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Restaurant

Ayam Penyet Ria

248 Clarendon St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia

Recommended by 74 people

Updated

Find Ayam Penyet Ria

248 Clarendon St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9077 2947
HoursMonday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Ayam Penyet Ria

South Melbourne regulars head to this Clarendon Street spot for a straight Indonesian comfort fix. The room hums with warung energy—quick, casual, and serious about heat. The centerpiece is the smashed chicken: crisp skin, juicy meat, and a heavy hit of fiery house sambal alongside rice. Off the grill, sweet-marinated ayam bakar takes on a deep char, backed by friendly service and proper exhaust that keeps clothes free of fryer oil. Cash drops five percent off the final bill.

  • Signature smashed chicken: The namesake ayam penyet delivers crisp skin and tender meat paired with authentic high-heat chili paste.
  • Fiery house sambal: Spice fans point to the house sambal for its uncompromising kick and traditional profile.
  • Charred grilled mains: Plates like sweet-marinated ayam bakar and grilled beef ribs offer a smoky alternative to the fried poultry.
  • Cash payment discount: Diners appreciate fair pricing, generous helpings, and a five percent savings perk on cash payments.
  • Chilled dining room: A tidy, unpretentious dining room paired with easy background tunes and warm service.
RestaurantIndonesianRestaurantTakeaway

What's On at Ayam Penyet Ria

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Ayam Penyet Ria

Experience authentic warung energy, unapologetic chili heat, and hearty Indonesian favorites—book your table today.

  • Crispy, Tender Ayam Penyet

    The signature smashed chicken achieves a crunchy, golden exterior while remaining tender inside, served alongside traditional accompaniments.

    The ayam penyet was perfectly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired beautifully with the spicy sambal.

    Sunaina Sharma

  • Fiery House-Made Sambal

    The house chili paste delivers an intense, uncompromising punch that true heat lovers expect from authentic Indonesian street cooking.

    Their sambal is on point. Very fiery with a very big strong kick.

    Ed T

  • Comfort of Home-Style Cooking

    Generous plates and faithful recipe execution evoke the warmth of home-style dining for those craving nostalgic comfort.

    Ayam Penyet Ria always makes me feel like home when I’m missing home cooked meal.

    Lucy Frick

  • Nostalgic Street Food Relief

    Casual, satisfying street food classics provide an immediate and authentic cure for regional flavor cravings.

    A quick fix that tastes like home.

    Farrel Arkananta

  • Dynamic Regional Combination Plates

    Elaborate combination plates like Nasi Kapau pair spiced mains with cassava leaves, curry vegetables, and zesty green chili sambal.

    having the vegetable curry, cassava leaves, egg and sauces gave you something different with every mouthful

    Christopher Wu

  • Tender Glazed Beef Ribs

    Tender, caramelized beef ribs offer an alternative to fried staples with a smoky, balanced sweet-and-savory glaze.

    I loved the falling off the bone, smokey beef ribs.

    Irene Bennett

Indonesian street-food staples celebrated across customer reviews—book your table to taste them fresh.

  • Ayam Penyet

    The ayam penyet was perfectly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired beautifully with the spicy sambal.

    Sunaina Sharma

  • Iga Bakar (Grilled Beef Ribs)

    The ribs were another standout. Chopped-up, marinated and grilled with a thicker sauce coating them that had a really nice sweet and savoury balance.

    Christopher Wu

  • Nasi Kapau

    Try Nasi Kapau, which truly feels like Padang rice! It has beef rendang, cassava leaves, egg, red and green chilies, and coconut milk sauce! It's incredibly delicious!

    The Epicure Princess

  • Ayam Bakar

    Ayam Bakar is another favourite. Never goes wrong.

    Perry Loh

Other favorites

Traditional Indonesian sides, nostalgic packaged drinks, and sweet desserts to round out your meal—book your table today.

  • Cendol

    cendol was the sweetest way to finish the meal.

    Cute Dwaeji

  • Teh Kotak

    they even have Teh Kotak, which made the meal even better

    Ester Damayanthi

  • Anchovy Crackers

    anchovy crackers, and wow, so addictive!

    Cute Dwaeji

  • Tempe and Fried Tofu

    I love the tempe and fried tofu they serve as well.

    Farrel Arkananta

Frequently Asked Questions

How spicy is the sambal?

The restaurant's signature sambal is noted for having a fiery, authentic kick with serious heat. Those who prefer milder flavors or different profiles can explore options like garlic sambal or green chilli sambal.

Is outdoor seating available?

Yes, outdoor seating is available. The dining space indoors is relatively small and cozy, though additional seating has historically been situated upstairs.

Is there an incentive to pay with cash?

Paying in cash earns a 5% discount, whereas card payments incur a surcharge.

What dishes are recommended for first-timers?

Beyond the signature crispy ayam penyet, popular favorites include grilled chicken (ayam bakar), marinated grilled beef ribs (iga bakar), Nasi Kapau, and traditional soups like Soto Betawi, Soto Ayam, and Rawon.

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