Keropok is a traditional snack enjoyed by many across generations. This snack is usually based on fish, squid, or prawn. Crunchy, chewy, thick, or thin are some options that people could choose when buying themselves some keropok in Malaysia. Besides being amazingly delicious, keropok is immensely popular among Malaysians as the highlight of tea time, and as a food that can keep the mouth occupied from boredom before the main course.
There are two types of keropok known to Malaysians; ‘keropok keping’ and ‘keropok lekor’. ‘Keropok keping’ is made by slicing the fish dough thinly before letting it dry under the sun. It is the quicker option when it comes to serving as it only takes as fast as 5 seconds for the dried fish dough to expand in hot oil.
‘Keropok lekor’ on the other hand, is the opposite of what ‘keropok keping’. The word ‘lekor’ derived from the word ‘lingkar’ or coil because the fish dough is kneaded and rolled into a sausage looking stick. It is much thicker hence longer time to serve.
Hail from the east of Peninsular Malaysia, keropok lekor has adoring fans beyond the state border of Terengganu. A staple snack for students to have on their way home from school and for adults during tea time.
Keropok lekor is commonly made from fish, but other sea creatures such as shrimp and squid can be seen sold by street vendors alongside the roads in Terengganu. The texture of keropok lekor is chewy and best served with homemade chilli blend, or store-bought chilli sauce, either way, it will still be lovely.
How to have a taste of keropok lekor without having to travel to Terengganu you might ask? Well, below are the easy steps in making your very own homemade keropok lekor to enjoy with your family and friends whenever you want.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Ingredients:
- 1 kg Mackerel or Sardine (debone – meat only)
- 1 ½ Sago Flour
- 2 tbsp Flour
- 2 tsp Salt
Directions:
- Chop and mince the meat finely.
- Add the other ingredients and mix well.
- Knead until it becomes a soft dough.
- Roll out the dough and shape it into a cylindrical shape.
- Boil a potful of water and slowly drop the keropok lekor into the pot.
- Wait for the keropok to float and remove it from the pot.
- Cut the keropok into thin slices.
- Deep-fry it and enjoy the scrumptious that is keropok lekor.