Brunei Restaurants: Dapur Penyet Indonesian Cuisine

When I first encountered Dapur Penyet – I admit I thought it was only a fast food chain selling Ayam Penyet. Their first branch was in Delima, a cosy branch and you order at the counter and wait at your table. I only tried the Ayam Penyet back then and was pleasantly surprised. The food came out pretty fast and the Ayam Penyet was very good. After a few visits, I realized that they have quite a range of selections for a good meal with family and friends. They are in fact a proper Indonesian Restaurant serving authentic Indonesian Cuisine! Fast forward to now – Dapur Penyet has already 3 branches in Brunei and the image of simply a fast food chain simply selling Ayam Penyet, has become a serious contender for the Indonesian Cuisine scene in Brunei.

 

Dapur Penyet originally came from Singapore. They were established under a different flagship in 2005 but in 2008, with great support, they created their own independent brand as Dapur Penyet. Since then, their consistent quality Indonesian Cuisine has seen them expanded to Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar and more recently Brunei!

 

We recently checked out the Dapur Penyet at Food Arena, Seri-Qlap Mall. The biggest branch of Dapur Penyet in Brunei.

 

I like this branch for it’s tall ceilings and spacious comfortable décor.

 

You will need to order and pay first at the counter – then grab a table and wait for them to bring your food to you when it’s done. Now let’s check out the food!

 

First up ~ we start with their range of vegetables. This is their Gado Gado – kinda like an Indonesian salad – served with crispy keropok and peanut sauce! Yummers!

 

The kids will love this and so will you! Gotta entice them to eat their vegetables!

 

Another vegetable dish that the kids will love (or big kids like me) is their tahu telur – a crispy tofu and egg dish with shredded vegetables, then drizzled with sweet soy sauce and rich peanut sauce! The idea is to mix the sauces together like tossing a salad. Mmmm ~~ Indonesian style salads for the win!

 

We also tried their stir fried Kangkong, which is actually pretty good!

 

So good – even Marul who doesn’t like veggies enjoyed this!

 

Their stir fried sayur pakis with santan is really heart warming. Down to earth but a local favourite! Thumbs up!

 

Stir fried Long Beans (kacang panjang) is also pretty good. Usually during food tasting – we don’t really touch the vegetables – but there’s just something about the way they cook their veggies that entices us. Delicious!

 

They also have a range of soups – we ordered 3 of these – Sup Asem, Soto Ayam and Sup Buntut

 

Sup Asem is a sweet and sour style soup with a tamarind base. Quite an appetizing soup to match with the spicy Indonesian cuisine. Very filling too – you get your good balance of vegetables from this soup!

 

Their Soto Ayam is pretty different from our Bruneian version and you can tell from the colour of the soup. It’s very popular for the Indonesians.

 

Last but not least is our favourite soup of the three – the Sup Buntut (which is oxtail soup). Who can ever say no to delicious pieces of this oxtail – that’s cooked for hours until tender ~~ and the heart warming flavours of this epic soup!?

 

At only $7.50 – this for me is really good value! Succulent delicious oxtail soup! A must order if you go in a group – we actually liked this so much – we ordered an extra portion of this! No joke! Sedap!

 

You can have a choice of Nasi Putih, Nasi Lemak or Nasi Pandan. Rice is usually ordered separately from the main dishes.

 

Now let’s look at their range of chicken dishes ~~ this is of course their signature Ayam Penyet. What I like about the dishes here is that they are served with a piece of battered fried tempeh and a piece of fried tofu. Their chicken is fried – then pressed – and you get a nice crunchy textured crumbs called kremes! You can actually tell them your preference for your sambal – from mild to hot!

 

Ayam Belado is another fried chicken dish but served with a Indonesian style blended chili sauce called Belado.

 

If you can take spicy stuff – I highly recommend their Ayam Sambal Hijau – which is a gorgeous piece of fried chicken – with a serving of the fiery Indonesian sambal made from green chilies and anchovies. A very fragrant yet hot sambal – once you have it – you’ll be hooked!

 

If you prefer grilled chicken – they have a few choices for Ayam Bakar – the Ayam Bakar Madu is their honey grilled chicken in a sweet honey sauce. *drools*

 

There’s something about chicken grilled with simple kicap (sweet soy sauce) that makes our mouth water … ahh ~~ gotta love the grilled chicken here!

 

For those who love food from Kelantan and Terengganu, especially their Ayam Percik, you would be happy to hear that Dapur Penyet serves their Ayam Bakar with their own version of Saus Percik! Grilled moist chicken – drizzled with that coconut spices sauce ~~ ooooh la la ~~~ Thumbs up!

 

Oh ~~ let me tell you a little secret ~~ *whispers* Their Empal Bakar (grilled beef) is really delicious ~~~ would you look at that beautiful piece of grilled beef!

 

If you prefer seafood, they have a range of prawn dishes like Udang Belado, Udang with Belado Petai or crispy battered Udang Penyet – served with kremus and sambal ~~

 

Fish lovers rejoice for Bawal Penyet! Flat fish – crispy goodness!

 

You can also have the grilled version ~~ oooo bawal bakar kicap ~~ *swooons* I quite like this one!

 

Oh – they got plenty of side dishes like Bakso Bakar ~~ grilled meatballs – (which also comes in a deep fried battered version caled Bakso Penyet)

 

Gorgeous satay ~~ yum!

 

Do you know what makes your dinner complete? Some telur masin! Now that’s gonna bring some smiles to your family!

 

Now for drinks! There’s plenty of choices – ranging from local drinks – to fresh juices – milkshakes, fancy sodas or their in house specials!

 

Their special The Sosro ~~ to quence your thirst ~~

 

Three of their in house specials! Soda Gembira – ABC and ES Cendol – refreshingly good especially to calm the fires from the spicy hot sambal hijau! Their ABC has a good bandung taste – which I feel matches the Brunei’s love for bandung!

 

Last but not least, is the signature dessert of Dapur Penyet! Step forward – Es Teller, an Indonesian iced cocktail (kinda like our ABC) with ingredients like sea coconut, cendol, papaya and even jackfruit ~~ with a dash of bandung syrup! Ahhh this is bound to be a hit with Bruneians! Soo goood!

 

As you can see – Dapur Penyet is not only suitable for a quick delicious meal – it can also be a family dinner or a gathering for friends sharing a delicious Indonesian cuisine together. Good range of choices – pleasant friendly customer service.

 

It’s no wonder – Dapur Penyet is becoming a contender for the best place for Indonesian Cuisine in Brunei. It’s a new entry to my Brunei food guide and is highly recommended by your friendly neighbourhood food blogger. Hope you enjoy your Dapur Penyet Experience!

Dapur Penyet Delima Square

Unit 9, Ground Floor, Block C Delima Square. Delima Satu (opposite Hua Ho Delima)

tel: 2330033, 7151177

 

Dapur Penyet Seri Q-lap Mall

L1/20,21,22, Ground Floor, Seri Q-lap Mall, Kg Kiulap

tel: 2237733

 

Dapur Penyet Gadong

Unit 2, Ground Floor, Yong Siong Hai Building, Spg 137, Jalan Gadong

tel: 2451199