Satay, or Sate as we Indonesians call it, was never on my to-eat list whenever I visited Jakarta. Though I grew up with it, I never craved these Indonesian-style grilled skewers. But one afternoon, back at my parents’ post-audit exhaustion, I couldn’t think of anything else but Satay Madura, arguably the most famous Satay version in Indonesia.
When I told Amma about it, she suggested we go to Sabang, a famous street-food pocket in Central Jakarta. So off we went.
Satay of The Republic
Dubbed the republic’s street food, Indonesian Satay has wide varieties. It differs by the region, type of meat, and way of cooking, which at times involves a hand-held fan, among other things. It is an art to be seen. Equally as important is the seasoning of the meat before, during, and after the grilling process. Lastly, the condiments accompanying a plate of Satay vary from freshly made pickles to chilli sauce.
Another thing ━ we Indonesian rarely eat is Satay as is. It’s usually combined with white rice or rice cake and a glass of cold drink, my choice being Teh Botol. The roadside Satay cost a couple of dollars for ten sticks. And hands down, the roadside Satay stalls serve the best of these meat skewers.
Although I wouldn’t describe Satay as one of my favourite Indonesian mines, I have had enough memories attached to it, which speaks to the versatility of these skewers in Indonesian food culture. From my cousin swearing secrecy for me not to tell my parents that he had eaten rabbit Satay outside my school gate to the bi-weekly visits to Satay House Senayan with my extended family when I was much younger. From countless Satay dates to my serving Satay to the guests, ━ my parents’ house is close to one of the best Satay restaurants in Jakarta.
Satay is so versatile that you can find it at most Indonesian weddings and on the menu of most Indonesian restaurants overseas.
Pak Heri Satay Madura in Sabang
Back to my Satay craving, we ended up at Pak Heri Satay stall at Sabang Street. It was the only stall that opened in the afternoon. We ordered ten pieces of chicken meat-no fat. It was served a few minutes after the Satay guy freshly grilled it in front of us. Let me tell you; it was one of the best Madura-styled Satay (charcoal bbq meat drizzled with peanut sauce) I have ever eaten.
On the way home, I googled Pak Heri Sate. Unfortunately, I had eaten at the knock-off version of the original stall called Sate Pak Heri Asli. Oh well, no regrets because this means I get to try a better version of it the next time I visit Sabang.
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