Bubur ayam
(Rice porridge with chicken, Chicken congee)
Bubur ayam is the Indonesian version of chicken congee, a thick rice porridge topped with shredded chicken and various savory condiments. This breakfast staple probably originates from the Chinese rice porridge, but it employs regionally available ingredients and toppings to create an authentic Indonesian dish.
The process starts with boiling chicken (usually darker, on the bone pieces), and the same broth is typically used to cook the rice until it becomes dense in consistency. Besides rice porridge and shredded chicken, bubur ayam can employ a myriad of other ingredients.
It is commonly topped with sliced scallions, crispy fried shallots, chopped cilantro, crushed peanuts, fried crullers, and sliced boiled eggs. Before it is served, bubur ayam is usually generously doused with soy sauce, sesame oil, or fish sauce. Unlike other traditional Indonesian dishes, this chicken porridge is not overly spicy, but the fiery sambal sauce can be served on the side, if desired.
Bubur ayam is one of the most common street food varieties in Indonesia - each morning, numerous street vendors can be seen selling this comforting porridge as a nutritious breakfast dish.
