Satar & Otak Otak, Kuala Kemaman

I've been craving for satar since the day we've confirmed our trip to Cherating...

Having tasted satar when I was a teenager, I was eager to introduce this delectable snack to Bubbly Alicia and Blur Butterfly, hoping that it still tastes as good as I remembered. We were lucky that Bubbly Alicia has a local friend, KH, who promptly brought us to Kuala Kemaman, famous for it's satar..

We reached this particular shop that's supposed to served really wicked satar, but most unfortunately, they have finished selling all their satar..and it's before 6pm! grrrr...:(.

Nonetheless, KH ordered some otak otak and keropok lekor to fill our bellies..Rather than the usual mince fish otak otak we have accustomed to, this otak otak had a small slice of fish, thickly coated with spices, mince shallots, onions, ginger, chillies and wrapped in banana leaves..This is so aromatic and addictive, I find it rather hard to stop..hehe.

Next, was the keropok lekor (malay fish cake/cracker)..

As I've always been a fan of keropok ikan and keropok lekor, I am quite immune to the 'fishy' smell of keropok lekor. Keropok lekor is made from mince fish, mixed with cornstarch/sago and salt, rolled into long tubes. You choose to have this deep fried or steamed (this method is more uncommon). I have tasted both types, and I prefer the deep fried version, eaten hot with the chili sauce..

The sotong goreng celup tepung was ok, Bubbly Alicia thought it tasted funky (?!?). I believe it's the rempah (spices) that was added, have some strong flavour that some may not like..

As the restaurant does not have a signboard, I took a picture instead. Bollywood Queen told me that there is another form of otak otak, called pais, which is served in the same marination as otak otak, but instead of a slice of fish, you get a tiny fish (whole) wrapped in the banana leaves. Wasted I didnt get to try that :(.

Since we didnt manage to eat satar at this shop, we ventured to another stall, also famous for satar..Ahhh, such pleasure it was to see skewers and skewers of satars, the smoky, sweet smell, filling the air.. Unlike otak otak, satar is wrapped to a conifer shape, skewered in the center. The filling is a mixture of mince fish (usually tenggiri), spices, mince onions, garlic, bird's eye/red chillies, ginger and grated coconut. Cooked till the filling is dry and firm, the slightly burnt banana leaves gives a lingering aroma to the satar, which is sweet, fragrant and rich in flavours..and the chili padi gives a kick to such a sweet tasting snack..yummy!! love this :)

What Julianne thinks?

Scrumptios, lip smacking and missing it already

To get to Kuala Kemaman, if you are coming from Kuantan/Cherating, drive towards Kuala Terengganu/Chukai. You will see Kuala Kemaman's sign board (approximately 10 mins after driving pass Club Med) on your right (there's a bus station at the corner). Turn in, you will see the satar stall on your left (first stall, opens frm 2 pm onwards). If you drive further down, at T junction, turn left. Drive for about 5 mins, you'll see the shop (the picture i took, opens frm 2 pm onwards) on your right, that serves satar, otak otak, pais, keropok lekor etc.