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GULAI IKAN PATIN TEMPOYAK
Kedai Makan Long Zizah Kampung,
Kuala Sat Ulu Tembeling 27020 Jerantut Pahang
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Introduction and history
Gulai Ikan Patin Tempoyak has made Temerloh a must-visit food destination. Patin is a type of fresh water or river fish, found in Temerloh and the Pahang River, that the areas are acclaimed for the patin cuisine. This fish is cooked specially with tempoyak, the fermented durian that brings about the distinct taste of the gulai, a favourite of many. Although called 'gulai', it does not use coconut milk. Other fish suitable for this cooking are baung and jelawat fish (freshwater fish).
The patin found in Pahang is renowned for its delicious soft flesh and (fish) oil, believed to be due to the Pahang River environment.
Tempoyak is fermented durian, usually from the old fruits’ pulps (generally in almost or already sour state). The pulps are separated from the seeds, mixed with a little salt, then fermented for three to five days at room temperature. Some will ferment it for a year. Tempoyak is not eaten on its own but made into paste or ingredient of dishes such as gulai ikan patin tempoyak.
Gulai tempoyak ikan patin is also identified in Raub, Kuala Lipis and Jerantut. It can be said that every restaurant in these districts will serve this gulai delicacy to draw customers.
This cuisine is eaten with white rice, side dishes and various sambals (dips). Its taste is distinct due to the sour durian paste (the tempoyak) in it.
Ikan patin is found in the Pahang River, the longest river in Peninsular Malaysia. It meanders about 440 to 459 kilometers, crossing towns the Jerantut, Temerloh, Maran, Bera, Pekan and Chini towns, and finally flows to the South China Sea.
For the unversed, there are many types of freshwater fish in Sungai Pahang. They are the:
• patin (patin buah, patin sungai, patin sangkar, patin muncung, patin ekor merah),
• kelah,
• arowana,
• lampam jawa,
• kelah merah,
• temeloh,
• aruan,
• belida,
• tamalian/ temoleh,
• baung,
• kederak,
• sebarau,
• kerai,
• tenglangan,
• bujuk,
• toman,
• ketutu,
• puyu,
• buntal,
• keli, and
• limbat.
Patin flourish in the Pahang River. However, as times change, they began to be raised commercially in ponds or cages.
So popular, this fish has its own quality grade. The patin farmed in ponds are the easiest to obtain, thus the cheapest. The second grade is the ones reared in cages in the rivers of Temerloh, Pahang.
The third grade is patin buah, the prime species, found in certain muddy and stagnant parts of the river. They must be caught by fishing line or net and is expensive as it is increasingly difficult to obtain. The fourth type is patin muncung, the rarest, which can only be caught by nets. Thus it is the most expensive.
The shape of this fish is unique. Its body is long, slightly flat and without scales, with silvery white and bluish colours. The mouth is small. Equipped with two to four pairs of tentacles as tactile devices, they live at the bottom of the river and feed at night.
INGREDIENTS FOR GULAI IKAN PATIN TEMPOYAK
• 1 ikan patin
• 1 spoonful of tempoyak or to taste
• 15 twigs of kesum leaves
• 7 – 15 fresh chilies/peppers (slightly blended)
• 1 inch of fresh turmeric / powdered turmeric
• Two or three cups of water (to taste), and
• Salt and seasoning to taste.
HOW TO COOK GULAI IKAN PATIN TEMPOYAK
1. Put water in the pot.
2. Add the tempoyak and blended chili/pepper. Stir and wait until it boils.
3. When it boils, add the fish.
4. Add turmeric, salt and seasoning to taste.
5. Then add the kesum leaves. Wait until it boils, and the fish is tender.
6. Ready to serve.
Reference Source
i. Bahan Bacaan
Professor Dr. Haji Mohd. Salehuddin Mohd Zahar. (2022).
Bab Dalam Buku Siri 1 : Pelestarian Warisan Makanan Tradisional Melayu. Kuala
Lumpur : Jabatan Warisan Malaysia.
Abdullah, K. M.,
Ismail, F. H., Zamzuri, N. H., Saidatul Afzan, A. A., & Muhamad, R. (2020).
Pahang food terminologies: young
generations' understanding and usage diakses pada 20 Februari 2023 di pautan 20203279626 (cabidigitallibrary.org)
Nurul Husna Mahmud. (2018). Sajian Eksotik Jerantut : Metro
Ahad
M.Anem. (2023). Ikan-Ikan Sungai Pahang-Apa Hebatnya: blogspot: muat turun
pada 8 Mac 2023 daripada
https://animhosnan.blogspot.com/2023/03/ikan-ikan-sungai-pahang-apa-hebatnya.html
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Puan Norlelah Abd Karim
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Pahang
Kompleks JKKN Pahang
Lot 57100, Jalan Teluk Sisek,
25000, Kuantan,
Pahang Darul Makmur
09-517 8466
