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Satay is a shish kebab style dish that has long been popular in Indonesia and Thailand. It is most frequently associated with Thai food, where satay made from cubes of beef, chicken, or lamb may be dipped in a traditional peanut relish or sauce. Food historians are not certain if satay was first introduced in Indonesia or in Southeast Asia. Regardless of origin, both Thai and Indonesian satay are praised by fans as quite delicious dishes.
Indonesian satay has several popular variants. Satay Madura is one of the best known and most popular. This type of satay usually uses lamb or chicken, marinated in sugar, green onions,soy sauce and salt. The bits of marinated meat are then skewered and quickly grilled. Traditional accompaniments include curry and basmati rice.
Other variants of Indonesian satay make use of beef, which is finely chopped, and pressed together into a paste or ball, which is then skewered and grilled. Indonesian satay often uses the interior organs of animals. Someone new to satay may find this taste somewhat unusual. Likewise, it is not uncommon to use turtle meat for variants of satay.
Thai satay may also use meats most US diners do not consume regularly. Some popular varieties include those made from goat. Some satays in both Thailand and Indonesia marinate and cook only the skin of the animal, which is valued for its crunchiness when cooked.
Often, excellent satay is not purchased in restaurants but directly from food stalls, which are found in abundance in places like Singapore. If one is concerned about the meat, and is familiar with the language, one can inquire about the meat’s origins.
Satay is popular in several European countries. Holland is particularly known for its excellent satay offerings, since Holland occupied parts of Indonesia from the 17th through the early 19th century. Netherlanders brought home this fabulous dish, and many other Indonesian specialties, which has influenced Holland’s cuisine to this day.
One can easily find Thai satay in virtually any Thai restaurant. Major cities throughout Europe and the US may have a few Indonesian restaurants offering satay. However, these are less common and less popular than Thai food.
| anon199118 Post 6 | Satay originated from Indonesia and Malay. It was not invented by the chinese. |
| anon163463 Post 5 | satay is a Chinese hokkien word for three pieces. 'Sa' is 3. 'Tay' is piece. --hMx |
| anon132028 Post 4 | Satay originated from Straits Chinese. I don't know if it is from Singapore or Malaysia but I am certain it is chinese who invented satay? And not Indonesia at all? come on, because history said malaysia was part of Indonesia {Srivijaya empire 7-13C} then the british came and until now many javanese, batik, medan and other Indonesian descendants are there and cook many Indonesian foods like Sate/Bakso. But still i think Sate are Arab {kebab} since Arabs are the biggest traders in Indonesia {since fifteenth century} but since peanuts are a common thing in Indonesia, we use that, but of course words like "sa teh" used by chinese since in Indonesia. chinese are usually restaurant owners in dutch colonial times. |
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| anon108778 Post 3 | Meat on sticks is a tradition of nomadic people who raised sheep or cattle and who had to cook on the go. It would logical to conclude satay did not originate from the Chinese or even the Malay archipelago where people practiced permanent agriculture and meat was not a common thing to have (expensive). Seriously, I can't see the Chinese coming up with satay. It is totally out of character for their cuisine. Satay probably originated in central asia which then found its way into Arabic cuisine who then brought it to Southeast Asia. Since metal is an expensive material, the local people innovated by using the stem of the coconut leaf as the stick on which on place the meat - much cheaper, more abundant and disposable. |
| anon53700 Post 2 | The word Satay means "Triple Stacked" thus satay will most often contain three strips or cubes of meat. The origins of satay began in Indonesia and may have been influenced by Chinese immigrants or Arabian Kebabs. While this is debated, the Arabian influence fits into the time that during the 19th century that many Arabs started relocating to Indonesia. The most common protein used(Lamb) also are less common in China but are favored by Arabs. |
| anon13257 Post 1 | Satay originated from Straits Chinese. I dont know if it is from Singapore or Malaysia but I am certain it is chinese who invented satay. OK, what is satay? The original satay consist of 3 pcs of meat in each stick. And in the past people use to order by referring it to "sa teh". Which mean 3 pcs. The malay which cant pronounce it properly later simplified it to Satay and started selling it as it is simple to make and delicious. From : Topgan |
