Wednesday 1 August 2012

Indonesia so far... part 3, seafood

Hello dear readers! I hope you are all well. I am back in Indonesia, in Jakarta to be exact. It's day four and I almost beat this damn jetlag. Though it's not so bad this time because the Olympics is on all day and I have something to watch late at night. Come on team GB (and team Indonesia)!

It's been so lovely being reunited with family. I am gonna be here for several weeks and whilst I am figuring out what I am gonna do next, I hope you'll enjoy reading my travelog series. At the moment, I am staying in a hotel, but when I am at home in Medan, I'll be sure to start cooking again. One of the things that I've done is signed up for a gym, because I intend to eat a lot :)

When visiting the biggest archipelago in the world, you must try some of the fabulous and sumptuous seafood. Here are some of my favourite seafood dishes:

Grilled stingray with sweet soy and limes has been a favourite of mine since I was little. It is sweet and fresh and my favourite part is nibbling on the soft bones. Source of protein and calcium at the same time? :) Sometimes you'll find a variation of grilled stingray that is topped with sambal which is also delicious, but that depends if you can stand the heat or not.


I am not normally into anything poached, except for for poached eggs, but even that I don't have it very often... primarily because I am hopeless at poaching eggs. But anyway, these poached shrimps are also an exception. They are surprisingly delicious. They are poached in some sort of magical flavourful fish broth until just firm which allowed the sweetness of the shrimps to come through. They are topped with fresh coriander. 


Salted egg yolk prawns and squids are next on the list. Both are coated in salted egg yolk batter before deep fried and served with more salted egg yolks, spring onions and slices of red chilli. A quick note, the squids are often served in rings. However, the prawns are often served whole.. heads, tails and all. I actually really liked the heads as the pack lots of flavour, but it's probably too much for some. If you had a chance, you must also try salted egg yolk on crab... yum.


Please do not be alarmed by the picture below... I admit the fish does look scary, but it is so delicious. This is Chinese style steamed fish. The fish is called ikan jurung which I honestly don't know what it's called in English. But obviously this is not the only fish that are often used for steaming... other fishes like, snapper, tilapia or bream are quite popular as well. The fish here is steamed in Shaoxing rice wine, soy sauce, shallots, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, Chinese oyster mushrooms and topped with sliced spring onions at the end. 


Saving the best for last is kepiting saus Padang (crab in Padang's chilli sauce). This is without a doubt is my new favourite Indonesian seafood dish of all time. This is so delicious, just the thought of it makes me drool. The crab meat is sweet and the sauce... oh, the sauce is out of this world. It's a tomato and red chilli based sauce that's flavoured with lots of garlic, ginger, shallots and spring onions. I really look forward and cannot wait to eating this crab dish again when I am back in Medan.


The eating continues...

Please click on the link if you missed part 1 and part 2.

21 comments:

  1. There you go again, making my mouth water and leaving me wondering which dish I'd choose. This time I really don't know which I'd prefer, although sweet soy and lime does sound really inviting...

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    1. Hi Phil. Sorry... :)
      The grilled stingray with sweet soy and lime is an excellent choice!

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  2. Jakarta-how exciting! I'm like you and really not into poached (except eggs).This all looks amazing. Enjoy your time there, Michael:)

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    1. Thank you Lora. I already am enjoying my time here and you'll be reading more about it. Hope you are keeping well.

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  3. Oh I tried stingray for the first time last year and it was so delicious! :D everything you ate sounds fantastic!

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    1. Thank you Lorraine. Stingray has got to be one of my favourite fish.

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  4. Gosh all the seafood! I love those poached shrimps and o...salted egg yolks with crabs is KILLING me!

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    1. All I can say is I look forward to eating more salted egg yolks with more delicious things :)

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  5. oh my god Michael, I am so JEALOUS!!!... this all looks so absolutely incredible and I want to be there with you!!!... the grilled stingray sounds very interesting... in fact i'm coming over now!

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    1. You are welcomed any time Dom, you know that!

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  6. Yes, that fish is a bit scary, but I bet it was amazing!! I am with Dom, I'm so jealous! I, personally, love that you are back home and sharing all the things you love from there with us! Thank you :)

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    1. Indeed. I don't like the look of it, but it's so delicious that it doesn't matter. I am so glad you enjoyed reading my travelog.

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  7. Gosh, when we read your posting we can't tell you are way the heck on the other side of the world. Where is Donesia? You did say you are in Donesia, right?

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  8. very interesting, would certainly like to try the stingray... also read you last post from school, and I wish you the best on your new venture... good luck, and always keep that bright outlook...

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  9. I also read your last post, 7 years is long enough to have some great memories for sure :) wish you all the best in the future and welcome back to Indonesia enjoy your time with your family,and enjoy all delicious food you like :)
    Btw,,,,I'm drooling here to see these seafood dishes YUM !!

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  10. Wow, I can't believe you are back home in Indonesia Michael...and its not just a vacation now. Seven years is a long time to spend away from home, and as you mentioned, you went to high school in the U.S.?...so that makes 11 yrs away?
    Glad you signed up for a gym there; with all the delicious food you are eating...although I think the seafood is a good choice. That steamed fish is delicious, but I would have asked them to leave the scary head off the plate~

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  11. I am loving all this great food! I have made fish with the heads on and I am amazed that my daughter is okay with that...I never even liked any fish when I was a kid. So nice hearing about what you are up to and about Indonesia! We can travel there vis food photos! YUM! :)

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  12. These posts are so brilliant, I feel like I'm there (though, obviously, it is cold and dark outside and I am wearing three layers of clothing). Your scary fish made me laugh - I ate something very similar - well, minus the Indonesian spices and sauces - in Portugal many years ago. Eating something that still has its teeth in is unnerving, to say the least!

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  13. Ok, that fish with the teeth is scary but everything else looks fantastic! I love traveling through your eyes!

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  14. I love seafood. These recipes are like heaven for me. I like the prawns the most. I'm curious of it taste.
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