Buffalo Satay and History of Tolerance in the City of Kretek |
Satay is one of the culinary characteristics in Indonesia. In every city has a satay menu that is characteristic. Generally, goat satay, beef, and chicken satay. However, there are also some rather extreme satays such as snake satay, frog satay, or dog satay which can be found in Yogyakarta, Sragen, or in Manado. However, because the majority of Indonesian people are Muslim, the only popular is satay goat, beef satay, and chicken.
Culinary in Indonesia also cannot be separated from the history of the country's standing which consists of various ethnic groups and religions. That is also the case when enjoying buffalo satay in Kota Kudus, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia. One of the famous culinary in Kudus cannot be separated from the history of tolerance and diversity in the city which is also known as the City of Kretek (read: the clove cigarette). The famous Djarum cigarette is located in this city.
According to a cultural observer from Kudus, Sosiawan Leak, in the past, a part of the Kudus community adhered to Hinduism, which forbids slaughtering and eating beef. When Sunan Kudus spread Islam, he forbade Muslims to slaughter and eat beef, to respect the Hindus, even though beef is halal for Muslims. That is how culinary life history colors tolerance in Indonesia.
Until now, buffalo satay has become a culinary characteristic in Kudus. When attending the Poet Archipelago Meeting in Kudus, at the end of November 2019, for the first time I enjoyed buffalo satay (Kudus people call it kebo). I imagine, hard buffalo meat would have been uncomfortable making satay, it might interfere with digestion for me. The rancid aroma of buffalo meat reduces the enjoyment of buffalo satay.
That was my mind before enjoying the Min Jastro Kudus satay buff, who was specially invited to serve poets from various cities in Indonesia and from a number of countries in Southeast Asia.
Unlike the goat and beef satay which has a more reddish flesh, buffalo satay is more black which makes its appearance increasingly unattractive to me. Looks like the meat is too long on the grill.
However, when the bamboo skewers were in the hand, a fresh, aromatic taste arose and landed on the nose. When the meat is wet with peanut sauce it is in my mouth, then the soft buffalo meat feels soft. I am surprised, this is different from the assumption so far about hard buffalo meat.
Min Jastro Kudus satay flavor tasted to the deepest part of the meat. Min Jastro buffalo satay is not only cooked on the outside, but the overall taste of the same piece of meat reaches the deepest part.
Min Jasro's kerban satay is now managed by Sunoto, the third generation of Min Jastro. According to Sunoto, who is familiarly called Mas Totok, buffalo satay seasoning consists of coriander, cumin, garlic, salt, and secret herbs obtained from generation to generation.
As reported by Kompas.com, in a day, Sunoto consumes around 20 kilograms of buffalo meat. The customers from various cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, and several other cities in Indonesia. One of Min Jastro's Sate Kerbau customers, Eko Soponyono, said he had subscribed since the 1970s. When found, he came to eat buffalo satay with his family.
Warung Sate Kerbau Min Jastro is open from 07.30 - 10.00 and afternoon at 17.00 - 21.00. The visitors can also pre-order buffalo satay through telephone number 081325618904. The location of Min Jastro buffalo satay is located in the Agus Salim shopping complex Blok C, Jalan Agus Salim, Getas Pejaten, Jati, Kudus. Ten buffalo skewers are sold at IDR 45,000 or only $ 3.2 US. That's very cheap, right?
Restaurant Information
Min Jastro Kudus
Jl. Kyai H. Agus Salim, Getas, Wergu Wetan, Kec. Kota Kudus, Kabupaten Kudus, Jawa Tengah 59318, Indonesia
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