Keropok Lekor

The most popular traditional snacks ( Keropok Lekor )

One of the popular traditional snacks in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia is keropok lekor. Keropok lekor or sausage-like snack has long existed in Malaysia and can be found everywhere in Malaysia primarily in Terengganu. It is the famous traditional snack in Terengganu and also Kelantan. Keropok lekor does not have any history. It symbolizes Malay culture as the major resident in Terengganu and Kelantan are Malay. It has become a must-buy delicacy for the tourist, especially for Malay ethnic. It has been sold in commercial retail shops as well as on the street. Consumers usually can purchase keropok lekor from local hawker stalls and night markets. Losong is one of the famous places to buy keropok lekor. There is frozen keropok lekor sold in the market too.

The basic ingredients used to produce keropok lekor are fish, sago flour, salt and icy cold water. Ground fish is mixed with sago flour and salt as flavoring ingredients. Fish used to make the keropok usually are ikan selayang, ikan parang, ikan kembong and ikan kerisi. To make keropok lekor, first clean the fish thoroughly. Then scrape off the meat and mince the meat finely. Add salt, sago flour and icy cold water to mix into the dough. Icy cold water is mixed little by little until the dough becomes soft. Roll the dough into cylindrical shape like sausage. Traditionally, keropok lekor is precooked by boiling in water for a few minutes. The cooked dough will be then be cut into smaller tube-shaped for deep frying. Another option to take keropok lekor is by steaming.

There are two ways to eat keropok lekor, which are deep fried or steamed. Fried keropok lekor is fried until crispy gold while steamed keropok lekor gives a fishier flavor. Keropok lekor is nice to be eaten hot dipped with chili sauce. Another kind of keropok is keropok keping. They are the thinner version of keropok lekor. They are made up or larger tube-shaped keropok being sliced into very thin slices and taken as crackers.

Keropok lekor is tasty and crunchy. It can be chewy too. It has slightly fishy taste and best eaten while hot. It is a very popular snack and should be introduced to other states in Malaysia and even oversea to increase its popularity to become a good symbol of Malay culture.

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