In the past, I’ve written about stalls and shops so hidden that passers-by would have to do a double take just to notice them, but this one takes the cake. Ayamguys shares a space with 118 Grinder, a cafe in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur.
If your chin wasn’t pointed at the sky, you probably wouldn’t realise the Ayamguys sign protruding from the building.
Ayamguys serves food inspired by American state fairs, so I expected the shop to resemble a classic American diner. I was surprised to find out that it’s located in a cafe, meaning that the interior was minimal, with sage green walls and curved arches for a soft and calming look.
In fact, the only thing that screamed “this is a fried chicken shop” was the neon Ayamguys logo hung tastefully on a bright orange wall.
What I tried at Ayamguys
The eatery claims to be the pioneer of fried chicken donut sandwiches, so obviously I had to give that a go. They recommended the Chick Next Door (RM25) set, which came with fries and a dipping sauce of choice. You can opt to order this à la carte, which costs RM19.
This dish comprised a fried chicken thigh, cheese whizz sauce, and jalapenos sandwiched between two halves of a donut.
The patty was fried well— the batter that coated the chicken thigh wasn’t too thick yet still provided some crunch, and the meat was very juicy and tender. It was quite big as well, ensuring a fully satisfying bite each time. Their cheese sauce didn’t do much for me, nor did the jalapenos.
As for the star ingredient, the donut, it was fluffy and sweet. Admittedly, it wasn’t revolutionary, nor do I think the donut makes Ayamguys stand out from its competitors. It is, however, a fun option for customers who enjoy sweet savoury food. They offer regular chicken sandwiches as well, so it’s up to the customers to decide.
The cashier suggested I try the Sriracha Lime Mayo dipping sauce, which was definitely the right move. It tasted exactly how it sounds, like spicy mayonnaise. This sauce paired really well with the sandwich, so I recommend you dip your burger in it or just pour it over the patty.
The fries were delicious too, especially when eaten with the dipping sauce. Crunchy, well-seasoned, and cut into perfectly sized pieces, I enjoyed them immensely.
Next, I tried the Ayamguys Pancakes (RM25), which I assume is their unique take on chicken and waffles. This dish is part of their breakfast menu that’s available till 1pm daily. As pictured above, the Ayamguys Pancakes features their signature fried chicken and pancakes with butter and syrup on the side.
Just like the patty in the sandwich, their signature fried chicken was juicy without a dry piece in sight, and the skin was crispy. Taste wise, the fried chicken was good, but could have used a bit more flavour. It wasn’t bland or anything, I just prefer a little oomph to my food.
On their own, the pancakes were delicious too! They were soft and fluffy, with just the right amount of sweetness. Paired with the chicken and syrup, it was a perfect match— salty, sweet, warm, and comforting. I’ve had my fair share of chicken and waffles before, so the pancakes were a delightful change, and this says a lot coming from someone who generally prefers waffles over pancakes.
Final thoughts
If you do stop by, I recommend giving the Ayamguys Pancakes a whirl. Overall, the food was great, but nothing mind-blowing or earth-shattering. The food quality was good, the customer service was excellent, and the atmosphere was calm (most likely because I was there on a random Wednesday afternoon, before the lunch crowd).
Unfortunately, the location is pretty far from where I stay, and the parking situation in that area is insane, like actually horrifying. In a nutshell, Ayamguys is worth a visit if you live nearby or if you’re already in the area.
Expected damage: RM20 – RM30 per pax
Price: $ $
Our Rating: 3.5 / 5
Ayamguys
65, Jalan Wangsa Delima 5 Pusat Bandar Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 53300
Ayamguys
65, Jalan Wangsa Delima 5 Pusat Bandar Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 53300
