The Satay fish produce in Pangkor

For those familiar with "tib-bits" as food snack, a favorite amongst them will be "Satay Fish" from Pangkor Island. If the name doesn't ring a bell, then the name refer to small pieces of; toasted fishes that are coated with strong spices.

You need not asked for it!

But most visitors on a guided tour around Pangkor will invariably end up with some set up like this one - A one stop "satay fish" factory and souvenir shop.

On our visit, the guide nor those present at the shop made no attempt was made to show visitors around the facilities. We were under the impression that our presence there was to view some processes. So be prepared and don't be surprised when you see that every one just made a bee-line for the merchandise. By the way, the products offered, many has little to do with fishes or marine based raw materials.

The main road was lined with two rows of houses. But look behind those houses fronting the sea. They were on stilts and also extended into the sea. These must be some private jetties. They served varied purposes.

On one of them, we saw this group of causal labor, slicing off fishes into halves, cleaning the stomach out and preparing the fillet for drying. [Above]

The prepared fishes were then laid out over a tray.

Here under the shadow on the umbrella, the 2 workers were loading the trays of fishes onto a conveyor belt.

Believe or not, and look carefully, those stripes on the roof were the conveyors tracks. In between the ventilators, a tray of fishes in white shade can be seen.

They are slowly transported and relayed in open sun light over a galvanized zinc sheet roof.

By the time the these tray of fishes reaches the factory some 100 meters away, they were cured under the heat of the hot tin roof and ready for dipping into the spicy sauces!

To complete the process, there are a couple of ovens to roast the final product into hard crispy chips

At the same time in front of many houses around town, one more interesting feature of Pangkor Island can be seen.

As a cottage industry, this air-dry method of roasting the dried fishes - is a familiar scene but unique sight..

This owner of this house, within the town center area, had the typical frontage of the district. The walls of his house virtually pasted with myriad trays.

So, all the while you have been enjoying the wonderful taste. It is time that you be briefed as to how the products is prepared. Perhaps this may prompt you to recognize the brand of your favorite supplier!