmeric, but I wouldn’t pay an extra two dollars for it again. As for the bergedil, it was tasty, but it was served cold, and was oily & stodgy as a result. Mrs Hen should pop it into an air-fryer or oven to heat for a bit before serving, but that’s just a minor suggestion.⠀
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Still, Mrs Hen’s Ayam Geprek is downright delicious, and I’ll be back with a jug of milk.