Hj Samuri satay in PJ as good as the Kajang original

The Star, Wednesday September 10, 2014 

by s. puspadevi

Isabel helping the restaurant staff to grill satay.

Radio DJ visits famous chain's outlet in Damansara Utama to taste a recommendation for The Star People's Food Awards.

SATAY remains a local favourite among fellow Malaysians and provides a wholesome and well-balanced meal for most of us.

Nothing beats the smell of chicken and beef satay grilled to perfection accompanied with a bowl of peanut sauce, nasi impit, cucumber and onion.

For the month of September, satay has been selected as the theme for The Star People’s Food Awards. 

Sate Kajang Hj Samuri kitchen staff busy preparing the orders for lunch.

This time around, Capital FM announcer Isabel Taye had the privilege of visiting Sate Kajang Hj Samuri in Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya.

Isabel was immediately greeted by operations officer Muhammad Hafidz Hassan when she walked into the restaurant.

The friendly Muhammad Hafidz led her to the table and requested for Isabel’s order, showing what was available in the menu.

As it was Isabel’s first visit to Sate Kajang, she asked Muhammad Hafidz if she could visit the kitchen and try her hand at grilling satay.

“I brought my very own satay fan,” said the excited Isable, requesting an apron and a cap from Muhammad Hafidz so that she could wear the same attire as the kitchen staff.

However, much to her surprise, Sate Kajang Hj Samuri does not use the traditional fanning method, as the kitchen is equipped with a hood and exhaust fan.

The only traditional concept here is the grilling of the satay — using charcoal.

“It felt like being in a sauna in there, but it was fun,” she laughed.

Isabel ordered chicken, beef, mutton, rabbit and fish satay, but skipped the beef tripe and chicken liver.

“The beef satay is absolutely delicious and the fish is also fresh and tasty. 

“The combination of the slightly salty beef satay and peanut sauce is simply extraordinary. I love it,” Isabel said, adding that the peanut sauce is served with dried chilli paste for additional heat. 

Capital FM announcer Isabel Taye enjoying the  variety of satay.

 

On the ambience, Isabel said the restaurant had a rustic theme because of the wooden panels and tables, and it was clean.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Hafidz said the restaurant was opened in 2002 and was founded by Datuk Samuri Juraimi.

“Everything is prepared in our centralised kitchen in Bangi.

“This outlet has a seating capacity of 160 people and measures about 92.9sq m,” he said, adding that it was usually busy during lunch and dinner.

He said the restaurant sold a maximum of 10,000 to 12,000 satay sticks a day and this can go up to 15,000 sticks, especially during weekends. 

The chicken, beef, fish and beef tripe satay are sold at 80sen per stick, while mutton satay is available at RM1.80, rabbit (RM2) and chicken liver (70sen) per stick respectively.

Sate Kajang Hj Samuri is located at No 79, Jalan 21/37, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya. 

Nominations for this series are from Sept 1 to 10, while voting will begin on Sept 15 and end at midnight on Sept 30.

The prize winners of the month will be announced on the first week of the following month.

Those who nominate, vote or successfully share a link, stand to win attractive prizes such as hotel stays and dining vouchers in five-star establishments.

The public can submit photos and stories via Metro Online Broadcast (mob.com.my) to nominate deserving restaurants and vote for the ones they feel are most deserving of the title.