Sate Kajang Hj Samuri — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

"I am craving for Satay la" my sister said last weekend. "Yeah, let's go to Kajang for the famous Sate Hj. Samuri!" I replied. "Nope, I am lazy to drive all the way to Kajang...." she answered, "Wait, I remembered there's one on the Kesas Highway, the RnR Awan Besar!" I chirped in. So off we go to this RnR Awan Besar to get our fix of local famous satay. This is the first time I went to this RnR Awan Besar after a fire broke out in the old building. It is now a new big clean building which was rebuilt after it has been burnt down. Satay is small pieces of meat seasoned with various spices, skewered onto a stick and grilled over charcoal fire. Coconut milk is being rubbed over it while grilling giving it the extra fragrance, milkiness and a shiny appearance. It is served with spiced peanut sauce, and this sauce is given free.  It is self-service, first you order from the counter, you will be given a number and you come to take it yourself once your number is called. I ordered two ketupat, (rice wrapped in palm leaves) at RM0.70 each. The satay sauce and chili sauce and timun is free of charge. Oh.. they have satay rabbit meat (It is called Sate Arnab in Bahasa Melayu). Have you eaten rabbit meat? So out of curiosity, I ordered two sticks. How does it taste? Well, just like chicken meat, I can't find any difference, other than slightly tougher.  Fish Meat Satay (Sate Ikan) - RM0.98 per stick. Fish meat satay tastes ok just like we eat grilled fish but here the meat is on sticks. I notice that the meat on the sticks is smaller in size as compared to the previous time I ate here. The size of meat skewered on the stick is of the same size as satay sold by hawkers at any coffeeshops. The price range at hawker stalls is RM0.70 - RM0.80. What do I like about Sate Hj. Samuri? It is the peanut sauce and you can see here I finished all the sauce from my bowl as compared to the one on the right. Well, if anyone knows of any other stalls selling satay with good sauce, please...

Quick pitstop for satay

Needless to say, satay is probably another national food in Malaysia that we will never get bored of. This dish is said to be originated from Java and then spread to our country where it quickly became a favourite dish. I love how the marinated meat - be it chicken, beef, lamb, rabbit and even pork (non-halal) - was skewered and then grilled over the charcoal to give it the smoky and charred taste.

It is also said that the best satay comes from Kajang. Back in the early days, a lot of food hunters drove all the way into the former mining town in search for the best grilled skewered meat aka sate/satay. Haji Samuri is said to be the best import from Kajang when it comes to this dish.. and has since opened many outlets in Klang Valley to serve the hungry Malaysians.

During KESAS Highway early days, Haji Samuri has opened an outlet in RnR Awan Besar - I knew but never went there because the idea of eating at rest area never crossed my mind. But this time I reached this place around 7pm++ and my tummy was drumming - turned into the rest area and quickly ordered 10 sticks of chicken satay.

Not going to give any verdict nor to compare if this is THE BEST or not. Good enough to feed this hungry soul with the nicely marinated and grilled meat, especially when dipped into the flavourful...

It has been some time since last patronised this which was once a famous, quite highly rated & go to satay place.

Upon arrival, I noticed the place is no longer as crowded nor is there presence of long queues or any queue for that fact.

And sadly it all became apparent from the moment you are served, paying, getting the food and finally eating it. Awful and substandard is the lease that one can say!

The service was poor and unfriendly, despite the price paid, there is only minimal cucumber offered with no onions at all which do make up a complete satay meal - apparently a common comments shared by most, staff was arrogant and proud enough to proudly claim that the petty amount given being"free" and demanded 30cents for god know how much they are actually giving. The disappointment is that he said nothing and noted when the request was made clear. Finally, the worst of it is the chewy and dry satay that can easily be overtaken by most satay vendors out there.

So, do hope they will improve so not to disappoint more loyal and long time supporters.

In one of the photo is the small thin "free" cucumbers given and extrcucumber plus red onion had to buy to complete...