For Malaysian people, Ramadan is the month that has always been awaited
on every year. There will be lot of food vendors lined up on every
evening along the way. The food that is most often used as Berbuka or breaking the fast
menu is of course the dates,syrup and cakes. However,
especially for people who live in Sarawak they have
their own unique food that becomes an identical of Ramadan, which is
called Sotong Tutok (Hammered Cuttlefish). The food is one of the Sarawak typical snacks that are only sold during the fasting month of
Ramadan.
However,
for those who are not the residents of Sarawak, perhaps the name
Sotong Tutok sounds strange and makes you wonder exactly what kind
of food is this. Sotong Tutok is the term for dried squid snacks
after being burned or grilled. In the process of making, the cuttlefish is beaten
with a hammer to make it soft and tender.
The
local community even said that fasting without the dish of Sotong Tutok would be tasteless. Therefore, it is not strange that almost
on every house of Muslims found Sotong Tutok to make their iftar of
suhoor become more complete. The restaurants and food stalls in Kuching city also make this food as one of their menus.
Sontong Tutok can be used as a side dish or snack in leisure times. This
food is made of dried cuttlefish. The way of making is also very simple.The
dried cuttlefish is grilled over coals or over a flame in small fire
to make it not overcooked. At the roasting process, there will be a
very seductive scent for anyone around it. Once cooked, the cuttlefish
is then hammered on the wood until the meat flat and the fiber out
intended to make it soft. If you are interested in hammering your own
cuttlefish, the seller will be happy to hand over his hammer to you.
SotongTutok becomes more delicious when equipped with peanut sauce or
sweet spicy sauce. Sometimes, there will be vendors who serve it with
pickled cucumber. This seafood is a bit salty and savory but when
smeared with peanut sauce or spicy sauce, it becomes delicious with a
little sour and spicy.
The
way to eat is also unique. First, the cuttlefish is dipped into the
sauce, and then we absorb until the flavor of the sauce is lessening.
After that, it is dipped into the sauce for the second time, and then
absorbed again. This is done repeatedly. Afterwards, the cuttlefish is
the eaten. Therefore, enjoying one piece of Sotong Tutok could spend
a long time. Therefore, for those who claim to seafood lovers do not
miss the opportunity to enjoy this Sarawak typical food when visiting
into the city.
