The Dead Cockroach: Nasi Ayam Panggang @ Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre

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The Malay and Indian stalls are all located in the same cluster at one side of Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre.

This very next stall that I wanted to try, called Uncle Penyet, is located right in this section.

As you can probably guess, the stall sells ayam penyet set ($5.50) but it is not the fried smashed chicken that I am here for because I am more interested in the ayam panggang set (grilled chicken).

When I saw the photos of their ayam panggang set ($5.50), I am sold. Everything about the dish, from the colors to the plating just seems so perfect together.

Covered in a sweet, savory black sauce, the grilled chicken leg sits on a bed of lettuce accompanied by fresh, crunchy cucumber slices and baby tomatoes. By its side, drenched in a lemak curry sauce is white rice with a dollop of sambal belacan.

The grilled chicken leg is cooked through to the bones without any signs of blood yet manages to lock in its juices, keeping the meat moist and tender. There is not much fat visible, probably driven out by the grilling.

At first, I did not think much of the curry sauce but after taking a mouthful of rice, I regretted not asking for more. It is a little sweet, not too spicy but very fragrant.

The sambal belacan, on the other hand packs a punch. It goes well with both the rice and chicken. Again, ask for more if you can take the heat.

It is a pity they do not serve free soup here but you can order bakso soup with rice ($2.80) or as a set with your mains (nasi ayam penyet $8/nasi ayam panggang $8).

The stall offers other dishes such as ikan dory penyet set ($6), sayap penyet set ($4.50), sotong panggang set ($7) and udang penyet set ($5).