Pantai Famous Rolling Chicken

The bestest roast chicken I ever had can be found somewhere around Pantai Hillpark.

Come out of the Pantai Hillpark main archway, and keep going straight down the slope. You will see Malay shops on the left and right selling all kinds of food and things. Keep going straight and you will see one shop on the left that stands out from the rest.

It's got many, many, many chickens on about 5 to 7 big spits being continuously turned round and round rotisserie style over a charcoal fire. It's like Kenny Roger's chicken restaurant... only the chicken here is better. This is the famous Ayam Golek stall.

The stall sells only the ayam golek. But it's inside a bigger shop, from which you can order drinks, rice, vegetables and other Malay dishes. There is also a satay stall. But... back to the chicken.

The chicken recipe is adapted from a traditional east coast recipe for roast fish. It's apparently good for pregnant women... or women who have just given birth... can't remember which.

They sell hundreds of birds a day... and about double that number of birds during the fasting month of Ramadan. I've personally seen people walking away with 6 or 7 birds at one time...

And here's the thing: if you're going there, be sure to bring a few friends... or an extra-large appetite. They sell only whole birds. None of that half or quarter bird shyte. But actually that shouldn't be a problem: I went there with a few friends once... and the 4 of us (2 guys and 2 average-sized girls), demolished 3 whole chickens between us. That stuff is just freaking addictive!

The chicken is stuffed with all kinds of spices and marinades - I tasted turmeric, lemongrass and other stuff in the secret recipe that I can't identify. Then it's spit-roasted slowly over a charcoal flame until it's very tender and juicy, and has absorbed all the flavours from the marinades. It smells heavenly, and tastes even better. There's a slight hint of Thai influences in the flavour... and it's served with generous amounts of bottled Thai chilli sauce that you can dip the chicken into. The dipping sauce enhances the taste, though you'd love it even without the sauce.

For all you health freaks, DON'T DISCARD THE SKIN!!! Like KFC, most of the flavour is in the skin - it would be a terrible sin to waste it. If you cannot bring yourself to eat it, please just give it to someone in your party who can.

I don't have the words to adequately describe how fantastic the ayam golek actually tastes. You simply have to go try it out for yourself. The jam and parking can be quite daunting... but believe me it will be extremely worth your trouble.