Satay Ria - Brisbane

We went there about 5 or 6 times so far. We love their char kway teow and Hainan chicken rice the best. Service is always good. There was just one time when we were dining there, they have a guy fixing something near our table (proper handyman trying to fix something onto the wall or something like that). It was weird because people were having their meal and you have this handyman doing his things at the same time. It just didn't feel right. They should have waited. But aside from that, food is good and service is always friendly. --- Edit: Went there last Saturday and their chicken rice was not as nice as usual. The chicken pieces were dry and the rice is not that tasty. First time it happened. At first we thought maybe they're under new management, but later on we saw some familiar faces. So it was quite disappointing, cause we drove all the way there looking forward to the yummy chicken rice and we didn't get it. Also lunch special is no longer $10, now it's $11.80. Will not hurry back.

We went there about 5 or 6 times so far. We love their char kway teow and Hainan chicken rice the best. Service is always good. There was just one time when we were dining there, they have a guy fixing something near our table (proper handyman trying to fix something onto the wall or something like that). It was weird because people were having their meal and you have this handyman doing his things at the same time. It just didn't feel right. They should have waited. But aside from that, food is good and service is always friendly. --- Edit: Went there last Saturday and their chicken rice was not as nice as usual. The chicken pieces were dry and the rice is not that tasty. First time it happened. At first we thought maybe they're under new management, but later on we saw some familiar faces. So it was quite disappointing, cause we drove all the way there looking forward to the yummy chicken rice and we didn't get it. Also lunch special is no longer $10, now... read more

I love Chicken. I love food on sticks. I am always in search of great chicken and when it is served on a stick, all the better! Satay Ria makes the following claim on their website and every page of their menu, "Our Signature Satays Are Really To Die For Offering A True Culinary Experience". Joe K and I paid their Fortitude Valley location a visit to sample their signature Chicken Satay and evaluate their lofty claim. Needless to say, we both ordered Chicken Satay and waited with anticipation for our culinary experience. The dish was well presented and looked appetising, but from the very first bite it was apparent that their claims were aspirational at best. The chicken was dry and the marinade was a bit overpowering - usually the result of marinating too long. Still, I would rate the chicken on its own a 3.5. The real disappointment was the sauce, which was quite sweet and lacked the classic peanut flavour. The sauce rated a 2 and dragged the overall rating for the dish down to a 3. Satay Ria's Satays are not to die for...They aren't even the best I've had in Brisbane. That said, they have an expansive menu that looks interesting and I wouldn't rule out a return trip to sample more of it.

I love Chicken. I love food on sticks. I am always in search of great chicken and when it is served on a stick, all the better! Satay Ria makes the following claim on their website and every page of their menu, "Our Signature Satays Are Really To Die For Offering A True Culinary Experience". Joe K and I paid their Fortitude Valley location a visit to sample their signature Chicken Satay and evaluate their lofty claim. Needless to say, we both ordered Chicken Satay and waited with anticipation for our culinary experience. The dish was well presented and looked appetising, but from the very first bite it was apparent that their claims were aspirational at best. The chicken was dry and the marinade was a bit overpowering - usually the result of marinating too long. Still, I would rate the chicken on its own a 3.5. The real disappointment was the sauce, which was quite sweet and lacked the classic peanut flavour. The sauce rated a 2 and dragged... read more

As we walk out of Fat Dumpling I recall finishing the last three dumplings and my appetite is comfortably sated. Meatballs And Beef Cheeks has his mind set on chicken satay at Satay Ria so we amble down Brunswick St Mall. I have been told Satay Ria's chicken satay is very good. Being our family's "satay wallah" I have a natural interest in any satay joint. Satay Ria is located where Asia House used to be. It is a nice restaurant and looks clean. The menus are attractive but I tell the waiter we are here to try their satay chicken and order two serves. In Malaysia and Indonesia satay is grilled over hot charcoal which leaves a delicious smokey flavour on the meats. We do not expect Brisbane restaurants to use charcoal to grill their satay. The satay arrive after 25 minutes. The presentation is nice and the satay looks appetising. While eating the first satay stick with the accompanying sauce I can taste that the chicken meat is dry and been in a marinade sauce for 2 days or more. The marinade is overpowering and I could no longer taste the flavour of chicken. The satay sauce was overwhelmingly sweet and there was no peanut flavour. The meal was a disappointment despite its attractive presentation. I am only reviewing the satay today and will return to try their rice and noodle dishes.