After long and exhaustive research, we can officially name Penang's Esplanade Food Centre as serving the best Satay in the World...Ever! Here at Escape Worldwide we take our food research very seriously, and all of us have taken part extensively in this very important subject. The Esplanade's satay is grilled over hot coals, getting the best flavour possible.
We've tested Satay across the Far East, and would rate Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia as having the best, but things can vary quite dramatically, and we tend to find the best options are found in more local venues, such as food centres. One of the best Satays we've found in Indonesia was served from a mobile Satay stall, on the back of a motorbike, at around 60p for 12 sticks - fancy surroundings and high prices are not necessary!
From our experience, the best Satay tends to be that which has been grilled over coals - many food centres in Malaysia opt for this technique, giving more flavour. From a more practical point of view, having a few smaller pieces of meat on each skewer is more favourable than one larger piece - otherwise, you tend to end up with half the satay down your chin, and the other half on the floor! The other important factor in the perfect Satay is the peanut sauce, and the Esplanade Food Centre seem to have got this down to a fine art too - not too smooth, not too crunchy, but just right, with plenty of taste (traditional Indonesian Kecap Manis soy sauce is the preferred ingredient, apparently!) complimenting beautifully the Satay itself.
Is it lunchtime yet?!
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