“The Sate Ayam Apjay is served with a thick and creamy peanut sauce, topped with kaffir lime and sweet soy sauce – resulting in a perfect concoction that is velvety, sweet, and fresh, all in one plate.”

Sate Ayam (chicken satay served with peanut sauce) is without a doubt one of the most iconic Indonesian dishes of all time. Originating from Madura in East Java, you can now find Sate Ayam being sold by so many street-food vendors in Jakarta. Sate Ayam Apjay, however, is different compared to your run-of-the-mill Sate Ayam seller. Established back in the 1970s, the joint has been one of the most popular Sate spots in town for years. Its name was derived from the location of where the stall is set up, which is in front of a pharmacy called Apotik Jaya – or ApJay for short. Even now, the day-to-day operation of Sate Ayam Apjay is still helmed by a family member.
Get ready to have your taste buds pampered with the joint’s well-marinated, small cuts of tender and juicy chicken that have been meticulously barbequed to perfection. Besides Sate Ayam, Sate Ayam Apjay also serves Sate Kulit Ayam (chicken skin satay), which is combined with quail eggs. It is simply a dish to die for, although I must warn you to watch your cholesterol levels before and after you scoff them down. The Sate Ayam Apjay is served with a thick and creamy peanut sauce, topped with kaffir lime and sweet soy sauce – resulting in a perfect concoction that is velvety, sweet, and fresh, all in one plate. If you’re looking to have a rather fulfilling dinner, then have some lontong (rice cakes wrapped in banana leaf) as a side dish to go with your Sate Ayam. It’ll make feel full without getting bloated.
The best way to enjoy Sate Ayam Apjay, however, is to order it and then eat it right away inside the comfort of your own car. This way, you’ll still be able to enjoy its freshness without having to battle exhaust fumes from cars passing by, the noisy sounds of automobiles revving, and the smoke that emanates from the grilling process of the satay.

Jl. Panglima Polim IX (in front of Apotik Jaya),
South Jakarta
Open daily from 5pm-2am
Price: Rp.20,000 for one portion of Sate Ayam. Spend around Rp.30,000 per person.