Se'i facts for kids
Pork Se'i .
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| Alternative names | Sei |
|---|---|
| Type | Smoked meat |
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | Kupang, Timor |
| Serving temperature | Hot or room temperature |
| Main ingredients | Pork or beef |
Se'i (pronounced "say-ee") is a special kind of smoked meat from Indonesia. It comes from Kupang, a city on Timor island in East Nusa Tenggara.
This tasty dish can be made from different meats. You'll often find it made with pork (called se'i babi), beef (se'i sapi), or even venison (se'i rusa) from game animals. Today, pork is the most popular choice for Se'i.
To make Se'i, thin slices of meat are used. These slices are seasoned with salt and different spices. Then, the meat is slowly smoked. This process gives Se'i a unique flavor and texture. It's a bit like bacon, but usually thicker. You can easily find Se'i in restaurants and small local eateries called warung in the Timor area. In Kupang, people often enjoy Se'i with hot steamed rice. It's usually served with a spicy sauce called sambal lu'at and a corn dish called jagung bose.
What Does Se'i Mean?
The name Se'i comes from the local language of Timor. It simply means "smoked meat." This name perfectly describes how the dish is made.
The Story of Se'i
Se'i is a traditional food for the people of East Nusa Tenggara province, especially the Timorese people. In Timor, the weather is often dry. Because of this, people have used smoking for a long time to keep meat fresh. Smoking also helps to make the meat more nutritious and valuable.
In the past, Se'i was often made from the Timorese deer (Cervus timorensis). However, there are fewer of these deer now, and they are protected. So, making Se'i from deer has mostly stopped.
Today, beef and pork are the main meats used for Se'i. Both local people and visitors love these choices. Se'i has become very popular, and you can now find restaurants serving it outside of East Nusa Tenggara. Cities like Jakarta and Bali also have places where you can try this delicious smoked meat.
