Cuisine Of Indonesia

Otak-otak is a fish cake found throughout Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. The southern Malaysian town of Muar is a popular destination for it -- people from surrounding states often visit to buy the famous otak-otak in bulk. It is also known as otah-otah, otah or otak in Singapore.

It can be eaten as a snack or with bread or rice as part of a meal.

Otak-otak is made by mixing fish paste (usually mackerel) with a mixture of spices including chillies, garlic, shallots, turmeric, lemon grass and coconut milk. The mixture is then wrapped in a banana leaf that has been softened by steaming, then grilled or steamed.

While fish otak-otak is most common, otak-otak is also commonly made with prawns, often resulting in a more textured variety. In Muar, you will also be able to find otak-otak made from cuttlefish, fish head and even chicken.