Jakarta September 2023, Some people may not be very familiar with the Ayam Sampyok menu. This culinary dish comes from the Betawi tribe who have acculturated with Chinese culture and is often served when holding celebration events by the Betawi people. The name “Ayam” in English means chicken and "Sampyok" means doused or smeared, thus Ayam Sampyok is literally a dish of processed chicken that is doused with various spices to produce a predominantly savory, salty taste.

Even though it is still rarely found in various restaurants and other culinary outlets, Ayam Sampyok can be found at the Kencana Lounge, which is located on the 2nd floor of the ASTON Priority Simatupang. At first glance it looks like grilled chicken, but the cooking technique for Ayam Sampyok is different from other grilled chicken. According to Muhamad Saman, Executive Chef of the ASTON Priority Simatupang, it takes two processes to season it with various spices to produce a distinctive taste that penetrates into the meat.

“Cooking Ayam Sampyok is quite unique, because it has to go through the seasoning process twice so that the taste can penetrate into the chicken meat. The spices used are curly red chilies, red cayenne peppers, candlenuts, garlic, shallots, turmeric, ginger, pepper, coriander, salt, brown sugar, lime, and so on” said Muhamad Saman, Executive Chef of ASTON Priority Simatupang.

The cooking methods presented by Muhamad Saman as Executive Chef of ASTON Priority Simatupang are as follows:

• The main ingredient in this dish is chicken. Cut the chicken into four parts, then smear the pieces with lime juice, salt, and leave for twenty minutes in the refrigerator
• Heat oil, saute shallots and lemongrass until fragrant
• Add ground spices, bay leaves, lime leaves and galangal, then stir-fry until fragrant
• Add the seasoned chicken for twenty minutes, stir until it changes color.
• Add salt, brown sugar, coconut milk and peanuts. Stir the spices until absorbed. Remove the chicken and let it cool
• Grill the chicken on a grill pan or hot coals until it smells good
• Lift the chicken and the Ayam Sampyok is ready to be served with warm rice and fresh vegetables.

"Ayam Sampyok is one of the recommended menus at ASTON Priority Simatupang, because currently there are very few culinary outlets that offer this typical Betawi menu. People still rarely know about it even though they live in Jakarta, even though the taste is unique and tasty and it is very appropriate to be one of Jakarta's favorite menus” add Muhamad Saman.