Satay, from the Tamil word for flesh, ‘sathai’, is grilled marinated chicken, beef or mutton. Satay was typically sold at portable stalls, usually eaten in the evenings or at night, illuminated by street lighting and a kerosene lamp. Diners would sit on wooden stools beside the stall, which would be spread with a selection of meat, ketupat, roughly chopped onions and cucumber slices, all laid out on enamel dishes, and a large pot of satay sauce.
