Sate Bandeng is the typical cuisine of Banten. Sate Bandeng, which consists of milkfish, coconut cream, and spices, had existed since the first Sultan of Banten, Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin, in 1552-1570.

According to the story, it began when the Sultan wanted to eat a milkfish. However, the kingdom cook was confused, for the fish had plenty of fine thorns that were dangerous if processed directly, like grilled or steamed for the Sultan or the sultanate officials. So, the cook took the initiative to crush the flesh and pull out the bones and thorns first, and then the flesh was crushed and filtered to separate the bones and thorns. Next, the crushed meat was mixed with spices before being put together with the seasoning and then grilled until it was cooked. 

Not only the Sultan who liked the dish, but also the sultanate officials. Finally, sate bandeng that looked like sate lilit became one of the mandatory foods for the people of Banten at that time. It was passed down from generation to generation that lasts until today. 

As time went by, today, sate bandeng isn’t only for the noblemen. The common people also make sate bandeng as a daily meal. Moreover, they also sell it as a souvenir to the tourists who come to Serang or the coastal area in Banten Province. 

Today, sate bandeng industry in Serang has grown rapidly. Dozens of stores or stalls serve the dish to eat, either dine-in or are carried home. 

Image source: The Documentation of the Spice Routes Editorial Team