Singapore's Specialty Food – Satay, Have You Tried It?

Today, the editor is going to introduce a Southeast Asian specialty snack – satay.

Speaking of the origin of the name satay, it's actually quite interesting. When early Fujian immigrants came from afar, they saw Malays grilling meat skewers. Due to language barriers, they later noticed that the skewers had three pieces of meat and named them "three pieces" (pronounced "Sar Tae" in Hokkien). Over time, people began calling it satay.

Satay can be made with chicken, pork, beef, mutton, fish, or even duck. The meat is skewered and then grilled over charcoal.

In fact, traditional satay refers to any grilled meat skewer with seasoning (not necessarily peanut sauce).

However, later on, chicken satay served with peanut sauce became a trend, to the point where peanut sauce and satay became inseparable, and thus peanut sauce is also called satay sauce.

Here, the editor introduces five Michelin-recommended places in Singapore for eating satay.

NO.1 168 Chun Chun Satay

In 2016, 168 Chun Chun Satay was first listed in the Michelin Guide Singapore.

In 2018, it participated in the MICHELIN Guide Street Food Festival held in Singapore, offering its signature meat skewers.

168 Chun Chun Satay is famous for its "make as many as you order" satay, serving chicken, mutton, and pork. The accompanying sauce is unique—pineapple juice is blended into the sauce, giving the satay an extra hint of sweetness.

The satay here has more lean meat than fat, so it's not too greasy, and you can truly taste the flavor of the meat.

NO.2 Pondok Makan Indonesia

Pondok Makan Indonesia has received a Michelin Plate recommendation and participated in the 2019 Singapore MICHELIN Guide Street Food Festival, offering a wide variety of authentic Indonesian cuisine.

The mutton satay at this restaurant is very popular, as are other traditional dishes such as gado gado (mixed vegetables with peanut sauce)—a dish combining vegetables, eggs, potatoes, and other ingredients with peanut sauce;

or tauhu goreng (fried tofu)—deep-fried tofu served with bean sprouts and other vegetables.

NO.3 Chomp Chomp Satay

At Chomp Chomp Food Centre in Serangoon, most stalls stay open late and are very popular among Singaporeans.

Chomp Chomp Satay, which has received a Michelin Plate, still sees long queues late into the night. At night, a skewer of chicken satay marinated in brown honey sauce, paired with pineapple peanut sauce, couldn't be more perfect!

NO.4 National Kitchen

This is a place to enjoy satay with elegance.

Located on the second floor of the National Gallery, National Kitchen is one of the ambassadors of Singaporean cuisine.

The beautiful 1920s-style paneled dining space perfectly complements the spices of the food, with contrasting textures and enticing aromas, showcasing Singapore's unique culinary culture.

For an appetizer, try the satay: large pieces of grilled chicken marinated in Nyonya spices, served with spicy peanut sauce and some crushed pineapple, accompanied by steamed rice cakes, fresh cucumber, and red onion.

NO.5 The Clifford Pier

The Clifford Pier is located in the Fullerton Bay Hotel at Clifford Pier.

The food here pays tribute to the hawkers who once sold traditional dishes like Hainanese chicken rice and laksa along both sides of the pier.

Of course, satay is also on the menu, with eight skewers of chicken or beef served with the essential peanut sauce, cucumber, and onion.

(Image sources: all from the Michelin Guide digital network and restaurant official websites)

After reading this, which restaurant are you most eager to visit? If you like the blogger's sharing, remember to like and leave a comment!