Ayam bakar is a traditional Indonesian grilled chicken dish, beloved across the archipelago for its bold, smoky flavors and deeply aromatic marinade. The name "ayam bakar" translates directly to "grilled chicken" in Bahasa Indonesia.

Unlike Western-style grilled chicken that’s often seasoned simply with salt and pepper or barbecue sauce, ayam bakar is marinated and simmered in a rich spice mixture before being finished on a charcoal grill. This spice mixture usually includes garlic, shallots, turmeric, galangal, coriander, candlenuts, lemongrass, tamarind, palm sugar, and sweet soy sauce (kecap manis).

The chicken is first slow-cooked in this mixture—sometimes with coconut milk—until tender, allowing it to soak up all the intense, sweet-savory flavors. Once partially cooked, the chicken is then grilled over charcoal or open flame, which gives it a beautifully charred exterior, smoky aroma, and caramelized glaze from the sweet soy sauce.  Read more