What comes in banana-leaf packaging and smells like day old catfood when you heat it up?
Otak Otak by any other name would smell as sweet…ahhh, I don’t think so. The stench that permeated the house was far from sweet, but I must confess the taste was awesome.
This snack is found in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia (…and now in Box Hill), and comprises pounded fish paste mixed with chillies, coconut and spices, rolled into a banana-leaf and grilled on the flame/charcoal. When the leaf chars, the fish is read to eat.
It can be consumed as a snack or with a bowl of rice. Some might add a sambal, but it packs a fair amount of heat and taste on its own.
“Otak” in Malay translates as brain – perhaps because it is soft and squidgy on the inside. Not a pleasant mental picture I must admit, but who cares, it tastes good.
i miss otak otak… the last time i had decent otak otak was in a perankan cuisine restaurant in Notting Hill, London called Nyonya…oishii
Also if i remember rightly in macalister road, penang there is a coffee store that did some of the best otak-otak(the renowned kuay teow place that shreds the noodles thinly for extra flavour absorbtion)….mmmm
any recomendations in melbourne otak otak, fried kuay teow and ipoh wah tan hor fun….?
…btw try the meiji matcha chocolate in japan…umai
Wow… Hm, this is one thing I think I will pass one. Aside from those types of smells usually engaging a rather reflex action from my stomach, I’m still a bit hesitant when it comes to fish-y flavours.
But, glad you gave it a go! And good to hear you enjoyed it
did you find this in box hill???may I know where exactly it is? Thanks a lot!!
Hi Tetsujin,
I have not been to any restaurant in Melbourne that has Otak. Can anyone else advise?
I’ve had pretty good char kuay teow at Chinta Blues in Acland St. They throw in the clams, which many other places don’t. Chilli Padi’s kuay teow (Lt Lonsdale St, city) comes with big fat prawns.
I reckon my mum’s hor fun is the best, hehe, but otherwise maybe try Laksa Me: http://www.laksame.com
by the way, Izakaya Chuji has charcoal BBQ: http://www.izakayachuji.com/
Hi Liz,
Not sure of the spelling of these places, but you can buy otak otak at Ah-ma’s yong tau foo store in Box Hill. Also a few places in Glen Waverley (The Glen), like Yeo’s. There’s also a shop called Wai Sum in The Glen that sells uncooked otak otak that you can grill/BBQ yourself.
Nasi Lemak House’s char kuey teow also got clams, but the char keuy teow itself (had once only s far) ok nia.
As for otak-otak, haven’t tried any in Melbourne. Did u guys hav the otak-otak in Boxhill? Can I hav the add. please?
Hey ironeaters – will get the address for you shortly. EG’s mum picked them up for us, and the store name as she knows it is not listed in the phonebook.
Ooooh, yum. I had lots of dishes like this last month in Bali. You must be pretty excited about Japan – how long will you be there?
Hey mutemonkey – will you be posting your Bali foodie finds on your blog? I hope so. I find stuff like that fascinating
Yes, we are both SOOO excited about Japan. 12 days and counting!
We are spending 4 glorious weeks there, which doesn’t really seem enough as there is so much to see and do (and eat!).
cool! i love otak otak! being the typical malaysian i am. lol.
Hey there
Im pretty sure the place in Box Hill that sells otak otak is called Emma’s Yong Tau Foo( or something like that ) on Station St. They sell the best Yong Tau Foo too.
Hey ginger – yes, most Malaysians / Singaporeans I mention otak otak to start salivating
Hi doreeen – thanks for the tip! Yes, I think that is also where EG’s Mum picks up the yong tau foo from. I love them too!