It’s hard to resist the temptation of enjoying a luscious piece of otak-otak after unwrapping it from its leaf pocket. Juicy, grilled fish meat with aromatic spices dancing in your mouth upon each bite and one is never enough. Muar is a town famous for its otak-otak delicacies and the next time you plan a trip here, check out these recommended 8 places to satisfy your otak-otak craving.
1) Xiao Mei Famous Muar Otak-Otak
Xiao Mei’s otak-otak has been a favourite among many loyal customers and newcomers alike. And frankly, it’s easy to see why as their otak-otak is made using quality ingredients, all packed with distinctly umami flavour from the grilled spicy or non-spicy fish meat wrapped in leaves. For convenience, you can also buy their frozen otak-otak. All you have to do is simply thaw and steam with boiling water for 20 minutes. Apart from their famous fish-based otak-otak, Xiao Mei offers other types such as prawn, cuttlefish and crab meat.
Address: 24, Jalan Hashim, 84000 Muar, Johor.
2) Fu Qi Otak-Otak Muar
Whether you love spicy or non-spicy otak-otak, there’s one thing that keeps the customers coming back for more. That thing in question is the use of quality mackerel, all grilled to smoky perfection. Fu Qi also sells prawn and fish head otak-otak and even otak (-otak) buns, just to name a few. The latter consists of otak-otak filling sandwiched between the fluffy bun.
Address: Jalan Haji Abu, Pekan Muar, 84000 Muar, Johor.
3) Otak-Otak Cheng Boi
Be it fresh or frozen, Otak-Otak Cheng Boi certainly knows a thing or two about making delicious otak-otak. But if possible, try the former — fleshy fish meat made with quality mackerel and assorted spices and freshly cooked off the grill. What you get here is moist and flavourful otak-otak with just the right spiciness. Best of all, their otak-otak isn’t overly starchy to ensure you can taste the grilled fish meat.
Address: No 28 4, Jalan Bentayan, Taman Sri Emas, 84000 Muar, Johor.
4) Ah Guan Bakariah Otak-Otak
Ah Guan Bakariah Otak-Otak specialises in homemade otak-otak. Their otak-otak combines mackerel fish paste with spices and other essential ingredients. Each paste is skillfully wrapped in individual leaf pockets before the grilling takes place. The result? It’s meaty, aromatic and mildly spicy. You can enjoy it fresh or opt for the frozen types.
Address: 18, Lorong R(3), Taman Bakariah, 84000 Muar, Johor.
5) Daily Happy Otak-Otak
Daily Happy Otak-Otak’s illustrious history stretches way back over 40 years. Using a generations-old recipe that has been passed down since its establishment in 1981, Daily Happy Otak-Otak eschews the typical use of mackerel in favour of conger eel blended with assorted spices. The otak-otak filling is then encased in attap leaves and cooked on a grill to give them a distinct, smoky flavour. Best to enjoy them fresh, even though you can purchase the frozen varieties too.
Address: No 163-8, Jalan Jabbar, Parit Jawa, 84150 Muar, Johor.
6) Otak-Otak Fang Xiang
Otak-Otak Fang Xiang sells their otak-otak fresh and frozen using quality fish meat, various spices and coconut milk. Expect a mildly robust and spicy-sweet taste of otak-otak that tastes good on its own or pair it with rice. They also sell otak-otak bun in a box of five filled with thick mackerel fish paste in soft and fluffy buns.
Address: 146, Jalan Dato Haji Hassan, Taman Sri Maharani, 84000 Muar, Johor.
7) K&Y Otak-Otak
Locating K&Y Otak-Otak can be easily spotted at Jalan Bentayan in Taman Sri Emas, thanks to its bright-red corner-lot building. They made their otak-otak from scratch using fish paste and other ingredients before wrapping them individually in leaves. They will have them freshly grilled on the spot, resulting in a mouthful of spicy-savoury taste upon every bite. You can buy them fresh or take home the frozen types packed in transparent plastic boxes.
Address: 55-17, Jalan Bentayan, Taman Sri Emas, 84000 Muar, Johor.
8) Ah Boon Otak-Otak
The home-based Ah Boon Otak-Otak serves their otak-otak fresh from the grill. You’ll get plump fish meat packed with enough flavour and spices. Their secret of good otak-otak lies in the insistence of using the freshest mackerel possible and blend them into a paste with other ingredients.
Address: 158, Jalan Utama, Taman Utama Satu, 84000 Muar, Johor.
