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Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre is the heart of Singapore Malay cuisine. Many stalls there truly deserve their flowers and Pak Din Ayam Bakar is one of them.
Located on Changi Road, Geylang Serai has been an institution of Malay food for decades. Pak Din Ayam Bakar has been around for 7 years but only has 34 reviews on Google, and almost every one is positive. 7 years may not seem that long but any stall that can survive Singapore’s cutthroat food industry deserves credit.
What to order at Pak Din Ayam Bakar
While they have a few options, I decided it was best to go for their namesake: Nasi Ayam Bakar (S$7). Ayam bakar is a dish that originated during the kampung days. They would marinate the chicken in turmeric, garlic, onion paste and other spices that varied by family.
What makes it ayam bakar, however, is the fire. The name literally means ‘burnt chicken’. That’s why this dish was slightly disappointing. When it was served, the chicken was at room temperature. There was a slight smoky flavour but it was definitely missing that tell-tale char. Were it not for the kicap, the chicken would’ve been yellow from the turmeric alone.
I will say that what really makes this dish is its trio of spices — sambal merah, sambal hijau and sambal kicap — red chilli, green chilli and sweet soya sauce. While not too spicy, these sauces added a much-needed dimension to the dish. They give notes of sweet, sour and spicy. The Neapolitan effect of the sauces also makes the plate pleasing to the eye as well as the palate.
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Another dish I tried is the Rojak Bandung (S$6.50). I will admit, this is my first time trying this style of rojak. I’m more accustomed to the meaty variety of the rojak mamak and the almost-sweet freshness of Chinese rojak.
On first impression, I noticed several chunks of sliced cuttlefish, fried tofu and wilted kangkong, all of it doused in a sweet soya sauce.
This dish was actually quite surprising. The tofu had absorbed all of the sauce and was no longer crunchy. The cuttlefish didn’t really provide much flavour but instead added a chewy and bouncy texture. The kangkong added a slight bitterness and sharpness, cutting the sweet sauce.
I will say the sauce was a little too sweet for my taste. There was also a bit of spiciness, which helped balance the dish overall. While I still prefer the other 2 versions of rojak, I still found this quite pleasant. I can’t say I’d order it often, though.
Who is Pak Din Ayam Bakar best for?
If you’re looking for a quick yet satisfying meal, Pak Din Ayam Bakar is perfect for you. The food may not be my favourite but they are quick. We went up to order, waited not even 3 minutes, and the plate was already prepared.
This is likely why the chicken ended up being room temperature, as they tried to prepare the dishes ahead of time. I guess there are pros and cons to their speed. But honestly, in the hustle and bustle lifestyle of Singapore, the pros outweigh the cons.
How to get to Pak Din Ayam Bakar
There are several ways you can make your way to Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre. If you decide to take the bus, there is a bus stop opposite Geylang Serai called Joo Chiat Complex. Alternatively, there is a bus stop behind Geylang Serai called Block 416. This is slightly further from the stall, and you would have to enter through the multi-storey carpark, so keep that in mind.
If you decide to take the MRT, your closest stop would be Paya Lebar (EW8/CC9, Green Line and Circle Line). It is around an 8-minute walk from the station. When you’ve reached the market, take note that the stalls are on the second floor, and you’ll have to go up the escalators at the centre of the building.
Also, do note that some stalls at Geylang Serai accept only cash, so make sure to have some. While Pak Din Ayam Bakar accepts PayNow, some of the drink stalls do not.
Do we recommend Pak Din Ayam Bakar?
I would recommend Pak Din Ayam Bakar. The Nasi Ayam Bakar is solid, and the prices are also fair. If the stall is not too busy, I would suggest requesting that they reheat the chicken. While it’s missing the charred flavour the dish is known for, it still is a very solid lunch. Also, the sauces really make the dish a standout.
Also, the Rojak Bandung (S$6.50) was a pleasant surprise. For that price, you can’t complain about the portions. The flavours, while slightly sweet for me, were pretty yummy. I would recommend you get it as a side if you’re feeling extra hungry.
I will say, for a store with only 34 reviews on Google, calling it a hidden gem is an understatement — speed, price and flavour are all above average. I would definitely eat here again if I’m in the area.
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