What's the Fuss: A Dish or a Snack?

For many of us Malaysians, we are truly blessed to be able to live in this peace and harmonious multi-racial and multi-ethnical country, Malaysia. We are so blessed that every race and ethnic in Malaysia prepares different food everyday. The Malays with their nasi lemak, the Chinese with their yong chow fried rice, the Indians with their roti canai and many other more.

But the problem is that certain food can be classified as a dish or a snack. The question is none other than otak-otak. Otak-otak is a fish cake from Malaysia and Singapore. In Singapore, it is more commonly known as otah or otak. The southern Malaysian town of Muar is particularly famous for it. It can also be found in Indonesia, especially in Sulawesi.

As for me, being born in the town of Muar, Johor (also known as the Empress Town) but now living in the city of Petaling Jaya, I am being blessed to have eaten otak-otak from my hometown. I have also heard of the Peranakan (Baba-Nyonya from Malacca) that they too have their own secret of preparing their otak-otak. They eat it in between meals and also they eat it together with bread.

I have learned that many Malaysians take otak-otak as a snack and what about with rice? Well, just to add that, otak-otak can come wrapped-in banana leaf or even in a frozen packet where it is served for those who wish to preserve longer and eat at other time. They can remove that packet and steam it. It is usually to be eaten with rice or also as a snack. One additional specialty from a Muarian, our family discovered that by beating an egg or two and pour it to the side of the plate before steaming the otak-otak just adds the flavour and the rest of it, you tell the story.

It is very unique that we Malaysians have different cultures and we shouldn't judge each other on how we should consume the otak-otak. Whether it is a dish or a snack, we shouldn't judge each other but respect each other as a fellow Malaysian.

Everyone enjoyed the otak-otak but more importantly, it teaches us a good lesson about muhibbah and living in harmony.

Thus, it can be eaten as a snack or with bread or rice as part of a meal.

P.S. If you want some Muarian otak-otak, do let me know. I will get you some as sample. The rest, you have to order of course.