Botok-botok, a traditional dish of the Javanese community that is made of fish streamed with various herbs, has become a popular giveaway for the people of Johor to the guests, as well as a souvenir to take home by visitors, including during the on-going campaigning for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jerai state by-elections.
The proprietor of the “Botok-botok Ibunda” restaurant, Haleza Mohammad, 57, said the botok-botok is always in demand not only among the Johor people, but also those from other states.
“Alhamdulillah, there is always demand for the botok-botok, There are always visitors coming, not only during these by-elections, to have a taste of this traditional delicacy.
“There are also the frozen ones for visitors to take home, The frozen ones can last for up to three months, she said when n botoks to take home as souvenirs because they can last up to three months,” she told Bernama when met at Taman Orkid, Tampoi, here today.
Haleza said she had been in the botok-botok business for three years and had six types of the delicacy to offer her customers, including made from the fish meat of ikan tenggiri and ikan kembung, as well as the fish roe of ikan tenggiri.
Apart from that her customers can also request redfish, chicken, squid and prawn botok-botok, with prices starting from RM15 to RM48 for a set.
“There are still many people who do not know about this delicacy. slice of the fish, chicken, squid or prawn laid in between layers of herbs, like shoots of tapioca or yam plants, mengkudu, berbuas, semangkuk, kadok, pucuk betik and tea leaves. A special sauce made of ground spices is then poured and then all the ingredients are wrapped in banana leaf and steamed for between 40 minutes and an hour to ensure it is evenly cooked.
“Botok-botok can be eaten with rice or on its own,” she added.
The Election Commission has set Sept 9 as polling day for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections with early voting on Sept 5.
The by-elections were called following the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub last July 23 due to a brain haemorrhage.
The Amanah deputy president and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister was the elected representative for both seats.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency