Savoring Ponorogo's famous satay
Almost every city in Indonesia has put its own spin on satay.
In Java, for example, there are two very popular types of satay: chicken satay from Ponorogo in East Java and Madura, named after an island located off the northeastern coast of Java. Both types of satay can easily be found in the region's cities.
To sample authentic Ponogoro satay looked no further than Gang Sate (satay alley).
Gang Sate is located on Jl. Lawu in the Nologaten area, around 3 kilometers from Ponorogo's town square. Along the street you will find many satay vendors selling Ponorogo satay out of houses.
What makes Ponogoro satay special is the way it’s cooked.
First, the chicken is cut into large pieces and marinated in various kinds of herbs. The marinade comprises onion, garlic, coriander, galangal, pecans and cumin.
After the meat is soaked in the marinade, the satay is later roasted on wood chips.
After the satay is cooked, it is then served with peanut sauce flavored with chili and brown sugar. For a sharper flavor, you can add sliced chili and raw onions as well.
Ponorogo satay is known for its big cuts of meat and savory flavor. Other chicken parts, such skin, liver and ovaries, are also skewered.
Among the many satay vendors in Gang Sate, Haji Tukri Sobikun is the most famous. He is considered a satay pioneer and has been selling the dish for decades.
Haji Tukri's satay stall itself is simple, decorated only with cultural items.
Among the many satay vendors in Gang Sate, Haji Tukri Sobikun is the most famous.
One portion of satay at his stall is priced at Rp 20,000 (US$1.7).
Other than satay, the stall also offers a variety of traditional snacks such as soybean chips, glutinous rice crisps and jenang mirah (sweet rice cake). Hand-crafted goods such as angklung, wooden trumpets, whips and masks can also be bought at his stall.
On one side of the stall you can also find pictures of famous people who have visited, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and president-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, which has resulted in it being nicknamed “President Satay Stall”.
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