Amplang facts for kids
Two amplang from Kotabaru; scale bar shows 1 cm / 1″
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| Type | Snack |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | Samarinda and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, also Sabah in Malaysia |
| Main ingredients | Wahoo or Spanish mackerel, tapioca flour, selected spices |
Amplang, also known as kerupuk kuku macan, is a yummy, crunchy fish cracker snack. It comes from Indonesia and Malaysia. Amplang is usually made from fish like ikan tenggiri (wahoo) or Spanish mackerel. These fish are mixed with a starchy flour and other ingredients, then fried until crispy.
You can find amplang in many shapes and sizes. Some look like long "tiger nails," which is why it's called kerupuk kuku macan. Others are shaped like dice or even small balls. Their color can be yellow or light brown.
Where Does Amplang Come From?
In Indonesia, amplang is strongly linked to Samarinda. This city is the capital of East Kalimantan. Many small businesses making amplang have been there since the 1970s.
Long ago, amplang was made from a freshwater fish called ikan pipih or ikan belida. But this fish became harder to find. So, amplang makers started using ikan tenggiri (wahoo) or gabus (Striped snakehead ) instead.
From Samarinda, this tasty fish cracker became popular across the island of Borneo. It spread to cities like Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, and Pontianak. It even reached Sabah, a neighboring region in Malaysia.
Amplang is a popular oleh-oleh. This means it's a food gift or souvenir. People who visit East Kalimantan often buy amplang to take home. Today, amplang from Kalimantan is sold in many supermarkets. You can find it in big Indonesian cities like Jakarta and Surabaya.
Where is Amplang Made?
Most amplang is made by small businesses. These are often found in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Other places where amplang is made include Balikpapan and Pontianak in West Kalimantan. You can also find it in Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.
In Malaysia, amplang is mostly made on the east coast of Sabah. The town of Tawau is a main production spot there.
Different Kinds of Amplang
Today, amplang makers in East Kalimantan create new flavors. Besides the classic fish flavor, you can find amplang that tastes like crab or even seaweed. However, the original amplang kuku macan (tiger nail amplang) is still the most loved.
See also
In Spanish: Amplang para niños
