PETALING JAYA, Oct 22 — You can always count on PJ Old Town’s Taman Selera Jalan Othman to feed you well and this time, it’s Chinese-style satay fashioned from pork, chicken and mutton. 

Located just next to Seong Kee Yong Tau Foo, this stall’s business spans more than 30 years and now due to labour shortage, it’s only open three days a week. 

Once you spot their satay, you will notice that each skewer is the work of a perfectionist, as the meat is uniformly cut, resembling soldiers in a parade. 

Each piece of satay is cooked over a charcoal fire. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi
Each piece of satay is cooked over a charcoal fire. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi

With so much detail paid to each skewer, it’s no wonder they are incapable of producing vast quantities for the satay hence limited opening hours. 

The pork and chicken satay (RM2 per piece) looks and tastes almost identical with its yellow hue, thanks to the use of turmeric. 

What’s interesting is, the cut of the meat chosen is well selected as the meat is free from any sinew and retains a juicy bite, even without a piece of fat. 

The big surprise here is the presence of mutton satay (RM3 per piece), often shunned by the Chinese for its overwhelming gamey flavour. 

Like magic from a fairy godmother’s wand, their mutton satay is free from any unpleasant smell, making it palatable to all with perhaps a whisper of a stronger meaty flavour, in comparison with the pork and chicken versions. 

The satay is cooked till the meat is lightly charred, which helps the meat to retain its juiciness. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi
The satay is cooked till the meat is lightly charred, which helps the meat to retain its juiciness. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi

The fairytale believer in me would like to think it’s magic but I reckon it’s the use of fresh meat or perhaps a stronger marinade to address any gamey aftertaste. 

On the side, the house-made peanut sauce has a thick consistency with peanuts and a lingering mild spiciness from the use of dried chilli powder and a smidgeon of bird’s-eye chillies. 

And like any food court, build a meal composed of all the great picks from the stalls. Perhaps chunky yong tau foo from Seong Kee or roast pork with rice from Kie Kie Chicken Rice, and dessert with fluffy ais kacang from Aunty Peggy’s. 

Look for the stall right next to the famous Seong Kee stall that serves ‘yong tau foo’. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi
Look for the stall right next to the famous Seong Kee stall that serves ‘yong tau foo’. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi

Gerai Satay Cina Thoo Yuen

Stall No. 36, Taman Selera Jalan Othman

PJ Old Town, Petaling Jaya

Open: 11am to 5pm. 

* This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal.

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