satay

A dish of Sate Ponorogo, grilled marinated chicken satay served in peanut sauce, speciality of Ponorogo, a town in East Java, Indonesia.

Grilled beef satay.

Satay or sate (pronounced /ˈsæteɪ/ SA-tay) is a dish consisting of diced or sliced chicken, goat, mutton, beef, pork, fish, tofu, or other meats; the more authentic version uses skewers from the midrib of the coconut leaf, although bamboo skewers are often used. These are grilled or barbecued over a wood or charcoal fire, then served with various spicy seasonings.

Satay may have originated in Java, Indonesia^{[citation needed]}, but it is also popular in many other Southeast Asian countries, such as: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the southern Philippines and Vietnam as well as in The Netherlands which was influenced through its former colonies.

Satay is a very popular delicacy in Indonesia and Malaysia; Indonesia’s diverse ethnic groups’ culinary art (see Cuisine of Indonesia) have produced a wide variety of satays. In Indonesia, satay can be obtained from a travelling satay vendor, from a street-side tent-restaurant, in an upper-class restaurant, or during traditional celebration feasts. In Malaysia, satay is a popular dish - especially during celebrations - and can be found throughout the country. A close analogue in Japan is yakitori, shish kebab from Turkey, chuanr from China and sosatie from South Africa are also similar to satay.

Turmeric is a compulsory ingredient used to marinate satay, which gives the dish its characteristic yellow colour. Meats commonly used include beef, mutton, pork, venison, fish, shrimp, squid, chicken, and even tripe. Some have also used more exotic meats, such as turtle, crocodile, and snake meat.

It may be served with a spicy peanut sauce dip, or peanut gravy, slivers of onions and cucumbers, and ketupat (rice cakes).

Pork satay can be served in a pineapple-based satay sauce or cucumber relish. An Indonesian version uses a soy-based dip.

Satay is not the same as the Vietnamese condiment, “sate”, which typically includes ground chili, onion, tomato, shrimp, oil, and nuts. Vietnamese sate is commonly served alongside noodle and noodle-soup dishes.

Origins

Satay served with peanut sauce, cucumber and onion

Satay was supposedly invented by Javanese street vendors, based on satay becoming popular after the influx of Arab immigrants in the early 19th century. The satay meats used by Indonesians and Malaysians, mutton and beef, are also favoured by Arabs and are not as popular in China as are pork and chicken. Another theory states that the word satay is derived from the Minnan-Chinese words sa tae bak meaning three pieces of meat.^[1]

Satay variants and outlets of note

Indonesia

Sate Ponorogo being grilled in a foodstall at Jalan Urip Sumoharjo, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.

Known as sate in Indonesian (and pronounced similar to the English), Indonesia is the home of satay, and satay is a widely renowned dish in almost all regions of Indonesia and is considered the national dish. As a result, many variations have been developed throughout the Indonesian Archipelago. The satay variants in Indonesia usually named after the region its originated, the meats, parts or ingredients its uses, also might named after the process or method of cooking.

Sate Madura 

Originating on the island of Madura, near Java, is a famous variant among Indonesians. Most often made from mutton or chicken, the recipe's main characteristic is the black sauce made from Indonesian sweet soy sauce/kecap manis mixed with palm sugar (called gula jawa or "javanese sugar" in Indonesia), garlic, deep fried shallots, peanut paste, fermented "terasi" (a kind of shrimp paste), candlenut/kemiri, and salt. Sate Madura uses thinner chunks of meat than other variants. It is eaten with rice or rice cakes wrapped in banana/coconut leaves (lontong/ketupat). Raw thinly sliced shallot and plain sambal are often served as condiments

Sate Padang 

A dish from Padang and the surrounding area in West Sumatra, which is made from cow or goat offal boiled in spicy broth then grilled. Its main characteristic is a yellow sauce made from rice flour mixed with spicy offal broth, turmeric, ginger, garlic, coriander, galangal root, cumin, curry powder and salt. It is further separated into two sub-variants, the Pariaman and the Padang Panjang, which differ in taste and the composition of their yellow sauces.

Sate Ponorogo 

A variant of satay originating in Ponorogo, a town in East Java. It is made from sliced marinated chicken meat, and served with a sauce made of peanuts and chilli sauce and Garnished with shredded shallots, sambal (chili paste) and lime juice. This variant is unique for the fact that each skewer contains one large piece of chicken, rather than several small slices. The meat is marinated in spices and sweet soy sauce, in a process called "bacem" and is served with rice or lontong (rice cake).. The grill is made from terracotta earthenware with a hole in one side to allow ventilation for the coals. After three months of use, the earthenware grill disintegrates, and must be replaced.

Sate Tegal 

A sate of yearling or 5-month-old kid meat; the nickname for this dish in Tegal balibul is an acronym of "baru lima bulan" (just 5 months). Each kodi, or dish, contains twenty skewers, and each skewer has four chunks — two pieces of meat, one piece of fat and then another piece of meat. It is grilled over wood charcoal until it is cooked between medium and well done; however it is possible to ask for medium rare. Sometimes the fat piece can be replaced with liver or heart or kidney. This is not marinated prior to grilling. On serving, it is accompanied by sweet soya sauce (medium sweetness, slightly thinned with boiled water), sliced fresh chilli, sliced raw shallots (eschalot), quartered green tomatoes, and steamed rice, and is sometimes garnished with fried shallots.

Sate Ambal 

A satay variant from Ambal, Kebumen, Central Java. This satay uses a native breed of poultry, ayam kampung. The sauce is not based on peanuts, but rather ground tempeh, chilli and spices. The chicken meat is marinated for about two hours to make the meat tastier. This satay is accompanied with ketupat.

Sate Blora 

A variant originating in Blora, located in Central Java. This variant is made of chicken (meat and skin) pieces that are smaller compared to the other variants. It is normally eaten with peanut sauce, rice, and a traditional soup made of coconut milk and herbs. Sate Blora is grilled in front of buyers as they are eating. The buyers tell the vendor to stop grilling when they are finished with their meal.

Sate Banjar 

A variant of satay popular in South Kalimantan, especially in the town of Banjarmasin.

Sate Makassar 

From a region in Southern Sulawesi, this satay is made from beef and cow offal marinated in sour carambola sauce. It has a unique sour and spicy taste. Unlike most satays, it is served without sauce.

Sate Buntel (Wrapped Satay)

A specialty from Solo or Surakarta, Central Java. It’s made from minced beef or goat (especially meats around ribs and belly area). The minced fatty meats are wrapped by thin fat or muscle membrane and wrapped around a bamboo skewer. The size of this satay is quite large, very similar to a middle eastern kebab. After being grilled on charcoal, the meat is separated from the skewer, cut into bite-size chunks, then served in sweet soy sauce and merica (pepper).

Sate Lilit 

A satay variant from Bali, a famous tourist destination. This satay is made from minced beef, chicken, fish, pork, or even turtle meat, which is then mixed with grated coconut, thick coconut milk, lemon juice, shallots, and pepper. Wound around bamboo, sugar cane or lemon grass sticks, it is then grilled on charcoal.

Sate Pusut 

A delicacy from Lombok, the neighboring island east of Bali. It is made from a mixture of minced meat (beef, chicken, or fish), shredded coconut meat, and spices. The mixture then is wrapped around a skewer and grilled over charcoal.

Sate Ampet 

Another Lombok delicacy. It is made from beef, cow’s intestines and other cow’s internal organs. The sauce for sate ampet is hot and spicy, which is no surprise since the island’s name, Lombok Merah, means Red chili. The sauce is santan (coconut milk) and spices.

Sate Maranggi 

Commonly found in Purwakarta, Cianjur and Bandung, the cities in West Java, this satay is made from beef marinated in a special paste. The two most important elements of the paste are kecombrang (Nicolaia speciosa) flower buds and ketan (sweet rice) flour. Nicola buds bring a unique aroma and a liquorice-like taste. It is served with ketan cake (jadah) or plain rice.

Sate Kambing (Goat satay)

A variant of satay popular in Java, made with goat, lamb or mutton meat. Different than other satay, sate kambing is not usually pre-seasoned or pre-cooked. Raw lamb is skewered and grilled directly on the charcoal. It is then served with sweet soy sauce, sliced shallots, and cut-up tomatoes. Since the meat is not pre-cooked, it is important to choose a very young lamb. Most famous vendor usually use lamb under three to five months old. Lamb from goat is also more popular than lamb from sheep due to milder flavor.

Sate Kerbau (Water buffalo satay)

A variant of satay popular in Kudus, where most Muslim believed that it is forbidden to eat beef in order to respect the Hindus. This satay is made with water buffalo meat. The meat is cooked first with palm sugar, coriander, cumin, and other seasoning until very tender. Some vendor choose to even grind the meat first in order to make it really tender. It is then grilled on charcoal, and the served with sauce made with coconut milk, palm sugar, and other seasoning. Traditionally, satay kerbau is served on a plate covered with teak wood leaves.

Sate Kelinci (Rabbit meat Satay)

This variant of satay is made from rabbit meat, a delicacy from Java. It is served with sliced fresh shallots (small red onion), peanut sauce, and sweet soy sauce. Rabbit satay usually can be found in mountainous tourist region in Java where locals breed rabbit for its meat, such as Lembang in West Java, Kaliurang in Yogyakarta, Bandungan and Tawangmangu resort in Central Java, also Telaga Sarangan in East Java.

Sate Burung Ayam-ayaman (Bird Satay)

The satay is made from gizzard, liver, and intestines of “Burung Ayam-ayaman” (a migrating sea bird). After being seasoned with mild spices and stuck on a skewer, this bird’s internal organs aren’t grilled, but are deep fried in cooking oil instead.

Sate Bandeng (Milkfish Satay)

A unique delicacy from Banten. It is a satay made from boneless “Bandeng” (milkfish). The seasoned spicy milkfish meat is separated from the small bones, then placed back into the milkfish skin, clipped by a bamboo stick, and grilled over charcoal.

Sate Belut (Eel Satay) 

Another Lombok rare delicacy. It is made from belut, a native small eel commonly found in watery rice paddies in Indonesia. A seasoned eel is skewered and wrapped around each skewer, then grilled over charcoal fire. So each skewer contains an individual small eel.

Sate Kuda (Horse meat Satay)

Locally known as “Sate Jaran”, this is made from horse meat, a delicacy from Yogyakarta. It is served with sliced fresh shallots (small red onion), pepper, and sweet soy sauce.

Sate Bulus (Turtle Satay) 

Another rare delicacy from Yogyakarta. It is a satay made from freshwater “Bulus” (softshell turtle). It is served with sliced fresh shallots (small red onion), pepper, and sweet soy sauce. Bulus meat is also served in soup or Tongseng (Javanese style spicy-sweet soup).

Sate Ular (Snake Satay) 

A rare and exotic delicacy usually founds in foodstalls specialize on serving exotic meats like snakes and lizzards, such as the one founds near Gubeng train station in Surabaya, or near Mangga Besar and Tebet train station in Jakarta. Its usually uses ular sedok (cobra) or sanca (python) meat. It is served with sliced fresh shallots (small red onion), pickles, pepper, and sweet soy sauce.

Sate Babi (Pork Satay) 

A popular delicacy among the Indonesian Chinese community, most of whom do not share the Muslim prohibition against pork. This dish can be found in Chinatowns in Indonesian cities, especially around Glodok, Pecenongan, and Senen in the Jakarta area.

Sate Kulit (Skin Satay) 

Found in Sumatra, this is a crisp satay made from marinated chicken skin.

Sate Telor Muda (Young egg Satay) 

This satay is made from immature chicken egg (uritan) obtained upon slaughtering the hens. The immature eggs are boiled and put into skewers to be grilled as satay.

Sate Torpedo (Testicles Satay) 

Satay made from goat testicles marinated in soy sauce and grilled. It is eaten with peanut sauce, pickles, and hot white rice.

Sate Ati (Liver Satay)

The satay is made from chicken liver, gizzard, and intestines. After seasoning, the internal organs are not fried or grilled, but are boiled instead. It’s not treated as a main dish, but often as a side dish to accompany Bubur Ayam (chicken rice porridge).

Sate Susu (Milky Satay) 

A tasty dish commonly found in Java and Bali, made from grilled spicy beef brisket with a distinctive milky taste, served with hot chilli sauce.

Malaysia

Satay is a popular dish in Malaysia.

Known as sate in Malay (and pronounced similarly to the English), it can be found throughout every state in Malaysia, in restaurants and on the street, with hawkers selling satay in food courts and Pasar malam. While the popular kinds of satay are usually beef and chicken satays, different regions of Malaysia have developed their own unique variations of satay. Sate is often associated with Muslim Malays of Malaysia Indicative of the melding of cultures, pork sate is also available at non-halal Chinese eating establishments in Malaysia.

There are a number of well-known satay outlets are in Kajang, Selangor which is dubbed the Sate City in the country. Sate Kajang is a generic name for a style of sate where the meat chunks are bigger than normal and the sweet peanut sauce is served with a dollop of fried chili paste. Hence, Sate Kajang is now found through out Malaysia and not just in Kajang. Sate Kajang Haji Samuri is very popular in Kajang as well as throughout Malaysia. This is currently the most well known chain of Kajang satay restaurants. Sate Kajang Haji Samuri offer chicken sate, beef sate, deer sate, rabbit sate, fish sate and many other variants.

A variation of the meat satay is the satay lok-lok from Penang and satay celup (dip satay) from Malacca. Both are Malaysian Chinese innovations of the Mongolian hotpot and the Malay satay. Raw meat pieces, tofu pieces, century eggs, quail eggs, fish cake pieces, offal or vegetable pieces are skewered on bamboo sticks. These are cooked by being dipped in boiling water or stock. The satay is eaten with a blackish sweet sauce with or without chili sauce. If the satay is eaten with satay sauce, it is called satay lok-lok. If the satay is cooked with boiling satay peanut sauce, it is called satay celup. This is available either from street vendors or at certain restaurants. Most of them are non-halal. Customers use a common container containing boiling stock to personally cook their satay. Sauces are either served in common containers or individually. There are no tables when you eat at street vendors and thus customers enjoy the food standing around the food cart.

Girl cooking some satay in Tanjung Aru Beach food stall court

Some satay on a grill in Malaysia

The Philippines

Southern Philippine Satti served with Ta'mu (ketupat) rice cakes.

The Philippines has two distinct styles of cooking satay. The first, which is native to the Hispanized peoples of Luzon and the Visayas, consists of mainly pork (sometimes chicken meat) marinated and then glazed with a thick sweet sauce consisting of soy sauce and banana ketchup, which gives the meat a reddish colour, and is then grilled. The marinating sauce has little affiliation to traditional satay recipes used in other regions, and rather derives from a fusion of the satay cooking method used by pre-Hispanized natives, and the development of a preference for sweet as opposed to savory, derived from extensive Chinese, Japanese (Yakitori) and Spanish culinary influences. Due to American influence, this version is simply called Barbecue/Barbikyu. Barbikyu is usually served from street stands in major towns and cities.

The second style, called Satti, is native to the Moro peoples of the southern Philippines (Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, southern Palawan and Tawi-Tawi), and is much more similar to traditional Malay and Indonesian sate recipes, including the preparation and cooking methods of the meat, an exception being that satti is served with a thick peanut infused soup as opposed to being served dry. The basic marinade for Satti includes the use of peanuts, garlic, ginger, onions, cumin, bagoong, chillies and coconut milk. Due to these areas being predominantly Muslim, the meats prepared for Satti are slaughtered according to Halal laws. Meats such as beef, (chicken (manuk), goat (kambing) and lamb (anak biri) feature in Tausug Satti. Well renowned by Tausug, Samal and Bajau locals in the main southern Philippine cities of Zamboanga and Davao, Satti has not expanded into Christian dominated areas outside the region, apart from "deli's" in the Muslim quarters of the Metro Manila urban area. Authentic Satti is served at restaurants and cafeteria outlets that specialize in cooking the food, with recipes being a closely guarded secret.

Singapore

Satay is one of the earliest foods to be associated with Singapore; it has been associated with the city since the 1940s. Previously sold on makeshift roadside stalls and pushcarts, concerns over public health and the rapid development of the city led to a major consolidation of satay stalls at Beach Road in the 1950s, which came to be collectively called the Satay Club. They were moved to the Esplanade Park in the 1960s, where they grew to the point of being constantly listed in tourism guides.

Open only after dark with an al fresco concept, the Satay Club defined how satay is served in Singapore since then, although they are also found across the island in most hawker stalls, modern food courts, and upscale restaurants at any time of the day. Moved several times around Esplanade Park due to development and land reclamation, the outlets finally left the area permanently to Clarke Quay in the late 1990s to make way for the building of the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

Several competing satay hotspots have since emerged, with no one being able to lay claim to the reputation the Satay Club had at the Esplanade. While the name has been transferred to the Clarke Quay site, several stalls from the original Satay club have moved to Sembawang in the north of the city. The satay stalls which opened at Lau Pa Sat are popular with tourists. Served only at night when Boon Tat Street is closed to vehicular traffic and the stalls and tables occupy the street, it mimics the open-air dining style of previous establishments.

Other notable outlets include the ones at Newton Food Centre, East Coast Park Seafood Centre and Toa Payoh Central.

The common types of satay sold in Singapore include Satay Ayam (chicken satay), Satay Lembu (beef satay), Satay Kambing (mutton satay), Satay Perut (beef intestine), and Satay Babat (beef tripe).

Singapore’s national carrier, Singapore Airlines, also serves satay to its First and Raffles Class passengers as an appetizer.

Sources and references

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