It looks like another eatery has opened in Damansara Uptown. Ayam Gepuk Berempah. Ah, this is the sort of restaurant that gets me excited. I love Malay food!
I was quite curios. I know what is Ayam (Goreng) Berempah. But what is Ayam Gepuk? So I googled and found Ayam Gepuk Pak Gembus which originated in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. Apparently there are something like 30 outlets in the Klang Valley.
The focus point here is the heat level of chilies in the spice paste, as per their slogan Cabar Pedas Kami (challenge our spiciness).
I simply had to go and try. The restaurant is spacious and neat, quite clinical in appearance. Ordering is done at the counter and your order will be served to you.
The place was empty when I dropped by and then a lady popped in. Soon many followed. This is a positive sign.
The place was empty when I dropped by and then a lady popped in. Soon many followed. This is a positive sign.
The menu is very simple, just two sets - Set Ayam (RM9.90) and Set Ikan Keli (RM9.90). Choose the level of heat you want, Level Pedas 1 to Level Pedas 3. Or if you are not into such thrills you could opt for Level NO Cili or Level Biasa.
Of course I want chilies but to play it safe, I opted for Level Pedas 1.
This is how the food is served, in two paper lined baskets. The chicken comes with raw cabbage and sliced cucumbers.
Moment of truth. I ate the chicken with rice and the chilies hit me immediately. Pedas Mak oi! And that is just Level Pedas 1. I am such a wimp. But it was good, nice flavor and in spite of the "torture" I was enjoying every bite.
There is ABC Sauce (kicap manis) provided on every table. And please make sure you order a drink because you will need it. Trust me.
The next day I went back for the Set Ikan Keli.
Again, I requested for Level Pedas 1.
But somehow, the chilies were even hotter than the previous day. I was really struggling and suffering. My nose was watering and so were my eyes. My heart rate went up and I was quite worried. I kept sipping my drink and put ice cubes in my mouth.
Seriously, next time I better opt for Level Biasa but then no thrill lah, right?
When I left the place, my mouth and tongue were still burning and I had to go buy some sweets to cool down.
Would I come back? Sure I would. But I hope that they can provide add-on items like tempeh or hati/pedal and other types of ulam because raw cabbage is not so appealing.
My meals on both occasions with teh o ais cost me RM12.50. I must remember to bring my sweets along on my next visit hee..hee..
The next day I went back for the Set Ikan Keli.
Again, I requested for Level Pedas 1.
But somehow, the chilies were even hotter than the previous day. I was really struggling and suffering. My nose was watering and so were my eyes. My heart rate went up and I was quite worried. I kept sipping my drink and put ice cubes in my mouth.
Seriously, next time I better opt for Level Biasa but then no thrill lah, right?
When I left the place, my mouth and tongue were still burning and I had to go buy some sweets to cool down.
Would I come back? Sure I would. But I hope that they can provide add-on items like tempeh or hati/pedal and other types of ulam because raw cabbage is not so appealing.
My meals on both occasions with teh o ais cost me RM12.50. I must remember to bring my sweets along on my next visit hee..hee..
Wah, lucky you didn't cabar yourself by ordering level 3. The price is very good. For me, definitely it will be no pedas at all.
ReplyDeleteI will pass out if I ate Level 3 hah..hah...
DeleteOooo...the cili looks so so so good! My missus would love this, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI actually thought of your missus when I ate my food. I bet she can handle Level 3, no problem :)
Deleteomigosh - i definitely tak berani menghadapi this cabaran cili - it'd be level biasa for me, for sure! :) my idea of ideal enjoyable spicy is just sriracha, that's totally sufficient :D
ReplyDeletehah..hah... too hot and it kills the enjoyment of the food! It was quite an experience for me.
Deletegosh....so much chili...not for me!
ReplyDeletehah..hah... then you go for the no chili. No joke, the pedas is terrible LOL!
DeleteWhen I saw the post title 'gepuk', I thought there was a typo error of "gemuk" on your part! :D If level 1 is "pedas sampai nak pengsan" for you, then it'll be "sure die for me". Level biasa may even be 'too hot to handle' for me...haha! ;) P/S: This is probably one of those places where I see they don't try to cramp in as many tables as possible...wah, so much room in front of the ordering/payment counter. And why would people serve raw cabbage in big chunks like that...it's not a cabbage slaw, you know! >_<
ReplyDeleteI still don't know the meaning of "gepuk". It is truly pedas, really crazy if you ask me hah..hah... My late grandma used to serve raw cabbage as ulam for meals. Of course not is such big chunks. We ate with fish and budu. I have to do that some time at home for the nostalgia hee..hee...
DeleteLike mun, i am not a chili person too. It will be a suffering for me instead of enjoyment lol.
ReplyDeleteThen choose with no chilli hah..hah...
DeleteJust look at all those chilli!
ReplyDeleteYou cab tahan or not? LOL!
DeleteOh my. Level 1 was already that spicy?? I dont think I would dare to try. Spare my tongue and throat, please!!!
ReplyDeletehah..hah.. then you better don't try this. Might give you a sore throat >.<
DeleteIf too spicy, my tongue will go numb. After first taste, I think I will scrape away all the chilies. Lol!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I salute those who can eat the Level 3 pedas.
DeleteWhoooaaa!!! I definitely want to try this place and watch my mouth catch fire. I will eat Level 1 first but I believe I can hit Level 3 in no time. I have tried Japanese Curry in Tokyo and opted for Level 5 instead of 10. My mouth exploded like Hot Volcano.
ReplyDeleteI really love to eat Indonesian food. See you there.
Sure or not you can tahan Level 3? Go and try lah and report back. I didn't know the Japanese also got chili heat level for their curry!
DeleteThis is the Indonesian style chili that get me addicted since my previous Bali and Bandung trip, must pay a visit one day to fix my craving. I think I'll request for serving the chili separately so that the chicken won't be fully covered by it. >_<
ReplyDeleteI wonder which level of chili you can tahan hah..hah.. Maybe more fierce than me :)
DeleteOoh, I don't think I'm ready for the challenge of the spice levels.
ReplyDeletehah..hah... then choose the NO chili option :)
Delete