Trying monitor lizard satti sorru (Indian Claypot) in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR — Indian claypot dishes (known locally as satti sorru) have been around for many years in Malaysia.
Still, thanks to a particular ingredient, they have recently gained more popularity among locals and tourists.
Satti sorru is usually prepared with chicken, mutton, or seafood. However, the monitor lizard (biawak) has taken the limelight this year and has become a hot topic among Malaysians, who prize them for their meat, which they say tastes like chicken.
Is eating monitor lizard meat legal?
Consuming monitor lizard meat is not a recent reaction to inflation. In some regions of Malaysia, the Philippines, and India, monitor lizard meat is consumed and reputed to have medicinal properties in treating rheumatic pain and skin infections.
It is also said to improve stamina and prevent asthma attacks. While its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven, its consumption is still widespread among specific communities in the region.
In this edition, the lizard, weighing between 1 and 5kg and measuring between 20cm and almost 1m in length, is cooked in a clay pot on high temperature, and served as a Malaysian delicacy.
While opinions on eating the lizard's meat differ, the biggest concern amongst many is whether or not it's legal to hunt them.
A 2019 study by Sergio Guerrero Sánchez shows that despite not being in danger of going extinct, the Asian monitor lizard is thought to be the most sought-after monitor lizard in the world for its meat and skin trade.
Alongside Indonesia, Malaysia has the biggest monitor lizard skin traders worldwide.
According to the Malaysian Ministry of Energy & Natural Resources, Asian monitor lizards are protected species. That said, if the suppliers submit the required paperwork, harvesting them is legal under the Wildlife Conservation Act.
We were interested in trying the dish ourselves, so we went to Anba Satti Sorru [non-Halal], a stall inside a Chinese restaurant in Pudu, where we could try the dish ourselves.
When we arrived, we were greeted by the friendly owner. The biawak meat, purchased from a supplier in Seremban, is flattened, soaked in warm water, and then sliced into small pieces before it is cooked with potatoes, onions, Indian spices, and rice.
Our biawak satti sorru was made and served in under 30 minutes.
Should you try the monitor lizard satti sorru too?
If you've read this far and are still intrigued, it does taste like chicken, but the flesh is quite bony, and the strong taste of spices can be overpowering.
If you can get over the fact that you are eating reptile meat, the overall flavour and experience are worth a try.
Other than its chicken-like taste and texture, it is good to note that isoleucine (a protein which helps control blood sugar and boost energy) is present in high levels in lizard meat as compared to other typical meats like chicken, beef, and other dairy products.
While the dish is not for the faint of heart, the owner claimed that many customers were eager to try it.
The majority of people enjoyed the taste, and many said they ate it for the alleged health benefits.
If that does not intrigue you, it is one item off the bucket list and well-earned bragging rights for the venturesome foodie.
If you are considering increasing the amount of isoleucine in your system or just feeling adventurous, try the Monitor Lizard Satti Surro for RM17 at Anba Satti Surro, which opens daily from 11.30am to 11.30pm.
You can also have it delivered to your door for RM25 through some delivery vendors.
Huda Hekmat is an educator, content writer, and Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. She is currently doing her masters in Educational Psychology. When she isn't teaching, writing, or trying to armbar her fellow gym mates, you can find her reading a thriller, watching a stand-up comedy, or on the hunt to find the best nasi lemak in KL.
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