A Peranakan delicacy, otah is an appetising snack of fish paste mixed with an aromatic blend of fresh herbs and spices.
Traditionally, the seasoned fish mixture is wrapped in coconut leaves, then grilled over charcoal. These days, the banana leaf version is also available. Besides acting as wrappers, the leaves infuse additional fragrance and help to retain moisture of the cooked otah.
Spicy and savoury, otah is wonderfully versatile. It can be enjoyed on its own, in bread, or as an accompaniment to rice or noodles. Here are some of the best otah offerings in town. How do they measure up against one another?
Nam San EDITOR’S PICK!
261 Joo Chiat Road
Opening hours: Daily: 24 hours
Price: Banana leaf mackerel fish otah ($1.00)
Rating: 4.5/5
As one of the leading wholesalers of otah, Nam San has managed to maintain a consistent standard of their trademark mackerel fish otah. They have other varieties like prawn, sotong, and non-spicy otah, all wrapped in banana leaf.
So, why did we go gaga over their signature banana leaf mackerel otah? It was its alluring blend of fresh herbs and spices that won us over! Of all the otah in this round-up, Nam San’s rempah has the most distinctive aroma.
We also like how the fish paste is pleasantly smooth and slightly bouncy. It’d be perfect if it was slightly thicker. Aside from that minor nitpick, Nam San’s otah is a harmonious medley of spicy, sweet, and savoury flavours that excites our palates and leaves us hankering for more.
391 Orchard Road, Takashimaya B2 Food Hall
Opening hours: Daily: 10am-9.30pm
Price: Original mackerel fish otah ($3.50 for 150g)
Rating: 4.5/5
Recently, there has been increasing popularity in Muar-style otah. They appear in the form of thick slabs with chunks of fresh fish meat embedded within the fish paste.
What makes Otah Boy’s otah so satisfying is its immense juiciness from the succulent chunks of sweet-tasting fresh mackerel. The thick fish paste is also moist and airy, with a gorgeous handmade texture that strikes a fine balance between soft and bouncy.
While the spice paste is delectably spicy and savoury, it isn’t as fragrant as Nam San’s rempah. Nevertheless, this remains one of our top recommendations for excellent otah, and one that we’d happily return for!
320 Orchard Road, TANGS B1 Tangs Market
Opening hours: Daily: 10.30am-9.30pm
Price: Fish otah ($0.60), Banana leaf otah ($1.20)
Rating: 4/5
Even though it’s a chain outlet, Lee Wee & Brothers’ mass-produced otah is good enough to impress our finicky tasting panel.
Their rempah is sufficiently fragrant and perky, and the flavours are nicely balanced. The fish paste is smooth and lightly resilient. But points were deducted for its small portions. The otah could have been thicker and more moist.
We recommend skipping the coconut leaf-wrapped fish otah, and go for the banana leaf otah, as the latter has more discernible slivers of fresh mackerel. Prices here are relatively pricier as some outlets are located in shopping malls.
Otak Otak Kampong BEST OLD-SCHOOL MALAY OTAK OTAK
1 Geylang Serai, #02-165 Geylang Serai Food Centre
Opening hours: Tue-Sun: 10am-6pm
Price: 3 pieces for $1.00
Rating: 3.5/5
It’s so rare to find this kind of otah now; this is old-school Malay otak otak at its best!
The texture is vastly different from Peranakan-style otah. Here, the fish paste has a gritty sensation because fresh grated coconut is mixed in with finely chopped fish meat. Also, the coconut adds sweetness and juiciness to the fish paste. In each otah is a small piece of fresh fish hidden in the centre.
The rempah is immensely aromatic due to heavy use of fresh lemongrass. We also like how the otah is slightly burnt over the grill, which gives off an intense smoky flavor. Rustic and charming, this kampong-style otak otak is a must-try!
51 Old Airport Road, #01-65 Old Airport Road Food Centre
Opening hours: Daily: 6.30am-8.30pm
Price: Fish otah ($0.40), banana leaf otah ($1.00)
Rating: 3/5
Savoury and not overly spicy, their otah is easy on the palate. However, their rempah is relatively weak when it comes to fragrance and flavour. It wasn’t anything particularly memorable, but Hougang Otah’s offerings are pleasant enough for a quick otah fix.
inSing.com made anonymous visits and paid for its own meals at the eateries featured here.
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