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I’m not one to hold back on indulgences. Gloriously crispy ayam goreng? Sign me up any day. Even better if it’s paired with a mound of fragrant rice and a side of devilishly spicy sambal for good measure. The moment I chanced upon Palapa Indonesian Fast Food and its promises of all that and more, I knew I’d have to visit.
It’s almost hard to believe this eatery at City Gate is barely two years old. I mean, a near-perfect 4.8-star rating on Google (at the time of writing) and over a thousand reviews since their mid-2024 opening… they must be doing something very right.
Far from greasy processed grub, Palapa’s take on “Fast Food” lies in comfortingly delicious plates of fried and grilled chicken, nasi jeruk, Indomie goreng and other homely Indonesian classics. I could go on about the details, but I’ll let my review do the talking.
What I tried at Palapa Indonesian Fast Food
There was no better dish to start with than the #1 best-seller: Coriander Fried Chicken (S$8.90), which I opted to have with nasi jeruk, AKA fragrant lime rice. Where other establishments might leave you with just chicken, rice and sambal (not complaining, BTW), Palapa goes the extra mile by adding a vegetable fritter and battered tempeh.
You know how there are some things that you just know will taste amazing at first glance? This was exactly that, and turned out every bit as addictive as it looked. Shattering with an audible crunch, the fried chicken’s golden-brown skin hooked me instantly; I was almost sad, knowing I’d demolish it in record time.
Interestingly, its profile leaned primarily garlicky, with subtly herbaceous notes of coriander perfuming the meat. My coriander-loving self couldn’t help but wish it played a bolder role, but I reckon that’d be great news for the sceptics. Beneath that irresistible crust, the chicken was tender, juicy and thankfully not greasy. To that, I must say — brava!
The green-hued nasi jeruk was fluffy and fragrant, flecked with specks of lime leaf that lent a refreshing citrus lift. It struck me as nasi ulam’s mellower cousin — less zingy, but bright and aromatic all the same. A truly levelled-up rice dish, this was the perfect companion to the chicken and a must-order in my books.
Bright orange and riddled with chilli seeds, the lethal-looking sambal was clearly not here to play. It brought an immediate sharp heat to everything it touched, and it was hard not to love how exciting it made each bite. Needless to say, I polished off the entire serving with ease. Those with a lower spice tolerance may want to proceed with caution, though.
Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak: Jumbo $5.50 ayam goreng berempah at Amoy Street Food Centre
It’s a pity vegetable fritters aren’t a given at most Indonesian eateries, because this golden pancake made for one neat sidekick. Studded with cabbage, carrots, onions and chilli, it packed a satisfying umami that reminded me of Japanese kakiage. The onion bits, especially, added a lovely savoury-sweet crunch that kept me going back for more.
Now, tempeh is a side I’ll admit I usually shun. Not today! Its batter was crisp for days, but was careful not to overshadow the tempeh cradled within, which was soft with just the right amount of bite. Most of all, I was impressed by how its fermented flavour had been mellowed by the batter’s light seasoning, leaving behind an earthy nuttiness that won me over easily.
It was just as well the other dish I had my sights set on — the Indomie Grilled Chicken (S$10.40) — happened to be the runner-up on the best-selling podium.
Palapa insists on using Indonesia-made Indomie, which is said to pack a bigger punch in its seasoning. But let’s be real — you can’t really go wrong with Indomie, full stop. The noodles were chewy, each springy strand coated in the unmistakable kecap manis-eque sauce I know and love. A whisper of spice, plus a topping of crisp shallots and spring onions, sealed the deal with crunch and fragrance.
And boy, did that ayam bakar have personality. Grilled to perfection, its skin carried a light char while the meat beneath was tender and infused with a deep smokiness that begged for a chef’s kiss. Clinging onto it for dear life was a stellar caramelised glaze speckled with chilli seeds, complementing the meat with a sweet smokiness brightened by sharp, citrusy notes. One of the best I’ve ever eaten, hands down.
Final thoughts
Sometimes, I hype certain things up in my head only to leave sorely underwhelmed. That wasn’t at all the case for Palapa Indonesian Fast Food, which lived up to exactly what I’d imagined and more.
Between the impeccably crispy coriander fried chicken and the saucy, smoky ayam bakar that had me in a chokehold, it’s clear these folks know exactly what they’re doing. If this is what “fast food” looks like, I’d happily be a repeat offender.
Expected damage: S$8.90 – S$13.40 per pax
