Satay Zul, Kuantan [Uncle Soon Guan]

Pakcik Zul has been selling satay for 30 years. His satay is reputed to be the best in Kuantan. There is a huge crowd every night from 6 pm. Takeaway is very popular. Because of this certain items can be sold out very early. It is a popular outlet and waiting is expected. Starting from a stall on the five foot way he has now expanded into a shoplot with dining areas on ground level and first floors of two shoplots, fully airconditioned on the top floors.

In addition to the usual meats of chicken, beef, mutton, beef liver and beef stomach it also has venison. The meats are at 60 sen whilst the organ meats are at 50 sen a stick. One portion of the coconut leaf jacketed rice, called nasi impit here is RM2.00. It does not come in the usual coconut leaf jacket but just a square chunk with no wrapping, which is convenient. A portion of cucumber and onion slices is RM 1.00. This inexpensive meal can be a good substitute for a Western grill in such bad times where savings is so much. Eating satay with cold beer and wine will be so good but for this you need to takeaway as no alcohol can be found in any satay eatery.

The amount of meat is much more than the average street satay in Kuala Lumpur but not too much like in some fast food satay franchises. The satay are freshly made in four long grills outside the shop by the five foot way. At night you could see the bright lights of the burning charcoals and the takeaway crowd near it as you approach the shop. For any satay the sauce is very important. Unlike most other places, the sauce has little peanut chunky bits as most of the nut has been grounded. The sweet spicy sauce has a subtle taste and is very good on its own. You will need a refill.

We saw many tables ordering the kampong fried rice. I was right in ordering one too. The rice which has just the right amount of oil has generous bits of chicken meat and squid. Shallots, chopped coriander and egg are the other ingredients. Seldom seen in fried rice are several strands of kang kong which gives the dish an interesting design, texture and taste. Thinly sliced cucumber is left on one side. I thoroughly enjoyed this dish.

Satay Zul is at A2600 Jalan Alor Akar 25250 Kuantan. This road branches from the main Jalan Teluk Sisek that starts from Teluk Chempadak where the very popular Kuantan beach is. If you come from the beach the road is at the second traffic light. The burning charcoal grills and crowd outside the shop cannot be missed.

Chuah Soon Guan

Blog Kuantan, satay zul, Uncle Soon Guan