Ayam Goreng Sri - Pandaan, Jawa Timur

If you ask me what is my favorite ayam goreng, I would definitely say Ayam Goreng Sri, without a doubt. The name might not sound familiar to those who don't live in Jawa Timur, since it is located in Pandaan, a small town on the way from Surabaya to Tretes (sort of Puncak of Jawa Timur). Growing up in Surabaya, I have been eating this delicacy since I was little kid and I always have fond memories, not only of the foods, but also of the place. The restaurant is located a bit on uphill, with very fresh air, beautiful scenery and local people selling their fresh produces such as bananas and veggies.

Since living in Jakarta, I haven't eaten this dish for long long time and finally a while ago my family went to Surabaya and bought the fried chicken for take away. Eating the chicken really brought up all sweet childhood memories. It still tasted exactly the same as I used to eat before, and still as yummylicious :D

The take away box

The chicken itself doesn't look like it was fried, but more like steamed or baked, since the skin wasn't crispy or crunchy like normal fried chicken. The meat is really soft, to the point that you don't have to make any effort to pull or break any bones. Even the bones themselves are also quite soft. The meat was sweet and savory, and combined with steaming rice and very spicy sambal terasi (beware, it is very spicy), it was just heavenly. I heard that the sweetness of the meat was because it is cooked in coconut juice.
I could finish the whole chicken and the whole bakul of rice myself if I didn't force myself to stop X_X. You could also choose the less spicy sambal bajak (without terasi), but in my opinion, the taste and spiciness of sambal terasi matches best with the sweetness of the chicken meat.   

The Fried Chicken and Sambal Bajak

Too bad they don't open any other branch except the one in Pandaan, so I will have to keep this dish as my occasional special treat. If you have a chance to visit Malang or Pasuruan, just remember to visit and taste this special dish. You won't be disappointed!

Ayam Goreng Sri
Jl. Dr Soetomo 3-4 (in front of Taman Candra Wilwatikta)
Pandaan, Jawa Timur
Ph: (0343) 631956