Ayam Penyet Ria — Restaurant in Melbourne

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback regarding my recent experience at your South Melbourne outlet. As a regular customer, I am disappointed by the ongoing issues with staff product knowledge and service standards, which have noticeably impacted my dining experience.

Details of the Incident

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, during a late afternoon lunch, I ordered Bakso Malang and requested vermicelli only. The staff member at the counter appeared unfamiliar with both the menu and pricing for extras, making it unnecessarily difficult to communicate my preferences. When my order arrived, the bakwan was missing from the Bakso, and my request for the correct items was initially denied. As someone who frequently orders Bakso Malang, I am well aware of what is included and what I am paying for. (The photo shown the Bakso incomplete one)

Staff Rotation and Product Knowledge: It appears that new staff are frequently rostered, resulting in a lack of familiarity with the menu, pricing, and standard order components. This leads to confusion and inconsistent service.

Order Accuracy: Missing items such as bakwan, and the refusal to correct the order, demonstrate a lack of attention to detail and understanding of customer expectations.

Customer Service: The inability to resolve issues promptly and professionally, especially for regular customers, is unacceptable and undermines confidence in your brand.

A welcoming work environment is important, but it should not come at the expense of quality and consistency. Regular customers expect a certain standard, and repeated mistakes—such as missing items and lack of menu knowledge—are frustrating and detract from the overall experience.

I strongly urge you to:

Implement comprehensive staff training focused on product knowledge, menu components, and pricing for extras, so that all staff can confidently and accurately serve customers.

Establish clear procedures for verifying orders before serving, ensuring all items are included and requests are accommodated.

Maintain consistent standards of quality and quantity, regardless of staff changes or work environment.

I hope you will take this feedback seriously and upgrade your staff training and service standards. Consistency and product knowledge are essential to maintaining customer satisfaction, especially for regular patrons who know what to expect. Thank you for your attention to...

“Beware the sambal.” He said between bites. “Is it dangerous? Will it conspire to murder me? Or perhaps, possess my personal details and steal my identity?” He studied the heap of brownish red sauce, winking at him with a glossy glint. He sniffed it and its pungency assaulted his delicate senses. His friend smiled. “Or perhaps it hurls you into the pits of a self-made hell.” Smith gingerly touched his fork to the red heap and cautiously put it in his mouth. A rapid cascade of biological processes fired off, sending chemicals screaming down neurological pathways into his spine and warming his cheeks. “Potent.” “Yup. Yet,” his friend added, round another mouthful of rice and beef spareribs. “Amazing flavourful.” “Verily so.” Smith nodded in admiration. Before him sat two plates. He had wanted the fried chicken, the signature dish, which the restaurant is also named after - Ayam Penyet, or Chicken Smash to translate it literally, but his friend had also recommended the beef spareribs, Iga. As his friend was a notorious miser with food, Smith had no alternatives but to order both dishes. Also, he was ridiculously hungry after an entire day with no breakfast and lunch. But he like to think that reviewer of foods, he was left with no choice but to indulge himself. He forked the beef in, noting the tender yet juicy meat falling off the bone as though it had been stewed for hours. Words just ceased after that. “Authentic,” his friend chimed, thanking the lady for the Indonesian interpretation of an eggplant tempura. “Good. Very good,”...

Instagram: @ediblemelbourne

WE WILL BE RETURNING REGULARLY

We rocked up here at opening, around 11.30 am and we sat right next to the window seat facing Clarendon Street - best seat in the house.

We were given menus promptly and were advised to order at the counter. We did so and quickly saw the Robot Waiter bringing our order - such a cool little experience - definitely added to a fun experience.

We ordered Ayam Geprek (Crispy Chicken Chop), Ayam Penyet (Smashed Chicken), Sate Madura (Charcoal Grilled Satay Chicken Skewers), Iga Bakar (Grilled Beef Ribs).

We absolutely loved the Ayam Penyet and it was accompanied with a generous side of sambal - I think these guys will easily take the award for the spiciest sambal in menu - and it is delicious.

Do order the satay chicken as a side, it is a great little add on and so delicious - even used a spoon to scoop out all the yummy satay from the plate.

The crispy chicken chop was super crunchy and fresh, with some fresh salad on the side that makes you want to keep going back for more.

We finished our experience with some sweets - the coconut and palm sugar rolls are to die for - could order so many of those and keep eating them. The creams puffs are so good as well. Just the best little bites.

Service is super friendly and unpretentious. We cannot wait to return to try so much more.

Did we mention that they have other stores in Preston, Dandenong...